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

  As a child, you probably were taught to pray by bowing your head and closing your eyes. You may not have had any idea why prayer had to begin that way. You probably never asked the questions, “Why do I have to bow my head? What is the purpose of closing my eyes?” You most likely went along with the program.   Bowing your head and closing your eyes is more than physical activity. They have spiritual significance. Bowing your head symbolizes your conscious choice to exalt the Christ in you over your ego. Closing your eyes represents taking a break from your external experience so that you can focus more on your internal reality.  In the text, Jesus was on the cross, saying one of his final prayers. He bowed his head in submission to God’s will and closed his eyes to see with the eyes of his spirit. He cut through his pain and suffering by envisioning his oneness with God.  One of the ways to powerfully use the scriptures in your life is through finding scriptures tha...

  Reading, Studying, and Researching the Scriptures is like the Allen Keys used to install nuts and bolts in furniture assembly. They come in various sizes to fit various nuts and bolts. Like the Allen Keys, the scriptures help you assemble your life with good things because there is a scripture to fit every situation. The real power of Reading, Studying, and Researching the scriptures is their practical application to your life. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).” Jesus read the Word, and he applied the word to himself. He connected with the written Word and made it the living Word. The Word of God is not just facts, stories, and information. The Bible is abundant with principles that empower you to lead a holistically healthy, balanced, and well-rounded life so that you become the living Word read by all people (II Corinthians 3:2).   Reading, Studying and Researching the Scriptures are central to the life of every disciplined follo...

“And I will pour of my Spirit on all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy (Acts 2:17).”  Most of the examples of  leader s that you have read about  in the Bible are  men. There are  also  female  leader s throughout the Bible.  It is important that we highlight the women in the Bible and study them.  Women such as Miriam, Esther, Ruth, and Deborah were  leader s in the Old Testament. Mary, Priscilla, Dorcas, and Phoebe are just a few examples of New Testament female  leader s.  Y our gender does not qualify you or disqualify from being a  Wayshower  (Spiritual Leader) . Being a  leader  is about developing the Christ within and growing in the manifestation of your divine potential.  John, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote a letter to a “Woman  Leader ” who was leading a church in her home  (II John 1:1-13) . He called her the Elect Lady and celebrated the love that she manife...

  “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:8).” Wayshower is another word for leadership. You are a leader. Your leadership is not limited to a title or a position. You are  a  leader because you are following your own path towards wholeness and balance in your life. You have what it takes inside of you to stand up for what you believe, speak boldly your truth, and see the Christ in every person and in every circumstance.  Stephen who represents royalty was a Wayshower for all leaders. He was a deacon in the church who stood up for his faith and walked his talk. Spirit flowed through Stephen and his ministry manifested miracles, signs, and wonders. He spoke with boldness and it caused him to receive great persecution. Stephen was bitten, stoned, and eventually killed. He was so advanced in the development of his Christ consciousness that he was able to see the goodness of God in his death and in the people, who were s...

  Being a n example  to your family and friends can be particularly challenging. They have known you  longer and often better than other people. Sometimes they can hold your past against you and only see you from their limited perspective. They may not receive you as a   Wayshower , a positive role model,  to them because of their awareness of the challenges that you are working through to be the best version of yourself.  Cornelius was an Italian military leader who was an awesome  Wayshower  to his family, friends, and community  (Acts 10:1-48) . He was known in his locale for being a man of integrity and a philanthropist. When he had his spiritual awakening, the first people that he called to his home were his family and friends. Not only did they receive his invitation, but they too had life-changing experiences.  Each family and friendship  are  unique. In some instances, you may be like Cornelius and receive the support o...

  “The stone which the builders rejected the same is become the head of the corner (Matthew 21:42).” Affirmation – We are all spiritual beings. I see each man as my brother. I see each woman as my sister.  I see every child as my child. Some people are generalists and are called to meet a wide variety of needs for diverse types of people.  Some examples are your Primary Care Physician or Internal Medicine Doctor and Jesus, our  Wayshower . Others are specialists and they are called to target their energies and efforts to a specific group with specific challenges. One instance of this concept is your Primary Care Physician referring you to a Specialist to deal with a condition. Peter who was called to the Jews and Paul who was called to the Gentiles are Biblical examples of specialized  Wayshowers . (Acts 9:15).  Philip, who represents power, was a  Wayshower  to those who were rejected and marginalized by society and other groups of people. He was...

  “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).” Denial – I release and I let go of any erroneous ideas, limited beliefs, or faulty perceptions about partnership. Affirmation – I work well with others. I AM a team player.  In the 1000’s, there was a one energy in the universe. The focus was on individuality, doing things for yourself and doing things alone. The calendar changed to the 2000’s, the energy shifted and now the focus is on partnership, networking, and collaboration. Restaurants and various other companies have merged and learned to share marketing costs and physical space. There has been a rise in coaches for healthy eating, exercise, relationships, and any other goal that a person desires to accomplish.  In a team, each teammate has a specific role. Every person cannot do the same function. Even in the movement that is happening now, everyone cannot protest in the streets.  Some need to write new p...