Gospel Spice | Awaken Delight in God through faith in Jesus Christ

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!I welcome my new friend Lina Abujamra who invites us on a compelling journey through the ups and downs of faith, the role of suffering, and the unfathomable depths of God's grace. One of my favorite quotes from her book exemplifies this. She says, “mercy is never deserved, but always desired, and the key to unlocking it is simply to receive it.” Amen! She also adds, “God loves us not because we believe it, but despite the fact that we don’t.” Amen again!!As I reflect on our conversation, here’s the main takeaway: Lina reminded me of the unfathomable-but-so-true depth of grace amidst the chaos of life. Her Christ-centered transformation, her candidness in sharing her struggles, and the indescribable nature of God's grace left me with a very real hope in the grace I have received in Christ alone. May we embrace grace in all its messy, beautiful, and transformative glory, knowing that God's love extends far beyond our moments of weakness and failure.Allow me to tell you a little more. And remember - Lina goes a hundred miles an hour, and our conversation reflects every bit of her 100% passion for Christ! So, as soon as we get started, she dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of suffering, highlighting her experience of God's grace amid hardship. From Lina's childhood in war-torn Lebanon to her struggles with church hurt and not one, but two broken engagements, she reminds us that grace isn't just a feel-good notion; it's a lifeline we cling to in the stormiest of seas. Through Lina's story, we see the transformative power of grace as God teaches her to turn her pain and disappointment into a purposeful journey of healing and growth.Lina transparently shares her experience of church hurt and the rollercoaster of emotions and doubt it triggered. Her raw honesty about the struggle of leaving her church and the subsequent crisis of faith will speak straight to the hearts of many who have found themselves on a similar rocky road. Lina's openness about embracing weakness and the need for humility in allowing God to become our strength is a reality check in the best way possible, resonating with anyone wrestling with their own spiritual journey amidst the messiness of life.Lina's insights from her book, "Don't Tell Anyone You're Reading This," shed light on the relentless struggle to understand and receive grace. Her own dance with legalism and the expectation of earning God's favor will strike a chord with those of us who have felt the inescapable weight of our very real imperfections. Through Lina's journey of grappling with the depth of God's unconditional love, I feel challenged to ponder anew my understanding of grace, and to embrace the sheer magnificence of experiencing God's love in my many failures and corresponding messiness.We do also talk about her latest Bible Study, “A table in the wilderness,” which I devoured. Stories of God’s tables of blessing are woven throughout Scripture. In addition to an introduction about why God chooses to feed us in order to teach us about His goodness, A Table in the Wilderness offers in-depth Bible study on five tables that God offers as physical and spiritual reminders of His love, mercy, and overflowing kindness:- Salvation (Passover)—when you need to be rescued- Unexpected belonging (King David’s table)—when you deserve to be punished- Overflowing satisfaction (the wedding at Cana)—when you feel empty- Remembrance (the Lord’s Supper)—when you’re likely to forget- Eternal celebration (the marriage supper of the Lamb)—when life is hardThis substantive, applicable, and richly spiritual study includes a QR code for quick access to streaming videos, spiritual exercises for contemplation and prayer, a self-reflection tool, and a leader’s guide for small group study. Even in the most unexpected places—our weaknesses, our sins, our doubts—God loves to invite us into

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to a special episode of Gospel Spice, where today we spend time in the glorious subject of the Resurrection. We're continuing our exploration of Easter Sunday, this time shifting our focus from the cross to the powerful event that happened on the other side.As we enter into the beauty and wonder of the Resurrection, ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you to be moved by the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the hope that it brings. We'll explore the spiritual resurrection that took place before Jesus' physical death, understanding how it paved the way for his triumphant resurrection on Sunday morning.We'll explore the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the undeniable truth that Jesus had to die for the forgiveness of our sins. Discover the meaning of the torn temple curtain and its profound implications for our relationship with God.Through personal faith and the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice, we are set free from the mastery of sin, given the ability to choose righteousness and walk in a new life. And as we embark on this journey, we'll uncover the foundational truths that differentiate Christianity from mere rule-keeping.Join me as we embrace the power of the Resurrection and delve into the heart of what it means for our lives today. This is Gospel Spice, and we are still celebrating Resurrection Sunday.Are you looking for a place to take notes, some topics to research on your own, or some questions you could ponder to go deeper during your quiet time with God or with a friend? Remember, we have workbooks available for this episode, and every other episode of our Jesus Rabbi and Lord series. For each episode, they contain a summary, listening guide, key takeaways, quotes, questions and topics to go deeper. Go to gospelspice.com/jesus to purchase these workbooks.