GRINDIT podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Jesus”

Episode 539: 1 Corinthians 1 Part 8 The Power Is In the Cross

Randall Tucker — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Paul tells the church at Corinth the power is in the cross of Christ. He says to the Greeks the cross is foolish and they refuse to believe while to the Jews, the cross is foolishness and they seek a sign to prove that it is true. This is nothing new for this was going on when Jesus was there among them performing miracles. There are so many people today trying to gain power, doing whatever they can to climb the ladder to get power. All they have to do is look to the cross and the gospel yet, they reject it. Sure they will climb the ladder and have power, even a lot of money, but like Jesus said, “What is your soul worth? You can gain the whole world and lose your soul.” Then what? When we take our last breath, none of that power will help us. When we cross into eternity, the only thing that will matter is Jesus and whether we had a relationship with him or not.

Episode 538: 1 Corinthians 1 Part 7 Is Christ Divided?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0400

The first issue Paul brings up to the church at Corinth is their division. One thing we understand from what he says is these people are playing favorites. Someone shared the gospel with them and they were baptized by that certain person. Paul even shares some of their names! However, Paul tells them they are focused on the wrong person and their division isn’t necessary. They are to be focusing on Jessus, the one who died on the cross and saved them from their sins. He is the most important person and the others are not important at all.

Episode 532: 1 Corinthians 1 Part 1 Influenced By Culture or God?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The church at Corinth was jacked up in all kinds of ways...just like the church in our day! People make comments how they don’t want to go to “church” because it’s full of hypocrites. Churches are full of people...people are jacked up...we ALL need Jesus! However, the church in Corinth seemed to bring a lot of their culture into the church instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to shape them but in all of that, Paul still tells them, “You are God’s holy people.” Despite being jacked up in all kinds of ways, they said “yes” to Jesus and his blood washes their sins away...just like you and me if we have said “yes” to him.

Episode 528: Titus 3 Part 1 Once We Too...

Randall Tucker — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

When Paul started his letter to Titus, he said the Cretans own prophet said they were “liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons.” Then he went on to talk about how they are also deceivers. Instead of condemning, Paul includes himself and Titus as a sinners when he used the word “We...”. Paul knew who he was and what he was doing before Jesus revealed himself to Paul showing him grace and mercy on the road to Damascus. Paul’s life was forever changed and he wants this for the people of Crete, as well the people everywhere he shares the gospel!

Episode 527: Titus 2 Part 2 Do You Model Jesus At Work?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:30:00 -0500

Paul is going to address slaves and how they are to be obedient to their masters and not talk back. You may be asking, “I’m not a slave so how does this affect me?” I would argue there are still slaves today, we just get paychecks and get to go home at the end of the workday. We all have bosses, many of them, we have to do what they say or we get fired, and we are making someone very rich! So what Paul says to slaves can be said of us! Work hard, be obedient, take pride in your work, and don’t talk back to your bosses. In other words, let your work stand out so people see Jesus in you!

Episode 511: 2 Timothy 2 Part 4 I’m Caught In A Trap

Randall Tucker — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Elvis sang a song that said, “I’m caught in a trap...I can’t walk out...” He was talking about love. He loved someone and no matter what, he couldn’t walk away from the relationship because he loved that person. Paul talks about a different trap that people get caught in and that trap is set by Satan himself. He says these people are being held captive by Satan and doing whatever he desires. The sad thing is, they don’t even realized it. They think they are living life to the fullest and doing whatever they want, not caring what God thinks about it. Jesus came to set us free and they only way to be free is to be living for him which is Paul’s message to Timothy...stick with Jesus and pursue him!

Episode 507: David and Goliath Sermon Part 2

Randall Tucker — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Due to sickness, we can't record this week so here is part 2 of Randy's sermon from November 9 on David and Goliath. We will return to 2 Timothy next week! God bless and thank you for watching, listening, and sharing the GRINDIT Podcast!

Episode 506: David and Goliath Sermon Part 1

Randall Tucker — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Due to sickness, we can't record this week so here is part 1 of Randy's sermon from November 9 on David and Goliath. We will return to 2 Timothy next week! God bless and thank you for watching, listening, and sharing the GRINDIT Podcast!

Episode 505: 2 Timothy 1 Part 2 Who Is Onesiphorus?

Randall Tucker — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:00:00 -0500

Onesiphorus is only mentioned a couple of times in Paul’s second letter to Timothy but he made a huge impact on Paul. Why? Because, when Paul was imprisoned a second time in Rome and new he was about to face death eye to eye, everybody left him, except Luke. He felt what it was like to be abandoned by his closest friends and coworkers which is why he reaches out to Timothy telling him he was eager to see him. Onesiphorus searched all over Rome until he found Paul, and after finding him in prison chained like a criminal, Onesiphorus made many trips to visit Paul. Paul ends the chapter with a blessing to this guy, “May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return.” May we all be like Onesiphorus, visiting the destitute and forging boldness in the kingdom!

Episode 503: Lessons From Our Spain Trip Part 2

Randall Tucker — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:00:00 -0500

We take a break from our regular study to share with you some things about our Spain trip and some lessons we learned. We will start 2 Timothy next week!

Here is a link to a short video you can watch to see some pictures. There are other videos on my personal YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/em6-YSdOC88

Episode 496: 1 Timothy 4 Part 3 Are You Nourished By Demons or Jesus?

Randall Tucker — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The early church didn’t have multiple copies of the bible to pick up and read but they did have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus said in John 14, leads to all truth. In other words, the Holy Spirit comes from God, who is truth, and therefore will lead us in truth. Jesus said he is the truth in John 14:6. Some people in the church at Ephesus were following truth but at some point, they quit and started following demons. Paul is writing to Timothy, a young man, to stay in Ephesus and fight the enemy that is teaching false doctrine that comes from demons and is leading people away from the truth, away from Jesus. He tells Timothy that of he teaches the church the truth, he will be nourished by his faith and his teaching, which is all about Jesus. Who do you receive your nourishment from? The truth? Or false doctrines taught by demons? Does what you learn and teach line up with the truth of God’s word? If not, you’re being fed lies by demons and it is leading you away from Jesus!

Episode 495: Mary's Sermon Hope Realized Part 2

Randall Tucker — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -0400

We are on vacation/ mission trip to Spain so here is Mary's sermon we presented at Authentic Church as a part of pastor James' series about Hope from the book of Philippians. We will return to 1 Timothy next week. Muchisimas Gracias!

Episode 477: 2 Thessalonians 3 Part 2 How To Have Peace No Matter What

Randall Tucker — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Paul ends his letter like he started it, by telling the church, “May the God of grace give you peace...at all times...in every situation. The church at Thessalonica has gone through severe persecution since it started and they have lost loved ones because of it. They have to wonder what is coming next...Will they make it through the next day? Will they make it through the night? Are they going to get beaten before they get home from work or while they are out shopping? We may not be undergoing persecution like the church at Thessalonica, but we all face something in life that is difficult. As we do, our prayer is the same as Paul’s...may the God of grace give you peace at all times, in every situation.

Episode 472: 2 Thessalonians 1 Part 1 What Is Grace?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Can we fully know and understand what grace is and what grace brings us. I’ve heard it said grace is God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense as well as, grace is God’s unmerited favor. What does that mean? How do we explain what grace is? I’m not sure we can fully but we try our best in this podcast. Paul starts out chapter one with grace and he ends it with grace. There’s a lot of things sandwiched in between that may help explain what grace is and does. One thing for sure, without God’s grace, we wouldn’t even be alive to listen to this podcast! Don’t take grace for granted!

Episode 463: 1 Thessalonians 2 Part 2 You Are Our Crown

Randall Tucker — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Could you imagine being a church that was being persecuted, you’re seeing your loved ones tortured, even killed for following Jesus, and the man who brought the gospel to you writes a letter of encouragement and during his letter, he says this, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” Paul reminds them to keep walking with the Lord because he will come to the rescue soon, and he says the church at Thessalonica are his glory and joy. We put stock in so many of our accomplishments: bank accounts, houses, fancy cars, etc...but what about the people we have shared the gospel with? Have you won anyone to Jesus? Do you consider them your joy and crown?

Episode 439: Galatians 1 Part 2 Jesus Happened and Changed Paul’s Life

Randall Tucker — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0400

In establishing his authority and defending it to the churches in Galatia, Paul makes a profound statement, “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.” Paul makes it clear that he did not choose this life that he lives, God chose it for him. He was a bad dude that loved God. He was a Pharisee, knew God’s word, and he had a zeal for God like nobody else! However, it was misguided zeal for he took it and persecuted the church thinking he was doing God a favor. In his fleshly way of thinking, he thought he was defending God and keeping this blasphemous message about Jesus from spreading but God had a different plan. Jesus happened and it radically changed Paul’s life!

Episode 434: Colossians 4 Part 1 Devoted To Prayer

Randall Tucker — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to be “devoted” to something? I remember when I was a kid, sports players were “devoted” to a team. They played with one team their whole career. I don’t know of any player today that can say that because they follow the money. Whoever pays the most is where they go. To be “devoted” to something means you endure, you continue, even when things get hard. You don’t quit. Paul tells the church at Colosse to “devote” themselves to prayer and be watchful, with thanksgiving in their hearts. He is telling them to pray with expectation and to thank God for what is He is going to do when He answers their prayer! But if there is a delay, if the answer doesn’t come as fast as you think it should, if the hardship continues, don’t give up...keep grinding!

Episode 433: Colossians 3 Part 4 Forgiveness Is Freedom

Randall Tucker — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 22:00:00 -0500

When we “put on Jesus”, we put on all these things Paul mentions in chapter 3, tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are commanded to be like Jesus in everything we say and do, how we live, and Paul says we are to give God permission to work in our lives which means we must allow Him to chip away at the stone walls we have built around our hearts because someone has hurt us or wronged us in some way. Forgiveness is not an option, it is a must and Jesus is our greatest example. He was beaten beyond recognition, humiliated in public, and as he hung on the cross in pain and trying to breath with those who are looking at him denying him and challenging him, he simply says with the breath he could muster, “Father, forgive them...” Who do you need to forgive? Free yourself from that bondage...Jesus forgave you...you can forgive as well.

Episode 431: Colossians 3 Part 2 Fleshly Desires Kill

Randall Tucker — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Paul has made it clear that we have crucified the flesh, we have put it to death, buried the old man in the grave, and have come out a new creation in Jesus; We are filled with his Holy Spirit and have set our eyes on Jesus as we walk in this world. However, we must choose to do so everyday because Paul also makes it clear, even though we are filled with the Spirit, we will still be tempted and those desires still live in us. We have to make the choice to continue to walk with Jesus, to die daily, and to put on Christ like we put on our clothes every day.

Episode 429: Colossians 2 Part 6 We Are Complete In Christ

Randall Tucker — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500

When I was a skateboarding teenager, we didn’t have internet or cell phones to order things. We had magazines and one magazine that I subscribed to was a skateboarding magazine called “Thrasher Magazine.” In Thrasher, there were ads selling skateboards and at the top of the add it would say, “Buy a complete for only $99!” which meant you could buy everything you need to skate from the ad: the deck, grip tape, trucks, riser pads, bearings, and wheels. When that thing came in the mail, you were ready to skate! Paul says, “When we have Jesus, we are complete.” We are ready! We have everything we need! We do not lack anything because we belong to Christ! Do you have everything you need?!?!

