Andy Talks

We see the church in Jerusalem now write to the Gentile believers about what is required for them to become a part of the church.  It is reaffirmed to them that no matter what they’ve been told, they are not required to become circumcised. But there are some requirements for them, and honestly, for all of us. Worship God alone.  Respect life. Be holy. We are saved by Jesus and Jesus alone. But Jesus calls us a faithful response to His grace. 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=Acts+15%3A+19-35&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

These verses today are some of the most important verses in church history. What does it mean to be a Christian?  Must you first become Jewish?  Do you have to follow the Law?  The early church had to settle this - what does it mean to be a Christian?  How do you become a Christian?  After much prayer and conversation, it was decided this - Jesus saves!  We are saved not through the Law or keeping it perfectly; we are saved by Jesus. Nothing else.  So no, you don’t have to be circumcised first.  You believe in Jesus. That is what saves.  Nothing else.  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=Acts+15%3A+1-21&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul finishes his first missionary journey. He works his way back to Antioch, praying with churches and raising up leaders. But then come comes home. He comes back to Antioch, where he was commissioned and sent out. These are his people. He is home.  He can rest. He can kick his shoes off.  He is home. Where is home for you?  Is it a place?  A person?  Where is home?  And how can you provide hospitality and home to those you love 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.I'm having some issues with the process I was using for transcribing these podcasts, hope to have this resolved soon and the transcription returned! Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014%3A21-28&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This is one of my favorite stories in Paul’s ministry.  We see a couple of neat things happen here today.  First, Paul and Barnabas perform a miracle, and the people think they are the Greek gods who come down to earth.  Paul stops them and says, no, they are humans, just like the crowd. This is a great example; praise can be one of our greatest temptations.  As Tim Keller said, don’t let the praise go to your head or the crisis go to your heart.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.I'm having some issues with the process I was using for transcribing these podcasts, hope to have this resolved soon and the transcription returned! Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014%3A8-20&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, Paul faces opposition again.  He gets run out of another town. We see the same pattern emerge for Paul and Barnabas.  They go into town, they preach, people respond, they face opposition, and are run out. This is a great warning and reminder to us. We will face opposition. We will.  The Christian life is not a fairy tale. There will be troubles. That is why we need to truly be faithful to our disciples. We need to pray, read, and be connected.  In this, we will have firm roots. We will be rooted.  Today, dig in and know that Jesus is always with you.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.I'm having some issues with the process I was using for transcribing these podcasts, hope to have this resolved soon and the transcription returned! Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014%3A1-7&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https

Paul and Barnabas effectively share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the community today. Because of this, some religious leaders are jealous, which leads them to drive Paul and Barnabas out of the town. When we fill ourselves with our pride and stuff, jealousy is produced. We find joy when we are like the disciples and filled with the Spirit. Today, what are we being filled with?  Pride or the Spirit?  Let’s be careful not to be full of pride, for if we are, we will be consumed by jealousy. 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=Acts%2013%3A42-52&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Paul is speaking to a Jewish audience today. So, what does he do?  He goes back to the Old Testament, tells their faith stories, and how those stories point to and are fulfilled in Jesus.  We see him quote Psalms, saying that Jesus did not experience corruption. What this means is this.  Sin leads to death. Because Jesus was not sinful, he was able to overcome death. Through Jesus, our sinful actions are forgiven, our sinful nature is being redeemed (sanctified), and we will not taste corruption but will live for eternity through the new birth in the Spirit!  That God for the work 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013%3A13-41&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xUNma0dGnSDU8m6Pao1FSWHWsjFiQwUJBR-QeJmggHA/edit?usp=shar

In our Traditional message, Andy shares with us from Matthew 14: 13-21.  We see Jesus give the disciples a problem they could not fix - feeding the 5,000.  He tells them, you do it. But the way they solve the problem is not their own strength, but they take them to Jesus. It is not for us to figure out; it is for us to follow His lead.        

Yesterday was a mountain top for Paul and Barnabas.  Today was a valley.  Yesterday, they saw and experienced revival. They saw and experienced the goodness of God. Today, they face opposition.  They faced trials.  We need both mountains and valleys.  It is on the mountain that we are revived. It is in the valley that we grow. We need them both. So, today, no matter where we find ourselves, mountain or valley, know that God is with 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013%3A4-12&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dSv8ToME5_ZY_PW_m6-mziGp-hmvQm6cAnDPGHhcZ1g/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we see the local church in Antioch, through the Holy Spirit, sees something in Saul and Barnabas. This church commissioned them and sent them off to do ministry. The church is in an imperfect body. We all know that. We’ve all felt that. We’ve all experienced that. But you know what?  We all need the church. We all need a local church to belong to. To be a part of. And to believe in us. Find that church. Commit to it.  Serve it. And you will see God bless you and it.  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=Acts%2013%3A1-3&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Cj2zgplliDizWgrYi5CVLxxeiYmWrb9JzCFdJelqC4/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we see Herod meet his end.  He was king, yes, but he was not the TRUE king. God is king.  One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We should remember that. If we are in a position of influence, let us never think too highly of ourselves. And let all of us remember where the true power lay. Not with any person or any organization. But in God.  In God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, we find the true power of life and of the universe.  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=Acts%2012%3A20-25&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e0Vre6Zz3WTk6XvpyP-OIu8_NDyaQEbZqg9phFD-8NQ/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org

