Wednesday, November 19th: Episode 643 explores Colossians 2, where Paul warns believers against philosophies, religious pressures, and spiritual practices that add to the gospel. He reminds them that in Christ “all the fullness of God lives in bodily form,” and that believers have already been brought to fullness in Him. Paul explains that rituals, rules, ascetic practices, and mystical teachings cannot provide spiritual life or victory over sin. Instead, believers have been forgiven, raised with Christ, and freed from condemnation through His triumph on the cross. True spiritual growth comes from holding fast to Jesus, not from chasing emotional experiences or proving ourselves through religious effort. The chapter calls believers to rest in the sufficiency of Christ and resist anything that diminishes the completeness they already possess in Him.
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Tuesday, November 17th: Episode 642 explores Mark 2:1–17 through the healing of a paralyzed man and the calling of Levi the tax collector. The episode begins in a crowded house in Capernaum, where four friends tear open a roof to place their paralyzed friend before Jesus. Instead of first healing the man physically, Jesus forgives his sins, revealing His divine authority and compassion. He then heals the man in full view of everyone, leaving the crowd astonished. The story shifts to Jesus calling Levi—an outcast tax collector—to follow Him, and Levi immediately leaves everything behind. Jesus then eats with Levi’s friends, shocking the religious leaders who cannot comprehend His willingness to sit with sinners. Jesus responds that He came not for the righteous but for the sick, showing His heart for the broken and the excluded. Together, these stories reveal a Savior who forgives freely, welcomes boldly, and calls ordinary people into extraordinary grace.
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Monday, November 17th: This episode tells the story of Amy Carmichael, the Irish missionary who spent 55 years in India rescuing and raising vulnerable children with sacrificial love. Her compassion began in childhood and grew into a calling that led her across the world. After several failed attempts at overseas service, God led her to India, where she discovered the heartbreaking exploitation of young girls dedicated to temples. Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, a spiritual family that offered refuge, healing, and belonging. She adopted Indian dress, learned the culture, and lived incarnationally to remove every barrier to love. Even after becoming bedridden for the last 20 years of her life, she continued to minister through writing, prayer, and faithful presence. Amy famously said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving,” a truth she embodied until her death. The children she rescued called her “Amma,” mother, and she was buried with that single word marking her grave. Her life continues to inspire believers to love in ways that stay, endure, and reflect 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) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Friday, November 14: Today’s episode explores what Jesus meant when He prayed that His followers would be “in the world but not of the world.” Though the exact phrase isn’t in Scripture, Jesus clearly expresses this idea in John 17 when He asks the Father to send His people into the world while protecting them from becoming shaped by it. We look at how this concept has been misunderstood, misapplied, and even avoided because it forces us to live in real spiritual tension. Many Christians have historically either withdrawn from the world or blended into it, and neither approach reflects Jesus’ intention. The episode explains why living in this holy tension is difficult and why it requires deep dependence on Jesus, humility, discernment, and courage. We also explore how cultural engagement often becomes combative rather than compassionate, and how that misses Jesus’ heart. From there, the episode offers five practical ways to live this out: being present, refusing to compromise or weaponize truth, developing a biblical filter, staying on mission, and holding onto hope. Ultimately, Jesus calls His people to enter the world with love and clarity while remaining anchored in a different kingdom. This episode encourages listeners to show up in their everyday spaces with grace, discernment, and confidence in Christ. It’s an invitation to embrace the tension Jesus prayed we would carry.
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Thursday, November 13th: In Episode 639 of The Daily Grind, we explore Psalm 1: Rooted in the River—the gateway to the entire Psalter. Written as a wisdom psalm, it presents the two ways of life: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. Drawing from ancient Jewish context, this episode explains what it meant for God’s people to meditate on the torah day and night, why the tree-by-the-river image mattered in the dry climate of Israel, and how this psalm invited worshipers to anchor their lives in God’s instruction.
Listeners will discover that to be “blessed” is to be deeply rooted in the presence of God—drawing life from His Word so that we can flourish even in hard seasons.
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Wednesday, November 12th: In Episode 638 of The Daily Grind, we explore Paul’s majestic vision of Jesus in Colossians 1: Christ Above All. Written from prison to a small church tempted by spiritual shortcuts, Paul reminds believers that Christ is the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things, and the One who reconciles the world to Himself through the cross. This episode dives into the historical setting of Colossae, the theology of the “Christ Hymn,” and the practical implications of living with Christ at the center of everything.
Listeners are invited to rediscover the cosmic Christ—the One who holds the universe, and our lives, together.
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.