Episode 426: Colossians 2 Part 3 Give God Permission!

Randall Tucker — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:00:00 -0500

Paul uses a three letter word that is so powerful in his letter to the church at Colosse, “Let.” He says, “Let your roots grow down in him,” and “Let your lives be built on him.” In other words, we have to give God permission to work in our lives. He just doesn’t overwhelm us, overpower us and say, “I am God and I am going to do this in your life whether you like it or not!” No, we have to give Him permission. Every day, we have a choice, Am I going to continue to follow Jesus? Am I going to allow Jesus to work in my life? Am I going to get in the word and let my roots grow deep into Jesus so I can stand strong when storms come? Am I going to build my life on the immovable stone, Jesus, so when the strong waves come against me, I will be protected and able to stand strong? Give God permission to work in you and through you, and you will be amazed at what Jesus will do!

Episode 425: 1 Corinthians We Put the "Fun" In Dysfunctional Part 2

Randall Tucker — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Mary and I spoke at Authentic Church this past Sunday, February 2. We kicked off pastor's new sermon series out of 1 Corinthians called, "I Want What's Best For You." Here is part 2 talking about division.

Episode 423: Colossians 2 Part 2 Jesus Is All We Need

Randall Tucker — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Paul tells the church at Colosse to watch out for the false teachers that will soon come to their fellowship to try and persuade them that there is more to it than what Paul has taught them. They will come with fancy words and eloquent speech trying to convince the people they lack something even though they are following Jesus. It’s the same message Satan used in the Garden of Eden, “God is withholding something from you, Eve...” Unfortunately, Eve fell for the lie and was deceived and we see so many people falling for the lie today. Jesus is everything we need to live now and for eternity. We lack nothing! So when the enemy comes in with lies, don’t listen! Stay with the truth...stay with Jesus...and you will lack nothing!

Episode 406: Philippians 2 Part 1 Do I Have the Mind of Christ?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 22:00:00 -0500

Paul says we are in it to win it and we are in it together! He is in prison for preaching the gospel and the church at Philippi is concerned for him so they sent Epaphroditus to check on him. As the church is facing persecution and suffering for the cause of Christ, Paul says this is a time that we are to be selfless and not selfish, then he points to Jesus as our example. That's when we get those beautiful verses that describe the "attitude" or "mind" of Christ. Do we have the mind of Christ? Do we look like Jesus?

Episode 399: Ephesians 6 Part 3 Be Strong In the Lord...

Randall Tucker — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Paul says in vs10 to "Be strong in the Lord." Why does he say this? From the very beginning of the letter, Paul has reminded the church at Ephesus that all our blessings, everything we have, the right standing we have with God the Father, all comes through Jesus. He has been talking about the unity we have and how we should throw off the desires of the flesh and continue to strive for maturity in Christ and unity. He breaks down the family unit describing how to keep unity because it creates strength. When we get our eyes off Jesus and onto our situations, onto ourselves, and we try to handle things ourselves, we'll discover quickly that we cannot and we really do need one another. Why? Because we encourage one another to stay focused on Jesus...where we ALL get our strength from.

Episode 386: Ephesians 3 Part 4 Slow Down and Recognize Who You Are In Christ!

Randall Tucker — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 19:00:00 -0400

Paul has taken the time to think about what God has done for him and anyone who obeys the gospel and it humbles him. He says he wants us all to experience the love the Father has for us and what he has done through His Son, Jesus. He wants us to know the power that is within us as believers, those who have put their faith in Jesus. The same power that was at work in the gospels, in the book of Acts, and in the life of Paul, also works in us! Jesus said he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and Paul makes it clear that we have the same power working in us because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Will you take the time to reflect on who you are in Christ and who lives in you?

Episode 384: Ephesians 3 Part 2 A Radically Changed Life

Randall Tucker — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Paul says God revealed the mystery of his plan to him and that he did not get any of his information from man. He says he didn’t learn it either but that it was given to him by God Himself. When Paul was first converted to Jesus, he went away for three years. During those three years is when he would be taught by God this mysterious plan and now, he would reveal this plan to both Jews and Gentiles giving them the opportunity to partake in God’s plan. He tells them all through this letter they are now united through Christ and they are both partakers of God’s marvelous grace. The Jews are no longer the chosen ones and the Gentiles are no longer looking on the outside in. They both have direct access to the throne of God and they both have become one body in Jesus!

Episode 382: Ephesians 2 Part 4 Jews and Gentiles Unite!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 20:00:00 -0400

God made a covenant with Abraham way back in Genesis 12 and he became the father of the Jews. A sign of that covenant was circumcision and God said if they chose not to be circumcised, then He wouldn’t have anything to do with them. Then there are the Gentiles who were completely outside of that covenant and were uncircumcised. Hostility would grow between these two groups of people and the roots would run deep for thousands of years. Then the church begins in Acts 2 and by the time we get to Acts 10, the Gentiles are now welcomed in the kingdom! Paul says in Ephesians 2, as well as other places, that Jesus shed his blood so that these two groups of people would be united into one and worship God together! Paul says the Gentiles are no longer outsiders but have been brought near, they are made alive in Christ, and through Jesus, have been given peace!

Episode 377: Ephesians 1 Part 6 Bursting At the Seams!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 22:00:00 -0400

Remember that commercial where the people ate a meal and they screamed, “I am full!” They were saying, “I have eaten so much that I cannot eat another bite. My belly is so full it feels like it is about to explode!” This is the idea Paul has when he is talking about the church at the end of Ephesians 1 and the beginning of chapter 2. He says we, the church, the body of Christ is “full” because of Jesus and what he has done. So, if we are “full”, why do we act like we lack something?

Episode 374: Ephesians 1 Part 3 Do You Have A Loose Connection?

Randall Tucker — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Paul says in verse 3, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” God has supplied everything we need to have a relationship with Him. We literally do not have any excuse except that we don’t want to have one! Every spiritual blessing, along with many other things including freedom, are available to us through Jesus! Why do people think that if they give their life to Jesus, they are giving up their freedom? Jesus IS freedom!

Episode 373: Ephesians 1 Predestination: Elect vs Free Will

Randall Tucker — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode we talk about Predestination and what that exactly means but what is more important than Predestination is what Paul said before he gives us the idea: All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. I don’t think we have a clue of what it means to be in Christ and what blessings we have because of Jesus. It is absolutely mind blowing and what is incredible is that God did it even while we continue to reject Him! His love for us is absolutely amazing! We have everything we could possibly need and more in Jesus so why do we continue to reject him? Why would you not want salvation, healing, earthly blessings, and spiritual blessings that are in heavenly places?

Episode 372: The Kingdom of God (Mary Tucker)

Randall Tucker — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:00:00 -0400

Our pastor at Authentic Church, James Seiler, asked our very own, Mary Gamboa Tucker from the GRINDIT Podcast, to speak on the Kingdom of God, We are going through a series and Mary. explained what the Kingdom of God is and what Righteousness means. She explains why the two are intertwined and are mentioned together from the Old Testament through the New Testament.

Episode 343: Mark 15 Part 4 What Does the Cross Mean To You?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0400

What Does the Cross Mean To You? This is the question we cover in this podcast. We dive in to some ideas and verses that talk about the crucifixion and why Jesus had to die on the cross. To experience what real love is and to know God chose us while we enemies is mind blowing! You too can answer the same question...What does the cross mean to you?!?!

Episode 342: Mark 15 Part 3 Hung Out To Dry

Randall Tucker — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:30:00 -0400

Jesus has been flogged and now he is crucified. It has happened just as he told his disciples on several occasions. Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, he was so weak he couldn't carry the cross so Simon had to help, he was nailed to there cross and put on public display to be humiliated for six hours. He would struggle to breathe in so much pain and agony when he cries out for the last time and dies. Joseph of Arimathea comes to Pilate and asks to bury the body of Jesus. Why did Jesus die such a cruel death on a cross? He died for my sin and your sin, so you and I could have our sins forgiven and have a relationship with the Father. Thank you Jesus!

Episode 340: Mark 15 Part 1 Silent But Deadly Stinks

Randall Tucker — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:00:00 -0400

All of the religious leaders have been vocal about Jesus for three years now. They don't like him, in fact, they hate him nd want him dead. From the time he started working miracles and the crowds started following him instead of them, they started plotting to kill him. They finally have their chance thanks to Judas, and they have stayed up all night hurling accusations at a mock trial they have conjured up. They have delivered Jesus to Pilate trying to convince him that Jesus deserves to die but everything they accuse him of doesn't stick. Their silence behind the scenes will soon turn deadly because they finally get their way and Jesus will be hung on a cross by the morning.

Episode 337: Revelation 16-18

Randall Tucker — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0500

The sermon I preached at Authentic Church from our Revelation series. I was assigned Revelation 16-18 so I brought out several points from those three chapters:

Be ready.
Where is your treasure?
Don't underestimate the power of the enemy.
If you're angry at God, it is OK...just don't give up on Him.
God sends out an invitation for us all to come out of sin and be with Him.

Episode 330: Mark 10 Part 2 Could You Say No to Jesus?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:00:00 -0500

The rich young ruler comes running up to Jesus in excitement, kneels down before him, and asks what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus begins to tell him and he interrupts to let Jesus know he had been doing all of that stuff his whole life. He's a sure in for heaven...right?!?! Not so much...Mark says Jesus loved the guy and he says to him, "Go sell your stuff, give all the money to the poor, then come and follow me." The guy's countenance changed immediately and he was heartbroken. He had a lot of stuff and he loved it too much. He couldn't let go of his possessions so he walks away from Jesus sad. What is worth hanging on to that would keep us out of heaven?

Episode 321: Mark 6 Part 4 Don't Get Sidetracked and Disgruntled At God

Randall Tucker — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Jesus feeds the 5,00, more like 10,000 including women and children, with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. He had questioned his disciples on how they were going to feed this big crowd before he performed this miracle because he wanted to teach them a lesson: God will not only provide for your immediate needs, He will provide for your future needs as well but they didn't seem to get the message because Jesus sends them away in a boat so he could go be alone with the Father. As they were rowing their boat, a strong wind hinders their progress and they are getting tired and frustrated. Jesus was watching them from the shore and one of their struggle but he didn't immediately come to their rescue! Once he did by walking on water, he got into the boat and the wind ceased immediately. Mark says the disciples' hearts hardened. In other words, they were aggravated with Jesus because they thought he didn't care. Where was he? Why did he let us struggle like this? It's the same questions you and I ask when storms come in our lives. Don't get sidetracked...stay the course and keep the faith. Jesus will show up!

Episode 319: Mark 6 Part 2 Am I the Hands And Feet of Jesus?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 22:00:00 -0500

As a follower of Jesus, we claim to be his hands and his feet? What does that mean? Am I really being his hands and feet? We tackle this deep subject in this podcast as we look at the disciples as Jesus sends them out in pairs into the local villages to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Episode 315: Mark 4 Part 2 It's All About the Seed, Not You!

Randall Tucker — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Jesus continues to use parables to describe what the kingdom of God is like. In this podcast, we discuss the Parable of the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed. It's all about the seed...or the word of God. The word of God is powerful! It has nothing to do with us! All we are supposed to be concerned with is sowing and watering seed, or spreading the word of God into people's lives so fruit will be produced by God. Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom brother?

