Andy Talks

Today we read about the Magi, or how you may know them, the Wise Men. We see that even though they didn't have the Old Testament or any knowledge of God, they paid attention and noticed that Jesus was born.  Yet, it was the religious leaders, the ones who had the scriptures and the covenants that missed Him.  They should have been looking for Jesus, but they were not. They missed.  We have been given so very much. But are we paying attention?  Are we looking for Jesus?  He is there if we will just look.    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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A+1-12&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xC_C7jecpRvBZdtNXlL1ELQSGJCdiecKi_4sQhNi7Vg/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today is one of the stories in the Bible that always convicts me. It's the story of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law. Moses is judging the people, and it is too much for him. Jethro sees this and tells him to pass along this responsibility.  This is a word for folks like me, who do too much. But for others, we need to take up responsibility. And all of us, all of us, need wise counsel to turn to for advice! 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+18%3A+13-27&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T0LA6_U2XV_VehuA_1Ojx0r2gchIn6pScB9_NiUzon4/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today in our VBS reflections, we look at some superheroes you may not know about. The Hebrew midwives!  In this story from Exodus, they are told by Pharaoh to kill all the male babies born. But because they feared God, they stood strong and did what God wanted.  How do we know how and when to do the same?  Today we talk a little more about how we know how to be heroes like 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+1%3A+8-22&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ULTAB2lEPDd3bqsQrV9RHFFdniukt-2Kp1TEIvLhqrM/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This week in our Reflections, we will follow along with our daily VBS stories. Today we will look at John 1: 35-51, where we see Jesus put together His team. We see Him calling His first disciples. Jesus needed a team and what they could do for the kingdom. But He also knew they would need that same team; there would come a time when they would need each other. We need a team! We need our people. Who are your people 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A+35-51&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Spp6R5y90Vk_8gkrw2Ps2178wuO4GFUJ6sQkNkEB_Ls/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from June 11, Andy shares with us from challenging verses, Ephesians 5: 21-24.  Wives submit to your husbands.  These words have been used for great harm, by many people. But when we take a look at the broader context of scripture, we see what Paul is saying not just to wives, but to all believers.   

We've spent a lot of time recently looking at James, and one of the mistakes that people can make with the Bible is to think that James and Paul disagree. So, to look at this, I wanted to take a deeper look at where Paul says we are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast. And do you know what we see right after?  God has prepared us for good works. Paul and James agree 100%.  It is not faith OR works; it is faith AND works. That is our way of life. That is what the Christian life looks like! 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A+1-10&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EeGe_jIGAIUxFUHT8Ui2OZNdFUGbqStmPIQHEhhrjg4/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today in James, we see this well known, and important command.  Pray!  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  Or as I grew up hearing it, the prayer of the righteous availeth much.  As a child is unafraid to bring their requests to their loving parents, so should we be unafraid to bring our concerns to God boldly.  Our prayers matter. And our prayers change things!  They are effective. Pray!  Pray boldly. It matters, and God hears.  Our prayer makes a difference.  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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A+13-20&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ph60PitmCjmTk6F_9U-uT_rH0HQa70tZtlxHcijWJg/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In James today, we see a word about suffering.  We know that we will suffer; we even see that promise here. But we know that we do not suffer alone when we suffer because God is with us.  That suffering will produce in us endurance, which will help our faith be strong.   With Job, we see the great things that God can do. We can trust in suffering, knowing that God can bring something good out of even the worst suffering.  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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A+7-12&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rJL5n2yQWpY_VNDvtdgkwRhFX-uwVAjpxgZ9l0tG4Tw/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We see in James 5 a word about wealth and how we care for each other.  We are called to do right by others in all our dealings with them. We have been blessed with so much and are called to do right. But, also know that God will do right by each of us when we need His help and provision.  We do right, and God also will do right.  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.Read our passage here -  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A+1-6&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ygm86Wm4yGoy0Oy6gOdXyY8mI60KQNdoMsYw7R-pGvY/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

