The Daily Grind

Friday, August 22nd: In Acts 11, we witness the early church wrestling with a revolutionary idea: that the good news of Jesus is for everyone. After the dramatic events in Cornelius’s household (Acts 10), Peter returns to Jerusalem to face criticism—not for what he taught, but for who he sat with. The Jewish believers are shocked that Peter entered a Gentile’s home and ate with them. But Peter sim...

Thursday, August 21: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer unpacks why it’s dangerous to read a single Bible verse in isolation. Scripture was written for us, but not to us, and pulling verses out of context often leads to distortion and misuse. John explores the crucial difference between descriptive passages, which tell us what happened, and prescriptive passages, which give clear com...

Wednesday, August 20th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John invites listeners to rediscover the Gospels by treating them not as scattered stories but as unified, carefully woven narratives. Many of us know bits and pieces—Christmas, the paralytic lowered through the roof, the prodigal son, the Last Supper—but we often miss the bigger picture. John shares how a mentor once challenged him to sp...

Tuesday, August 19: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John revisits Søren Kierkegaard’s striking parable of two robbers who switched price tags in a jewelry store—a vivid picture of how the world confuses value and worth. People bought trinkets at outrageous prices and precious jewels for next to nothing, never realizing the switch. Kierkegaard saw this as a reflection of society’s inability to...

Monday, August 18th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John revisits Henri Nouwen’s classic book Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. He reflects on how returning to a great book over the years reveals new truths because we change with time. The episode unpacks Nouwen’s three movements: from loneliness to solitude, from hostility to hospitality, and from illusion to prayer. J...

Friday, August 15th: In this conversation, John Spencer and Mariza delve into Acts chapter 10, exploring the transformative encounter between Peter and Cornelius. They discuss the significance of Cornelius as a God-fearing Gentile and the implications of Peter's vision that challenges Jewish dietary laws and social boundaries. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles marks a radical shift...

Thursday, August 14th: In Episode 574 of The Daily Grind, John Spencer explores Thornton Wilder’s one-act play The Angel That Troubles the Water, inspired by John 5:1–4 and the healing waters of Bethesda. The play tells the story of a weary physician seeking relief from his deep melancholy at the pool. When the angel stirs the water, the physician steps forward, only to be stopped. In a profound e...

In this episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer challenges us to embrace our calling as God’s living love letters to the world. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3:2–3, he reminds us that our lives are meant to be read by everyone, reflecting the heart of Christ through our actions and attitudes. Yet, as Brennan Manning warned, hypocrisy can turn people away from God when our words and our lifestyles do...

Tuesday, August 12th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer takes us deep into Hebrews 7, uncovering the life-changing truth that Jesus is praying for us right now. The passage reveals Jesus as our eternal High Priest, superior to all who came before Him, holding His priesthood permanently and interceding for His people forever. John reflects on the incredible reality that the risen Chr...

Monday, August 11th: In this powerful rebroadcast, Jon Spencer reflects on life, faith, and the unwavering peace that God offers — not in the absence of hardship, but right in the middle of it. Through deeply personal stories, Jon shares the journey he and his wife Marci have walked together, from his lymphoma diagnosis while they were engaged to her later battle with brain cancer and the lasting...

Friday, August 8th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer dives into the rich biblical meaning of the Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם ), showing that it’s far more than just “peace.” Drawing on insights from Eitan Bar ’s Lost in Translation – 15 Hebrew Words in the Bible That Don’t Mean What You Think , John explains how shalom speaks of wholeness, restoration, and the fullness of life as G...

Thursday, August 7th: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John wrestles with one of the most persistent questions of faith: If God is good and powerful, why does He allow suffering? Set against the backdrop of the Golan Heights, John reflects on Jesus’ vision of a coming kingdom and the emotional and philosophical weight of human pain. This episode walks through four core biblical truths—God creat...

Wednesday, August 6th: In this deeply personal and powerfully honest episode of The Daily Grind, John Spencer shares how his family’s journey through suffering—especially Marci’s brain tumor and chronic pain—shaped their faith in ways comfort never could. With Scripture, raw testimony, and vivid illustrations like Michelangelo’s David and the rare pain-free condition CIPA, John explores why God do...

