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

The Nine Stage Life Cycle the Kingdom Key of Life & Death READ | I Peter 2:19-25 “Jesus’ experiences provide us with an example; therefore, we are to follow in his footsteps (I Peter 2:21 ).” Jesus is our Wayshower, our example of what it means to be fully human and fully divine. Jesus can relate to every part of our divine and human experience. He was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). How we see ourselves and others often depends on where we start the story of our lives. The Church focuses on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and calls it the gospel. However, beginning with death is like starting a book in the middle of the story. The Church has this awful habit of beginning in the middle and missing the full perspective. The Kingdom embraces the whole of the life cycle, not just a part of it. The Kingdom teaches that Jesus was an example to us throughout his entire process: his pre-existence wi...

Development Takes Place in the Dark The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | Psalm 137:11-16 “What I tell you in darkness, speak in light: and what I whisper in your ears, preach on the rooftops Matthew 10::27 Darkness in the scriptures is often associated with sin, iniquity, transgressions, trespasses, abominations, wickedness, and unrighteousness (Acts 26:18). Over the past few days, we have learned that darkness also symbolizes the good that is not apparent to us. We now also understand that ignorance can be abated through stillness, meditation, mindfulness, and breathing. In Jesus’ teachings, there is a third illustration of darkness, development. Zygotes, embryos, and fetuses develop their internal and external organs in the darkness of their mothers’ womb. When babies are born their eyes must adjust to the light because they have been growing in darkness for nine months. Some of the most beautiful photographs were developed in dar...

When the Light Bulb Comes on The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | I John 1:1-10 “I AM the light of the world: whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).” Darkness is associated with ignorance, not knowing. People who desire to be informed often say, “do not keep me in the dark.” When people gain an understanding, it is symbolized by the light bulb coming on over their heads. We do not have to live in darkness, we can be still and know. “Be still and know that I AM God (Psalm 46:10).” Knowledge is information, data, and facts. We have all knowledge inside of us because God is inside of us. Wisdom is the implementation of the information that we have received. We have all wisdom inside of us because God is inside of us. Understanding is the inspiration to share the wisdom that we have received with others. We have all understanding inside of us because God is inside us. We c...

Balancing Light & Darkness The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | Genesis 1:1-31 “He was the true Light, which lights every person who is born into the world ( John  1:9).” Everyday has light and darkness. As highlighted in our reading for today, “the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5).” This same process of darkness and light cont inues throughout all the days of creation. Notice in the creation story, the evening comes first and then t he morning. “Weeping may endure for a night , but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).” We are always working with darkness and light, the sun and the moon, and the greater light and the lesser light. No matter how gloomy the darkness, we always have the power to say, “Let there be light.” The day is not complete until there is both evening and morning, darkness and light. Every person has light and darkness. The light is reflected when we...

No More Patch Work! The Kingdom Key of Old & New R EAD | Matthew 5:14-17 “...I will give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; and they will be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and God will be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).”  Seamstresses make a lot of money repairing old clothes: letting them out here and taking them in there. They add patches to holes in the elbows of sweaters or the knees of pants. They stitch up tears and replace old buttons. In Jesus’ parable, God is not c alling us to patch up our old garments. God desires to give us new garments. We are so used to recycling plastic, repairing cars, reupholstering furniture, renewing contracts, and reviving plants that it is often challenging for us to embrace the idea of something new. Even though it may be a better use of our resources to buy something new, our attachment to the old causes us to ...

New is not Improved! The Kingdom Key of Old & New R EAD | Matthew 5:14-17 “It shall come to pass that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the Lord...(Joel 3:18).”  One of the major processes of biblical times was making wine. First, the grapes were crushed in the winepress to produce grape juice. Secondly, the grape juice was mixed with a yeast-like substance for fermenting. Thirdly, the mixture was placed into an animal skin bottle which had already been through its own process of tanning, curing, and sewing. Finally, as the grape juice transformed into wine, the animal wine skin expanded to full capacity indicating that fermentation was complete. Putting a new batch of the grape juice yeast mixture into an old wineskin that had already been used for fermenting was...

The Lost Elder Brother The Kingdom Key of Lost & Found R EAD | Luke 15:25-32 The older son never leaves the house or does any overt behavior to waste his inheritance. However, he is jealous when his younger brother is restored and is given a party. He is so disconnected from the events that are going on in the house, that he must ask a servant what is taking place. The father reminds the older son of his birthright and entitlement to everything that he had. He had permission to throw his own party. He did not have to wait for an event to access his inheritance. The elder brother had consistent access but was so busy working in the field that he did not do the practices to experience the relationship with his father that he desired. God does not desire that we just do the work of ministry. God desires an intimate relationship with us that is based on our Kingdom perfection, principles, practices and promises. Through the Parab...