Tuesday, November 11th: In Episode 637 of The Daily Grind, we open the Gospel of Mark—“The Beginning of the Good News.” Mark writes with urgency, announcing that Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Son of God and King. Through John the Baptist’s call to repentance, Jesus’ baptism, His temptation in the wilderness, and the calling of the first disciples, Mark paints a vivid picture of God breaking into human history. This episode explores the historical and cultural background of Mark 1, revealing how each detail—from the tearing open of the heavens to the early morning prayer—points to the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
Listeners are invited to slow down, let Scripture speak, and rediscover the awe of following Jesus at the very beginning of the good news.
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.
Monday, November 10: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we explore the extraordinary life of Hudson Taylor, the 19th-century missionary who founded the China Inland Mission and reshaped global missions through humility, adaptability, and faith. Taylor’s decision to dress like a Chinese man shocked his Western peers but opened hearts to the gospel. Despite sickness, loss, and criticism, he clung to what he called “the exchanged life”—Christ living His life through us. Through vivid storytelling, historical insights, and reflections from Taylor’s own writings, this episode invites listeners to consider how incarnational love and surrendered faith can transform the world.
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.
Friday, November 7th: In today’s episode, John and Mariza walk through Acts 19, where Paul arrives in Ephesus — one of the largest, wealthiest, and most spiritually charged cities in the Roman Empire. We explore how the gospel doesn’t just inspire personal change — it can reshape entire cultures, economies, and belief systems. From disciples learning about the Holy Spirit, to unusual miracles, to the seven sons of Sceva getting exposed for counterfeit spirituality, this chapter highlights the difference between authentic faith and imitation performance.
We also witness a full-scale riot led by craftsmen whose livelihood depends on idol worship — reminding us that when the gospel confronts the systems that shape identity, profit, and power, it will cause disruption. The question remains for us today: Do we want Jesus for inspiration or transformation? True faith isn’t borrowed — it’s lived.
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.
Thursday, November 6th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John reflects on what it means to live as citizens of God’s kingdom in an age of political division. Drawing from Scripture, cultural insight, and personal reflection, he explores how believers can resist fear-based partisanship and embody the love, grace, and hope of Christ. John challenges listeners to examine their hearts with four key questions—about allegiance, hope, behavior, and love—and to consider confession and repentance as pathways toward kingdom living. Through honest dialogue and prayer, this episode invites listeners to release bitterness, renew relationships, and live out the upside-down values of the gospel—loving neighbors even when the world demands we take sides.
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.
Wednesday, November 5th: In this powerful conclusion to the seven churches series, The Daily Grind looks at Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea from Revelation 3:13–22 — a message that pulls no punches. Though wealthy and self-sufficient, the Laodiceans were spiritually lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — and Jesus found their half-hearted faith nauseating. Through vivid imagery drawn from their own city’s culture of banking, textiles, and medicine, He calls them to true spiritual wealth, purity, and vision. Yet even in His rebuke, Jesus offers hope: He stands at the door and knocks, inviting renewed fellowship. This episode challenges believers today to confront spiritual complacency, reject self-sufficiency, and rekindle a passionate, wholehearted relationship with 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) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
Tuesday, November 4th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we explore Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia from Revelation 3:7–13—a church that, though small and seemingly weak, remained steadfast in faith. Jesus commends their endurance, their refusal to deny His name, and their perseverance in the face of opposition. We unpack the meaning of the “key of David” and the “open door” imagery, revealing how Christ alone grants access to His kingdom and opens opportunities for faithful mission. Despite limited worldly power, the believers in Philadelphia held fast to the truth and were promised eternal security, identity, and honor in God’s presence. This episode challenges us to remain faithful, seize the doors God opens, and find our strength not in influence or resources but in steadfast reliance on Jesus.
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.
Monday, November 3rd: In Revelation 3:1–6, Jesus delivers a piercing wake-up call to the church in Sardis—a community that had a reputation for being alive but was, in truth, spiritually dead. In this episode of The Daily Grind, we explore how Sardis’s history of complacency mirrors the danger of relying on reputation instead of reality. Jesus calls His followers to wake up, strengthen what remains, and rekindle genuine spiritual vitality. Through historical insight, personal reflection, and practical application, this message challenges believers to stay spiritually alert, repent where they’ve drifted, and walk faithfully with Christ in purity and victory.
Reflection Questions:
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Friday, October 31st: In Episode 630 of The Daily Grind, we step into Acts 18 and walk alongside Paul through Corinth—a city known for commerce, culture, and chaotic morals. It’s here that the apostle plants deep gospel roots in the middle of skepticism, resistance, and weariness. We explore the encouragement Paul receives from Jesus in a vision—“Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent”—and how this message still speaks to anyone weary from proclaiming truth in a hostile world. We’ll also see the beautiful partnership with Aquila and Priscilla, the fruit of long-term presence, and the surprising hunger for Scripture from those we least expect. Finally, we’ll ask what it looks like to faithfully stay rooted in our context—trusting that God has “many in this city who are His.” Whether you feel alone in your workplace, school, or neighborhood, today’s passage reminds us: you are not the only one. Keep showing up. Keep speaking truth. God’s not done.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.
