Andy Talks

In our final sermon of the year for 2025, Andy looks at Psalm 148. We see the importance of praise to our lives; it is the metronome, it keeps the rhythm and beat to our lives.  Where was that rhythm of praise in 2025?  Where will you keep it in 2026?

On this Christmas morning, enjoy Andy's Christmas Eve message from Luke 2: 1-20, "Wonder."  Let's not be so busy trying to make Christmas happen that we miss the wonder all around us.  

In this final Advent reflection, we look to the prophetic hope of Isaiah 9, recognizing that the birth of Christ marks the beginning of the end for all that is "ugly" and broken in our world. We acknowledge that while we still experience the pain of sickness, war, and loss, we do not live as a defeated people because we know that these things do not have the final word. We understand that the Kingdom of God is a "now but not yet" reality—a work of restoration that has begun in a manger but is not yet complete. Therefore, we choose to intentionally bathe ourselves in beauty and wonder during these holy days, using the joy of the season to push back against darkness and remind ourselves of the ultimate victory and peace that Christ has secured for us.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%209%3A%202-7&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

On this "Christmas Adam," we reflect on the underappreciated role of Joseph, whose quiet righteousness and obedience provided the earthly foundation for Jesus' life. We recognize that while our modern culture often pressures us to chase fame and social influence, Joseph's example calls us to a higher standard of steady, humble faithfulness. We understand that Joseph's impact on Jesus—and consequently on the history of the world—came not from seeking the spotlight, but from simply doing the hard tasks God placed before him. By following Joseph's lead, we choose to prioritize our character and our devotion to God over the fleeting rewards of public recognition, trusting that true significance is found in being exactly where God needs us to be.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201%3A%2018-25&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from December 21, 2025, Andy look Matthew 1: 18-25.  We see in Joseph's story that love is not merely an emotion that we feel, but love is simple, kind, sacrificial actions. Love is not what we feel; it is what we do.

As we enter the final days of Advent, we reflect on Paul's introduction to the Romans, which reminds us that Jesus is the long-promised fulfillment of the entire scriptural narrative. We recognize that Jesus was never a "last resort" for a failing humanity, but rather God's intentional "Plan A" from the very beginning of creation. By drawing parallels between the Old Testament journey of Israel and the life of Christ, we see that the Gospel is the completion of a story God has been telling for ages. We understand that just as the shepherds in Bethlehem transitioned from raising sacrificial lambs to witnessing the ultimate Lamb of God, we are invited to trust that God's plan for redemption is consistent, purposeful, and currently at work in our lives.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A%201-7&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

As we conclude this week's reflections on John the Baptist, we consider Jesus' powerful declaration that while John was the greatest of those born under the Old Covenant, even the least in the New Covenant holds a unique position of greatness. We recognize that this transition represents a move from an external law to an internal presence—the mystery of "Christ in us, the hope of glory." We understand that through the Holy Spirit, the real presence of Christ is not a distant hope but a current reality that dwells within each of us. Consequently, we are encouraged to view every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the monumental, as sacred, knowing that Christ is really and fully present in every breath we take.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011%3A%207-11&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As we continue our journey toward Christmas, we reflect on the profound humanity of John the Baptist, who found himself questioning his life's work and Jesus' identity while facing execution in prison. We recognize that even the most devoted among us can experience a crisis of faith, yet we understand that these moments of doubt do not invalidate our status as Christians; rather, they highlight our human need for reassurance. We argue that the vital response to such moments is not to retreat, but to turn toward the truth of Scripture and the support of our faith community. By bathing our minds in the Word now, we ensure that we have a firm foundation to lean on whenever we find ourselves asking if we have "done it right."Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011%3A%202-6&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In this devotional, we reflect on James 5:9-10 to explore how grumbling acts like a dye that our souls absorb, eventually changing our spiritual "color" and temperament. We acknowledge that while lighthearted complaining about the weather is common, true grumbling against one another erodes our sanctification and obscures the fact that every person is an image-bearer of God. By looking to the prophets and the saints as our examples, we learn that we can endure suffering and practice patience because our ultimate hope is not tied to this world, but to an eternal home. We conclude that by rejecting the cultural impulse toward constant negativity, we protect our souls and maintain a higher view of our neighbors.