Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson 2026

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Peter brings up another aspect for the church to consider as it faces its trials. As we live out our faith, part of the cause of our suffering is our enemy the devil. Here are the strategies Peter gives for dealing with our common enemy if we seek to live out the Christian life. 1. Be alert and of sober mind. It is important for us to know who the devil is and how he works. Although we don't have to see a devil in every bush, we need to be mindful that he is like a roaring lion looking to devour believers. 2. We do not need to afraid of our enemy as believers. We can resist him and have the power to command him to be gone. And how can we resist him, by standing firm in the faith! The ultimate goal of ...

1 Peter 5 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. In the same way the shepherds were to model themselves after Jesus, the younger men were told to submit themselves to their elders. Elders according to scholars means not so much the office of elders, but men older in age and Christian experience. To clothe literally meant to tie a knot, as in tying a knot around an apron for waiting on tables. A similar word is used when Jesus washes the disciples feet. Humility is best described in Philippians 2:1-5 as Jesus took the form of a servant and emptied himself. He looked to others' interests as greater than his own. Mark says in chapter 10, "For even the Son of M...

To the Elders and the Flock 5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. The elders were the spiritual overseers in the early church. They played the role of not only teachers, but shepherded the flock. Peter would be well acquainted with this term as he was a shepherd The last words Jesus said to him three times were, "Peter, Feed my sheep". In fact Jesus said, "Peter, do you love me more than these? Then feed my sheep!" Jesus was in essence telling him that in order to be a good shepherd, h...

Suffering for Being a Christian 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Cre...

1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Peter, like many after him thought the end was near. Near could mean a lot of things, but instead of being caught up with when it is going to happen, Peter focuses on what to do to get ready for it. Rather than running to hills and waiting for Jesus' return, Peter advocates living out their faith in the community. Peter stresses several acti...

Living for God 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. Whenever we see a "therefore" in scripture the text usually moves on to an application as a result of the previous teaching. In ...

1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. Peter today talks about the resurrected Jesus preaching to imprisoned spirits. This is a very obtuse verse without precedent in any other place in the bible. It would be nice to think people got a second chance who weren't around in ...