The Bishop’s Mind: Christian Wisdom, Daily Devotionals & Empowering Messages for Kingdom Living

  We Go Together: Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit    There are some things in life that simply belong together. You cannot separate them without losing something essential about the whole. The same principle applies to the fruit of the Spirit . "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, meekness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." – Galatians 5:22–23    Notice that Scripture speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, not merely the fruits of the Spirit as separate and unrelated qualities. These characteristics reveal the nature, character, and essence of God operating within a Kingdom citizen.    The fruit of the Spirit is more than a list of admirable qualities. It is evidence of God's presence within us . It becomes a spiritual signature a visible expression of an invisible God.    And here is the message: We go together!   ...

  Where Is the Love?    One of my favorite duets is by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack: "Where Is the Love?" It asks, "Where is the love that you said you would give to me?" It's a timeless question and one that’s just as spiritually relevant today.    In Galatians 5 , Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He helps believers understand how to discern what’s truly of God. And here's the spiritual compass: love is God's signature . "And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."   Galatians 5:21 (KSB)    Whatever you do whether it’s cooking a meal or making a major decision ask yourself: "Where is the love?" Is love your motive? Is love present in your tone, your actions, your intentions?  Paul’s letter urges us to determine whether we are operati...