Andy Talks

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/

In our INTERSECTION message from June 23, 2023, Andy shares with us from Romans 12: 9-21.  Paul talks about heaping burning coals upon the heads of our enemies.  We look deeper at what the Bible says about coals, the Gospel, and holiness. What exactly is Paul calling us to in this text?        

Paul goes to Jerusalem, and believe it or not, they don’t want anything to do with him!  They were afraid. They were scared. They didn’t know what to do with this apparent new convert.  They weren’t going to let him in. Until guess who shows up?  Barnabas. Barnabas vouched for Saul, and they trusted Saul now.  Because of Barnabas, we have Saul.  Barnabas isn’t flashy.  He doesn’t do anything cool.  He is just faithful. He just believes in people.  He encourages them. He marks a difference. The world and the church do not need more flashy, cool, people. The world and the church need more faithful folk who love and encourage others. The world and the church need more people like Barnabas.  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 WordRead our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A26-31&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click he

We see Saul post conversion today. And what do we see?  We see that he is different. The people of Damascus couldn’t believe that it was the same man.  How could it be?  He came to destroy the people following Jesus, and now he is there, proclaiming Jesus.  He is different!  And what is it that makes that difference? It’s actually, who is it?  It’s Jesus. Jesus makes the difference for Paul, and Jesus makes the difference for us.  Let’s be different. Let’s live, love, and forgive different. And when we do, and folks ask why we are different, we can say this.  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%209%3A19-25&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WNjxUjF_0U1TLHbGGUB0TpJqcv8Rylu3_1JLtcMQ-Xw/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this

Today, we see the conversion of Saul. But when we look at the text, we see that Saul is not the only person who had to take a huge leap of faith. God has a plan for Saul, and we see Him lay that out.  Saul had to take a leap of faith, yes, but in many ways, he didn’t really have a choice. But Ananias had to take a huge leap.  He had to extend grace to someone who he really didn’t want to.  Paul has caused great harm and fear to Ananias and his family.  Yet he had to give Paul grace. He had to call him Brother Saul. Today, who is the person you need to give grace to that if we are being honest, we really don’t want to?  Today, who do you need to give grace to? Who is your Brother Saul?  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%3A1-19&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here

We see Phillip share the Good News today with the Ethiopian eunuch.  At the end of this story, the eunuch asks this question, - what is to stop me from being baptized?  Nothing. So, he was baptized. Today, what is to stop us from being faithful to our calling, our calling to be obedient to the Spirit?  To immerse ourselves in Scripture? And to share the Good News wherever we are?  Nothing?  Nothing can and should stop us.  Let’s be faithful wherever we are.  And let’s live obedient lives for our 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208%3A26-40&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w7QPDh0I1XcituNX7IQDPRv528f1bI7blqZCVoQcoR0/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our July 16 message, Andy shares with us from Ephesians 6: 5-9.  This passage starts off talking about slavery, so we take a few moments to unpack to interpret scripture, particularly hard passages. After that, we look at what Paul is telling us about the other key relationships in our lives, especially our need for friendships.     

Because of persecution, Philip flees and goes to Samaria. First, we see that God can use even hard things, like persecution, to spread the Good News. While there, he is preaching, and many are baptized. But it isn’t until later that they receive the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that as scared as even baptism is, it is not the act, in and of itself, where sacredness comes from, but the Holy Spirit makes the acts, like baptism and communion, truly holy. Let’s always be chasing after the Holy Spirit, above all else in our lives! 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%208%3A1-25&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17TScrz2m888FgMZ4m03W4O_2N4jOY8xWXCisTsVblEk/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog

Today we see Stephen stoned to death. But as he is dying, he looks up to heaven and sees something odd. He sees Jesus STANDING at the right hand of God.  Not sitting, where we confess, He is in the Creeds—but standing.  Why?  I believe that just as we stand in key moments to cheer for those we support, Jesus is standing, telling Stephen, “Don’t give up!”  What a beautiful reminder today that no matter how bad it may seem, our Savior is there, pulling for us, praying for us, telling us - Don’t give up!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+7%3A+54+-+8%3A1&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UWtR8zsQBA60vL_Srxsm6qA6JkHETEwDyd-Y29ey6H4/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Stephen’s sermon takes a turn today.  We see him remind the people why they have these things, the Law, circumcision, the Temple. They don’t exist for themselves; they exist to point to God, to, in truth, point to Jesus. And the people missed that. They loved the stuff more than they loved the one the stuff pointed to. We’ve got so much, so many things that are here to point us to Jesus. Do we allow them to do that?  Scripture, worship, baptism, all these things, they point us to Jesus. Are we looking at where they are pointing?  May we see what they are pointing us 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A35-53&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tDh8PMjy3t6gWV-RFGJoURFTFmemAT8Kv5Gs5rIzZDE/edit?usp=sharingYou can w

