Tuesday, February 18th: What if Jesus’ call to love your enemies wasn’t just an ideal but a command? In this episode of The Daily Grind, John explores Jesus’ powerful and countercultural teachings from Luke 6. The kingdom of God turns our expectations upside down—blessing the poor, calling the persecuted to rejoice, and challenging us to love those who hate us. But what does it really mean to turn the other cheek? How do we bless those who curse us? And why does Jesus say that loving our enemies makes us children of the Most High? Through biblical and historical context, we unpack how Jesus' words transform our personal relationships, communities, and even our response to persecution. This is not just about passive endurance; it’s about an active, radical love that reflects the mercy of God. Whether you're facing conflict at work, division in your community, or pressure because of your faith, this episode will encourage and equip you to live out Christ’s call with courage and joy.

⁠⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Monday, February 17th: In today’s episode of The Daily Grind, we explore the often-overlooked gift of Sabbath. Sabbath isn’t just about rules or restrictions—it’s about stopping, resting, and abiding in God’s presence. From the very beginning of creation, God blessed the Sabbath as a life-giving day. In Exodus, it became a symbol of freedom for a people who had known only endless work. But somewhere along the way, we lost sight of its purpose. Jesus, however, saw the Sabbath as a time for healing, renewal, and joy. Through a personal story about waiting during Marci’s surgery, John reflects on what it means to be truly present in the moment—how learning to rest is not just about time off, but about trust. How do we embrace Sabbath in a world that never stops? How does rest set us free? Join us as we rediscover Sabbath as a gift, not a burden. ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Friday, February 14th: It’s Valentine’s Day on The Daily Grind, and John and Maritza are diving into John 14—a chapter all about love, trust, and the promise that we are never alone. Broadcasting from different states for the first time, they reflect on Jesus’ words of comfort to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. What does it mean when Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled”? How does His promise to prepare a place for us mirror ancient Jewish wedding customs? And what is the significance of His statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”? John and Maritza unpack these themes, highlighting how Jesus assures His followers that, even in His physical absence, He will send the Holy Spirit to be with them always. They also reflect on how worry steals our peace, the power of trusting God's plan, and how love is more than a feeling—it’s an action. As they close out, Maritza shares a heartfelt reflection on how love calls us to serve, grow, and believe, making every step of faith an adventure. Don’t miss this episode filled with warmth, insight, and the ultimate reminder that we are never alone in Christ’s love.

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Thursday, February 13: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John examines Luke 5:12-26, where Jesus displays both power and compassion in radical ways. First, He reaches out and touches a man with leprosy, healing him and restoring his dignity. Then, we see four friends tear through a roof to lower their paralyzed friend before Jesus, believing in His ability to heal. But instead of healing first, Jesus shocks the crowd by forgiving the man’s sins—revealing our deepest need is not physical healing, but spiritual restoration. The religious leaders are outraged—only God can forgive sins! So, to prove His authority, Jesus commands the man to walk, and he does. This passage challenges us to consider: Are we coming to Jesus for what we want, or for what we truly need? It also reminds us to be like the stretcher-bearers, bringing others to Jesus. Tune in to hear how Jesus’ power, compassion, and forgiveness can change your life today!

Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Wednesday, February 12th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John dives into two powerful encounters with God—Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6:1-8 and Peter’s call in Luke 5:1-11. Both men experienced awe-inspiring moments that revealed God’s holiness and exposed their own unworthiness. Isaiah trembled before God’s throne, while Peter fell at Jesus’ feet, overwhelmed by His power. Yet, instead of rejection, both received a mission. Isaiah was cleansed and sent, and Peter was called to be a fisher of men. John explores how encountering God changes everything—how His presence humbles us, His grace restores us, and His call propels us into purpose. We’ll reflect on how God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect; He calls us as we are and transforms us along the way. Whether you feel unworthy, hesitant, or unqualified, this episode is a reminder that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Will you respond to His call?

⁠⁠⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Tuesday, February 11th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer takes us to Luke 4:31-44, where Jesus’ authority is on full display. We explore how Jesus amazed the people in Capernaum with his teaching, casting out demons and healing the sick with just a word. The episode unpacks the significance of spiritual warfare, showing that Jesus' mission wasn’t just about healing but about proclaiming the kingdom of God. We examine the cultural and historical setting of Capernaum, a strategic hub for Jesus' ministry. We also reflect on why Jesus silenced demons who correctly identified him, revealing his careful approach to unveiling his identity. Finally, we draw practical applications: recognizing spiritual battles, trusting in Jesus’ authority, and living out his kingdom mission. The same Jesus who healed and set people free then is at work today. Will we trust him, submit to his authority, and share his message with others? Tune in and be encouraged by the power and mission of Christ. ⁠⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Monday, February 10th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John takes us to Luke 4, where Jesus steps into the synagogue of His hometown and delivers His mission statement. Reading from Isaiah, Jesus proclaims that He has come to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, and sight for the blind. At first, the crowd is amazed, but when Jesus challenges their assumptions about God’s grace, their admiration turns to anger. Why did the people of Nazareth reject Him so quickly? John explores the historical and cultural backdrop of this powerful moment and what it reveals about human pride. Jesus’ message is good news for the humble but offensive to the self-righteous. Are we willing to accept His grace, even when it challenges us? This episode unpacks how Jesus’ mission reshapes our understanding of God’s kingdom and our place in it. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that calls us to embrace the radical grace of Christ.

⁠⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.

Friday, February 7th: While traveling to New York, I couldn’t record with Mariza, so today we’re rebroadcasting an episode from The Daily Grind vault. Have you ever felt familiar with something but later realized you didn’t truly know it? That’s how many of us approach the Gospels. We know snippets—Jesus' birth, the Prodigal Son, the Last Supper—but do we grasp the full story? The Gospels aren’t just random highlights from Jesus’ life; they are intricately woven narratives that challenge us to see Jesus as He really is. Years ago, a mentor challenged me to spend a full year reading the Gospels—one book per month, over and over. That practice changed the way I understood Jesus. Reading the whole story helps us see what each Gospel writer is emphasizing and how their narratives build toward a powerful revelation of Jesus’ mission. Mark, for example, places Peter’s confession right in the center of his Gospel for a reason—because recognizing Jesus as Messiah is pivotal, but understanding what kind of Messiah He is changes everything. So here’s my challenge: binge the Gospels. Read them like a new Netflix series you can’t put down. When you take in the whole story, you’ll encounter Jesus in ways you never expected.

⁠⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spencerjd@thedailygrind.website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.