Andy Talks

Starting this week, during Lent we are going to look deeper at fasting as part of our Wednesday Night Bible Study.  Tonight we talk about why we fast and what does it do in our lives?

Today in our readings we look at Acts 1: 21-26.  Today is the day in the life of the church when we remember Matthias.  He was chosen to replace Judas among the Apostles.  We don't know much about him, other than these verses.  He was not famous, he was faithful.  Let's be careful in our lives that we are chasing the right thing - to be faithful.

Today we look at John 2: 13-22.  In this passage we see Jesus cleansing the Temple.  He cleans out all the things that are standing between people and God. We should do the same, we clear out all the barriers that can make folks believe that they aren't good enough to be loved by God.  Today, let's make sure as many people as possible know that God loves them.

In our reflections today we look at Hebrews 2: 14-18.  In this passage we see that we have been freed from the fear of death; Jesus has defeated the devil.  No longer must we be afraid.  We see as well when we face troubles, we are not alone.  He is with us.  In this season of Lent, and in all our lives, may we have regular times and practices of prayer, for, in that, we know that we will find Him...

In our series focused on the Apostles' Creed, today we look at the first part, I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. What does it mean for us to confess these words?

Today in our morning reflections, we look at Ephesians 2: 1-10.  Today is a day set aside to remember Martin Luther.  We remember his call to the church, which is also Paul's message - we are saved by grace through faith.  Our life is not lived out to make God love us.  Our life is lived out as a response to God's love.  

In our Ash Wednesday service, Andy shares with us from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21.  Throughout scripture, there is always a time of preparation before the next thing that God calls His people to.  Let us prepare for wherever God is calling us.  

This morning we look at Psalm 51 as we begin the season of Lent together.  Hear this blessing and reflect upon the words of David.  God doesn't desire the outward ritual. What He desires is a broken and contrite heart.  Join us at 12 Noon (CST) for our Online Ash Wednesday Service at www.stm-umc.org/live

Today we look at John the Baptist's mission.  He knew that he was to point to Jesus, in all things.  He had clarity of mission and purpose.  We exist for the same reason, but we often don't find fulfillment because we substitute other things for that mission.  Those things are fool's gold.  Only finding life in Jesus, and pointing others to Jesus, that is the purpose we all seek.  

Today we read from Deuteronomy 6: 10-15.  In this passage we see the reminder of God, when you come into the Promised Land and gain all spoils of victory, do not forget God.  Do not think that you have done this, or gained this victory, but remember that God has done this. Do not forget the Lord your God.  This is a  great reminder for us today.  Remember the Lord your God.

In our message from February 14, Andy shares with us from the final line of the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6: 9-13.  What does it mean to ask God to let us not into temptation and deliver us from evil?

Today in our readings, we look at 2 Timothy 3: 14-16.  This is a passage that you have read many times before and have heard preached before, all of scripture is useful for teaching, correction, and training. All scripture.  Not just the parts we like, but all of it.  The same spirit that inspired the writing of scripture is the same spirit to speaks to us now with it.

Tonight in our Wednesday Night Bible Study we are looking at James and the role that our good works play in our evangelism.  Our works have to make our words for the Gospel to be proclaimed.

In our reflection today, we look at Mark 10: 13-16.  In this passage, little children come to Jesus and the Disciples try to stop them.  Jesus is indignant against this action because He has just taught about this.  He welcomes the children, but He also does not give up on the Disciples, even though they got it wrong.  He didn't give up on them.  Let's not give up on ourselves.  

In our morning reflection, we look at 2 Timothy 1: 8-14.  Over and over in this passage, we see Paul talk about not being ashamed. When was the last time our faith caused us to take such a risk that we feared what others think?  May we live so boldly that we have a reason not to be ashamed of Jesus.

Today in morning reflection we look at Mark 9: 33-37.  In this passage, we see the path, for Jesus, of true greatness.  It is not in exalting ourselves, but the only path for Jesus to truly become great is through service and through humility.

In our Traditional message from February 7, we continue looking at the Lord's Prayer.  Today, we look at what it means to forgive others, as we have been forgiven.

Today in our daily reflections, we look at Galatians 5: 16-26.  In this passage, we contrast the Works of the Flesh with the Fruit of the Spirit. When we look at this we see that we will live our one of these two options. The choice begins with this question.  Who's in charge?  That determines the rest.

Today in our readings, we look at Galatians 5: 6, 13-15.  In this passage we see Paul talk to us about the sum of the entire Law - love your neighbor. But we love our neighbor in becoming a slave, or servant to each other.  Love is not emotion.  Love is laying down our lives for each other. When we do that, we all find our needs met.

In our Wednesday Night Bible Study this week we look closer and Paul, especially the ways that he would share his story.  Paul is a powerful example of how the Lord can use all of our stories to allow folks to hear the Good News of Jesus!  Join us to learn more.

Today in our morning reflection, we look at Mark 8: 22-26.  In this passage we see Jesus heal a blind man, but His first attempt does not finish the job perfectly.  Jesus comes back and heals Him again.  Just because we are not completely healed, or everything is not as would like it to be in our faith or in our lives, it does not mean that God is done with us.  He is not finished.

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.