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A%209-10&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As we look at James, we are reminded that our central message is that Advent is a season defined by waiting, drawing a parallel between the centuries-long wait of the Israelites for the Messiah and our own modern aversion to delayed gratification, often illustrated through our shared impatience with technology like elevators and microwaves. We argue that this cultural instant gratification makes the scriptural call to "be patient" even more vital, and we conclude that waiting is a necessary act of Christian discipline and spiritual growth that forces us to relinquish control and trust in God's timing and ultimate resolution of our challenges.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A%207-8&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As we hear Isaiah 35, we're reminded that God speaks hope into places that look completely broken. This promise of streams in the desert and a clear, holy way was given to people facing loss, exile, and devastation—and it tells us that dryness, sorrow, and despair do not last forever. Even when we feel worn down, lost, or unsure of the path ahead, God is still at work, making a way where there seems to be none. Advent invites us to trust that joy will return, restoration is coming, and God keeps His promises. So we keep walking, even when it's hard, believing that sorrow and sighing will not have the final word.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2035%3A%205-10&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

As we listen to John the Baptist's sermon in Matthew 3:5–12, we're reminded that repentance isn't just feeling guilty but actually turning our lives in a new direction. John doesn't soften his message—he warns that our background or religious habits don't matter if our lives aren't producing real fruit. The same is true for us: faith isn't measured by a résumé but by a heart being genuinely transformed. Repentance shows up not in perfection, but in the daily struggle to move toward Jesus, to get back up when we fall, and to let the Holy Spirit reshape us. So today, we're invited to bear real fruit—lived-out repentance—and trust the God who keeps forgiving, restoring, and leading us forward.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%203%3A%205-12&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In today's Advent reflection, we meet John the Baptist as Matthew introduces him—the last of the Old Testament prophets and the one called to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John's whole life reminds us what real purpose looks like: he wasn't the star, and he never tried to be. Like a fullback clearing the path for someone else to shine, John knew his calling was to point people to Jesus, not himself. In a culture obsessed with spotlight and recognition, he shows us that true joy comes from serving, from humility, and from helping others see Christ. We're not the hero of the story—Jesus is—and our job, like John's, is simply to make His path straight by loving, serving, and guiding others toward Him.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%203%3A%201-4&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In today's Advent reflection, Paul reminds us that God's heart has always been for all people and that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to bless every nation. Because Christ has welcomed us with open arms, we're called to welcome others with that same generosity — choosing unity over division, mercy over suspicion, and peace over agitation. Romans 15 shows us that God's family is far bigger and wider than we often imagine, and we're invited to live like that's true. As Paul closes with his beautiful blessing — that the God of hope would fill us with joy, peace, and an abundance of hope through the Holy Spirit — we're reminded that these Advent gifts don't come from perfect circumstances but from God's presence with us. Today, we're invited to embody that welcome, that unity, and that hope as we move through our day.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015%3A%207-13&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In today's Advent reflection, we're reminded that this season isn't just about preparing for Christmas but also about returning to the rhythms of repentance, renewal, and peace. Romans 15:4–6 points us to the encouragement and hope found in Scripture and calls us to live in harmony with one another — something our culture rarely values. Paul's challenge to “put up with the failings of the weak” and “build up our neighbor” stands in stark contrast to an age marked by criticism and division. Yet this is the pattern Jesus gives us: a life not lived to please ourselves but to glorify God. True unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means choosing harmony over hostility, walking in the rhythm of Christlike patience, and letting our shared purpose in Jesus give us “one voice” that glorifies God. Today, we're invited to live as peacemakers in our homes, workplaces, and communities — people who embody the unity Christ prayed for and who reflect His grace in a divided world.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015%3A%204-6&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from December 7, 2025, Andy shares with us from Matthew 3: 1-12. Repentance is a gift, because repentance reminds us just how much God loves us and longs to forgive us.