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to Gospel Spice, the podcast that explores the beautiful and transformative message of the Gospel. In today's episode, we dive into the powerful and profound topic of the cross. This is part one of a two-part series during which I invite you to join me to seek to plumb the depth of surrender, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the significance of our personal choice in response to His offer of salvation.I invite you to explore the concept of surrender and how it requires us to access the strength of God Himself. We'll journey through a prayer of weakness and wrestle with the question of finding a true friend with whom we can share our deepest emotions. The strain on creation during the judgment of Jesus' crucifixion becomes evident, as we ponder how creation could handle the death of the Author of life.We'll dive into the separation of Jesus from the Father and the Trinity on the cross, paying the ultimate price for our sins. This sacrifice is a fact, and it is offered to every person. It's up to us to make a personal decision about this offer, regardless of what others have done. We'll emphasize the importance of taking Jesus' kingdom offer personally and approach the weighty topic of the cross and resurrection with fear and reverence.Throughout history, there have been many authorities, experts, and opinions, but in this episode, we'll discuss the long-lasting authority of God's Word, highlighting its endurance over cultures, trends, and fads. While humans and their opinions may change, God remains steadfast and trustworthy.We'll dig into the significance of the Old and New Testaments, uncovering the prophecies that have been fulfilled and the messianic miracles performed by Jesus. We'll explore the choice of surrender that each of us must make, understanding that just like a physical leper, we all have spiritual leprosy and can only find healing through God's direct intervention.Get ready to journey deeper towards the heart of the love of God, as we navigate the depth of the cross and all that it represents. From the incarnation to the resurrection, we are presented us with a choice: what will we do about the truth and beauty we encounter? Join us as we unravel the unity and harmony of the Trinity sacrificed for humanity's benefit and explore the power of surrender and the incredible grace found in the blood of Christ.So grab your Bible, your journal, and a cup of coffee, and join us for this eye-opening exploration of the cross. It's time to spice up your faith and dive deeper into the heart of the Gospel. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Are you looking for a place to take notes, some topics to research on your own, or some questions you could ponder to go deeper during your quiet time with God or with a friend? Remember, we have workbooks available for this episode, and every other episode of our Jesus Rabbi and Lord series. For each episode, they contain a summary, listening guide, key takeaways, quotes, questions and topics to go deeper. Go to gospelspice.com/jesus to purchase these workbooks.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, h

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie welcomes Jodie Niznik, a precious, sweet personal friend, to carve out time to make God the priority in our lives. In a world filled with hustle and bustle, it's easy to neglect our personal relationship with God. However, Jodie Niznik's unwavering zeal for Scripture meditation brings a refreshing perspective to our faith. Through her wisdom and personal experiences, Jodie emboldens listeners to embrace the journey towards a slower, more contemplative faith, making space for divine encounters and profound transformation.Jodie Niznik highlights the significance of resting in the love of God. By delving into scripture meditation, she emphasizes the profound impact it has in seeking God's guidance and understanding familiar passages in newer, deeper ways.Jodie Niznik's transition from vocational ministry to a more behind-the-scenes, home-based ministry serves as a poignant testament to faith's dynamic nature. Her candid reflections on both the challenges and joys of this shift offer a relatable narrative that inspires resilience and adaptability. Jodie's experiences provide solace for those navigating significant changes, demonstrating the beauty that can emerge from embracing divine opportunities for growth.Jodie and Stephanie delve into personal hopes and aspirations for Easter, conveying a deep yearning to comprehend the sacrifice of Jesus on a profound level. Their shared desire for personal revival mirrors the heartfelt sentiments of many, encapsulating a collective anticipation for renewal and spiritual awakening.Jodie's thoughtful reflection on the purpose of Lent offers a fresh perspective. She discusses how this period of preparation leads our hearts towards Easter, embracing guided meditations and reflective spiritual moments. Through her series of guided meditations for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday, Jodie invites us to embark on a soul-stirring journey, nurturing our spirits in the lead-up to Easter. Addressing the perplexing emotions of grief and confusion experienced by the disciples during the Easter narrative, Jodie also accentuates the paramount role of women in the resurrection account. By exploring the significance of these days leading up to Easter, Jodie infuses renewed meaning into this sacred season.As the episode draws to a close, Jodie's gentle and heartfelt prayer for the audience's renewed awakening to God's word and love, along with a rejuvenated joy for salvation during Easter, will bring you hope and joy!CONNECT WITH JODIE NIZNIKBest is her website: https://www.jodieniznik.com/Also, her Instagram: @creatingspaceforgod – I highly recommend it!Jodie says, “My passion is to help you create space for God in your life. One of the ways I do this is through my Scripture meditation and Lectio Divina podcast So Much More: Creating Space for God. My Bible studies are another way I hope to help you create space for God in your life. They are filled with sound biblical truth, practical application, and spiritual practices that aim to help you grow in your walk with Jesus. You should also know that I’m a pastor by training and by heart. I served on the pastoral team at a large church in the Dallas area for over 12 years. And I have a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I love to teach God’s word by connecting spiritual truth to real life. If you need a Bible teacher who is encouraging, inspiring, and engaging - I’m your girl.”Jodie is a seminary trained, lover of God’s Word. She would love to craft a message just for your group. You can also invite Jodie to lead Scripture meditation experiences live for your group. This is a powerful way to interact with God’s word in community. It can either set the tone for a conference, or stand alone as a way for your group to experience God’s Word in a fresh new way.We invite you to chec

