Andy Talks

In our Traditional message from October 22, 2023, Andy shares with us from 2 Timothy 2: 1-10.   Why do we teach?  We find that when we pour into others, we are the ones who are blessed. It is in the giving that we receive!

Today, we see Paul begin to really see the opposition that was going to come to him. Individuals stir up much trouble and try to even kill him. They assume the worst about Paul, that he did something to offend them when in reality, he went out of his way to avoid doing just that.  Their worst-case assumption leads to riots and much trouble.  Today, do we assume the best of each other or the worst of each other?  Those assumptions will shape much of how we live together and how we serve together.  This world pushes us to assume the worst. Let’s push back against that and assume the best of each other! 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+21%3A+27-36&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revan

Paul gets to Jerusalem today.  There was much concern among the Jewish believers that Paul had been telling Jews to ignore the law, so the church leader asked Paul to participate in some of the rituals. Because for Paul, it wasn’t about the rituals; it was about Jesus.  It is easy for us to confuse the means for the end. The end is knowing Jesus. That’s what matters. The means is how we do it, and that may look different for every one of us. Let’s focus on the end, knowing Jesus. Let’s not expect everyone to have our “means.”  That may look different and probably will look different for all of us. What matters is that we know Jesus. That’s the point of all this.  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+21%3A+17-26&ver

Paul is told twice today, don’t go to Jerusalem.  If you do, it will end badly for you.  You will die. But Paul says he is called to go, even if it means his death.  He is called by God to do this, so he has courage.  Courage is not being afraid. Courage is being afraid and doing the right thing anyway. Stay rooted in the Spirit. Listen to God, listen for His voice, and stay rooted in His call.  He will give us the courage for whatever may happen. 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+21%3A+1-16&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul gives his last words today to the church in Ephesus. He knows he is heading towards Jerusalem, and while he doesn’t know exactly what awaits him there, he knows that it will not be good.  He knows through the Spirit that suffering will come.  So, as he leaves these people he loves, he shares his last words for them with them. Protect and love the church.  This is what Paul wants them to know. Today, what would your last words be?  If you were leaving those whom you loved, and you could give them one final word, what would it be?  We see Paul’s last words to Ephesus today. What would your last words be? 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+20%3A+13-38&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https:

Stealing a title from John Wesley today!  We see Paul preach for so long that a young man falls asleep and falls to his death. But, the text tells us several times about the “breaking of bread,” or Holy Communion. And we see this young man is brought back to life. Communion is a gift from God.  It brings us back to life. It restores us.  It gives us the grace necessary for the living of life.  Wesley encouraged us to take it constantly.  So, let us look to the next taking of communion for the joyous gift that it is, this gift that gives us 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=Acts+20%3A+7-12&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

When we think of encouragers in Scripture, we don’t always think of Paul first. But when we read today, that is exactly what we find. Paul encourages his disciples. Then, he goes to Macedonia and encourages the Christians there. Even when forced to flee from a plot against him, Paul takes folks with him on the journey and pours into them. We don’t always think of Paul as one who encourages. But that is exactly what he did today. And that is our call today. Look around.  Who can use some encouragement in your life? Who could use just that?  Today, be like Paul. Be an encourager. And see just what God will do with 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=Acts%2020%3A1-6&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form he

A riot breaks out in Ephesus.  It’s going bad, bad, bad. But Alexander speaks up, and he speaks peace to a bad situation. This is such a wonderful example for us.  Our lives and our world are filled with things that create such negativity. That creates such worry.  Paul tells us to think on things that are noble and pure.  This passage, I think, asks two questions for us. First, what are we filling our minds with? Are we filling them with things that bring peace, things that are good, noble, and pure? Or are we filling them with things that create negativity and worry?  And second, do we speak peace in the worry and anxiety of the world?  Do we de-escalate situations?  Are we means of peace in a tense world?  This is a great example of just what we can do when we learn to speak peace. 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, te

