Andy Talks

Paul gives us some truth about what we believe. He defines some of our key and core doctrines about who Jesus Christ is.  He gives us some powerful words for us to stand on. But do you know what he said right before?  Great is the mystery of our religion. We want everything to make sense. We are the children of the Enlightenment.  We want it all to make sense and be able to be understood so very easily. But Paul tells us today that there is a mystery.  And that’s ok. We don’t know it all; we don’t understand it all. There is a mystery. That is why we must trust and must have faith.  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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=574336860You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we look at what Paul tells us about the role of deacons.  We take a few minutes to talk about who deacons were, Biblically, and who deacons are today.  We walk through what deacons do in some of our different traditions, and while it may look different in each one, there is one thing that is common across all. Deacons call us as Christians, over and over again, to serve. That’s our job as Christians. To serve. Jesus came to serve, and that is our mission as well. To serve.  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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=574336823You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul today lays out for us the qualification for “bishops.”  We talk today about how that word is translated and how that word is where we get a lot of the concepts we use for church leaders, preachers, bishops, and other forms.   What do these words mean for us as we look for spiritual leadership? And for those of us who are preachers, what words can we take from them? We should have high spiritual expectations for leaders (and for ourselves as preachers). But we should also pray for and encourage our leaders.  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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=574176060You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, in 1 Timothy 2: 8-15, we see some of Paul’s words that may be the hardest to understand and make sense of, and that’s saying something talking about Paul. Even Peter agrees that Paul can be hard to understand at times (2 Peter 3: 15-16).  Paul talks to women about the importance of modesty and then goes into concepts of submission and learning. What could he mean by this? And what does this mean for 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. You can read today’s passage here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=574153909You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today’s passage gives us some great instruction on prayer.  Pray for all our leaders.  Paul tells us to pray, and to seek to be good citizens. These aren’t just idle words; Paul will soon be put to death by these very leaders. But Paul believes that Jesus died for all the world and that God wants all to be saved. So, Paul tells Timothy and us that we should be praying for all. Those we love and those we may struggle to love. For God desires all to know Him. And we should have that same desire. 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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573886020You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional sermon from February 3, we look at John 4: 39-42.  As we continue looking at our theology method as United Methodists, we look today at the role that Experience places, both in our understanding of Scripture and how we understand God.

Paul calls himself the chief of all sinners. Why? Why does he say that?  For Paul, that has a very specific meaning.  Paul had great knowledge of the Law, of the teachings and traditions of his people. There was much that Paul knew. But he tells us that he did not have belief.  He acted out of unbelief.  He blasphemed and was violent. Yet God showed him, the chief of all sinners, mercy. Because he didn’t believe.  Today, our faith is not about knowledge. But it is about the surrender of the will to Jesus Christ. 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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573816530You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We begin 1 Timothy today, looking at 1:1-11. Paul warns against false teaching today, those who are using the Law wrong, not even aware of what the law is or what its purpose is. The Law was given in many ways to show us that we cannot keep it but that we need a savior. The Law shows us our inadequacies. Paul tells us today the purpose of divine instruction - love, coming from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. That’s what we are aiming for. 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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573625377You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We end Proverbs with where we started it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.  Proverbs 31 is the famous passage of a wise and Godly woman.  What do we see as the foundation of her wisdom?  Why is she to be praised?  Verse 30 says that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Proverbs ends where it begins. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. Wisdom begins here - understanding that we are not God and learning to live for Him, not for ourselves. That is where all wisdom starts.  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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573625137You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, as read from Proverbs 30, we see the sayings of Agur. These are interesting and follow some interesting patterns. One of the things we see frequently in this passage is Agur looking to the created order and seeing wisdom there. He sees so much that he learns about God just by looking all around him. This is a good word for us today. There is so much wisdom, so much goodness, so much of God’s glory all around us every day. It’s there for us. We just have to look around.  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 here  - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573563254You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Even though I was out on Sunday, we discussed Tradition in our series about theological reflection called "Balance," I wanted to share this message with you. I look at 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-15, where Paul speaks to us about the Tradition handed down. What does it mean to say to us as United Methodists that we use Tradition to better understand Scripture?If you'd like to see my notes, you can click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/13liS0vNpBgflAjRiiM7sbh_lNj7zJSIK5NbLKjcvqG0/edit?usp=sharing

