Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

Revelation 4 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come.” Context :Moving from the conditions within the churches in Asia to the future of the universal church, John sees the course of coming events in a way similar to Daniel and Ezekiel. Many of these passages contain clear spiritual teachings, but others seem beyond our ability to understand. The clear teaching of this book is that God will defeat all evil in the end. We must live in obedience to Jesus Christ, the coming Conqueror and Judge. Chapters 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of Christ...

Revelation 3 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Observe the Context In His letter to the church of Laodicea, Jesus warns us about the danger of self-sufficiency. Laodicea was a wealthy banking center and proud of her rich resources. In AD 60, the city was destroyed by an earthquake. Rather than accepting aid from the Roman Empire, the people of Laodicea refused any help and rebuilt the city themselves with their own resources. They did not need anyone’s charity. Yet, while Laodicea appeared to have everything, it actually lacked the most basic of resources — water. Unlike the mountain towns that had cold water streams or nearby Hierapolis that had access to hot springs, Laodicea ...

Revelation 2 To the Church in Ephesus 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the para...

Revelation, Chapter 1 Verses 9-11 John's Vision of Christ I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” Observe The book of Revelation is one of the harder books in the New Testament to interpret. So it is important to start with what we know. The book is written in a certain historical context, which will be really important to keep in mind. The letter and its visions were recorded by the apostle John, who is often thought of as "the disciple who Jesus loved. As the text says, John was exiled on the island of Patmos due to his testimony for Jesus Christ." Patmos is small, ...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 50-51, 3 John Verses for the Day 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. Thoughts for the Day 3 John is the shortest letter in the bible, and is a relatively obscure letter. The letter is from a specific person, most likely John, to his friend Gaius. John commends Gaius for his faithfulness in welcoming the missionaries that came to his church. He was hospitable to these travelers showing his faith, generosity and hospitality. He was unlike another leader in the church, Diotrephes, who only thought of himself and did not welcome them. Hospitality is a spiritual that some have m...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 37-39, Psalm 79, 2 John Verses for the Day 7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. Thoughts for the Day 2 John is a short letter usually assumed to be written by John, or someone from within the Johannine community. The main focus picks up on the letter of 1 John, which warns the church about the heresy of "docetism". As the passage says, these teachers do not acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh. Meaning Jesus did not truly come to the earth as a human being. He calls this person a "deceiver" and the "antichrist". I believe the ...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 33-34, Psalm 74, 1 John 5 Verses for the Day 5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. Thoughts for the Day John re-affirms that a person who believes that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is born again. They are born into a heavenly family with God the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit. John is very relational, as he talks about our new relationship with God, and our new identity in His family. Since John is writing against the heresy that Jesus wasn't really human, John uses familial terms such as Father, Son and child. But like any relationship, there needs to be love shown in action. John says the way we can show our love is by obeying His commands. Let's ...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 31-32, 1 John 4 Verses of the Day This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. Thoughts for the Day The theme of 1 John is to affirm that Jesus truly came in the flesh, and to teach the believers how to recognize the false teaching that Jesus really did not come in the flesh. If Jesus did not truly become human then his primary purpose could not be fulfilled. The primary purpose of Jesus' coming to earth is to reveal what God is like and especially that He is love. In the past, God revealed Himself in many ways, but God specifically revealed Himself and His character when Jesus ...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 28-30, 1 John 3:9-10 Verses for the Day No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. Thoughts for the Day One of the issues John is writing to the general Christian community about is how do you know you are a Christian? John's main point both in his gospel and letters is that we can "know" God and Jesus through the Spirit. He calls this being "born again", which is an often misunderstood and misused term. It basically means "born from above". This is why John so often stresses that believers are children of God. See John 1:12-13, where he specifically says this. But false teaching was infiltrating the Christian c...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 105, John 21 Verses for the Day John 21:15-17 Peter 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus answered, "Feed my sheep!" Thoughts for the Day As the risen Jesus eats with the disciples, Peter is likely feeling very sheepish. He had denied Jesus three times and now Jesus is among them just as he said. First Jesus says, "Do you love me more than these?" Seemingly he is saying to Peter, "Do you love me more th...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 23-25, John 19 Verses for the Day 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Thoughts for the Day Jeremiah has words for the shepherds who failed to protect the sheep, but instead selfishly looked after their own interests. And then he turns to the prophets, who he calls "lying prophets". They were giving a message of peace when there was no peace. They turned their personal dreams into a "word from the Lord". Apparently they even borrowed each other's ...