In today's Advent reflection, we read Isaiah 11:6–9 and are reminded that while the world around us is still deeply broken, God's ultimate plan is nothing less than the full restoration of creation itself. Isaiah paints a picture of a redeemed world where wolves lie down with lambs, danger is gone, and peace is the natural order again — the exact opposite of what we see now. From Genesis to Romans to Revelation, Scripture tells the same story: sin shattered not just humanity but all creation, and God is working toward a day when everything is made new. So as we move closer to Christmas, we live as people of hope — trusting that the future God promises is more real than the brokenness we see today. We don't stick our hands in snake holes, but we do live unafraid, looking for goodness, standing on God's promises, and remembering that one day, everything Isaiah describes will be fully, beautifully true.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2011%3A%206-9&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In today's Advent reflection, we look at Psalm 122 — a psalm of ascent that reminds us of God's faithfulness and the power of His promises. As we hear the call to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” we're led to remember the deeper covenant story running through Scripture: God made promises to Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets, and every one of those promises finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the true Son of David and the Savior of the world. If God has kept His promises across thousands of years, then we can trust He'll keep the ones He's made to us right now — His presence, His forgiveness, His strength, His peace. So as we head into the weekend and sit with our Advent readings, we hold fast to the God who never breaks His word, standing on His promises and trusting that the same faithful God of Scripture is walking with us today.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20122&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In this passage, we're reminded that while we wait for Christ's return and for God to fulfill His promises, we're called to live with peace, holiness, and trust. Peter's comment that some of Paul's writings are “hard to understand” comforts us — even one of the apostles wrestled with Scripture — and it shows how seriously the early church already regarded Paul's letters. Peter's core message is that what feels like God's delay is actually His mercy: every day Christ hasn't returned is another day for salvation, growth, and grace to take root in our lives. As we wait, we're invited to ask ourselves whether we're truly at peace with God's timing, His answers, or even His silence. And if we find that peace difficult, our prayer can simply be, “Lord, we believe — help our unbelief.” We're encouraged to trust His patience, trust His plan, and allow His deep, sustaining peace to guide us as we continue growing together in grace.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203%3A%2011-18&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We see today how Matthew 24 can sound scary at first — one of those “Left Behind” passages many of us grew up hearing with fear — but you remind us that Advent invites us to hear it with hope, not dread. Jesus' return isn't about God coming to get us; it's about God coming to heal us, restore what's broken, end suffering, and make all things new. You point us to Isaiah's vision of swords turned into plowshares and help us imagine a world with no more cancer, hunger, or heartbreak — the world Christ is coming to bring. And while we wait, you encourage us to live with expectation, not discouragement, because at any moment hope can break through, and by God's grace we can even be agents of that hope for others through kindness, service, and love.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024%3A%2036-39&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This morning, walk through Romans 13:11-14 and are reminded that Advent is a season of waking up — shaking off spiritual sleepiness and remembering what really matters. Paul tells us the night is fading and the day is near, so we're called to lay aside the things that weigh down our souls — the habits, attitudes, and distractions that make us sluggish and unfocused — and instead “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” In a season when it's easy to get wrapped up in busyness, perfection, and consumerism, you encourage us to wake up to God's grace, live intentionally, and let Christ's light push back whatever darkness has crept into our hearts. Today is a good day, you say, to let go of what doesn't matter and live fully awake to the goodness of God.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013%3A%2011-14&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from the first Sunday of Advent, we look at Matthew 24, 36 44 we look at the hope that comes from Jesus' second coming. We heard this passage with fear, but that is not the intent.  He is not coming to get us, He is coming to save us!

We open Advent by reflecting on Isaiah 2:4–5, that beautiful vision of God's future where swords become plowshares and nations learn war no more, reminding us that when God's reign is fully realized, even the tools of violence will be transformed into tools of life. But instead of treating it as a distant hope, you bring it right into our everyday lives—into family tensions, holiday conversations, and the little conflicts we navigate with our words, tone, and reactions. You challenge us to examine the “weapons” we carry, not swords but sarcasm, sharp comments, and the things we say to win rather than love, and you invite us to turn those weapons into instruments of peace. Even though we can't solve global conflict in a day, we can choose to cultivate peace in our homes, workplaces, and relationships, walking in the light of the Lord and living out the vision Isaiah paints.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%202%3A%204-5&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional sermon for November 23, 2025, Christ the King Sunday, we look at what it means to say that Christ is King?  His kingship is not like the earthly, human kings, but His kingship is found in His wounds. He inhabits our praise, but He also inhabits our suffering and hurts.  Jesus, alone, is King! 