Thursday, October 30th: Thyatira was a hardworking church full of love, faith, service, and perseverance — and Jesus praises their growth. But they were also a church under intense pressure to fit in with the surrounding culture. Trade guilds demanded participation in pagan feasts, sexualized rituals, and emperor worship — and non-participation could cost a believer their livelihood. Some in the church were giving in, influenced by a false teacher Jesus calls “Jezebel,” claiming compromise was acceptable.
Jesus reminds the church that He alone is the true Son of God — the one with eyes like fire that sees everything, and feet like burnished bronze, unshakeable and pure. He calls them to reject false teaching, repent of compromise, and hold tightly to the truth they already know. For those who remain faithful, Jesus gives two incredible promises: authority to reign with Him, and the Morning Star — Jesus Himself. When the world pulls us in every direction, Jesus’ message remains the same: Don’t let go. Hold fast until He comes.
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.
Wednesday, October 29th: The church in Pergamum lived in one of the most spiritually dangerous environments in the ancient world — a city Jesus called “where Satan has his throne.” Temptation, political pressure, and idolatry surrounded believers at every turn. Yet Jesus commends their courageous faithfulness, especially in the face of real persecution like the martyrdom of Antipas.
But not everyone was standing strong. Some had begun to justify compromise — blending into the culture and adopting false teaching that excused sin. Jesus calls the church to repent and return to truth, reminding them that His word — like a sharp two-edged sword — cuts through deception and reveals what is real. And for those who remain faithful? Jesus promises provision (“hidden manna”) and a white stone with a new name — a permanent reminder of belonging in God’s kingdom. Pergamum teaches us the importance of holding firmly to Christ even when culture presses hard against our convictions.
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.
Tuesday, October 28th: Smyrna was a wealthy and powerful Roman port city, but following Jesus there came with high cost. In Revelation 2:8–11, Jesus speaks not a word of rebuke to the believers, only encouragement and hope. He reminds them that He is the First and the Last — the One who died and came back to life — a powerful truth for believers facing persecution and even death. The church in Smyrna was materially poor but spiritually rich, demonstrating faith that the world could not measure. Jesus calls them to resist fear, stand firm through testing, and hold on to the promise of eternal life. The “crown of life” He offers is far greater than any earthly reward. This message still applies today: faithfulness matters more than comfort. Our hope isn’t rooted in success or safety but in the One who conquered death. When trials come, we can endure with courage, knowing our victory is secure in Jesus.
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.
Monday, October 27th: The ancient city of Ephesus was once a thriving center for Christianity, yet today no active church remains there — a sobering reminder of what can happen when love fades. In Revelation 2:1–7, Jesus praises the Ephesian church for their perseverance, discernment, and commitment to the truth. They stood firm against false teaching in a spiritually hostile culture. But Jesus also confronts them with a painful truth: they had abandoned the love they once had for Him and for others. Their passion for truth had become disconnected from love. Jesus calls them to remember, repent, and return to the works they did at first. Without love, even the strongest church loses its witness. But for those who conquer — those who turn back to love — Jesus promises the right to eat from the tree of life. This message is both a comfort and a warning for us today. We must hold fast to truth, but never forget that love is the beating heart of the gospel.
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.
Friday, October 24th: Episode 625 continues the counter-culture of love theme with a solo message from John. He explains that Jesus-shaped love is practical and visible, drawing from Romans 12:9–21 and 1 Corinthians 13. Genuine love hates what harms people and clings to what is good. Biblical love honors others and perseveres through hardship with prayer. John emphasizes responding to hostility with blessing rather than retaliation. He highlights that real love stays even when things get difficult. The “Jesus Rule” returns — if it isn’t something Jesus would say or do, it isn’t Christian love. Listeners are challenged to apply love in relationally specific ways this week. The episode concludes with a charge to embody Christ’s love as a Kingdom witness in a divided world.
Thursday, October 23: In Episode 624 of The Daily Grind, John concludes the Counter-Culture of Love series with Jesus’ declaration, “My kingdom is not of this world.” He paints the scene of Jesus standing before Pilate and reveals how Christ’s Kingdom operates by the logic of love, not the pursuit of power. John contrasts worldly weapons with Kingdom ones — mercy, truth, forgiveness, and peace. He challenges the Church to reject political tribalism and instead embody a counter-culture of love that looks like Jesus. The episode revisits the “Jesus test,” urging listeners to speak only words that could come from Christ’s mouth. John redefines peacemaking as courageous engagement with compassion. He invites believers to reflect on how their lives display allegiance to a heavenly Kingdom. The cross, he reminds us, is not a symbol of retreat but of revolution. The episode closes with a call to live out the Kingdom’s love in every interaction, making visible the reign of Jesus on earth.