Episode 307: Mark 1 Part 4 Leaving It All Behind

Randall Tucker — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Jesus gives an invitation to some brothers to leave everything behind and follow him. Peter and Andrew, James and John, have no idea if Jesus is the Messiah or not at this point. They have heard John the Baptist talking about him, they have heard about Jesus’ teachings and how it was different than the other rabbis, but there hasn’t been any miracles done at this point to prove Jesus is from God or not but this did not deter these brothers from following Jesus. They literally left everything they. Knew, their job, their way of life, their family behind to follow a man who was basically homeless! What keeps us from following Jesus completely? Why do we not have a desire to be intimate with Jesus when that is his desire for us?

Episode 301: Romans 15 Part 1 The God of Hope

Randall Tucker — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0400

Paul has taken on the difficult task of trying to unify the church in Rome which is made up of Gentiles and Jews, two sets of people who didn't like each other for hundreds of years who are now worshiping together. It seems they had asked him some opinions about some certain matters and he replied back pointing them toward Jesus and he mentions something specific toward the middle of the chapter...he prays that God, the source of hope, will fill them completely with joy and peace, then they will flow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we grow closer to Christ, may we have this confidence!

Episode 299: Romans 13 Part 2 Paying Taxes

Randall Tucker — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Romans 13 is about obeying the authorities as a believer and if we don't we are rebelling against God because He established them. In Part 2, swe discuss paying taxes. Who likes payig taxes? Nobody! Buit Pail tells bel;ievers to pay their taxes so those in authority can get a paycheck. Then he switches gears to discuss Jesus' return.

Episode 292: Romans 10 Part 2 Letting Go of the Old Is Hard!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Paul is having a discussion with some Jews at the church in Rome and he is pleading with them to be saved, to give their lives to Jesus because that is the only way they are getting into the kingdom. He tells them they must call on his name and believe in their hearts which is something hard for them to do because many of the Jews see Jesus as a blasphemer and they will not dare mention his name much less put their faith in him! And Paul tells them they have “misdirected zeal” and the faith they are putting in the law needs to be directed to Jesus, their Messiah, who did what the law could never do…forgive them of their sin.

Episode 291: Romans 10 Part 1 There’s a New Sheriff In Town

Randall Tucker — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Can you imagine being taught something for thousands of years and all of a sudden, this cat comes along and says, “That’s the way yall used to do it, but not anymore. If you want to be a part of the kingdom, then you got to take part of a new covenant. That old one ain’t cutting it anymore. The new covenant between God and man is based off my body and my blood and you must accept my sacrifice and follow me. If not, you ain’t getting in.” This is difficult for many of the Jews because they thought Jesus was a blasphemer and they wouldn’t even speak his name in reverence for God! Here’s Paul saying, “You have to quit trusting the law God gave to Moses thousands of years ago and put your trust in Jesus because to get into the kingdom, you got to have faith, not works.”

Episode 290: Romans 9 Part 2 What About Free Will?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 22:00:00 -0400

Do I have a choice in whether or not I go to heaven? Or is there a certain few, the ones God selects that is getting in? This is a question we answer in today’s podcast. The Jews had a hard time worshipping with the Gentiles. After all, they have not liked each other for hundreds of years. The Jews were God's chosen and the Gentiles were left out! So now that the two have become one, it brings up a deep subject with Paul giving the Jews some examples from their very own heritage, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah. What the Jews find out is that God has now shown mercy to other people besides the Jews and they don't like it! Who are we, the clay, to question what the Potter does?

Episode 286: Romans 8 Part 1 Condemned No More!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Guilty! That’s what the Judge says and the sentence has been given. We are guilty of sin and the penalty is death, separated from God and if we die in that condition, we will be separated from Him for eternity! But we don’t have to be because God has provided everything we need to be saved, to be forgiven of our sin that separates us from Him. He put on flesh, walked this earth for 33 years, lived among us, was tempted in every way we are, and he never gave in to any temptation. Instead, he willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for our sin on a cross and he has satisfied the payment that was required for you and me to make it into heaven! Paul says if we belong to Jesus, then there is no more condemnation. Our penalty has been paid and we are set free. The guilty sentence has been changed and overturned to Not Guilty!

Episode 284: Romans 7 Part 1 The Law, Sin, and Jesus

Randall Tucker — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400

When we speed down the road to fast, we get pulled over by a cop and they give us a ticket. Why? Because there is a law, it is right there in plain sight on a sign that says “Speed Limit 35”and we broke the law, therefore, we pay the consequences. We disagree with that law, we may be in a hurry and have a reason to drive faster than the law allows, but the law is there for a reason. God placed laws in the lives of the Jews way back in Genesis and they were given for a reason. The law showed them how God expects them to live so they can be holy like him. The problem is, they couldn’t do it! Not one person because of the power of sin. This is why Jesus, the only one who did keep the law of God perfectly, had to die and be our sacrifice. He set us free from the power of sin!

Episode 282: Romans 6 Part 1 You Have Died to Sin…So Quit!

Randall Tucker — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400

Paul has been telling the Jews at the church at Rome they are not to judge anyone because they too, are sinners. They have no place to condemn anyone because of their own sinfulness and just being a Jew will not make them right with God. They had this thought that their sin brought glory to God and Paul is trying to show them otherwise. He then uses the father of the Jews, Abraham, as an example for them to follow. In chapter 6, Paul tells them straight, “You have died to sin and you are no longer a slave to sin…so quit doing it!” To show them that they have died to sin, he discusses baptism and how they are new creation in Christ and they should live like it. We should take heed to what Paul tells them!

Episode 281: Romans 5 Part 3 But Even Greater…

Randall Tucker — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Because the sin of one man, Adam, we are still reaping the consequences to this day. People are dying every day, a separation occurs. Our loved ones leave us and pass on into eternity and it brings sorrow because we miss them. But even greater than this, Jesus, the second Adam, has brought hope, he has brought salvation by dying himself and conquering the power and grip of death. Because of Adam’s sin, we were born into sin and are all sinners but Paul makes it clear that through the second Adam, Jesus, and his sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and our relationship with the Father is restored. Every person, no matter what they have done, no matter what sin they commit, can have partake of this gift by putting their faith in Jesus!

Episode 279: Romans 5 Part 1 How to Have Peace, Confidence, and Joy

Randall Tucker — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

The first two verses of chapter 5 are so powerful and are life changing. If you are facing trials and storms in life, these two verses are for you! Paul tells us that through faith in Jesus, we have confidence and joy because we will share in God’s glory. We will be in the presence of God someday and will enjoy everything that heaven has to offer! This hope should bring peace, confidence, and joy and should help us endure the trials we face in this life. It’s an undeserved privilege that we get to enjoy because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, the sacrifice he made on our behalf, if, and only if, we put our faith in him.

Episode 268: Introduction to Romans

Randall Tucker — Mon, 29 May 2023 20:00:00 -0400

We are going to start the book of Romans so in this podcast I give a brief summary using material from Chuck Swindoll of Insight For Living Ministries, GotQuestions dot org, and a professor from Rochester by the name of Professor Henry F Burton from his work entitled, "Rome in Paul's Day."

Episode 266: Matthew 28 Part 1 Uh Oh...He’s Alive!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 22 May 2023 19:00:00 -0400

The religious leaders, the chief priest, as well as some leading priests think they have silenced Jesus. They have seen him beaten beyond recognition, struggle to make it to the crucifixion, saw him nailed to the cross and put on public display with a sign that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” They saw him struggle to breath for six hours until he cried out in a loud voice and died. They know Joseph of Arimathea put him in a tomb so they had it sealed so Jesus’ disciples couldn’t steal the body. To their surprise, on the third day, an angel from heaven shows up, rolls the stone away, and announces to the women that came to visit the grave that Jesus is alive and that he is waiting for them in Galilee!

Episode 265: Matthew 27 Part 2 The Tomb Was Sealed…

Randall Tucker — Thu, 18 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

The religious leaders have gotten there way. Jesus has been handed over to the Roman authorities, beaten beyond recognition, led to Golgotha, and is crucified on a cross. Can you imagine the hundreds, maybe thousands, who came by to see the one who claimed to be the Messiah and to see what was going to happen to him as he hung on the cross. They never realized he was doing that for them…and us! Many simply thought he was a stranger who was a blasphemer and could do cool magic tricks. They had a misconception about the Messiah and his mission so they rejected the very one who came from heaven and put on flesh! Jesus was dead and Joseph of Arimathea came and took his body down from the cross and placed him in his own tomb. In the words of Roxette, It’s over now…so they thought!

Episode 263: Matthew 26 Part 2 Jesus' Only Unanswered Prayer

Randall Tucker — Thu, 11 May 2023 18:00:00 -0400

How many times have you prayed and got nothing but crickets? It seemed as if God was silent and you pray and you pray some more, only to give up because you think God doesn't care since He isn't answering...Did you know Jesus had unanswered prayers?!?! He sure did...in the Garden of Gethsemene. He told his disciples he was grieved to the point of death and then he went and prayed three times that God would come up with another way to get our sins forgiven. All Jesus got from God was crickets...Did he quit? No...He knew what God's plan was and he followed through with it bearing great pain and agony for you and me, so our sins can be forgiven and we could have a relationship with God!

Episode 262: Matthew 26 Part 1 Betrayed For Greed!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 08 May 2023 19:00:00 -0400

Judas was hand-picked by Jesus to be a part of the twelve. He has heard the teachings, he has seen the miracles, he has even performed them himself, yet he has met secretly with the religious leaders to betray Jesus. He was the treasurer for the group and he has been stealing money the whole time which tells us that Judas was greedy and he loved money. What better way to get paid big bucks than to sell out Jesus to the rich religious leaders in Jerusalem! And that is exactly what Judas does. For thirty pieces of silver, which he doesn't even keep, he sells Jesus to the religious leaders and from that moment on, he planned to commit premeditated murder.

Episode 261: Matthew 25 Part 2 Judgment Day: Sheep or A Goat?

Randall Tucker — Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Jesus tells one more story to help his disciples to try and understand his returning but then he shifts the focus to when he actually does return. He tells them what Judgment Day is going to be like and how he is going to separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep go to heaven and spend eternity with him but the goats are rejected from his presence for eternity! What’s the difference? The sheep did…the goats didn’t. The sheep worked for the Lord and grew his kingdom. The goats did their own thing and could care less because they didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. Which one are you?

Episode 260: Matthew 25 Part 1 Be Prepared, Watch, Keep Working

Randall Tucker — Mon, 01 May 2023 18:00:00 -0400

Jesus tells four stories to try and help his disciples understand his returning. In this podcast we talk about the first two but all four of them have a certain theme:

We don’t know when Jesus will return,
His return will take a long period of time,
Keep watching,
Keep waiting with anticipation,
And keep working. If we will keep these five things in mind, no matter when it happens or how it happens, we will safe and living with Jesus for eternity!

Episode 259: Matthew 24 Part 2 Jesus' Return Is Imminent!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Jesus was leaving the Temple with his disciples when he tells them "This building you see will be completely destroyed and not one stone will be left on top of another." They were curious and wanted to know when this is going to take place so Jesus gives them some signs to look for. However, he ties these signs into his returning toward the end of Matthew 24 and we discuss these signs so that you will be prepared! Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!

