Andy Talks

Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here - https://www.thecommonrule.org/advent-readingsToday, we see Jesus’ sermon to His hometown folks.  He reads from Isaiah and shares that the Lord has anointed Him to bring good news to the poor.  This is fulfilled at that moment because Jesus is the fulfillment of that.  He is good news. As I’ve heard it said, if it’s not good news to the poor, it’s not good news.  The temptation of Christmas is to make it about us and not about Jesus.  There is a world all around in need that He has called us to serve. Let’s have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands and feet to serve.  That is what Christmas calls us to. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your

Today, we look at Mark 1: 1-8. What does a Christian look like?  We see in our Confirmation Sunday, as these young persons confess and confirm their hope, what a Christian looks like.  Where Jesus is, there is peace.  Peace is found in the person of Jesus Christ.    

Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here - https://www.thecommonrule.org/advent-readingsIn our reading today, we are reminded that Jesus preached peace to those who are near and those who are far. And through the cross, he has ended the division, that is the hostility between us. He doesn't end the disagreements and or the differences, but through the work of Jesus, has ended the hostility. He has come to bring us peace. And He has come that we may be a means of peace, a gift of peace in a world of hostile division.Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage,  Ephesians 2: 13-2, here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=

Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here - https://www.thecommonrule.org/advent-readingsToday, the prophet asks us a question. Why are you spending money on that which is not bread and laboring for that which does not satisfy?  We are busy, we are thirsty. But we are not thirsty for one more activity.  We are not thirsty for one more thing to do. We are not thirsty for all the things that we have on our schedule. We are thirsty for the living waters of Jesus. Today, with all the season demands of us, let’s make sure that we are truly living for the right thing this Christmas. Let’s keep our eyes, and our lives focused on Jesus today and each day. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on yo

Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here - https://www.thecommonrule.org/advent-readings.  Today, we hear the words of Isaiah, “Comfort.”  I recount how, as I kid I was always puzzled by Mr. Rogers putting on comfortable clothes at the beginning of each episode, but now I find myself doing the exact same thing each day. I put on something comfortable.  Today, God is telling us that His glory has been revealed to us, in Jesus, and that He provides comfort to us.  Today, comfort is found for us all, in Jesus. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage, Isaiah 40: 1-5, here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568785670You can

Advent teaches us so very much.  It teaches us hope. And peace. And joy.  And love. But above all else, it teaches us trust. Advent, at its core, is about waiting and it is about trust. It is about trusting in God to make all things wait. Advent is about when we remember the waiting of the people of God for Jesus’ first coming. And it is where we wait now for His second coming. Today, we’ll talk a little more about the symbols, what they mean, and what they can teach us. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read Isaiah 9: 2-7 here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568733641You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean?  For some of us, we may be familiar with Advent, but we aren’t sure what it is really about. For others, we may have no idea. Advent is the first season of the church year, and while we talk about it (more tomorrow), today we talk about the church year. What are the seasons?  How do they work? What are they about?  Why should we even care?  I think you’ll find looking more in-depth at the seasons of the church year to be a rewarding spiritual exercise! Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message for the first Sunday of Advent, we look at this truth - Jesus is hope. Not that Jesus brings hope, but that hope is found in the person of Jesus. Andy shares with us from 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9.  Join us as we learn hope is found fully in Jesus!     

We often see Palm Sunday as an act of humility by Jesus. It was, yes, but it was kingly humility. Jesus is declaring for all to see that He is the Messiah. He is the one prophesied about. And when He rides that donkey into town, all can see He is declaring Himself King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As one of my mentors once told me, Palm Sunday was the most messianic thing that Jesus did upon the earth outside of the resurrection. Today, we see that it is a direct fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophet.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passages here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568269061You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This is a beautiful example of how the Bible all fits together.  Hosea is reminding us of Israel’s past, how God called them out of Egypt back to the promised land in the book of Exodus, while also pointing to Jesus.  In the same way that Israel fled to safety in Egypt, Jesus and the Holy Family fled to safety in Egypt.  We see this beautiful connection.  In Israel, we see that pointing to the work and the person of Jesus, and in Jesus, we see a fulfillment of the story of Israel.  The Bible is a true gift to us, y’all, and it so beautifully fits together, pointing us all to Jesus!   Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passages here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568269208You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