In this parable from Luke 19, Jesus tells a story that at first feels like a simple “use your gifts” lesson, but it runs deeper when you sit with it. The nobleman goes away, leaves money with his servants, and comes back to see what they've done with it — and while two step out in courage and invest faithfully, one is driven entirely by fear and hides what he's been given. The real tension in the story isn't that the nobleman is harsh, but that the people reject his kingship — a reminder that rejecting Jesus' lordship leads us into broken places, not because He's cruel, but because we're choosing our own way. The heart of it comes down to this: fear will always talk us out of obedience, out of faithfulness, out of stepping into what God has called us to do. But when we trust God and move forward with courage — even in uncertainty — God grows what He's placed in our hands. So as we head into the weekend, this parable invites us to let go of fear, lean into faith, and be bold with what God has entrusted to us.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A%2028-40&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In this parable from Luke 19, Jesus tells a story that at first feels like a simple “use your gifts” lesson, but it runs deeper when you sit with it. The nobleman goes away, leaves money with his servants, and comes back to see what they've done with it — and while two step out in courage and invest faithfully, one is driven entirely by fear and hides what he's been given. The real tension in the story isn't that the nobleman is harsh, but that the people reject his kingship — a reminder that rejecting Jesus' lordship leads us into broken places, not because He's cruel, but because we're choosing our own way. The heart of it comes down to this: fear will always talk us out of obedience, out of faithfulness, out of stepping into what God has called us to do. But when we trust God and move forward with courage — even in uncertainty — God grows what He's placed in our hands. So as we head into the weekend, this parable invites us to let go of fear, lean into faith, and be bold with what God has entrusted to us.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A%2011-27&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 19:1–10, the familiar story of Zacchaeus reminds us just how wide and surprising the grace of Jesus really is. Zacchaeus was not only short in stature but a chief tax collector—someone people literally and figuratively looked down on. Yet while the crowd grumbled that Jesus would dare share a meal with a sinner, Zacchaeus responded to Jesus' welcome with repentance and generosity, declaring that grace was already transforming his life. When Jesus says, “Today salvation has come to this house… for the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost,” He makes it clear that no one is beyond belonging, mercy, or restoration—not Zacchaeus, not us, and not the people we're tempted to write off. This story invites us to receive grace with humility and to extend it with open arms, seeing others the way Jesus sees them and remembering that all of us are beloved children of Abraham.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A%201-10&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:35–43, Jesus heals a blind man who refuses to be silenced and cries out all the louder for mercy, reminding us that Jesus not only restores physical sight but also gives us spiritual sight — the kind that helps us recognize God's grace and work in our lives. Like the blind man, we're called to persist in prayer even when we feel unheard or discouraged, trusting that Jesus always hears our cries and may be working in ways we can't see. As we grow older, we often realize how limited our vision once was, and even now we continue to ask, “Lord, let me see again,” knowing that He is still shaping our eyes, hearts, and understanding. The story encourages us to keep praying, keep calling out, and keep seeking the clarity only Jesus can give, believing that He will help us see what truly matters.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A35-43&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:31–34, Jesus plainly tells the disciples that He will be betrayed, mocked, killed, and raised on the third day, yet Scripture says they couldn't understand because it was “hidden from them.” This reminds us that while we long for clarity and want to see God's full plan for our lives, sometimes He intentionally withholds understanding until the right time. Just as the disciples didn't need to grasp every detail because the saving work belonged to Jesus alone, we too are called not to control the plan but to trust the One who does. In seasons where God's answer feels like “not yet” or “no,” we're invited to rely on His timing, His goodness, and His quiet work behind the scenes, believing that He will reveal what we need to know when the time is right.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%2031-34&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:18–30, Jesus meets the rich young ruler who wants to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, and while the man has kept all the commandments, Jesus exposes the real issue in his heart—his wealth has become his idol. Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow Him, showing that true discipleship means surrendering whatever we love more than God. Wealth itself isn't condemned, but when anything—money, status, comfort, approval—sits on the throne of our hearts, it keeps us from fully following Jesus. The passage reminds us that salvation is impossible on our own but possible with God, and it challenges us to honestly ask what idols we need to lay down so that Christ can be first in our lives.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%2018-30&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:15–17, people bring their children to Jesus, and when the disciples try to turn them away, Jesus stops them and says, “Let the little children come to me.” In a culture where children were seen as unimportant, Jesus flips the script—He not only welcomes them but says the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Then He adds that unless we receive the Kingdom like a child, we'll never enter it. That kind of faith is simple, trusting, and open-hearted—free from the doubts and cynicism that so often weigh us down as adults. Jesus calls us back to that pure, childlike trust that simply believes, “Jesus loves me.” So today, let's approach Him with that same humble faith—ready to receive His grace, to welcome others with open arms, and to rest in the love of the One who welcomes us all.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%2015-17&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—a story that flips expectations upside down. The Pharisee, respected for his devotion and moral life, prays proudly, thanking God that he's not like “that sinner.” Meanwhile, the tax collector, despised by society, humbly stands at a distance and prays, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” And it's the tax collector—not the Pharisee—who goes home right with God. Jesus reminds us that it's not our appearance of righteousness that saves us, but a humble heart that knows its need for mercy. I've learned that lesson myself—thinking I had it all together, only to realize how much I still needed grace. So today, let's stay humble, stop comparing ourselves to others, and keep praying that simple, powerful prayer: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%209-14&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow to remind us to pray always and not lose heart. I love this story because it's both honest and funny—the unjust judge finally gives in, not because he cares, but because the widow simply won't quit! Jesus uses that image to show us something powerful about faith: if persistence can move someone who doesn't care, how much more will it move the heart of a God who loves us deeply? Prayer isn't about bothering God—it's about trusting Him enough to keep coming back. Even when we don't see answers right away, we keep praying, keep showing up, and keep believing. So today, whatever you're carrying, don't give up. Be like that widow—faithful, persistent, and full of hope—because our God hears, loves, and will move in His perfect time.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%201-8&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 17:20–37, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God isn't something we wait to see appear “out there” — it's already here among us. The Pharisees wanted to know when it would come, but Jesus shifts the focus from when to where— and the answer is right in the midst of God's people. The kingdom is breaking in now through grace, mercy, and love lived out in everyday acts of faithfulness. But Jesus also points ahead to the day when the Son of Man will return — suddenly and unmistakably — calling us to live ready, not fearful. We live in the “now but not yet” of God's kingdom: it's already begun, but it's not yet complete. So while we wait for all things to be made new, we live faithfully, doing good, loving others, and letting God's light shine through small acts of kindness. The kingdom is now — and it's coming in fullness.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A%2020-37&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus heals ten lepers who cry out for mercy, but only one — a Samaritan — returns to give thanks. This story beautifully reminds us that gratitude reveals true faith. The lepers' healing restored more than their health; it gave them back their lives, their communities, and their dignity. Yet nine kept going, while one stopped to worship. That's the challenge for us — not to take God's blessings for granted, but to pause and thank Him. Like that one grateful leper, we're called to recognize God's mercy, to see His hand in every good thing, and to let gratitude shape our hearts. Because when we stop and give thanks, we don't just acknowledge what God has done — we draw closer to the One who made us whole.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A%2011-19&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from November 9, 2025, Andy shares with us form Psalm 17.  We see that we are the apple of God's eye. He will defend and He will protect us, because He truly loves us. 