Episode 257: Matthew 23 Part 2 Woe To You Hypocrites!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0400

How many times have you heard something like, “I’m not going to that church because it’s full of hypocrites”? Many people do not even know what a hypocrite is (Male actors in Greek plays who wore masks and pretended to be women and play different parts). Jesus exposes the hypocrites for who they really are and it’s not a pretty sight to behold. He pronounces all these woes and exposes their hearts for all to see and hear. At the end of the “woes” Jesus gives one last heartful plea for the Jews, as well as the religious leaders, to repent and except him for who he is…their Messiah, the Savior of the world. Spoiler alert! They kill him in a few days by crucifixion, but he would get the last laugh as he was resurrected in three days! But this still had very little effect on them because they continue their persecution against the apostles and those who follow Jesus.

Episode 256: Matthew 23 Part 1 Jesus Mirrored God’s Heart

Randall Tucker — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 18:00:00 -0400

For over three years Jesus has sparred with the religious leaders because they have tried to prove he was not the Messiah. They keep coming back for more after getting exposed to the people around them and Jesus continues to expose their true heart and motivation. They have finally been silenced after sending the “expert” in to question Jesus and Jesus turns the table on the Pharisees and religious leaders in Matthew 23. They have surrounded Jesus, along with a crowd, and Jesus begins to call them out for their hypocrisy and sin. It had to have been a shock for the crowd to hear him be so bold, especially standing in the midst of those who want him dead! The religious leaders were supposed to be the example of God and they were the total opposite. Jesus, who they rejected, was God in the flesh, and he mirrored the heart of God and gave us all an example to follow.

Episode 253: Matthew 21 Part 2 Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:00:00 -0400

It’s day 2 of being in Jerusalem. As Jesus was coming into town he is hungry. Hungry people look for something to eat and that’s what Jesus did. He sees a fig tree and goes to get some figs off it but there aren’t any. Jesus knew there wouldn’t be any figs on that tree and instead of miraculously producing figs on the tree, he cursed it and it immediately withers! Why did he do this? Because he wanted to remind the disciples of his power over nature and he wanted to teach them a lesson on faith...something the religious leaders would not have at all as we see at the end of chapter 21. They were so mad at Jesus because of the stories he told them, they wanted to arrest him immediately!

Episode 247: Matthew 18 Part 3 Forgiveness: Not An Option!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:00:00 -0400

Jesus has used a child to teach his disciples about humility and along with humility...forgiveness. when children play together, there can be a little bit of a skirmish but within seconds, they are right back to playing as if nothing ever happened. Jesus tells his disciples they must forgive others and Peter thinks he has a great handle on it when he asks, "How many times do I have to forgive? Seven Times?" Jesus lets him know immediately that he, as well as any follower of his, must forgive every time, all the time and he gives a story to emphasize his point. Let go of that grudge. Missing heaven isn't worth it!

Episode 242: Matthew 16 Part 2 Can A Person Be Demon Possessed?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Peter had just made that great proclamation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” and yet, in the next breath Jesus is calling him Satan and telling him to get behind him! How did this happen? Why would Jesus say this? How could someone who has given their life to follow Jesus and has worked miracles themselves allow Satan to influence them? Can this happen to us today? Can people be demon possessed? Can a believer be demon possessed? Listen and hear my thoughts on these questions!

Episode 231: Matthew 13 Part 4 Homemade Bread and the Kingdom of God

Randall Tucker — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500

I love bread, especially when it's hot and covered in butter! In this episode we take a look at making homemade bread. I've never made it before so I borrowed a recipe from a website that has. One of the main ingredients to make bread is yeast. Without the yeast, the loaf won't be a loaf...it will be flat like a pancake, or maybe a tortilla! Jesus says the kingdom of God is like a little bit of yeast that was added to a big lump of dough. That little bit of yeast took over that dough and caused it to rise. Just like that yeast, when Jesus comes into our lives he makes a huge impact; he changes everything about us.

Episode 227: Matthew 12 Part 3 Show Us A Sign!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0500

The Pharisees just don't seem to get it. Sparring with Jesus is not a good thing but this time they bring some help--some teachers of the law. Surely these bible thumpers can outsmart God Himself! Nope...They demand a sign to prove to them that Jesus' authority comes from God like he claims. Jesus tells them the only sign they'll get is the sign of Jonah, a prophet they'd be familiar with. He says just as Jonah was in the fish's belly for three days, the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days. He was talking about his death, burial, and resurrection but they didn't understand that. Jesus tells them they have someone greater than Jonah but they refuse to repent and they have someone wiser than Solomon but they refuse to listen. God isn't sending you a sign when He has already sent His Son! You either believe or you don't!

Episode 225: Matthew 12 Part 1 The Showdown with the Pharisees

Randall Tucker — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Have you ever watched a fight in a western movie? They pick a time and place for the “Showdown” and people come to watch who will have the fastest draw and win. This is what we see happening in Matthew 12 between the Pharisees and Jesus. The Pharisees have the fastest draw but Jesus wins the fight…every time! Evidently the Pharisees have some spies on Jesus and his disciples because they see them picking grain in a field and they watch them eat it right there in the field. They quickly pounce on the opportunity to condemn them and Jesus sets them straight by using an example they’d be very familiar with and it comes from a man they very much respected…King David. Then Jesus goes on their turf, the synagogue, and heals a man with a deformed hand and it sends them over the edge! The Pharisees call an elders meeting to decide on how to kill Jesus.

Episode 221: Matthew 9 Part 4 Pursuing Jesus

Randall Tucker — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500

As Jesus was leaving Jairus’ house after raising his 12 year old daughter from the dead, wo blind men followed him, shouting at him, “Son of David have mercy on us!” Jesus ignored them…he kept walking not paying them any attention. In fact, he goes to someone’s house where he will be staying for a bit. The two blind men keep on their journey until they reach the house where he was staying and they burst right on in having no regard to whose house it is or who is inside. They wanted their healing and they knew Jesus was the only one who could give them sight. Why did Jesus ignore the two blind men? It was about the pursuit. Jesus is not a condom. He isn’t something we keep and use it when we need protection, then discard it. He wants a relationship and in any relationship, there is the pursuit, there is the hunt. Didn’t Jesus tell his disciples, “Keep on seeking and you will find?”

Episode 215: Matthew 8 Part 2 The Intercessor

Randall Tucker — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0500

The Roman soldier goes on a journey on behalf of the paralyzed servant, finds Jesus, tells him what was going on, Jesus wanted to come to the soldier’s house to heal the servant, the soldier shows humility, and because he did all of this, the servant was healed. Not only was the servant healed, he was healed instantly. He was healed as soon as Jesus proclaimed the healing. In Luke’s version of this story, we find out the servant was at the point of death. Evidently, this Roman soldier really cared about this servant. And for him to go to all this trouble to seek for Jesus and find him, asking him to heal this servant, also shows us the heart of this soldier. Even though he was high in ranks, battle tested, a manly man, strong and brae, he had a heart of compassion for his people, he cared for them, and Jesus saw this in the Roman soldier which is why he healed his servant. It all comes down to the heart. What about your heart? What does it show about you?

Episode 212: Matthew 7 Part 3 Do Unto Others As...

Randall Tucker — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0500

When I was in the first grade I had a sweet lady for a teacher named Mrs. Webb. Above her desk was a sign that read, “The Golden Rule: Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.” I didn’t know where it came from but it sounded good and I knew I wanted people to treat me good so I should treat them good! Jesus goes on to say the road, and the gate to heaven, is narrow but the road, and the gate to destruction, is wide. He is the narrow gate, he is the only way to heaven and how did he treat people? With grace, mercy, compassion, and he was longsuffering. He displayed for us the way we should treat people, especially our enemies, those who do not treat us very well. Which road are you on? Who are you following?

Episode 203: Matthew 5 Part 1 Pass the Salt Please…

Randall Tucker — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 23:00:00 -0400

Matthew starts off chapter 5 with what we call the “Sermon on the Mount.” Did you know he was talking to his hand-picked disciples and not the crowd? He starts the teachings off with what we call the Beatitudes which start off with “Blessed are those who…” which many translate as “Happy”. When we read the Beatitudes it seems weird that if we do those things Jesus mentions that we would be happy?!?!? But he is teaching them with heaven as the goal because when we get there, all with be well with our soul! Then he tells them they are the salt of the earth. How can twelve ordinary dudes be the salt of the earth when all they know is there little world in Galilee? Listen and find out but I’ll tell you this…we need to be salt, not ordinary.

Episode 201: Matthew 4 Part 1 Temptations in the Wilderness

Randall Tucker — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0400

The devil knows our weaknesses and he knows when to use them against us...in the wilderness. The wilderness is not a fun place to be: there’s a lack of nutrition, it’s lonely, and we have to really practice self-discipline. Right after he was baptized, the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness where he would be tempted by the devil for a season. The devil used the same three temptations on Jesus as he does with us: he lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. How did Jesus not give into the temptations? He used the word of God to resist them and we must do the same which is why it is so important that we are in the word of God on a daily basis!

Episode 200: Matthew 3 Part 2 The Father Affirms His Son

Randall Tucker — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0400

John the Baptizer is out in the wilderness preaching the forgiveness of sins, telling people to repent and to be baptized. They were listening and responding to his message as people came from all over. Jhon gets a special visitor one day: Jesus and Jesus tells John to baptize him, not for the forgiveness of sins because Jesus didn’t have any sin, but to kick off his ministry. When Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit descended on him and a voice came from heaven saying, “This is My beloved son whom I am well pleased.” The Father gives affirmation to the son. Dads, affirmation is important to your children, especially your sons! Have you told them you love them today? When is the last time you told your children that you are proud of them and believe in them?

Episode 196: Matthew 1 Part 1 God Uses Imperfect People

Randall Tucker — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:00:00 -0400

Most people skip right over the first part of Matthew 1 because it’s a boring genealogy, however, if one would take a closer look, they would discover that it isn’t boring at all. In fact, it is packed with a lot of great information that can be encouraging to us. For example, look at all the people God used to usher Jesus, the Messiah, into the world. They aren’t perfect at all, in fact, every one of them made bad decisions along the way yet God used those bad decisions for his glory! Women dressed as prostitutes, even a prostitute, men who committed adultery and murder, liars, deceivers, etc were all used by God to bring His Son into the world in order that he could be the sacrifice for our sins! Imagine what God could do through us and our bad choices?!?!

Episode 195: Hebrews 13 Part 2 People Are Following You!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0400

We come to the end of this study on the book of Hebrews. I hope and pray you have been encouraged from it and as we dig into the author’s last words of this letter, I hope they ring loud and clear, “Look to Jesus, stick with Jesus, and continue to follow Jesus no matter what comes your way!” We must remember, whether we realize it or not, we are leaders! Someone is watching our every move to see how we will respond to the situation that we are facing and if we aren’t careful, we could lead them down the wrong path. It then becomes clear, that we should be following Jesus, because if we are following him, then we will lead people to him and not away from him? So, with that in mind, where is your focus? Wherever your focus is, that is where you are walking towards!

