Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson 2026

Colossians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Background on the Letter to the Colossians (summarized from Google AI) Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison in Rome, around 60-62 A.D.  Colossae is located in modern Turkey, 100 miles east of Ephesus. The church was started by a local man named Epapras, who likely heard Paul preach in Ephesus. The occasion was Paul's deep concern from false teaching, which had infiltrated the church. This false teaching was a mixture of Jewish legalism. I.e. Sabbath and dietary rules, and observation of festivals. Worship of angels and mystical experience. Also known as "secret knowledge" or "gnosticism". And, "ascetism", which was a self-imposed denial of bodily needs in search of a higher spiritual purity.  Purpose of the letter.  " Paul wrote to prove that Jesus Christ is completely supreme, sufficient, and preeminent over all creation and spiritual powers. He argued that believers do not need to add hidden r...

Philippians 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary As we started Paul's letter to the Philippians, I said it was my favorite letter in the New Testament. That being said, Chapter 4 is my favorite chapter. Verses 4-8 and verse 13 are defiitely worth memorizing!  Final Exhortations 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. First, two important things about the historical context of this passage. One, Paul was in prison suffering for the proclamation of the gospel. Two, the Philippians were suffering, as we see Paul writes that the Philippians were experiencing the same kind of struggles and conflict, they had seen him go through.  If anybody had a reason to be anxio...

Philippians 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Paul has quite a religious pedigree, but when he compares it to knowing Jesus, he considers it a " bunch of garbage ". In Galatians 2 he says, "If righteousness could be gotten from the works of the law, then Christ died for nothing!" Paul was dealing with those who were ...

Philippians 2 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Imitating Christ’s Humility 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  7 rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature of a servant,  being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man,  he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death—  even death on ...

Philippians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Introduction to Paul's letter to the Philippians (Google AI) Author: The Apostle Paul. Location: Written while Paul was in prison (likely in Rome around A.D. 62). The City: Philippi was a prominent Roman colony in Macedonia (modern-day Greece) known for patriotic pride and retired soldiers. The Church: Founded by Paul during his second missionary journey (recorded in Acts 16), starting with believers like Lydia. It was the first Jesus community established in Europe . Purpose of the Letter Thank You: P aul wrote to thank the church for sending a financial gift to support him in prison through Epaphroditus.Joy in Suffering: He aimed to encourage the believers to maintain their joy and stand firm despite facing outside opposition and internal friction. Unity and Humility: Paul urged the congregation to put aside selfish ambition and embrace the humble "mind of Christ". Key Themes  Rejoice in the Lord: Words related to joy and re...

Ephesians 6 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  In chapters 1-5 Paul taught the Ephesians about their identity in Christ and gave them practical instructions on how to live out the Christian faith.  In this last chapter Paul finishes with a call to put on the full armor of God, so we can take a stand against the devil's schemes.  First, we cannot fight the devil in our power power. Paul clearly says, " Be strong in the Lord and his mighty powers".   We k...