Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson 2026

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...

Ephesians 5 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father...

Ephesians 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." If there is one chapter in the bible a church should study, it is Ephesians 4. Chapter 4 moves from who we are in Christ. to how we " live a life worthy of that calling ".  Some people might misunderstand the idea of " living a life worthy of our calling " as earning one's salvation. I.e. I need to try to be worthy enough for God to love me. This would be to grossly misunderstand what Paul is saying here.    " When we really understand how much God did for us, we will naturally want to serve and obey Him out of gratitude ." (Guzik) This should be the singular goal of every Christian to lead a life worthy of our calling. We have been called by God before the beginning of Creation to share the grace He has given us through His Son, Jesus. So what does it mean to live a life worthy of our calling? 1. P...

Ephesians 3 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." As I mentioned before, Ephesians focuses more than other New Testament on the Church. Paul describes how a healthy church functions to make known the mystery of Christ. The Church is the vehicle by which God's eternal salvation is made known to the world in the power of the Spirit. Paul's letter to the Ephesians will also say, " The Church is the bride of Christ!"   In today's passage Paul says something that I had not picked up on before. One of the advantages of reading the bible many times is that each time you pick up new things. In this case Paul says, " Through church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms....

Ephesians 2 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Usually I focus on verses 8 and 9 in Epheisans 2, which are two famous verses in the New Testament. But today I want to look at verses 4 through 6. I especially want to zero in on the three phrases: "made us alive in Christ", "raised us up in Christ", and "seated us with him".  Notice two things right away. Yesterday, the focus was what God had done for us, not what we did for God. The direction is always God coming down from heaven to earth. We see this in the three phrases above. It is God who did all these things " for us ...

Ephesians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Paul's letter to the Ephesians is one of the most important letters in the New Testament. The church in Ephesus was probably the most influential church in the early church due to its location and economic influence in the world. The first three chapters are theological in nature and contain many theologically important truths. The second, three chapters give a foundation of how we practice our faith in the church and in the world. More than any letter Ephesians gives the blueprint for how a healthy church operates.   Historical & Cultural Context (The Gospel Coalition) The Location: Ancient Ephesus was a major, wealthy Roman port city in modern-day Turkey, world-renowned for the Temple of Artemis. The Spiritual Landscape : The city was deeply entrenched in occult practices, magic, and superstitious fear of spiritual powers. Paul specifically emphasizes Christ’s supreme authority over all cosmic forces to reassure these believers...

Galatians 6 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. As Paul closes out his letter to the Galatians, he gives some practical instruction. Since he has just been talking about how to overcome the desires of the flesh by walking in the Spirit, he realizes that there will still be times when people fall into sin in the body of Christ. He describes this person as being "caught in sin".  Another translation uses the word "overtaken"  instead of " caught ". I think understanding this word Paul uses is key to interpreting this verse correctly.  Here's what one commentator says,  Paul’s wording here speaks not of a determined and hardened sinner. Instead, the idea is of someone who has fallen into sin, finding themselves trap...

Galatians 5 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Paul starts out the chapter by telling the Galatians, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not be burdened by the yoke of slavery ."  But then Paul tells them not to use their newfound freedom to indulge the flesh. This is the opposite of the legalism Paul was describing in the first four chapters, which presented itself through the Jewish rite of circumcision. Though the Galatians were free from the law, they mustn't use their freedom to go back to living in slavery to their sinful desires.  Paul gives a laundry list of behaviors that accompany living in the flesh ...

Galatians 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! We see again Paul's heart for the Galatians. Though Paul was one of the greatest missionaries and evangelists of all time, he had the heart of a pastor. The reason he was so upset the Galatians might return to the Law, after first receiving God's grace, was that he knew it was a " dead end street ". After having tasted the freedom of the gospel, these false teachers were trying to get them to return to the bondage of the Law. It really shocked Paul that they were even thinking this way.  In this chapter he points to the fact that these teachers wanted them to observe special days, months, and seasons.  The false teachers among the Galatians demanded the observance of days and months and seasons and years and other such legalistic matters ...

  Galatians 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. In Chapter 3, Paul continues to address the divide between the Jews and Gentiles. He teaches that the promise God made with Abraham could only be obtained through faith. In the famous passage from Genesis 15:6 it says, "Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness."  We often thnk that the Old Testament is all about the law and God's wrath, but it started with a promise to Abraham, which he received by faith. It was only later that the Mosaic Law was introduced which was to set the Israelites apart from the pagan nations.   As part of this c...

Galatians 2 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary  20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” This is one of the most famous passages in the bible. I would strongly recommend you put it to memory. These two verses sum up what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. But we might misinterpret it if we don't remember the context of this chaper and the rest of the letter to the Galatians.  There were certain men of reputation who came from Jerusalem, who had infiltrated the church and presented a false gospel that newly converted Gentiles needed to be circumcised. So, when Paul was in Antioch, he had to confront Peter because he used to eat with Gentiles, but when these men came, he stopped. Basically he caved to peer press...

Galatians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Today, we begin Paul's letter to the Galatians. The province of Galatia was in Asia Minor, which is in modern day "Turkey". Here are some other historical details about the book of Galatians. The Book of Galatians, often called the "Magna Carta of Christian Liberty," is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul to a group of churches in the Roman province of Galatia (modern-day Turkey).Written around 48–49 AD, it is likely Paul's earliest surviving letter. The letter serves as a passionate defense of the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, directly countering false teachers who insisted that Gentile Christians must follow the Mosaic Law to be saved. (Fuller Seminary, Christopher Scott) No Other Gospel 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidentl...

2 Corinthians 13 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. As Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians, he asks them a very important question. He says to them, "Examine yourselves to see if you a...

  2 Corinthians 12 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Paul’s Vision and His Thorn 12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of...

2 Corinthians 11 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Paul and the False Apostles 11 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. One of the major issues Paul addresses in this letter to the Corinthians was that he was a true apostle . Some "bad apples" slipped into the Corinthian church and were talking behind his back.  They created doubts about Paul's integrity, by saying he didn't keep His word when he said ...

2 Corinthians 10 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary Paul’s Defense of His Ministry 10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. The context of this passage was that the Corinthians were being swayed by those who were talking behind Paul's back and making disparaging comments about him. They we...

2 Corinthians 9 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Generosity Encouraged 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:  “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;  their righteousness endures forever.”  10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This is the second chapter in a row, where Paul is admonishing the Corinthians to complet...

2 Corinthians 8 - NIV What Does Equality Look Like? The Best Solution for True Economic Equality Today, Paul teaches the church on the "grace of giving". It is the best chapter on the reason, motivation, and way by which one should give generously to those in need, in response to all God has given us in Christ. It not only has relevance for the church 2,000 years ago but is equally true today.  Churches often have Stewardship Sunday, which usually caps off a month of emphasis on where the church is at financially and what it needs to do the things it wants to do the next year. Stewardship Sunday is when everyone puts their pledge commitments in the offering plates and the church gets an idea of the budget can sustain for the following year.  What some members of the church sometimes don't know is that most churches give outside their four walls to help the needs of the wider church and/or other Christian or charitable organizations. The churches I have pastored have alway...