Andy Talks

Today is a day in the church, one that I was unaware of, Candlemass.  It is the 40th day from Christmas, the traditional day that Mary and Joseph would have brought Jesus to the Temple to be presented, as told to us in Luke 2. Today, we see Simeon make his prophecy, and we the impact that Jesus is going to have.

This Sunday we continue looking at The Lord's Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13.  Today we look at what it means for us to think about the Lord providing our daily bread.  

Today in our morning reflections, we look at Galatians 4: 1-5.  We see in this passage that God sent Jesus in the fullness of time. What does that mean?  At just the right moment, God sent Jesus to save and restore the world. We have hope because God's time is not our time.

This morning in our morning reflections we look at Mark 6:30-44.  This is the story of the feeding of the 5000.  But before Jesus feeds them, we see that He and the disciples both need something very important, before the next act of faithfulness comes.  Rest. We too need the same thing today.

In our Bible Study this week, we learn a simple tool, with five scriptures from the Book of Romans, that can be a helpful tool for us in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with a world in need! 

Today in our daily reflections we look at Galatians 2: 15-21.  In this passage, we look at what it means to be saved, what is it that I offer within my salvation?  What role do I play in this?  What do I have to "do" to be a Christian?

Today in our reflections, we look at Mark 6:1-13.  We see two groups of people, Jesus' hometown and His disciples. One group was able to do amazing things through Jesus, one did.  What was the difference?  Not perfection.  But faith.

We continue with our series on the Lord's Prayer, in Matthew 6: 9-13. This week Andy looks at verse 10, "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven."  When we think about what we are asking God to do here, that is a HUGE deal. What would the world look like if this happened?  

In our morning reflections today, we look at a couple of verses with Isaiah 48. We look at 4, and then 9-11.  In this passage, we see God's understanding of who we are, that we are imperfect and sinful, but then we see God talk about testing.  In this passage, we get an understanding of exactly why it is that we are tested.  

Today we take a few minutes to look at Psalm 37.  In this passage we are told to be still before the Lord, avoid anger and wrath, do not fret.  We are so busy, not just with activities, but we are busy of mind and busy of soul. We do not give God the space to speak into us.  Today, give yourself that space to listen for God.

The next few weeks in our Bible Study, we are going to talk about evangelism.  What does evangelism mean?  How do we do it?  Should we do it? Tonight we are going to look at Revelation 12:11 and 1 Peter 3:15 and talk about the power of our testimony.  

In our reading today from Psalm 38, we see David confess his sin, he is suffering because of the actions he has taken. But we see, right after his confession, a plea of forgiveness from God.  Yes, our sin is real, but God's forgiveness is greater than any of our sin.

Today, we look at Ephesians 4: 25-32.  We see two paths laid out before us. A path of anger, malice, and bitterness, or a path of kindness and tenderheartedness. But that choice is made by a previous choice, will we give the devil a foothold in our lives, or will we allow the Holy Spirit to work?  Kindness and tenderheartedness look foolish in this world we live in. But they are the path the Spirit leads us down.  May we choose wisely today.  

In our Traditional message from Sunday, January 10, 2021, it is Baptism of the Lord Sunday.  We read from Mark 1: 1-11. We see how for Jesus His baptism wasn't the end of His journey, but the beginning.  The same is true for us!  

Today in our Gospel reading, we see Jesus tell us that we will not believe until we have signs and wonders.  The father believers, however, before the miracle, and then he sees it.  We may need to have faith before we can see the miracle.

Today we look at Psalm 103 and Isaiah 52: 3-6.  When we read these passages together, we see something amazing. God is determined to show us grace and mercy.  God is determined to save us.  If we aren't saved, if we don't know God's love, it won't be because God didn't try.  He knows we are weak and frail, and he desires us in spite of it all.  Today, God is determined to be in a relationship with us.  Our job is to respond. 

Today on this Day of Epiphany, we look at how we are all ushered into the kingdom of heaven through Jesus.  And we see that every time we experience God, every time we feel the Holy Spirit, that is a foretaste of heaven.  

Today in our reflection, we look at Psalm 2.  Here the Psalmist asks a question, why do the nations rage?  Why do they plot and scheme?  The Lord in Heaven laughs.  This passage is a great reminder.  No matter what the turmoil may be in the earth, no matter what the angst may be in the world, no matter how high the anxiety, remember this.  God is God.  He is in control.  Do not fear.  The Lord laughs.  Remember, He is God.  

In our Epiphany Sunday message, Andy looks at Matthew 2: 1-12.  We see the Wise Men come and worship Jesus.  What can the dangers of their journey teach us about ours?  

In our message from December 27, 2020, Andy looks at Luke 2: 21-40.  In this passage we see Simeon and Anna, they had looked for the Messiah for years.  They finally see Him.  Today, do we have eyes to see what God is doing?