The prophet Malachi says that a prophet will come before the Messiah to make things ready. We see this in his prophecy today.  In Matthew, Jesus specifically quotes that prophecy when talking about John the Baptist.  He says that John is Elijah. In doing this, Jesus does two things. First, He shows us that John is the fulfillment of that prophecy. But secondly, if John is the one who will make things ready for the Messiah, Jesus is saying this - He is the Messiah. He is the one that all the prophets are pointing to. In this, Jesus is not just saying who John is. He is saying who He is.    Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passages here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568182670You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

The Wise Men come looking for the new King of the Jews. They didn’t know where He was born, so they went to the place that seemed appropriate, the palace. When they got there, they found out from the religious scholars that the prophet Micah, centuries ago told us that Bethlehem is where the messiah was to be born. O Little Town of Bethlehem. It would be easy to miss if you weren’t paying attention. So, let’s do just that, friends. Let’s read the Bible; let’s pay attention. Let’s see where the Messiah is. And let’s be faithful to follow Him, always.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=568120437You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. Yet today, we see one of the most beautiful images of what it was that Jesus did upon the cross.  He was beaten, bruised, and died for our sins.  He suffered for the sins of many.  Today, through Jesus, our sins are forgiven.  He has atoned for our sins.  He has paid the price that we could not pay. We are forgiven.  God’s wrath is satisfied.  Never forget what God has done for us on the cross.  Never forget that.  We see in Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus, the story of exactly what it is that Jesus does for us. By His wounds, we are healed.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revand

Today’s Psalm is a Psalm of active praise. The Psalmist tells us to praise the Lord.  Praise Him with all that we are. With voice, with action, with everything.  Of the best ways that we can increase our praise, increase our thanksgiving, and increase our heart for God is to be active in our praise. Today, name what it is that you are thankful for. Name God’s goodness and mercy. Name what God has done for you. Name it!  And what we find, when we name these things, we find the more we name, the more thankful we are.  Today, actively thank and praise our God. And you will find your heart even more thankful today. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+150&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://r

Happy Thanksgiving!  Today’s Psalm repeats itself over and over again. The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. I love that this repeats itself so often because, if we are going to be honest, there are times when we forget.  We can forget what is true. We can forget who we are. We can forget who we are. We repeat the truth to ourselves, even when we don’t believe it.  We repeat the truth to ourselves, even when we doubt it. It doesn’t stop being true when we struggle with it. That is why we repeat it. The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.  Today and each day. You are loved.  Never forget that! Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+136&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://re

We are looking today at my favorite Psalm 121. This is a Psalm I just find myself quoting over and over again. It always seems to be on the tip of my tongue.  Part of the reason is because when I was a younger Christian, I found myself singing this Psalm over and over again. I’m including a link to the version I used to sing along to. In that, this Psalm became a part of my deep spiritual life. I love God’s Word. This Psalm reminds me of just how much I love the Bible. Make your home there. Live there. And in that, you will find His grace, His love, His very life.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+121&version=NRSVUESusan Ashton singing Psalm 121 - https://youtu.be/2Pguhv10e3E?si=XebGBdvcVeDaBXWFYou can watch t

Today we look at Psalm 107. This Psalm has a heading, “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles.”  This Psalm looks at the many troubles that the people have gone through and how it was always God’s steadfast love that delivered them.  It is important for us to remember what the Lord has brought us through. There’s an old Steven Curtis Chapman song - “Remember Your Chains,” that this Psalm reminded me of.  When we remember where the Lord has brought us from, we can be thankful for where we are now. Be thankful for his steadfast love.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As we start our week of Thanksgiving, we begin with Psalm 100. This is one of my personal favorites of the Psalms because it tells us this. We are loved by God. But not only are loved by God, but we are worthy of being loved by God because He made us. We are His. We are the sheep of his pasture. He has made us, He has formed us, we are His. We are loved today.  So, we enter His courts with praise because of what He has done for us. Today, give thanks and praise because you are loved by an amazing God.  Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+100&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our message from November 19, 2023, Andy shares with us from James 1:17.  We are reminded that all good gifts are from above.  If it is in your life and it is a good thing, it is from God. All of these gifts of grace, they point us to the love and salvation of our God. All good things point us to Jesus!     

It is easy for us to read the Bible, like ancient history or a fairy tale at worst.  We can forget that these were real people whom God worked through. Paul was just flesh and blood, just like me and you. And the same God that worked through Paul to do such things is the same God who works through you and I, if we will allow.  These are real people with real stories and real life.  This is not make-believe; this is reality.  And a real God was at work in real ways. Then, and He still is today. Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+28%3A+23-30&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/