We see the persecution begin.  James is killed.  Peter is imprisoned. But while in prison, an angel comes to Peter and frees him. As Peter is walking out, he is uncertain of what is happening, but he still follows the angel, and the angel leads him to freedom. We don’t always know what to do, where we are going, or what is happening. We don’t always know what to do in uncertain times. But God. As God sent the angel to rescue Peter today, God will lead us. Trust in His leading, even when you don’t know what He is doing or where He is going. Trust in Him in times of uncertainty.  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=Acts%2012%3A1-19&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QW48ktpVoRv_AYk0ONWggCUsBVBWVohYtSu_2lZu9F8/edit?usp=sharingYou can wa

Peter steps outside of his comfort zone to minister to the Gentiles.  And we see the Spirit fall. We see lives changed. We see God move. Great things happen. Not because of Peter; it is almost like he is along for the ride. But in that ride, we had to step outside of his comfort zone.  He had to move. Today, we have to as well.  Where in your life is God calling you to step outside of your comfort zone?  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=Acts%2011%3A19-30&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s3hYsffZL9wkLGh_z--fk9OVBBFRU28vfUp5x1iOS6U/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We finish up our Relationship Roadmap series by looking at John 15: 9-17.  We look at what Jesus tells us - He chose us. He is for us.  He loves us. And if He loves us, then we are called to love each other.    

Peter steps outside of his comfort zone to minister to the Gentiles.  And we see the Spirit fall. We see lives changed. We see God move. Great things happen. Not because of Peter; it is almost like he is along for the ride. But in that ride, we had to step outside of his comfort zone.  He had to move. Today, we have to as well.  Where in your life is God calling you to step outside of your comfort zone?  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=Acts%2011%3A1-18&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-x8C0qfj84GPTnJqQN4XI6oC8xLUDsjI1rrlBtaLJN8/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we see that these Gentiles believe in Jesus. They believe in the work of Jesus. They believe in what He has done. They believe in His Lordship. And they are saved. They don’t have to convert to Judaism. They don’t have to “do” anything. They just have to believe in Jesus. Jesus saves.  Nothing else, no one else. Jesus saves. This fulfilled Genesis 12:3 - through Abraham, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  Through Jesus.  Jesus saves.  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=Acts%2010%3A44-48&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1guUbAvxNyz8oRiom2c_o1iQ3PRrnUyrDyHzGFUnTcXo/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As many of our churches discern where they belong in our connection, the clergy are doing much the same.  After much prayer and discernment, I am called to and will remain United Methodist.    Please take a few minutes to listen to why and understand more. It comes down to 1) theology, 2) evangelism, 3) my heart and my call.    You can read more about my decision here:  https://revandy.org/?p=14313

Peter preaches today to the assembled Gentiles. But he does something different. This sermon is different from other sermons preached in Acts. He doesn’t appeal to the prophets or the Old Testament. He only makes a passing comment. Why? To these Gentiles, the Old Testament means nothing. Do what does he appeal to?  What does he use?  Two things. His testimony, what he saw and witnessed. He talked of the difference Jesus made in his life. As our world becomes more and more “post-Christian,” it makes me think of the words of one of my coaches, Mickey Myers from Bogue Chitto: “Your life may be the only bible someone ever reads.”  Live out your testimony today.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010%3A34-43&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1batxMMFQGvT3Ug31qOj_asy6wy_U8psIgYjIjuiwzm0/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Peter has a vision.  A sheet is lowered from heaven with all manner of unclean animals on it. A voice says, “Rise, kill, and eat.” Peter says, I can’t! I’ve never eaten anything unclean. But the Lord says, don’t call anything unclean I have made clean.  At the same time, three Gentiles are going to find Peter because they have been commanded by Cornelius, who has been commanded by God, to bring Peter to him. What does this vision mean? What does this message mean?  What is God doing?  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=Acts%2010%3A1-33&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zpbmqFe4ZcfWV6b_ST_qUzc0MaCnSuVeB48TiPWNIbs/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We shift back today to Peter.  In the coming chapters, we will move between Paul and Peter a lot. Today, we see Peter perform healings, but notice who gives the healings.  Jesus.  Peter doesn’t claim this power for himself but comes from Jesus. This principle guides Peter.  Jesus is Lord.  That is it for him. Jesus is Lord of the Jews and of the Gentiles.  Jesus is Lord of all creation.  Because of that, he will go wherever Jesus calls him to. And that is what we are going to see in the coming chapters. 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=Acts%209%3A32-43&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NyZWub0jQPuMarjwPas6x7Me9jpkHJKLomBdzHcDlE/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/