In Luke 17:1–10, Jesus turns from the crowds to His disciples with a few short but powerful lessons about how to live faithfully. He warns us not to cause others to stumble — reminding us that our words and actions shape the faith of those watching us. He calls us to hold one another accountable, to lovingly correct those who wander, and to freely forgive those who repent — even when it's hard. When the disciples cry out, “Lord, increase our faith,” Jesus reminds them that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do great things, because it's not about how much faith we have but Who our faith is in. Finally, He calls us to simple, humble obedience — to serve faithfully without seeking praise. The message is clear: watch your witness, stay accountable, forgive freely, and above all, be faithful — because God can do extraordinary things through ordinary faithfulness.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A%201-10&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This parable of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us how easy it is to overlook people right in front of us. The rich man had everything but missed what mattered most — compassion. He saw Lazarus every day but never really saw him, and even in eternity, his heart hadn't changed. Jesus uses this story to challenge how we view others and what we value. Every person — whether a CEO, a custodian, a cashier, or a neighbor — bears the image of God and is loved deeply by Him. Today, let's open our eyes to the people we might normally pass by and love them the way God loves us — freely, fully, and without distinction.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016%3A%2019-31&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This passage shows us how easy it is to miss the heart of God's Word. The Pharisees loved money and used the law to justify themselves, twisting it whenever it suited them. Jesus calls them out and reminds us that while the gospel has come, the intent of God's law still stands — it's about love, mercy, and faithfulness, not control or appearances. The danger for us is the same: we can know Scripture, quote verses, even win arguments, and still miss Jesus in the process. The Bible isn't meant to make us right — it's meant to make us new. So today, let's not read for information or justification, but for transformation. Open your Bible, listen for God's voice, and let His Word shape your heart.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016%3A%2014-18&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This parable can be confusing at first, but when you step back, it's really about stewardship and the heart. The “dishonest” manager isn't praised for being shady — he's praised for being shrewd, for using what he had while he could. Jesus isn't telling us to be manipulative; He's reminding us to be wise with what's been entrusted to us. Everything we have — our money, gifts, time, opportunities — ultimately belongs to God. The question isn't how much we have, but how we're using it. Are we serving God or serving wealth? Because we can't do both. Our job isn't ownership — it's stewardship. So today, let's use what God's given us well, not for our own gain, but for His glory and the good of others.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016%3A%201-13&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 15, Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son shows us what grace really looks like. The younger son demands his inheritance early, squanders it in wild living, and ends up broke, starving, and feeding pigs—until “he comes to himself” and remembers his father's goodness. When he heads home, the father runs to meet him, embracing him before he can even finish his apology. That's the picture of God's love—extravagant, undeserved, and full of joy. But the older brother, who's stayed home and done everything “right,” grows bitter when grace is shown to someone who doesn't deserve it. The father reminds him, “This brother of yours was lost and is found,” calling him back into the same grace. Both sons are lost in their own way—one in rebellion, the other in resentment—but the father's love reaches for them both. We've all been the prodigal at some point, and the good news is that the Father still runs to meet us and says, “Welcome home.”Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A11-32&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the lost son—or really, the lost sons—to show us the depth of the Father's love. The younger son rebels, squanders everything, and hits rock bottom before “coming to himself” and returning home, only to be met by a father who runs to embrace him—a shocking act of love and grace in that culture. The older brother, though outwardly obedient, reveals a hardened heart, resenting his father's mercy and refusing to join the celebration. Both sons are lost in different ways: one through rebellion, the other through pride. Yet the father's love reaches out to both, calling them home. That's the heart of God—He runs toward the prodigal and gently invites the self-righteous back into joy. His grace welcomes, restores, and unites us, reminding us that the lost aren't just God's children—they're our brothers and sisters too.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A11-32&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 15, Jesus tells another “parable of lost things”—this time about a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins and searches tirelessly until she finds it, rejoicing when she does. The coin likely represented something deeply personal and valuable, perhaps part of her marriage dowry or future security, making its loss more than just financial. Through this story, Jesus shows us God's heart for the lost: every single person matters, and heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents. Just as the woman lights a lamp and sweeps the house until her treasure is found, God never stops searching for us. We're reminded not to forget what it felt like to be lost, nor to lose the joy of being found. The gospel isn't a test of goodness—it's a rescue story of relentless grace, where God celebrates every soul that comes home.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A%208-10&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Luke 15 opens heaven's heart, showing us God's relentless love through stories of lost things — a sheep, a coin, and two sons. When the Pharisees grumbled that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them,” they missed the point: sharing a meal meant sharing life, and Jesus was declaring that the lost mattered to God. In the parable, the shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that's gone astray, reminding us that God's math is mercy — every single soul matters. Each of us has been that one sheep, carried home on the shoulders of grace, and as followers of the Good Shepherd, we're called to love as He loves — to go after the lost, to welcome the broken, and to rejoice when grace brings someone home.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A%201-7&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 14:34–35, Jesus says, “Salt is good, but if salt loses its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” It's a short passage, but it packs a punch. Salt in Jesus' day had two main purposes—to season and to preserve—and that's exactly what our faith should do. We should make life better, like seasoning that brings out flavor, and we should help preserve what's good and holy in the world. Our families, workplaces, and communities ought to be brighter and kinder because we're there. And just like salt keeps things from decaying, we're called to hold on to what's good—kindness, honesty, forgiveness, grace. Jesus' warning reminds us to stay “salty,” to keep our edge, our joy, and our witness alive. So today, bring out the best wherever you go, preserve what's good, and let your life reflect the goodness of Christ. Stay salty, friends.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014%3A%2034-35&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional sermon from October 26, 2025, Andy shares his favorite Biblical character, Barnabas.  Barnabas is called the Son of Encouragement because he believes in what others can be through Jesus. We need people who believe in what we can be, and what we are doing, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We need sons and daughters of encouragement!