James tells us today about the importance of humility. We need to approach each other with humility. Without humility, we will turn to judgment. And we need to approach God with humility. Let us not assume that we know the plans of God, and how God will work. Let us plan for the future, yes. But let us plan with humility, knowing that in the end, God is in control. 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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHLnQ1bSyPn9kJf9W88Qf4SgG6xY-N3A4-o8-pZ3944/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A+11-17&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from June 4, 2023, Andy shares with us from Matthew 22: 36-40. It comes down to relationships, our relationship with God and neighbor. Over the next few weeks, we'll take time to look at the key relationships within our lives!

Today in James we see a phrase that has always made me curious.  To be a friend of the world is to have enmity with God. What does that mean?  Especially when we see that Jesus was a friend of sinners?  How do we follow Jesus while not being a friend of the world?  Join us as we unpack 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 read a transcript of this episode, click here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1hWg12gHPQwy0-5qtWJqef45TAq9WMd8xZdTBGFZR8/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A+1-10&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We see in James today that when we are rooted in God's wisdom, we will find ourselves been gentle. But when we are rooted in envy, selfish ambition, and pride we will find not gentleness, but we will find divisiveness, we will find discord, we will find will not have peace at all. Today, are we gentle?  Are we rooted in the wisdom of 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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bvoLk3SyoqvTK1Be4klP1ZmiHgesBRci_7FfvGxZWDs/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A+13-18&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In this famous passage from James, we see word for us as Christians.  How can we, out of the same mouth, praise God and curse our neighbor?  How we talk to each other and how we talk about each other matters so very much. It shows our love and care.  We must work to tame our tongues.  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 read a transcript of this episode, click here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3dnN-SHq02JdwhDMEiVOSOts6KgEvKwdnpI0ORmeKQ/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A+1-12&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Just as a living body cannot help but to breathe, so can a living faith cannot help but to have works.  Good words are the evidence of our living faith. They do not save us, but they show that we are saved.  Our works are to our faith as our breathing is to our lives.  They show we are alive.  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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrC7mziv-mUKfq8bo6XvpF0QBNGuKFBUTY7hewSkp_4/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A+14-26&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today we see James ask us what good it is when we see a sister or brother in need, and we tell them to have their needs met, yet we do nothing about it. Our world needs Jesus. When we love and serve radically, we can point them to Jesus. Yes, we can even help save them through that radical love of 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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RAFtkHVvrp1LNDZB6PvYbRfYIY4lQZuC4sIKgantmJs/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A+14-26&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our INTERSECTION message from Pentecost, 2023, Andy shares with us from Acts 2: 1-21.  We see that in Pentecost that God is a painting us a picture of what He longs to do. He longs to restore and rebuild.  He will restore all that sin has taken.  The Holy Spirit will restore and will bring new life.  

I believe that we've made a mistake with what faith is.  We have made faith "intellectual agreement."  We have made faith this, I believe in these facts.   James tells us today, you believe in God?  Great. Even the demons believe.  We are going to spend the next few days looking at faith and works. But first, we need to understand exactly what it is to 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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_XMpDk68rBQeSOQuh1jQzj7WjoixyvqrPcpTupgN-QQ/editRead our passage here -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A+14-26&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We worry about keeping the commands and the law of God. We want to honor God and keep His law. But do we worry; do we strive; do we truly focus on keeping what James calls the "royal law?"  Do we truly take seriously the command to love our neighbor?  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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/13NbQrZsf7gmm30NlWxy4SBxUdSbUqWBB5O-LO31g5eA/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A+1-13&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, James tells us some important things - be slow to anger.  Watch what you say.  Don't just hear the word, do the word. And true religion is this - take care of those widows and orphans.  James is full of such practical, good, honest religious advice.  Advice I need to hear. And that we all need to hear.  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 read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zeZMQYYGdepO6MIhaGCyQMP2DQF4wHuUWgcEkG-I514/edit?usp=sharingRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A+19-27&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/