Today, we see God doing great things through Paul. So great that folks begin to try to try to imitate Paul, casting out demons not “in Jesus” name but “in the name of Jesus who Paul proclaims.”  In other words, these people didn’t know Jesus.  They knew about Jesus.  It isn’t enough for us to just know about Jesus. We have to know Jesus. Our faith is personal; it is about that relationship that we have with Jesus.  My faith is mine, and I have to walk daily with Jesus, just as you do.  Today, it isn’t about knowing who Jesus is. It is about knowing 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 passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2019%3A11-20&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we see Paul talk about conversion and baptism. Like Apollos before, Paul meets some people who do not have the full story of salvation and the Gospel. Paul explains the truth to them, and they are baptized in Jesus’ name.  You may have met some churches that baptize in “Jesus’ name.”  We take a few minutes to unpack what is happening here.  But always remember that baptism, and salvation, are a Trinitarian experience. We are made right with the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. Our very salvation is an act of the Trinity.  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%2019%3A1-10&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we meet a person who is very important to Paul's ministry in Corinth.  Apollos.  We learn from the Word that he is a gifted speaker and very powerful.  He is doing amazing things for the Kingdom. But he also doesn't know the full story. This passage forces us to ask two questions of ourselves. Who in our lives are we pouring into or mentoring?  And who in our lives is pouring into or mentoring us?  We need both. To pour into others and to have others pour into us. When we are living, when we are doing both of those things, then we will truly see our faith blossom.  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+18%3A+24-28&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from October 1, 2023, Andy shares with us from John 15: 9-17. Our colleges do a great job of "making disciples," even better than the church. They provide identity and community. So should we, so must we, as the church. How can we do just that?

Paul is a tent maker, and he connects with Pricilla and Aquila. They work together. They labor together. Work is sacred. Work is not something that is a punishment of the Fall, but if we go back and read the Creation, we see that God gave Adam and Eve a job to do.  Now, the Fall complicated things, but work is a good thing.  A sacred thing. God gave us purpose and work. Today, attend to the work relationships we have in life. And do your job well, for God’s glory. Work is sacred. It is how God made us. May we always remember 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=Acts%2018%3A1-17&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul in Athens today shows us what evangelism looks like to a world that doesn’t know Jesus.  He is taken to the center of their town, tells them that he sees they are religious, and then proceeds to share the Gospel. He meets them where they are, uses their poets, and shares the news of Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.  We live in a world that is becoming “post-Christan.”  The fastest-growing religious group is the “nones,” those with no religious faith.  Paul gives us a practical example of how it is today that we can share the Good News with a world that may not even know that it needs Jesus.  Today, Paul shows us how to share 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 passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017%3A16-34&version=NRSVUEYou ca

Today, we see a lived example of what we talked about in Romans 8:28.  All things work for good.  Paul seems to get run out of every town, and trouble seems to follow him, wherever he goes.  Can you imagine that?  Can you imagine what it would have been like to have the town leaders kick you out?  It couldn’t have been fun.  Yet because Paul was run out of one town after another, he was able to preach the Gospel in more towns.  The name of Jesus was lifted up, over and over.  Today, no matter what you are facing, somehow, some way, God is going to use it for good. That is what He does; that is who He is. He will use all things for good.  Believe 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=Acts%2017%3A10-15&version=NRSVUE

Paul and Silas have the greatest accusation made against them by the Thessalonians. This is said - they are turning the world upside down.  What a goal for us today! To turn the world upside down. To change things, for the better. To live out what we pray, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven! That’s our goal today through Jesus and for Jesus.  To turn the world upside down!  May it be so, and may we live with such up and encouragement 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%2017%3A1-9&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul and Silas today are arrested in Phillipi.  Today’s passage is a WONDERFUL example of evangelism or sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, because of Paul and Silas, the jailer in the story, and his whole house become Christian. But this is what we see when we look at the passage. It wasn’t just Paul’s words that pointed him to Jesus, but it was his action.  Paul didn’t just tell him that he loved him. But through his sacrificial actions, Paul proved to him that he loved him, and so did Jesus.  Our walk must match our talk. When you do that, the Good News explodes outwards! 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%2016%3A16-40&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from September 24, 2023, Andy shares with us from Jonah 3:10 - 4:11.  God calls Jonah to where he does not want to go. Ninevah.  God calls us to places, and to people that we do not want to go.  Join us as we learn why it is that God does just that.

Paul completes his journey, and he returns to Antioch. While not being his hometown, this is his place. This is the place and people who sent him out to ministry. This is the place of rest for him, of Sabbath for him. Today, where is your Antioch?  Where is your place of rest? Where is your place of Sabbath?  Where is the place you can go to, or the people you can go to, to rest and to restore who you are? We all need an Antioch.  We all need a place of Sabbath. Today, find your place. And spend time there, resting your soul. 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%2018%3A18-23&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul and his team met Lydia today. She became the first convert in Europe.  But Paul doesn’t follow his normal practice. There is no synagogue for him to go to. Instead, he goes to the river, looking for a place of prayer. There, he finds Lydia and leads her to the Lord.  Paul is willing to meet the people where they are, physically and spiritually. And point them to Jesus. That’s our job, to meet people where they are and get them to where they need to be. 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+16%3A+11-15&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/