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome back to another episode of Gospel Spice! I have the humbling privilege to be your teacher, which is a role I take with utmost seriousness and a deep desire to steward your trust well. Thank you! I am thrilled to dive into today's topic: the Passover meal. We have so much to unpack in this episode, from the significance of unleavened bread to the powerful imagery of the cup of redemption. But before we dive in, let's quickly recap the previous weeks where we explored the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion during Holy Week. From his announcement of his impending death to the Pharisees' attempts to prevent it during Passover, there is a rich tapestry of events to explore.One highlight we'll focus on today is the radiant act of devotion by Mary of Bethany, who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume as a symbol of her love and gratitude. We'll dive into the deeper meaning behind this act and how it ties into the overall theme of Jesus as the bridegroom and us as his bride. That is speaking directly about YOU!Now, I must apologize for the sound quality of this episode. It was recorded live, and it is not as good as a studio recording. As a perfectionist in trying to bring you the highest quality sound, I faced some challenges, but I hope that the message itself will inspire awe and worship of Jesus Christ.Speaking of worship, we'll also be exploring the Old Testament roots of the Passover and how it finds fulfillment in Jesus. From the story of Moses and the Israelites to the symbolism of unleavened bread, we'll trace the threads that beautifully connect Scripture and glorify God.So, get ready to invite the Holy Spirit to captivate you through the intricate details of the Passover meal, the power of Jesus' sacrifice, and the call to live in a way that honors him. We'll be drawing on various passages to shed light on this timeless topic, including John 14:1-23.Thank you for joining us on this journey. Now, let's uncover the extraordinary significance of the Passover meal and how it points us to the transformative work of our Savior, Jesus Christ.Are you looking for a place to take notes, some topics to research on your own, or some questions you could ponder to go deeper during your quiet time with God or with a friend? Remember, we have workbooks available for this episode, and every other episode of our Jesus Rabbi and Lord series. For each episode, they contain a summary, listening guide, key takeaways, quotes, questions and topics to go deeper. Go to gospelspice.com/jesus to purchase these workbooks.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contain

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie welcomes Xochitl Dixon for an inspiring conversation about the transformative power of faith, the significance of abiding in God, and the reality of God's love represented through colors and Scripture. Xochitl's dedication to celebrating diversity and promoting ethnic reconciliation is illuminated through her children's books. Her narrative and intent behind her books, such as "Different Like Me" and "What Color is God's Love," illustrate how she uses Scripture and colorful imagery to spark conversations about diversity, ethnic unity, and the value of God's love for all individuals. Her books are a testament to the power of storytelling as a tool for fostering understanding and embracing God's diverse creation.Xochitl Dixon emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, enabling believers to serve one another and be filled with God's love. Her profound reflection on the spiritual concept of "be still" verses in Scripture resonated deeply, echoing the notion of finding peace and abiding in God's presence amidst life's challenges. Xochitl's personal journey of navigating chronic pain unleashes a profound message of resilience and faith. Her deep commitment to "be still" despite overwhelming pain serves as a powerful testimony of finding solace and strength in God's love. The transparency and vulnerability of her experiences resonate deeply, offering a source of hope and inspiration for those facing their own struggles.Xochitl Dixon's journey and insights shared on Gospel Spice serve as a testament to the transformative power of faith, the abiding presence of God's love, and the potential for inclusive storytelling to foster unity and understanding. Her unwavering dedication to uplifting diverse voices and experiences through her work encapsulates the profound impact of faith in action.MORE ABOUT THE BOOKThis playful rhyming picture book invites young readers to discover all the ways God’s love can be displayed through a rainbow of colors.All the colors displayed in this world that God made—every glorious, fabulous, beautiful shade—show how good God is and will always be.But what is the color of love? Come and see!God created all the colors in the world, and in each one, we can discover how great His love is for us and how we can let that love shine to others! With each turn of the page, the focus shifts to a specific color—orange, yellow, blue, green, pink, black, white, gray, brown, red, purple—and explores a different attribute and expression of love through its many shades. MEET XOCHITL DIXONXochitl (So-Cheel) Dixon encourages readers through the ministries of