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.

Wednesday, October 22: In Episode 623 of The Daily Grind, John unpacks Jesus’ command to love our neighbor through the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He describes how Jesus redefined “neighbor” as anyone in need, dismantling cultural and tribal boundaries. The Samaritan’s compassion challenged religious indifference and racial hostility, showing that love means action, not sentiment. John reminds listeners that the true test of faith isn’t how much we know, but how much we love — especially those who are difficult to love. He revisits the “Jesus filter”: if it doesn’t sound, look, or act like Jesus, it’s not Christian. The episode contrasts love with culture war and challenges the church to teach mercy rather than animosity. John calls believers to be a counter-culture of love, reflecting Jesus’ compassion in a divided world. Through reflection questions, he helps listeners identify their “hardest person to love” and turn conviction into compassion. The message closes with a charge to live as recognizable disciples of Jesus through everyday acts of mercy.