We see Stephen recount the stories of the Old Testament today. We get a crash course in Genesis 12- Exodus 3.  And you know what we see?  God is the hero of the story. Not Abraham or Isaac or any of the others. God.  God is with them. God saves. God is present. He gives them His covenant, and that covenant has a sign.  Circumcision.  In the same way, He gives us a covenant of grace. And that covenant has a sign. Baptism.  If you doubt you are loved, remember your baptism.  Remember God’s marking and God’s promise. You are loved today, no matter what.  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%207%3A1-34&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hB6JlJdfxsTiE26QeluojWwRx5ow1y4R5kpZAvP6Xmg/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here

Stephen is being faithful and great things are happening. There are signs and wonders everywhere.  This causes conflict, as people are against this new move.  They are too wedded to their routines and rituals to see what God is doing. If we aren’t careful, we can be much the same. We can be too stuck in our rut, unable to move to see what God is doing. Sometimes in life, we have to get out of our routines, out of ruts, and follow God wherever he leads.  Today, where are you stuck in a rut?  And where is God calling you 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A8-15&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lMUYTqaolaDCEe1u61tU7ebkz8lGA_Z3IBKWyBw9uSU/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

There are many problems that the early church faced. Today we see a challenge for the Apostles.  And this challenge required them to do three things.  First, prayerfully discern what they were called to do. Second, do that thing. Third, release the things that were not their calling and trust them to God. This is a great lesson and example for us today.  How can we live into this in our lives?  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%206%3A1-7&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/155SVP_Fu4jR872BTCz7OF2BbX9Xjs78ftUlDzCPIz9I/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

An excerpt from my sermon about where the church finds itself in the midst of discernment. The way the devil wins is when our love turns to hate.

In our Relationship Roadmap series, we look today at what Paul has to say about what it means to be a parent. To love our children and not provoke them. How do we love?  How do we discipline?  It all starts with being rooted in Christ. And at the end of the message, I share a few words to St. Matthew's about how we live together during pain, hurt, anger, and discernment.     

We meet another great character in Scripture today, Gamaliel.  He tells the council that if they continue to prosecute the Apostles, they may be fighting against God.  That is what happened. These men saw and experienced something that changed their lives and made them leave everything, everything behind. That is what Jesus does. It’s true for us today, as well.  You ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my 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.Read our passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205%3A26-42&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SW3rTCBCVZrix5nlPamPp-hKBaq-piN-8KC7GOgL9Ok/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today we see that after all that has happened, the Apostles are arrested. An angel saves them, but we see a pattern beginning to emerge here. They are faithful.  God moves. Something good happens.  They are persecuted.  Being faithful is always right. Being faithful always points others to Him, always.  We can trust in that. We know that.  But that doesn’t make it easy.  Know this, though, even when it is hard. God will make a way.  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%205%3A17-26&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NJ_hrBDYnqOazgk2UEi32yEZNaxdjakCdu6ZIlpfioo/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

One the ways I’ve heard it described that you can know if your church is being faithful is to ask this question: “If my church were to close, would my community miss it?” We see today in this earliest of churches that they are changing so many lives for Jesus in their community. Jerusalem and the surrounding communities are better because of the life and ministry of the early church. What a goal for us, what a prayer for us, what a hope for us. They changed the world. So can we. We can change the world! All through and for 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%205%3A12-16&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o5kXNFlEqgK2Ap4nXuKFR4KvOtcU5i8rP-k-eqJGh5A/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/

Today we read one of the more interesting stories in the Bible, Ananias and Sapphira.  God strikes them down for not being honest about their giving. When we look deeper at the passage, though, we find something very interesting. It isn’t that they didn’t give it all or give enough. Or even that they had to sell their field. What this is about, in the end, was not what they gave or how they gave, but why they gave. We learn more in this reflection about what it is and how it is that God desires our giving 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.Read our passage here -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205%3A1-11&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to read a transcript of this episode, click here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/11HN3IOGa_KhN3XgNSTD_JUgU2IBWNMy5nTqXe-XybdA/edit?usp=sharingYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/