Readings for the Day 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalms 122, John 18 Verses for the Day "Jesus knowing all hat was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Thoughts for the Day As Jesus' end draws near, the Pharisees and chief officials, led by Judas, come with lanterns, torches and weapons expecting him to put up a fight. But Jesus knows why they are there and is quite complicit in the whole matter. When they ask for, "Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus answers, "I am he". This is in keeping with John's theme and purpose to prove that Jesus is both God and man. When he uses the term "I am he", it is the Greek translation for the word "Yahweh" in the Old Testament. The sacred and rarely used name of God. This term is used 24 ti...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 18-20, Psalm 93, John 17 Verses for the Day Jeremiah 20:7-9 Jeremiah’s Complaint 7 You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. 8 Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. 9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Thoughts for the Day In case you ever thought the job of prophet was an easy one, read these verses. Whenever Jeremiah speaks the word the Lord gives to him, he is insulted and abused. He is generally hated by everyone because of his words that not only present a gloom and doom prediction for their nation, but also rebukes them for their stubborn, sinful behavior. Instead of looking in the mirror and seeing t...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 16-17, Psalm 96, John 16 Verses for the Day But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Thoughts for the Day Yesterday, Jesus told the disciples that he was the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through him. This would be their message to the world. Today as Jesus prepares them for His departure he tells them it is good for him to go away for it is for their benefit. I am sure the disciples had a hard time understanding what he meant by this. But Jesus gives the reason for this comment when he states that unless he goes he cannot send them the "Advocate. This was another adjective for the person of the Holy Spirit. The word for "advocate" in the Greek is the word "parakletos", John's favorite word for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. It is also translated ...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 13-15, John 15 Verses for the Day 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Thoughts for the Day In chapter 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a Vine and its branches to describe the relationship between he and his disciples. In the Old Testament, Yahweh is seen as the Vine of Israel. Israel would be fruitful, only if they obeyed God"s commands. Jesus uses this metaphor to describe himself. He says, "I am the Vine, and you are the branches." As he has done all throughout the book of John, this is another statement of His divinity. Importantly Jesus promis...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 10-12, John 14 Verses for the Day 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Thoughts for the Day As Jesus gets closer to his destination, the cross, he continues to reveal his true identity. In the verse above, he gives us THE defining statement of who He is by saying, "I am the way, the truth and the life." And then Jesus makes it clear there is no other way to the Father except through him. That sounds very narrow, but in actuality eliminates a lot of false teaching about who Jesus really is. First, Jesus is the "Way". As God provided a way in the wilderness, through Moses his spokesperson, now God came in the person of Jesus to reveal the way back to him. Notice it does not say "a way", but "the way". The prevailing worldview in Wester...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 7-9, John 13 Verses of the Day 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you Thoughts for the Day As Jesus goes to his final destination, the cross, he gives them one, final visual lesson. When the time came for the servant in the house to wash the disciples' feet, Jesus took off his robe and washed each of the disciples' feet. Peter had the most trouble with it, and refused to have Jesus do such a menial and lowly task. But Jesus isn't budging. He tells Peter that unless he lets him was his feet, he has no part of him. Meaning if Peter misses the significance of what Jesus is demonstra...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 5-6, John 12 Verses for the Day “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. 15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. As Jeremiah points out how far Israel has fallen away from God, he preaches that not only have the people turned away from God, but also the spiritual leaders, the prophets and priests. And just what was their deceit? They told the people what they wanted to hear. The swept under the rug the extent of the greed and sinfulness of the people of God Why? Because they were involved in it too. Jeremiah says, "they dress the wound of my people as i...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 3-4, John 11 Verses for the Day - Jeremiah 3:20 “‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. Thoughts for the Day As young Jeremiah continues to prophecy against the people of Judah, he often uses the relationship of a man and a woman in marriage to describe God's relationship with them. In many of the verses he describes them as a wandering prostitute engaging with anyone that will have her. It seems like pretty graphic language for the bible, but underscores the nature of God's covenant promise with His people. God made His promises to them that He would be their God and guide them into a land flowing with milk and honey. For their part they needed to honor an...

Readings for the Day Jeremiah 1-2, John 10 Verses for the Day My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Thoughts for the Day As the book of Jeremiah begins, we see young Jeremiah is called from birth from his mother's womb, to be God's spokesperson to the Isarelites. Although he is young, God assures him he will be with him, and commands him to speak what he reveals to him no matter what. The central thrust is that Israel has forgotten their first love for God that they had at the beginning of their journey as a people. God asks them why they had stopped trusting in him after all the miracles he had done for them in Egypt. Then, in the verses above, Jeremiah summarizes the message God has for them. They have not only forsaken God, but they have assumed that they could provide for themselves in better ways. Jeremiah compares the fresh, living...

Readings for the Day Zephaniah 1-3, John 9 Verses for the Day Investigate the Healing 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Thoughts for the Day As Jesus moves along in John's gospel, Jesus does signs that not only show his power as the Messiah, but also reveals the true nature of the Pharisees' blindness. There is a real sense of irony here, as the Pharisees dispute with the man who Jesus heals of blindness whether he can really see or not. In their mind blindness was a result of a person's sin from birth. You can only imagine how shaming this was, as not only was the person blind, but blamed for it as well. It is no wonder Jesus has mercy on him. At the end of the story Jesus reveals who is truly blind. That i...