Episode 191: Hebrews 12 Part 1 Be A Champion

Randall Tucker — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400

The author of Hebrews has given a bunch of examples of people who walked by faith, who had promises from God and they trusted that God would be faithful and come through on His promises. By faith they knew His promises were a reality and they had evidence, even though they couldn’t see it with their eyes. He starts off chapter 12 with a sports analogy when he compares our walk with God to a race and like a coach he gives instructions on how to run this race. Those instructions are, “Look to Jesus, our champion and endure to the end.” If you ever played sports, you wanted to win a championship, that was the goal. Everybody wants to be a champion.

Episode 187: Hebrews 10 Part 1 Go Fly A Kite!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 22:00:00 -0400

When you were a kid and your parents were teaching you how to fly a kite, did they say, “Hold on tight and don’t let go!”?!? Why did they say that? Because if we let go of the string, the kite will either come crashing to the ground, get caught in a tree, or even worse, fly away and we risk losing the kite! The author is going to lay the hammer down on his readers in chapter 10. It starts off repeating some things he has already said and we have covered but in vs 19 through the rest of the chapter you better put on your seat belt because the road gets pretty rough! He reminds his readers how they can enter God’s presence, right at the throne because of the blood of Jesus but then he encourages them to keep a tight grip on that hope and to not let go because if they walk away from Jesus, they walk away from his promises; they walk away from his sacrifice, the ONLY sacrifice that will get them, and us, into heaven! Jesus is way more precious than a kite and if we want to be with him in heaven for eternity, we have to hold on to him with everything we have because the world, the devil, they are going to throw everything they can at us to make us let go…Hold on as tight as you can!

Episode 186: Hebrews 9 Part 2 The Lion Became A Lamb

Randall Tucker — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 19:00:00 -0400

Millions of animals were sacrificed under the old covenant and yet not even all the blood from those sacrifices pooled together could forgive one sin! It was all a ceremony cleansing but the blood of Jesus is so powerful that it cleanses our sins, purifies our conscience so we can worship God, and it sets us free! That is why the author of Hebrews is saying to his audience, “Jesus is better!” He is better because the old covenant couldn’t get the job done and God himself put on flesh, lived as a man, never sinned, offered himself as the once and for all sacrifice, laid down his life for us, was resurrected, and now sits at the Father’ right hand interceding on our behalf…if…if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we are living for him on a daily basis, eagerly waiting for his return!

Episode 185: Hebrews 9 Part 1 Two Become One

Randall Tucker — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:00:00 -0400

In Hebrews 9 the author starts talking about how the new covenant is better than the old covenant. He begins by describing the tabernacle, how the Holy Place was separated from the Holiest of Holies and the furniture that was included in each room. There was a thick curtain that separated man from God, but also, the people were separated from God and had to have a priest intercede on their behalf! It was all about separation and in the old covenant, the Gentiles were left out because the old covenant was made between God and the Jews. Now that Jesus has established a new covenant, there is no more separation! There is no more Jew, no more Gentile because we are one in Christ. And the best part is, we have direct access to God because of the blood Jesus shed on the cross!

Episode 179: Hebrews 4 Don't Lose Your Confidence...

Randall Tucker — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400

What has happened in your life that was so bad that you lost your confidence in God? We see this every day in a believer's life. Something bad happens and they get mad at God, blame God for what they are going through, they eventually withdraw from God until they completely shut Him out of their lives! Where does one go when they leave God? What's a better alternative? There's not one and that is what the author of Hebrews is trying to tell their audience who was in danger of missing heaven because they have lost their confidence in God! Persecution has come to them, some have been in jail, some beaten, some have lost all their possessions, and they are losing their confidence in God, in Jesus, so the author is encouraging them to take a look at the people of Israel that wondered in the wilderness for forty years...THEY DIDN'T GET IN! And he tells them if they walk away from Jesus, they won't either and neither will we! So again I ask you, what has happened in your life that has caused you to lose confidence in God?

Episode 177: Hebrews 3 Part 1 Moses Was God’s Homie But…

Randall Tucker — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Moses was chosen by God to lead the Hebrew people out of Egyptian bondage and into a land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even though Moses was faithful and did lead the people out, Moses had some flaws. He doubted God and tried to persuade God out of choosing him at first. Then his biggest flaw was not speaking to the rock to get water but instead, out of anger, he struck the rock twice! Because he disobeyed God, Moses only got to see the promised land and didn’t enter it. The author’s point is Jesus is better than Moses because he was 100% faithful to God and never had a single flaw! And since Jesus is greater, we can put our faith and trust in Him…

Episode 175: Hebrews 2 Part 1 Our Truth Verses THE Truth

Randall Tucker — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0400

A big thing in our culture is “You have your truth and I have mine,” and what has happened is we have decided what is truth for ourselves. We have decided to do what we want and lie the way we want and to justify it, we make up our own rules and call them “truth.” Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” when he was questioning him before crucifying him. The truth of the matter is, there is a standard of truth that never changes and that truth is God whether we choose to believe Him or not. He set the standard and it’s up to us to believe it, and by faith, lie by it. Sure you can reject the standard, He gives us the freedom to make that choice, but just know there is a day coming when we will suffer the consequences of rejecting God’s truth, Jesus.

Episode 174: Hebrews 1 Part 2 Angels Cool Jesus Better

Randall Tucker — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 19:00:00 -0400

Could you imagine seeing an angel? What happens when someone comes into the presence of an angel? They fall on their face! Hebrews 13:2 actually tells us there is a good chance we have seen an angel and didn’t know it! But as cool as that is, Jesus is better. Whatever is going on with the audience, the author of Hebrews wants their readers to know Jesus is better than the angels and he makes his case for that in chapter 1. Jesus is sitting in a place of honor at the Father’s right hand and not one time did God ever say to an angel, “This is my Son,” however, He did say that to Jesus a couple of times! One day we will see all the angels in heaven, but even more awesome than that, we will see God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and best of all, Jesus: the one who paid the price for our sin so that we can have the forgiveness of God!

Episode 173: Hebrews 1 Part 1 The Deity and Humanity of Jesus

Randall Tucker — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0400

In the Old Testament, we see God speaking to people in many ways. He spoke to them audibly, He used angels to send messages, He spoke through prophets, but in the New Testament, God spoke to people himself clothed in flesh—Jesus. Moses wanted to see God’s glory but God told him he couldn’t see His face or he would die because he was so holy. When Moses had been in the presence of God, he came down the mountain to talk to the people and they had to put a veil over him because he glowed! And so God puts on flesh and walks among His people and they can relate to him. They literally could hang out with God! They ate meals with Him, talked with Him, traveled with Him…They could literally reach out and touch God! And the author of Hebrews tells us Jesus was the radiance of God’s glory and he expresses the very character of God, and yet, we can relate to Jesus because he was one of us!

Episode 172: Hebrews 1 Introduction to Hebrews

Randall Tucker — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:00:00 -0400

What a book for our day and time! Yes it was written nearly two thousand years ago but it's message is timeless: Jesus is better and don't give up on him! In this episode of the GRINDIT Podcast, I pull out some amazing verses from the book to give a preview of what is to come. Hebrews 12:1-3 is actually the basis of this podcast! Our goal at GRINDIT Podcast is to encourage people to keep their eyes on Jesus and not give up! I look forward to breaking this book down with you in the coming weeks. If you have something you would like for me to discuss, email me at thegrinditpodcast@gmail.com....

Episode 171: Luke 24 God Has A Sense of Humor

Randall Tucker — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Three days had passed since Jesus was tortured and killed on the cross. The women had prepared spices for the body but since the Sabbath had started, they had to wait. They go as soon as daylight begins to break on Sunday morning only to find the tomb is empty! After having a discussion with some angels they go back to break the news to the rest of the disciples. Meanwhile, there are two dudes walking toward Emmaus when Jesus appears to them yet they didn’t know it was him. Jesus asks them why they are so upset and they explain to him what had just taken place and how they have lost all hope. They invite him to stay the night with them and the first thing they do is eat a meal. When Jesus says the blessing, they recognize him and he disappears! They run back to Jerusalem to tell the others and while they are explaining what has happened, Jesus appears in the room and eats some fish with them. God has a sense of humor….

Episode 170: Luke 23 Part 2 The Crucifixion and Burial

Randall Tucker — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400

It is amazing to me the hatred the religious leaders had for Jesus. They were supposed to be godly men and, knowing the scriptures, they were looking for the Messiah yet, from the very moment he made himself known, they tried to kill him! And now they are finally getting their way. Jesus, God in the flesh, is crucified and buried. In this episode, I share an article written by Cahleen Shrier, Ph.D called The Science of the Crucifixion. She details the process of the flogging and the crucifixion along with the effects they had on his body. She ends by saying, “I am struck every time with the stunning realization that as a flesh and blood human, Jesus felt every ounce of this execution. What greater love than this can a man have for his friends?” My question is, Why would anyone reject such love?”

Episode 169: Luke 23 Part 1 Jesus’ Trial

Randall Tucker — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Jesus is standing before Pilate being questioned by him while the religious leaders are hurling false accusations trying to persuade Pilate to kill him. The hatred for the very Messiah they were looking for is simply atrocious! They come up with several lies and present them as truth which is what the enemy does. After Pilate realized Jesus was a Galilean, he has him sent to Herod. Even there, the religious leaders make their false accusations hoping Herod would have him crucified but he is more interested in seeing a miracle and making a mockery of Jesus. He is sent back to Pilate and Pilate was going to flog him, then release him but the crowd got involved and started shouting they wanted Jesus killed! Pilate, as a true politician, gives the crowd their way and hands Jesus over to the religious leaders to be crucified. Let’s talk about it…

Episode 168: Luke 22 Part 3 Jesus On Trial

Randall Tucker — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Luke ends chapter 22 with the mockery of a trial the religious had for Jesus. What is sad is that the people who came to arrest him were made up of religious leaders and priests, which are the very same people who are having this pathetic trial. They think they are in control because they have accomplished something they have been trying for three years—they have arrested Jesus and is about to condemn him to death. What they don’t understand is, they don’t have any power and they are actually doing the will of God! This was God’s plan the whole time so Jesus could be the Passover Lamb and die for our sins! Thank you, Jesus, for going through with the Father’s plan for us and giving us hope!

Episode 167: Luke 22 Part 2 Jesus Is Eager To Eat

Randall Tucker — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 22:00:00 -0400

Jesus goes into detail after the disciples asked him where they should prepare the Passover meal. Why such detail? What does it all mean? I believe it was Jesus attempting to show the disciples that he is exactly who he claims to be because they are about to be in massive confusion and disbelief. Every detail Jesus gave them was fulfilled. It happened exactly as how Jesus said it would. Then he says he is “eager” to eat the passer meal with them meaning he had a desire, a lust to eat this Passover meal with them. Why? Because he knew his suffering would soon be over and he would be back with his Father where he belongs—at the father’s right hand making intercession for us.

