Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson 2026

 Happy New Year!  This year's blog will be a little different. I am going to take 2-3 verses from each chapter each day, which I think are most important, and then make some comments.. I will be using the New International Version again this year. I like this version because it is easy to read, and an biblically accurate translation of the Greek language.  I will include a link to the chapter, which you can either read or listen to the audio. For instance today's is: Matthew 1 - NIV I will also include a link to the Enduring Word Commentary, which is primarily written by David Guzik, a conservative, evangelical scholar. He will also cite other excellent commentators, theologians and pastors like Charles Spurgeon, F.F. Bruce, D.A. Carson and others.  Enduring Word Commentary - Matthew 1 Introduction to Matthew: Matthew is the first gospel and the first book of the New Testament. It is written around 70-80 A.D., which about 40 years after Jesus' life, death, and resurr...

Hebrews 5 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. The role of the high priest was the most important one in the Jewish community. A priest was a " go-between " or a " mediator " between God and people. Because we are sinful we are separated from God which requires a sacrifice to atone for our sins, or to be made right with God. The high priest facilitated this process for the Israelites.  Since a high priest was human, he not only needed to mediate for the sins of the people, but also his own. Aaron was t...

Hebrews 4 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God 4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,  “So I declared on oath in my anger,  ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b] The observance of the/ Sabbath day was at the center of Jewish life. Honoring the Sabbath and keeping it holy is the 4th commandment.  The Sabbath taught the Israelites to rest from work and set aside time to worship God. By not working, they were putting their trust in God to provide for them.  But the writer also refers to the rest the Israelites never entered because of their unfaithfulness. They never entered the rest of t...

Hebrews 3   Enduring Word Commentary Jesus Greater Than Moses 3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,”[a] bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. For the Jewish people the two greatest figures in their history were Abraham and Moses. The writer of Hebrews contrasts the ministry of Jesus with Moses. Moses was faithful to God to deliver the Ten Comma...

Hebrews 2 - NIV  Enduring Word Commentary Warning to Pay Attention 2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. When the writer says the message spoken through the angels, he is referring to the words given to Moses in the wilderness or the Pentetuech,, which is the first five books of the Old Testament. The writer warns the Jewish Christians of drifting from the truth of God's Word, which is an issue in our society as well. Paul says in Romans 12:2,  "Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed b...

Today we start the book of Hebrews. It is a very interesting book as it teaches how the Jewish faith is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Here is a link to read an overview of Hebrews. It would be worth it for you to read before we begin our journey through Hebrews. Introduction to Hebrews Insight for Living Hebrews 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary God’s Final Word: His Son 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. The writer to the letter of Hebrews begins by showing the superiori...

Philemon - NIV Philemon Introduction - Insight for Living Enduring Word Commentary 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,  To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:  3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This short letter from Paul differs from his more doctrinal letters like Romans and Galatians. Paul says he is a " prisoner of Christ Jesus ", which will have meaning because in this letter Paul is asking Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus. The term "prisoner" is a word similar in nature to "slave" in the bible.  But in this letter, as in previous ones, Paul is a prisoner in Rome.  Paul converted Philemon when he was in Ephesus, but Philemon's home was the city of Colossae. Philemon was wealthy enough to own a slave, but also his home served as a house church. It wasn't ...

Titus 3 Enduring Word Commentary Saved in Order to Do Good 3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Paul again reiterates that Christians are to be subject to the governing authorities. All authorities have been appointed by God to exercise rule and order in the temporal realm. In our day it is often called, " the rule of law ".  Paul says in Romans 13 that if a Christian disobeys a law they deserve to be punished like anyone else. Elsewhere Paul calls it the " power of the sword" . While the authorities in govern the secular world (government, police, teachers, ...), the church has authority in the spiritualrealm to announce the forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name. Luther called it the " power of the keys ".  The way a Christian behaves in the world affects the witness he or she can have....

Titus 2 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel 2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Paul points to the importance of the older part of the congregation being an example to the younger generation of what it means to be a Christ follower. This is not only by what they teach, but maybe more importantly, by the way they live their lives. He lifts up different qualities for the men and women to show in their daily lives. This reminds us that men an...

Titus 1 - NIV Insight for LIving Intro to Titus Enduring Word Commentary 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,  4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:  Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Paul writes this letter to the believers on the island of Crete, who Titus is now pastoring. Paul is both a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He has given up his life to be a messenger of the gospel. Paul was once in bondage to trying to measure up by obeying the letter of the Law, but when he met Jesus and experienced his grace it set him free. He wanted to make sure that the church kept the purity of t...

2 Timothy 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your min istry. Paul continues to encourage Timothy to carry out his duties as the pastor of the church Ephesus. Paul reminds Timothy that ultimately he will be accountable to Jesus, when he returns to judge the living and the dead.  Therefore, Paul challeng...

2 Timothy 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Many times throughout history Christians have felt like they were living in the " last days ". As we look at the traits which characterize people in the "last days", we observe these types of people living today. Paul gives a laundry list of traits which generally typify the sinful nature we have all inhabited from Adam. Then Paul says they have a form of godliness but denies its power. What does this mean?  This can be the case when people may seem godly on the outside but ...

2 Timothy 2 - Enduring Word Commentary The Appeal Renewed 2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Though "grace" is a gift, it doesn't mean we should be passive as we seek to live in it. Paul tells Timothy to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The apostle Peter said in his second letter to the church,  " grow in t...