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus reminds us that following Him isn't something we do halfway — it's a full commitment. He says we must “hate” our family and even our own lives, not because He wants us to literally hate anyone, but because He's calling us to love Him more than anything else. Being His disciple means putting Him first — above comfort, plans, and even relationships. When Jesus says to “carry your cross,” He's talking about dying to ourselves — letting go of pride, control, and selfish desires so we can truly live in Him. He gives two examples — a builder and a king — both of whom count the cost before starting something big. In the same way, we're called to count the cost of discipleship. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Because when we surrender everything to Jesus, we don't lose our lives — we finally find them.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014%3A%2025-33&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 14:15–24, Jesus tells a story about a great banquet where everyone's invited, but most of the original guests make excuses and don't show up. So the host opens the doors wide, welcoming the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame — anyone willing to come. It's a powerful picture of God's grace: His invitation is open to all, but we have to accept it. The danger isn't that God stops calling — it's that we stop listening. Like the faint beep of a smoke alarm we've tuned out, we can get so used to hearing God's voice that we no longer notice it. Today's a reminder to pay attention — to say yes to the Father's invitation, to make space for His grace, and to come to the table where we belong.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014%3A%2015-24&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This morning in Luke 14:7–14, Jesus uses a dinner party to teach us a powerful lesson about humility and the dangers of power. He notices how guests scramble for the best seats and reminds them that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted. Then He turns to the host and says not to invite people who can repay the favor, but to invite those who can't—the poor, the crippled, the blind—because that's what real generosity looks like. Jesus is showing us that God's Kingdom isn't about status, influence, or power—it's about humility, service, and grace. Power can corrupt us if we chase it, but humility draws us closer to Christ. So today, let's choose the lowly seat, give without expecting anything in return, and trust that in God's time, He'll lift us up in the way that truly matters.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014%3A%207-14&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 14; 1-6, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath while dining at a Pharisee's house, knowing full well they're watching to see if He'll “break” the law. But Jesus exposes their hypocrisy by asking if they wouldn't rescue their own child or ox that fell into a well on the Sabbath. Of course they would. He reminds them—and us—that the heart of the law is mercy, not rigid rule-keeping. The Pharisees had become so focused on legalism that they missed God's compassion. Jesus didn't come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, showing that true obedience flows from love, not pride. It's easy for us, too, to slip into thinking holiness is about getting everything right. But the imperfect life that clings to grace is closer to God than the perfect life convinced of its own righteousness. So today, let's lean on grace, love others well, and remember that God desires hearts of mercy more than mere rule-following.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014%3A%201-6&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In Luke 13:31–35, we see one of the most tender and heartbreaking moments in Jesus' ministry. When He laments over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I have longed to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood, but you were not willing,” we glimpse the deep humanity and compassion of Christ. He isn't angry at those who reject Him—He's heartbroken. His love is so great that He grieves even for the ones who will betray and crucify Him. This passage reminds us that God's heart isn't one of condemnation but of longing—longing for His children to come home. And if His heart breaks for those who turn away, how much more does it overflow with grace for those who keep trying to follow Him? Today, take comfort in this truth: Jesus' love is patient, tender, and unrelenting. He longs to gather you close and remind you that you are deeply loved.Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/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.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013%3A%2031-35&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/