Episode 166: Luke 22 Part 1 The Last Passover Meal

Randall Tucker — Tue, 31 May 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Luke 22 is a heavy chapter because this is where everything for the disciples goes haywire. Their best friend, whom they have spent the last 3 years with and have watched him do nothing but good to people, will be betrayed, arrested, and crucified the very next morning. Jesus has one last Passover meal with them and he exposes Judas as the betrayer. In this episode I talk about the Passover, now called the Lord’s Supper, and how Jesus became our Passover Lamb that was slain for our sin and reconciled us to God. He is our “once and for all” sacrifice and when God sees the blood of Jesus, He passes over us or he spares us from death and gives us a home with him in heaven! Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Episode 163: Luke 20 Part 3 Are Your Nostrils Flared?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 19 May 2022 18:00:00 -0400

After the religious leaders failed on their mission to trip Jesus up so they could disclaim who is, they come up with a new tactic: to send in spies. They are going to send some guys in and pretend to be interested in his teachings and when they get the opportunity, they will ask a question that would surely get Jesus to stumble because if he answered a certain way, they could run to the Roman authorities and get him in trouble. However, their scheme failed again because what they didn’t realize is, they had no authority over Jesus whatsoever and if he wanted to, he could speak one word and they would be dead but instead, Jesus showed mercy and he was longsuffering toward them. Why? He was hoping they would see the truth and follow him. We take a look at this word “longsuffering” and what it means and we are forced to answer the question, “Am I longsuffering like Jesus?”

Episode 162: Luke 20 Part 2 You Can't Deny the Facts!

Randall Tucker — Fri, 13 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode we take a deeper look at what it was like for Jesus when he was coming into Jerusalem. To do this, we take evidence from an eyewitness who heard and seen it all for himself, John. John tells us how the Pharisees had made a proclamation to all the people that if they saw Jesus, they were to come and report it to them so they could arrest him! These are the ones who should know who Jesus was since they studied and taught the law of God their whole lives yet, they saw Jesus as a freak, a weirdo, and there was no way that guy could be the Messiah. Even though they heard the account of the miracles, even though they could literally go to Lazarus’ house and talk with him about him being dead and in a tomb for four days, how Jesus raised him the grave, they said, “We don’t believe and we have to get rid of this guy!” We do the same thing today; the evidence is all around us, we can go and see artifacts that have been dug up and preserved that back up the authenticity of the Bible, yet we choose to reject Jesus just like the Pharisees and the religious leaders did!

Episode 161: Luke 20 Part 1 Who Do You Think You Are?

Randall Tucker — Mon, 09 May 2022 21:00:00 -0400

The religious leaders from all over the region have been trying to back Jesus in a corner for three years. They have tried to trip him up so they could prove that he was not the Messiah yet they never accomplished their goal. Therefore, they turned to violence and try to stone him several times. The ones who should have known that Jesus was the Messiah, literally hated God! The very One who they claimed to love and to be serving! And here they are on their turf, the holy city of Jerusalem, Jesus was there, literally to die for the sins of man, to accomplish the will of God, and what they are asking Jesus here is, “Who do you think you are?” And nothing has changed much today! The creation still thinks they are better than the Creator! And Christian, before we slam the religious think about this question, “Am I doing the same they did?” and what I mean by that is: do we trust Jesus or do we question everything he does, everything about him? Even though I know a little bit about the Bible and I say I love God, do I show it by the way I live?

Episode 160: Luke 19 Part 3 Jesus Wept More Than Once!

Randall Tucker — Fri, 06 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Jesus may have wept over Lazarus but he also wept for Jerusalem. As he approached Jerusalem riding on a donkey, he wept because they had rejected him, the one who could give them real peace and his heart was broken. Then he announces the destruction that would soon come upon them because they had rejected his peace and we can actually look back in history and see when and how this actually happened! We can see pictures of the destruction of Jerusalem that the Romans brought upon Jerusalem, including the destruction of the Temple and that thing still remains a pile of rubble to this day! Even the priests that carried out the sacrifices rejected Jesus who would soon be the sacrificial Lamb. The religious leaders were plotting his death and by the end of the week, they would have succeeded…or at least they thought!

Episode 159: Luke 19 Part 2 Looking For A Kingdom?!?!

Randall Tucker — Mon, 02 May 2022 21:00:00 -0400

Before Jesus leaves Jericho to continue to Jerusalem, he tells the crowd that continues to follow him a parable about a nobleman who was made king and he had ten servants that he gave some money to so they could invest it while he was gone and benefit the kingdom. Luke tells his readers why Jesus gave the crowd this parable, “He told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.” The Jews had already tried to make Jesus a king when he fed the 5,000, the problem was they had wrong expectations. Jesus didn’t come to set up an earthly kingdom, he didn’t come to deliver the Jews from the Roman oppression, his kingdom would be a spiritual one, one that would be in a whole different realm, a different place called heaven. Don’t be mistaken like the Jews, the kingdom is already here and you can be a part of it!

Episode 157: Luke 18 Part 3 Right Person , Right Question, Wrong Decision!

Randall Tucker — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:00:00 -0400

A man comes to the right place, the right person, and asks the right question, his only problem is he doesn’t give the right response. The rich young man comes to Jesus and asks him, “What do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” In other words, “What do I have to do to spend eternity with you?” Jesus tells him and as Jesus is talking the man interrupts and says, “I’ve done that since I was a kid.” Thinking he was in with ease, Jesus looks at him and says, “Good job. Now, go sell all your stuff that you have acquired with your riches, give the money to the poor, then, come and follow me.” The man was sad because he loved his stuff and he didn’t want to part with any of it so he walked away from Jesus…lost. Don’t make the same mistake!

Episode 154: Luke 17 Part 5 Start Walking Fellas

Randall Tucker — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:00:00 -0400

On the way to Jerusalem to die for the sins of man, Jesus goes in a village on the border of Galilee and Samaria. As he passes through he hears some people yelling at him and asking him to have mercy on them. It was ten lepers and they wanted to be healed. They knew Jesus was a miracle worker and that he is their hope so they cry out to him. He doesn’t have a three week long bible study nor does he tell them, “OK, you’re healed.” He simply tells them, “Go show yourself to the priest,” which is what a person with leprosy had to do when the leprosy was gone so they could be pronounced “Clean” and could reenter society again. They didn’t receive their healing until after they started walking and the sad part of the story is only one came back to say “Thank You” and he was a Samaritan! It’s easy for us to run to God when times are hard, but don’t forget Him when your blessing comes and you’re walking on the mountain top! Always be thankful and never forget Jesus and what he has done for you and me.

Episode 143: Luke 14 Part 3 Haters Gonna Hate!

Randall Tucker — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 19:00:00 -0500

“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple...that's the words of Jesus. But I thought God is a God of love? Unconditional love so why is Jesus telling us we have to hate everybody if we want to be his disciple? It's all about putting him first in our lives. Who is first in your life? You? Your spouse? Your children? Your parents? Or Jesus?

Episode 130: Luke 10 Part 2 Are You Registered?

Randall Tucker — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0500

When the 72 disciples came back to Jesus they reported everything God had done through them and they were so excited because demons didn’t stand a chance against the name of Jesus! Jesus was moved by their excitement and was filled with joy but he tells them, “Don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Miracles are awesome but the Miracle Worker is the greatest ever! So many churches, so many Christians today are looking for miracles when we should be looking for the miracle worker Jesus and drawing close to him. And that is the message Jesus had for those disciples! Rejoice, not in the miracles, but that your names are registered in heaven! We may never see a miracle but we definitely see the miracle worker some day! Is your name registered in heaven so you can stay with the miracle worker, Jesus, for eternity?

Episode 128: Luke 9 Part 3 Stay Awake Or Miss Out

Randall Tucker — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Jesus takes three of his disciples up on a mountain to pray. This has happened before because Jesus would spend time with the Father in prayer but this time something is different. Jesus begins to pray like before but two men show up and they carry on a conversation about the death and resurrection that Jesus would soon experience. Luke tells us these two guys are Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets both of which Jesus is greater. During this time Jesus turns a brilliant white and Luke said it was glorious to see! But here’s the problem…Peter, James, and John almost missed the whole thing because they were sleeping! Yes! They fell asleep while Jesus was praying and they only woke up to see Moses and Elijah walking away and disappearing into a cloud! You can be the most faithful follower of Jesus but if you are asleep spiritually, you are missing out on the some of the greatest blessings God has for you! Wake Up!!!

Episode 126: Luke 9 Part 1 The Miracle Worker

Randall Tucker — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wished you could walk into hospitals and lay hands on every person in it and heal them? Just bring so much joy to those who are suffering and to heal them from their pain? Maybe you, yourself, or a loved one has dealt with a life challenge and you would heal that situation. The fact is there is something greater than miracles…the Miracle Worker! Jesus! Jesus is who we should be focused on and not the miracles. Jesus gave the disciples the power and authority to work miracles and cast out demons but the reason he did so was to enable them to go into villages and tell the people about the Kingdom of God and as they told the message, they could back it up with evidence by working a miracle. God can and does still work miracles today but we need to look for the Miracle Worker instead of the miracle because if the miracle doesn’t happen, the Miracle Worker will still save us and bring us on home to be with him in heaven so either way, it’s a win-win!

Episode 125: Luke 8 Part 3 Fear Not, Trust Me

Randall Tucker — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 15:30:00 -0500

In this last part of Luke 8 we see several examples of miracles such as Jesus calming the storm by speaking a few words when the disciples were scared out of their minds. When they got to the shore there was a naked man who came running up to the boat shrieking and making weird noises because he was full of demons. Jesus cast the demons out him into a herd of pigs and the shepherds take off running to town and tell the people what happened. The crowd comes out to see the naked man who is now fully clothed and he is sitting at the feet of Jesus completely sane. They freak out and ask Jesus to leave town! Then there is Jairus who’s 12 year old daughter is almost dead. He begs Jesus to come to his house and heal her but as they are on their way, a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years comes up from behind Jesus and touches the hem of is garment and was healed. Jesus has a conversation with the woman and as he is talking, some of Jairus’ friends show up and tell him that his daughter is dead. Jesus tells Jairus something that we all need to hear today, “Don’t be afraid.” In fact, it is a theme throughout these examples. Today, in the midst of Covid and all kinds of chaos, people are living in fear and Jesus is saying, “Fear not, trust me.” Do you?

Episode 121: Luke 7 Part 2 Perfect Timing

Randall Tucker — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0500

God is a God of perfect timing and a great example of this is Jesus arriving in the village called Nain just as a widow was leaving town to bury her only son. Jesus stops the funeral and raises the kid back to life! Luke says, “Great fear swept the crowd…” In my opinion, we have lost our “fear” of God. It is evident just by turning on the news or looking on your social media feed. So much evil taking place everywhere and it seems as if the person who did the evil shows no remorse whatsoever and sometimes even tries to justify their actions. God has the ability to save us or condemn us yet many people don’t even consider God and His will for our lives. Any decision, I repeat, any decision we make should revolve around God and what He would want us to do! What about you? Do you fear God? Are your decisions made around Him or do you just do what you want not really caring about the consequences?

Episode 120: Luke 7 Part 1 Power With Humility

Randall Tucker — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 14:00:00 -0500

Luke starts off chapter 7 by introducing his readers to a very powerful man that doesn’t fit the profile of someone who would put their trust in Jesus but that is exactly what happens. Up until this point, the people that have been coming to Jesus have been Jews, poor Jews who were sick, had deformities, or demons. They have heard of his miraculous power and they have come from miles around to find hope. This centurion is a Roman, a Gentile, in fact, he is an officer in the Roman army. He isn’t poor, instead he is rich and powerful. He doesn’t fit the mold of the typical Jesus follower at that time yet he was more of an example of a Jesus follower than the Pharisees and the religious leaders of his day. In fact, after Jesus dealt with this Roman centurion, he said he had never seen faith like this man has in all of Israel! And this man is a Gentile! And this Gentile who had a lot of power also had a lot of humility and compassion because he had a synagogue built for the Jews in his community and paid the bill and he cared for his Jewish slave that was on his death bed. When he heard about Jesus he immediately sent for him to come heal his slave which also shows his faith. What do your friends, your family, your coworkers say about you? Can they tell you have been with Jesus?