Today’s Rooted was for me. I needed to hear these words - the fear of others lays a snare. How often have we known what God was calling us to do but were afraid of what others would think?  Today, we are told to be careful of that trap. Don’t worry about them; trust in the Lord. We will be secure.  Courage is being afraid and still doing the right thing.  Today, do not be afraid of anything or anything. Be secure in your call from God, and live that out faithfully.  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 here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573282747You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we discuss gossip, humor, and jealousy. These things that lurk in the shadows can be destructive. Where do we find humor? We live in a cruel age, and where we find humor says a lot about our character. What about jealousy? It may not look as explosive, but it can rot our souls. We are daily presented with opportunities to engage in arguments, fights, and conflicts. But what does it gain us to do that? Sometimes, the best answer is no answer. We face nearly constant pressure to give in to darkness and shadows. But that is not the way of Jesus. That is not the way of 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. You can read today’s passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573114788You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we see practical wisdom for hospitality and for dealing with our enemies. First, in Chapter 25, we learn a little bit about how Proverbs, as well as other parts of the Old Testament, were compiled and given to us. What a gift we receive through Holy Scripture! Second, we see some words on how not only to give hospitality but also to receive it. These are words that many of our southern mamas and grandmamas shared with us. And lastly, to do good to our enemies is a means of grace to them and to 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. You can read today’s passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573114758You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We are told today, "Do not envy the wicked." But we have to ask ourselves the question, why would we do that in the first place? Why would we be tempted by that? Well, we look at the world today, and it can seem like the wicked prosper, like they are the ones who get ahead. But we know when we consider the work of God that, in the end, that will not be the case; God sees and God judges. Let’s leave that up to Him. However, that means we must not rejoice in the suffering of our enemies, but we must love even them.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 here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=573048555You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We see three things that mingle together in our reading of Proverbs 23. First, we hear, do not chase wealth. Yes, work hard and be faithful. But do not just your chief resource, your time, your energy on that which doesn’t last. Second, respect the wisdom of your elders. There is much that they can teach us. Primary among that is this: there is always a future. There is always hope. Today is not the end.  Today, let’s cling tight to this wisdom, wisdom that can help us to truly live a wise and healthy 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. You can read today’s passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=572963902You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today as we read Proverbs 22, it made me think about one of John Wesley’s sermons, “On the Use of Money.”  If you’d like to, you can read this sermon here - https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/wesleys-sermon-use-of-money.  Wesley has much to say that is based on the teachings of Proverbs.  Money can be used for great good, but we must be careful with it, or else it may grab hold of us.  We are to earn all we can, save all we can, and give all we can. We earn and save so that we can give. That is why we have the resources and the gifts that we do so that we can give and be a blessing to others.  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 here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=572704914You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from January 21, 2024, Andy preaches from 2 Timothy 3: 16-17.  This is part of our series "Balance" on how we United Methodists do theological reflection; we talk about our primary means of knowledge and truth - Scripture. Scripture is the foundation of everything we do, know, and believe.  It is our source of all truth.  In this message, we talk about the essential role that Scripture has in our faith!If you'd like to read Andy's notes, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fd2c2Qn2FRftieMujzNsXxqsdRFfsuNXXsgZ03Wzbag/edit?usp=sharing

Today, we look at chapters 19-21. These chapters are full of so much good wisdom for the living of our lives. We see the importance of helping the poor in a foreshadowing of Matthew 25. We are told to deal fairly with each other. Tell the truth. Don’t gossip. And understand that we must do our part and be faithful; it is God who wins the battle, it is God who is the one who brings victory. Let’s do our part, sure. But the results are up to 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. You can read today’s passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=572613865You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Two verses today work well to teach us a lot. First, we are told that a fool loves their own opinion but doesn’t care for wisdom. Then we are told that in life, there are those we thought were friends, but they were just playing a friend. It’s easy for us to hear the later verse and feel vindicated at the folks we thought were friends but were just playing a friend. The greater part of wisdom is not just to feel good about vindication for being wronged but to ask ourselves, when did we play the friend and were not the friend that we should have been?  May we learn and may we grow. And may we be the friends that we should 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. You can read today’s passage here - https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=572528333You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.or