Tuesday, August 5th: In Episode 567, John Spencer unpacks what the Bible actually says—and doesn’t say—about suffering. Rather than offering pat answers or clichés, Scripture gives us real stories of pain: Job’s confusion, David’s cries, Paul’s perseverance, and most importantly, Jesus’ suffering. Through these stories, the Bible shifts our focus from the cause of suffering to how we respond and w...

Monday, August 4th: In Episode 566 of The Daily Grind, John Spencer launches a new four-part series by tackling the question: “Why would a good God allow suffering?” Instead of offering shallow answers or theological platitudes, this episode takes a deeply personal and biblical look at the tension between faith and pain. Drawing from the writings of C.S. Lewis, Scripture, and real-life experience,...

Friday, August 1st: In this episode of The Daily Grind, John and Maritza dive deep into Acts 9, one of the most pivotal chapters in the New Testament. Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus—and everything changes. John unpacks the historical and cultural background of Saul, including his education, Roman citizenship, and religious zeal. The conversation e...

Thursday, July 31: In this episode of The Daily Grind, we delve into Jesus' call to live authentically in a world that often runs counter to Christian values. Focusing on the Sermon on the Mount, we explore Jesus' teachings on truthfulness and the power of our words. Highlighting insights from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Stott, and Tom Wright, we discuss the importance of letting our "Ye...

Wednesday, July 30: In today's episode of The Daily Grind, we continue our "Enrich Your Faith" series by exploring Jesus' command to "Abide in Me" from John 15:4-5. We'll unpack the vital relationship between the vine and the branches, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a deep, life-giving connection with Christ. Drawing insights from Tim Keller and Andrew Mu...

Tuesday, July 29: In this episode, John continues his series on Jesus's command to observe all that he has commanded. He focuses on the importance of reconciliation and settling matters quickly in our relationships. Jesus teaches that true worship and discipleship prioritize relationships and justice over religious rituals. Reconciliation is essential in our worship, and our offerings are not...

Monday, July 28 Sorry technical issues on Brew & Sharpen: In this rebroadcast episode of The Daily Grind, John explores the question of "Whose side is God on?" by unraveling the misconceptions fueling conflict and chaos in today's world. Drawing from the wisdom of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and biblical teachings from Joshua 5:13-15, discover the timeless lesson that...

Friday, July 25th: In this conversation, John and Mariza explore Acts Chapter 8, discussing the early church's persecution, the spread of the gospel to Samaria, and the significant encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. They emphasize the personal nature of faith, the importance of curiosity in spiritual growth, and the transformative power of baptism. The discussion highlights how God's guidance is...

Thursday, July 24th: In today’s Daily Grind, John unpacks Ephesians 4:11–16, where Paul urges believers to grow into spiritual maturity. Paul compares immaturity to being tossed by the waves—unstable, confused, and easily swayed. But when the church equips the saints, everyone grows together into the likeness of Christ. John explains the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teach...

Wednesday, July 23: In today’s Daily Grind, John unpacks Luke 14:25–33, where Jesus calls His followers to count the cost of discipleship. Jesus isn’t looking for fans—He’s calling for fully committed followers. John explores the historical context, explains why Jesus uses hard words like “hate your family,” and challenges listeners to consider what it really means to carry the cross. The episode...

Tuesday, July 22: In today’s Daily Grind, John explores the Synod of Laodicea—a lesser-known but pivotal church council from 363 AD. Unlike big theological debates, this synod focused on practical guardrails for Christian living: worship, leadership integrity, staying away from pagan culture, and putting Christ at the center of everyday life. John explains how this meeting helped shape Sunday wors...

Monday, July 21st: In today’s episode of The Daily Grind, John explores the life and preaching of Melito of Sardis, a 2nd-century bishop who gave us the earliest known Easter sermon. Melito connected the Passover lamb to Christ’s death and resurrection, preaching hope in the face of persecution. John unpacks Melito’s powerful words, places them in historical context, and challenges listeners to li...