Episode 118: Luke 6 Part 1 Lord Over the Sabbath

Randall Tucker — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 17:00:00 -0500

Jesus has begun to spar with the religious leaders. The Pharisees have heard enough about this guy and they begin to challenge Jesus quietly, yet Jesus would call them out publicly. They would ask a question in their head and Jesus would answer their question in front of the crowd so all could hear. In Luke 6 we have two more challenges between these two and both take place on a Sabbath Day, the day God set aside for rest and called it holy. The Pharisees are watching Jesus and his disciples every move trying to catch him breaking the law so they can discredit Jesus and they see his disciples breaking some grain, shucking it in their hand, and eating it because they were hungry. They immediately rush in and question the disciples and Jesus comes to their rescue using David, a king they had the utmost respect for, as an example to justify what was happening. But Jesus doesn't stop there; he adds "The Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath." In other words, "I created the Sabbath, I created the very law that y'all study and teach, therefore I am greater than the Sabbath so we haven't done anything wrong here." As a follower of Jesus, be careful that you don't bind things on people bringing them oppression when Jesus wants to give them freedom!

Episode 114: Luke 4 Part 1 Mountaintops and Valleys

Randall Tucker — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:00:00 -0500

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River to kick off his pathway to the cross. After he was baptized the Holy Spirit comes down on him in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven gives conformation to what has taken place, "This is My Son in whom I'm well pleased." Immediately, as this mountaintop experience comes to a climax, Jesus is led to the wilderness by the Spirit where he will be tempted by the devil for forty days. The devil uses the same old tricks he used with Adam and Eve: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life but Jesus resists the temptations by using the word of God, "It is written..." Paul talks about Christians putting on the armor of God in Ephesians 6 but it's all defensive! There is only a mention of an offensive weapon--the word of God. But this is all we need for in verse 10 he says we are to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Without Jesus, we are powerless but with Jesus, we can stand against anything that comes our way!

Episode 103: Luke 3 Part 1 Can't Argue Facts!

Randall Tucker — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

In Luke 3 we are hit hard with facts right off the bat! We are given people’s names, where they ruled, when they ruled, and there has been artifacts found that back up the information Luke gives us so why do people continue to not believe the Bible? By God’s grace and His mercy He provided us a sacrifice for our sins to be forgiven! And it was always His plan! God knew Adam would blow it and sin which is why He always had a plan to redeem man…He would send His own son to be the sacrifice that would cleans man from our sin. Jesus, the Messiah, knew what his mission was—the cross—and he never shy’s away from that mission. He died on the cross, shed his blood for the payment of man’s sin, was buried in a tomb for three days, and walked out of that tomb alive! Then he showed himself alive to many people over forty days, and then ascended back to heaven where he sits at the Father’s right hand, a place of highest honor, a place of power and all authority. It compelled Luke to write this gospel and he says from the very beginning, “I’m writing this so you know it is true. You may choose not to believe it, but that doesn’t change the facts! These people, including Jesus, were real people who walked on this earth and Jesus is the only one who died and came out of that grave alive! Why would we not want Jesus on our team?!?!?!

Episode 102: Luke 2 Part 3 Jesus' Childhood

Randall Tucker — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Luke introduces a woman named Anna who was a prophet and lived at the Temple. She was married but her husband passed away after seven years of marriage. After he passed, Anna never left the Temple again and Luke says she worshipped God day and night with fasting and prayer. What a great lesson she gives us! And when she heard Simeon talking to Joseph and Mary, she went and told everyone about the Messiah that has come. Luke finishes chapter two talking about Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. It was a four day journey back home to Nazareth and they had been traveling about a day when they noticed Jesus was missing. It took them three days to find him! Can you imagine the panic they felt?!?! This is all we know about the childhood of Jesus. Jesus would be starting his ministry at the age of thirty and it would kickoff with John the Baptizer baptizing him in the Jordan River. Jesus knew his mission from an early age and he never backed away from it. He became our perfect sacrifice and his blood washes our sins away and because of his sacrifice, we are made right in the sight of God…IF we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior! Have you?

Episode 101: Luke 2 Part 2 Listen To Your Guide Not Your Gut!

Randall Tucker — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:00:00 -0400

Jesus is eight days old and as God’s law required, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. Luke introduces his readers to a guy named Simeon who was told by God Himself, that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He wasn’t even suppose to be at the Temple that day but he was led by the Holy Spirit, and because he listened and allowed the Spirit to guide him, Simeon went to the Temple and he not only saw, but held the baby in his arms. Are we listening to the Holy Spirit and allowing him to guide us? If not, we are missing out some of God’s greatest blessings! And when Simeon saw Jesus he said he could now die in peace. Death is imminent and cannot be avoided. When you think about death are you filled with fear or peace? If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we don’t have to fear death because when we take our last breath on earth, we take our first breath in heaven where we will worship our Lord for eternity!

Episode 100: Luke 2 Part 1 The Impact of Jesus: Shepherds to Doctors

Randall Tucker — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Luke 2 starts with more details from Luke as he gives us more names of Roman leaders which gives us a time frame for the birth of Jesus. He talks about a census that had taken place which many people use to discredit Luke and his gospel. There are several arguments that support Luke including an autobiography by Augustus himself called the Res Gestae and in it he mentions having a census done several times. I have provided a couple of links that are interesting reads that support Luke and his gospel in the description on YouTube. We get into the birth of Jesus as well and one thing to point out is how Jesus touched people that are on opposite ends of the spectrum: Luke, a doctor who is writing this gospel, yet never met Jesus face to face, and the shepherds, who saw the baby Jesus and it changed their lives forever! How has Jesus impacted your life? Or has he?

Episode 97: Luke 1 Part 3 Joseph, You're Not Being Punk'd

Randall Tucker — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 17:00:00 -0400

Mary has a visit from the angel Gabriel and he tells her that she is going to be with child and that child is from God Himself! She asks, “How can this be?” she asked, “I can’t have a child…I’m a virgin!” And the angel explains to her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. A couple of says later she leaves to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is six months pregnant with John the Baptizer. Mary stays for three months and comes home. This would be a shock to Joseph! Why? She would be showing when she came back home and Joseph knows he hasn’t had sex with her, so in his mind he is thinking she has slept with someone and has cheated on him. He was going to divorce her and it took an angel to intervene! Artificial insemination is no big deal today with our technology but this was unheard of 2,000 years ago! God became flesh, lived a normal life up until the age of 30 when his ministry started, then his mission was to die on a cross, be buried in a tomb for three days, and was resurrected! Just as the angel had told Mary, “He will be called Emmanuel which means God With Us and you will name him Jesus which means God Is Salvation. Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Episode 96: Luke 1 Part 2 The Tell of Two Women

Randall Tucker — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:00:00 -0400

In Luke 1 we are introduced to two women who are related, they are cousins—Mary and Elizabeth. One is old and has been serving God a long time. The other is young and is basically trying to figure out where her place is in society. One has been praying to God for a long time to have a baby yet she never did and has passed the age of being able to get pregnant…way past. The other is a virgin and is more concerned with helping her parents around the house. I’m sure having a baby was the farthest thing from her mind. Both have a visitation from an angel and both become pregnant miraculously! Some people may work hard all of their lives and never get what they have been praying for while some have the “it” factor meaning they don’t work hard and things come easy for them. Elizabeth was old, too old to have children, yet she stayed faithful to God and He came through when she couldn’t do it on her own. Mary was a teenager, not even married yet, so she wasn’t looking to have a child, yet she is blessed to be chosen as the mother of the savior of the world—Jesus the Messiah! The point: Don’t give up on God; stay faithful because He will come through for you just as He did for Elizabeth!

Episode 94: Acts 26 thru 28 To Rome We Go!

Randall Tucker — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:00:00 -0400

Paul has an opportunity to share his defense with Agrippa and as he does, Agrippa comes to the conclusion that Paul could have been set free that day if he had not appealed to Caesar. But since he did, the book of Acts continues with Luke giving us a lot of details of the trip to Rome; how the weather was, where they sailed to and from, the storm that tore the ship the pieces, and even how the guests on the island of Malta treated them so well. He ends the book with Paul having a discussion with the Jewish leaders in Rome about Jesus and how he is the Messiah that the prophets wrote about. As usual, some believed but many didn't and Paul tells them that the Gentiles are more open than they are and that's who will continue to share the message of Jesus with. What happens after Acts 28? You can Google that because people smarter than me have taken pieces of history and scripture and came up with what they believed happened including Paul being set free and preaching in Spain! But unfortunately it comes to an end when Paul, along with many other Christians, are persecuted for their faith and he is beheaded under Nero's reign in 68AD. The question for you is: What are you going to do with the message of Jesus? Believe and live for him? Or reject and do your own thing?

Episode 93: Acts 24 and 25 Paul: Jesus Killer to Jesus Giver

Randall Tucker — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Paul has given his defense, his testimony to the angry mob that tried to kill him and to the high council. In Acts 24 and 25 he has a hearing with Felix, the governor and for two years, Felix tries to get Paul to pay him a bribe to let him go but Paul never did. Felix leaves office and Festus takes over. Festus wanted to please the Jews so he had Paul's hearing immediately after taking office and wanted to transfer Paul to Jerusalem. Paul knew he'd never make it to Jerusalem because the people had a plan to ambush him so he appeals to Caesar. Festus can't find any accusations worth writing a letter about to the emperor so he wants King Agrippa to listen to Paul's defense. A great lesson we can learn from listening to Paul give his testimony is how God can take anyone, no matter what they have done, and turn their life around. Paul was a murderer of innocent people yet when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus Jesus gave him a new purpose, a new direction for his life and Paul was obedient. What about you?

Episode 84: Acts 18 Part 2 Tired? Discouraged? Ready To Quit?

Randall Tucker — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Why did Jesus talk to Paul after not speaking audibly to him in roughly 18 years? Was Paul discouraged? Was he ready to give up? Throw in the towel? Maybe he wasn’t ready to quit but perhaps he was thinking: “Why am I doing this?“ or “I gave up a better life for this?” or “Is this really worth it?” He just had a confrontation with some Jews at the synagogue where he had been trying to tell them Jesus is the Messiah but they rejected his message and insulted him so he got frustrated, shook the dust from his feet, and told them he was going to the Gentiles. So perhaps, in his frustration and disappointment he was discouraged and needed a pep talk. As always, perfect timing for Jesus to show up and encourage Paul. We all get tired, discouraged, and need a pep talk every now and then, so call a friend, send a message encouraging them and let them know you are thinking of them. It will be like a breath of fresh air and wind in their sails to keep grinding!

