The Daily Grind

The Daily Grind

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The Daily Grind episodes

  • 038 Timeless Wisdom: Relevance of the Minor Prophets.

    Wednesday, July 26th: In this episode, John answers a listener email about the connection between the world's current state and the messages conveyed in the minor prophets. We’ll explores how these ancient texts, though written for specific historical contexts, hold timeless principles and themes that remain applicable today. Discover the importance of understanding historical context and how the Minor Prophets offer valuable insights on justice, compassion, social issues, and our treatment of others. Ultimately, find out how these prophetic books point towards hope, joy, and the enduring relevance of Jesus in our lives.

     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 ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠. Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes 


    14 min
  • 037 Three Parables of God's Love (aka Lost Things)

    Tuesday, July 25th: Luke 15. Join host John Spencer on "The Daily Grind" as we go through Jesus’s parables in Luke 15, which reveal the profound love of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Discover how the three stories we know as ‘The Lost Sheep’, ‘The Lost Coin’, and ‘The Prodigal Son’ reflect God's intense love and forgiveness. Discover the joy of being embraced by our heavenly Father as we explore themes of God’s unwavering pursuit and celebration when the lost is found. Tune in for a meaningful journey of understanding and grace.  

     

    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 ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes 

    16 min
  • 036 Believing in Jesus and Following Jesus are NOT the same thing

    Monday, July 24: In this episode, I discuss the difference between merely believing in Jesus and truly following Him. It's a challenging journey that requires a whole change of heart and a willingness to live a selfless life, showing God's love to others. We discuss how American Evangelicalism might have watered down the call to discipleship, instead of emphasizing the importance of counting the cost and embracing the obstacles and hardships that come with following Jesus. Through sacrifice and reliance on God's grace, we discover the immeasurable treasure of glorifying Jesus in our lives and experiencing a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. Join me as we explore the transformative power of becoming a true Jesus follower, walking the narrow path with Him and bearing fruit for His glory.

    Jesus says to you, "I love you, if you desire to come after me, take up your cross, deny yourselves, and follow me. Just as one building a tower counts the cost beforehand, consider the commitment required in this journey of faith. Those who serve me will be with me, and the Father will honor them. My sheep know my voice, and they follow me faithfully. I am the light of the world, and those who follow me will walk in the light of life, not in darkness. Embrace this path of discipleship with your whole heart, for in it lies the greatest reward and the eternal joy that comes from serving and following me."

    My paraphrase of Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:28; John 12:26; John 10:27; John 8:12

    ⁠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 ⁠⁠[email protected]

    Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes


    13 min
  • 035 Unpacking the Good Samaritan Story: Seeing Beyond the Surface

    Friday, July 21st: In this episode, we delve into the profound meaning of the Good Samaritan parable told by Jesus, exploring its significance in the context

    of 1st-century Judaism and how it challenges us today. While the term "Good Samaritan" has come to symbolize compassion and kindness, we uncover how it would have been perceived differently in Jesus' time, offering a fresh perspective on the story's true essence. Join us as we unpack the characters' actions and motivations, revealing the deeper message that calls us to examine our hearts, love our neighbors, and live generously.


    read Luke 10:25-37

     

    ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all

    ears. Just give me a holler ⁠[email protected]


    15 min
  • 034 Questions Jesus Asked of Love

    Thursday, July 20th: In this episode, we delve into some of the most powerful questions Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” Questions revealing his vulnerability

    and heart towards us. We explore moments when Jesus asked his disciples if they wanted to be with him and if they truly loved him. Through these questions,
    Jesus sought a genuine relationship, not blind obedience, and we learn how they still resonate with us today. Join us as we reflect on the significance of
    these questions.  

    Jesus chooses to ask questions of love and invitation to us today. Why? Because he wants a relationship with you. 

    Read John 6:25-71 and John 21:15-19

    ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler ⁠⁠[email protected]

    14 min
  • 033 Questions Jesus Asked of Life and Faith

    Wednesday, July 19: In this episode, we explore the questions Jesus asked about life and faith. These questions challenge us to pause, reflect, and examine our priorities. We look into their significance for the people during Jesus' time and their relevance for us today. By examining what we have made most important, we can correct our focus, prioritize what truly matters, and deepen our spiritual growth, trust in God, and compassion in a world that often distracts us from what's essential.

    • What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Matthew 16:26)
    • Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:26)
    • Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Are you not of more value than the birds of the air? (Matthew 6:25-26)
    • If God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (Luke 11:11-13)
    •  

      ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler ⁠[email protected]

      16 min
    • 032 Questions Jesus Asked: Healing and Compassion

      Tuesday, July 18th: In this episode, we explore incidents in Jesus' ministry where he would ask people questions who opposed his healing or compassion, and asking if they wanted to be healed before performing a miracle. These seemingly straightforward questions reveal insights about Jesus' compassion and desire to respect human agency. We dig into the lessons behind each question, examining how they apply to our lives. Jesus' teachings of compassion, understanding, forgiveness, and personal responsibility continue to resonate today, offering guidance for living a more empathetic and loving life.

      • Do you see anything? (Mark 8:23) – Said to a blind man. 
      • Do you see this woman? (Luke 7:44) – Said to a woman right beside him. 
      • Is there no one to condemn you? (John 8:10) – Said to a woman after everyone left. 
      • Does the Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not? (Luke 14:3) – Said to the religious leaders. 
      • And my favorite that Jesus asked a paralyzed man: Do you want to get well? (John 5:6)
      • ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all

        ears. Just give me a holler [email protected]

        15 min
      • 031 Questions Jesus Asked: Questions of Intent, Uncovering Hearts

        Monday, July 17: In this episode, we continue to explore the technique of answering questions with questions employed by Jesus in the Bible. Through examining the parable of the Good Samaritan and other instances, we discover how Jesus used this method to discern the intentions behind the queries directed at him. Join us as we delve into the practical applications of this approach in our own lives, fostering empathy, self-reflection, and genuine spiritual growth. Learn how asking the right questions can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, ultimately transforming our interactions and pursuit of a more compassionate world.

        Questions of Intent: Matthew 7:3-4, Luke 5:22, Matthew 9:4, and Luke 10:25-37.

        ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 

        15 min
      • 030 Questions Jesus Asked: Who do you say I am?

        Friday, July 14: In this episode, we focus on Jesus' questions about identity, we explore how these inquiries were intended to lead his followers to a deeper understanding of who he truly was. We also discuss the significance of answering Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" and how our theology and faith are tested in real-life situations, including times of crisis. Additionally, we reflect on the importance of the Church and its role in spreading the gospel and bringing hope and love to the world.


        “Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am?” – Jesus Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 16:13-15  


        ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

        19 min
      • 029 Questions Jesus asked: What are you looking for?

        Thursday, July 13: In this episode, we discuss Jesus' questions during his time on earth. With an estimated 307 questions in the Gospels alone, Jesus prioritized questioning over direct answers. We explore why questions can be more important than answers, how knowledge without wisdom falls short, and the impact of Jesus' questions of invitation. Join us as we learn to ask thought-provoking questions and discover their transformative power in our lives and the lives of others.

        ⁠Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or respond to the question below. If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler [email protected]

        14 min

      About The Daily Grind

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      Howdy, y'all! Welcome to The Daily Grind with your host, John Spencer. Grab a mug of your favorite brew and get ready to become the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to water cooler chatter,…