Episode 81: Acts 17 Part 1 Upside Down Or Right Side Up?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Have you ever seen water that was clear but yet you step in it or stir it and dirt and trash that had settled to the bottom rises up and the clear water has now become dirty, nasty looking? That’s what these people are saying about Paul and Silas. “Our city was calm, settled, peaceful, but these men have stirred the water and has made it nasty. The people called Paul and Silas "troublemakers" which is odd because they weren't violent and they were telling people about Jesus, the Prince of Peace! They are the ones that were out of control, yelling, berating Paul and Silas, and not only that, they go to Jason's house and rough him up, dragging him and other believers to the city council all because Jason let Paul and Silas stay in his house stay at his house! I'm thankful I live in the United States where we can worship with the absence of persecution but even today, there are many countries that will still persecute those who follow Jesus and they have to do so underground. Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters and pray for the church in America for she is beginning to come under some fire from the world.

Episode 65: Acts 9 Part 1 The Persecutor Becomes the Persecuted

Randall Tucker — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 21:00:00 -0400

Want to see what happens when someone has a real encounter with Jesus? Look no further than Saul. He was at the stoning of Stephen and he completely agreed with what happened to him. He was so amped up he started persecuting those who followed Jesus going from house to house dragging men and women to prison, busting up families, and he wasn't finished. Saul was on his way to Damascus to do the same thing there but right before he reaches Damascus he has a life changing encounter with Jesus! In this episode I cover Saul's conversion and how the persecutor becomes the persecuted!

Episode 50: Acts 2 The Power Unleashed Part One

Randall Tucker — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:00:00 -0500

Around ten days had past since Jesus ascended to the Father and the disciples are doing what Jesus commanded them to do...waiting. They are waiting for the promise of the Comforter that Jesus talked about in John 14. Who are the "They"? Is it the 120 or the 12? We dive into some scripture to support the answer in this episode of GRINDIT as well as discuss a little about Pentecost.

Episode 48: John 21 Part Two Step Up To the Plate

Randall Tucker — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 13:00:00 -0500

Peter had denied Jesus three times before he died on a cross. After the resurrection he sits at a fire with Jesus watching the fish cook and Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?” In the English language we miss what Jesus is really asking Peter. Jesus is trying to get Peter to realize that he will have to love him unconditionally to make it through the days ahead when persecution starts. All Peter wanted to do was focus on another disciple and Jesus tells Peter, “You don’t worry about him and follow me.” Far too often we want to look at other people when we should be looking at ourselves and focusing on what we can do for the kingdom. We need to be obedient…

Episode 47: John 21 Part One The Dude On the Shore

Randall Tucker — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, they know me, and they follow me.” If that’s the case, then why did some of his closest followers not know who he was after the resurrection? They heard Jesus speak from the shore but they didn’t know who he was and this happened not once but twice! I discuss it in this episode of the GRINDIT Podcast. The answer is something we all need to hear so share with your family and friends…

Episode 44: John 19 The Crucifixion

Randall Tucker — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0500

In John 19 we have the crucifixion of Jesus and we discuss the details of it. Other gospel accounts give more details and I share those in this podcast. The religious leaders who should have been excited about the Messiah's arrival wanted him dead instead. They got what they wanted but it was all apart of God's eternal plan. Jesus had to be the sacrifice for our sins and he was. He willingly laid down his life so we could have life with him for eternity. He is the Passover Lamb that was slain for the penalty of our sin. Hope has a name and his name is Jesus!

Episode 43: John 18 Part Two W hat Is Truth?

Randall Tucker — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0500

Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" We think truth is whatever we believe to be true but just because we believe it to be true doesn't make it true or vice versa. I can say I'm 6 feet tall all I want and believe it to be true but the truth is...I'm 5'7! The truth never changes and it can be supported with facts and evidence. Jesus said God is truth and His word is truth. You can choose not to believe it but it doesn't change the fact that God exists. "What is truth?" Pilate asked. The answer was standing right before his eyes but he couldn't see it. Can you?

Episode 37: John 15 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:00:00 -0500

Jesus commands us to produce and the key to producing fruit is to "remain" in Jesus. He promises to "remain" in us if we "remain" in him. When he remains in us through the Holy Spirit we will produce fruit naturally because we are connected to the vine and we are healthy. However, we have a choice to remain or leave but if we choose to leave God, where else are we going to go? And the consequences of leaving God would be brutal! "Remain" in Jesus, produce fruit, and share Jesus with others! Even though hard times come, they don't last and eternity with Jesus will be worth it all!

Episode 35: John 14 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 21:00:00 -0500

We finish John 14 with the disciples freaking out over what Jesus is telling them. They want to go with him and he tells them they can't. They are full of fear and doubt which is two great tools of the enemy. If Satan can keep us in fear and doubting God, then he knows we are no threat to him. Jesus promises them a Helper, the Holy Spirit and when he falls on the disciples in Act 2, they are filled with boldness. Even after being persecuted and beaten the disciples continue to be bold! What about you? We are filled with the same Holy Spirit as they were so we should be bold just as they were as well!

Episode 34: John 14 Part One

Randall Tucker — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 21:00:00 -0500

John 14 is a continuation of John 13 where Jesus is having a very intimate conversation with the eleven disciples that are left (Judas has left to get his silver). He tells them, "Don't let your hearts be troubled...." He knew they were freaking out because he had told them one of them would betray him and he also told them he was leaving them for a bit. We can all use the comforting words Jesus gave them, "Trust in God and Trust in me."

Episode 32: John 13 Part One

Randall Tucker — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Fact: God loves everybody, yes...everybody, His love is unconditional, and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38). You've heard it said before, "God hates the sin but sin loves the sinner." A problem I see is that people in today's society have confused God's unconditional love with salvation. Yes, God loves everyone but not everyone is saved! The ones who will be saved are the ones who repent of their sin, accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and does his will and not their own. Have you made that choice? Know anyone that hasn't? Share this podcast with them!

Episode 33: John 13 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Do you hold a grudge? Is there someone in the church you avoid because they hurt you? If we claim to be a follower of Christ then we must love like Christ and it's NOT an option and His love is WITHOUT conditions! If anyone had the right to hold a grudge it was Jesus! He chose Judas Iscariot to be one of his twelve disciples knowing he was greedy, a thief, and that he would sell him out for thirty pieces of silver and yet he washes his feet, then in the garden he called him friend as he was being betrayed! From the cross he is looking at the ones who crucified him and he says, "Father, forgive them...And Paul points out that Jesus died for us while we were his enemy! Do we love like Christ loves?

Episode 30: John 12 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Why would Jesus choose a greedy, money hungry thief to be the treasure of the group? If Jesus knew people's thoughts surely he knew Judas was stealing money from the bag! And we know Jesus knew Judas would betray him and sell him out for thirty pieces of silver. Knowing all of this about Judas he still chose him as one of the twelve and get this, when Judas betrayed him in the Garden, Jesus still called him "Friend"! And not one time did Jesus call him out for being a thief so if we are to be like Jesus and have the attitude of Christ, then why is it that we feel the need to call people out when they hurt us and blast it all over social media, to our friends, and our family?

Episode 29: John 12 Part One

Randall Tucker — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:00:00 -0400

Jesus is invited to Lazarus' house at Bethany because Martha and Mary have cooked a meal to honor him. While there, Mary pours nard on Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair. The smell permeates the house and everyone there, including the disciples, heard Jesus say that Mary had done this to prepare him for burial. They had no idea what Jesus was talking about but they would by the end of the week for he would be crucified, buried, and resurrected! We can smell a certain smell and be instantly taken back in time to an event that happened in our life and remember the details well. I wonder how many times the people that were in that house would smell nard and be taken back to the cross? We all need to be reminded what Jesus did for us and to be encouraged by the hope we have in Christ and his resurrection!

Episode 26: John 10 Part One The Good Shepherd

Randall Tucker — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 17:00:00 -0400

In John 10 Jesus says He is the good shepherd and he tries to persuade the crowd to be sheep. He tells them a story of a thief that comes over the wall and how the sheep are frightened and run off. But he is the shepherd that comes in the gate and there is peace among the sheep because they know it's the shepherd. David tells us Psalm 23 "the Lord is my shepherd" and he lists some characteristics of the shepherd. Are you going to trust Jesus to be your shepherd are you going to keep trying to do things your way and make a mess of it all?

Episode 25: John 9 The Blind Man Healed

Randall Tucker — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath and he becomes an instant witness to his friends, family, and even the Pharisees. The Pharisees have known this man his whole life and they have passed by him for years as he sat and begged and they never took time for him. Jesus did and his life was changed forever!

Episode 21: John 6 Part Two: Will You Walk Away Too?

Randall Tucker — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 15:45:00 -0400

This crowd saw the miracles, they looked God eyeball to eyeball, they said they wanted to work the works of God, yet the never believed in Jesus. They conceived in their mind what the Messiah would be like and Jesus didn't fit the bill. And after hearing Jesus say they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood, they walked away. They didn't understand what he was talking about and chose to walk away from God himself!

Episode 19: John 5 Part Two: Jesus and the Religious Leaders

Randall Tucker — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:00:00 -0400

Jesus tells the religious leaders he is from the Father and is doing the Father's Will. And not only that he gives several witnesses to back up his claim! We have to to be more than religious...we have to be Jesus. They were more concerned with the man carrying his mat than the man himself! We have to show some grace, mercy, love and compassion just as Jesus did!

Episode 11: John 3 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:00:00 -0400

John finishes chapter three by looking at John the Baptist and Jesus. John's disciples aren't too happy about Jesus baptizing people and they seem to let jealousy creep in. Check it out!

Episode 9: Greg Tucker's Interview

Randall Tucker — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 21:00:00 -0400

Greg Tucker is the pastor at Faith Fellowship Cumberland Prebyterian Church in Lenoir City. He has faced my life challenges and on this episode he shares some with us and how he overcame them. Be encouraged and motivated to keep going and GRINDIT!

Episode 8: Dinah Hauck Interview

Randall Tucker — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0400

Everybody has a story. We all face life challenges and at times can get discouraged. In today's episode of GRINDIT Dinah Hauch, worship leader at Partnership Christian Church in Maryville Tennessee, shares her story of some challenges she faced and how she overcame them. Our prayer is that you will find strength to keep going, to endure and GRINDIT!

Episode 4: John 1 Part One

Randall Tucker — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:15:00 -0400

In this podcast we start breaking down the Book of John and our goal is to introduce you to Jesus. If you already have a relationship with Jesus we hope your relationship gets stronger!

Episode 5: John 1 Part Two

Randall Tucker — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:00:00 -0400

We take a look at what John the Baptist had to say about Jesus and how a couple of Jesus' new disciples reached out to their family and friends!

Episode 2: Introduction to GRINDIT Part 2

Randall Tucker — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 22:00:00 -0400

We continue to break down Hebrews 12:1-3 which is the foundation of GRINDIT.

Episode 3: Introduction to GRINDIT part 3

Randall Tucker — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 22:00:00 -0400

We finish up the introduction of Hebrews 12:1-3 which is the foundation of GRINDIT.

The Introduction to GRINDIT part 1

Randall Tucker — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 17:15:00 -0400

Our goal at GRINDIT is to encourage people to keep their eyes focused on Jesus when they are challenged by trals and tribulations. It's easy to become discouraged and grow weary therefore we can find strength by encouraging one another and by reminding each other what the goal is...to be in heaven with our Lord and Savior!