Our Daily Bread and the ECPA bestseller God Hears Her, through her custom designs at Worship Expressed, and through her books, Different Like Me and Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace. Serving God with her beautifully diverse family and her service dog, Callie, Xochitl loves Jesus, her neighbors, and readers like you!Author Website/Blog: http://www.xedixon.comInstagram: @xochitl.e.dixon https://www.instagram.com/xochitl.e.dixon/Facebook Author Page: Xochitl E. Dixon https://www.facebook.com/Xochitl-E-Dixon-239776362714751/YouTube Channel: Pause for Prayer https://www.youtube.com/c/xochitldixonauthorspeakerA word from Xochitl:“My name is Xochitl (So-Cheel) E. Dixon. I love Jesus and people! But that wasn’t always the case. I didn’t surrender my life to the Lord until I was thirty years old, after I stole my first Bible. Don’t worry. I eventually paid for it . . . two years later, as soon as I figured out that they weren’t free!I’m a first generation Mexican-American who grew up in the 1970’s, torn between assimilation and the Chicano Pride Movement. My parents believed in God but never took me to church. I knew God existed, but I believed He was into punishing not loving His children. I spent the

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to another episode of the Gospel Spice podcast! I'm your host and Bible teacher, Stephanie Rousselle, and today we have a riveting topic lined up for you. Last week, we delved into the days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, examining His entry into Jerusalem as the Bridegroom. Today, we continue our journey as we explore the events of Tuesday, where Jesus encounters a group of religious leaders known as the Sadducees. These skeptics attempt to challenge Jesus with a hypothetical scenario, but little do they know that Jesus is about to dismantle their flawed assumptions with His authoritative grace.My favorite part is probably a little later in our episode, when we explore the significance of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, connecting it to the Passover and Jesus' imminent crucifixion. This matchless, true story from Scripture emphasizes the power of pouring out our praise and worship for the Lord, just as Mary did, sustaining us through difficult times.Join us as we uncover the depth of Jesus' teachings, the beauty of His identity, and how He ultimately utilizes challenging moments to test and refine our faith.My prayer is that our time together today will inspire, reassure, and empower you with tested, tried, and true truths from the Gospel of Matthew. Let's jump right in!MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS EPISODEI sure hope that you've been enjoying our recent episodes diving into the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Today, we start by exploring Jesus' interactions with the skeptical Sadducees and the valuable lessons we can glean from them.We begin by examining the flawed assumptions of the Sadducees regarding resurrection and eternal life. The Sadducees' story of the woman married to seven brothers is not a realistic scenario, even by their own standards. The Sadducees use this story to challenge Jesus and convey their skepticism about the concept of eternal life.But let’s not be too quick to judge the Sadducees, because we, too, often enter situations with preconceived assumptions and may even further our own agenda by criticizing others' beliefs. This passage emphasizes the importance of looking beyond our own biases and being open to the truth that Jesus presents.We then continue our journey through the gospel of Matthew and find ourselves in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, which discuss future events, known as eschatology, surrounding Jesus' second coming. While these prophecies point to a future generation of Jews and their role in the end times, at the same time some of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. There are still many yet to happen.Our readings today emphasize the message of watchfulness and perseverance that Jesus imparts to believers. We will ponder insights from parables such as the 10 virgins, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the goats and the sheep, illustrating the urgency and importance of being prepared for Christ's return.As we continue in this holy season leading up to Easter, let us remember the importance of seeking truth, remaining watchful, and allowing Jesus to test and refine us. Together, let's grow in our faith, challenging our own assumptions, and committing to love our neighbors as ourselves.Thank you for being a part of our Gospel Spice podcast community. We appreciate your support and encourage you to share our episodes with your friends, family, and fellow believers.With blessings and warm regards,Stephanie and the Gospel Spice Podcast Team.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Joining Stephanie on the show today, guest Chris Hall shares deep insights from his spiritual journey and his book "A Different Way." His emphasis on the importance of preparing for death with an awareness of the limited time we are given sets the stage for a powerful exploration of trust, transformation, and a recentered life with Jesus.Chris Hall highlights the gift of years and the challenge to prepare for death with both awe and awareness. That preparation is not rooted in fear, but rather recognition of the limited time we have been given. This perspective challenges us to embrace each day as a gift and live intentionally, aligning our lives closely with Jesus' teachings.Chris' latest book, "A Different Way," is a call to recenter our Christian lives around following Jesus. He speaks to seekers, disillusioned Christians, and those seeking congruence between their words and actions. This recentering invites us into deeper intimacy with Jesus, transforming not just our beliefs but our very way of life. He invites listeners to explore internal landscapes to encounter God and correct our perspectives. This call to spiritual introspection and the correction of our views aligns with the need to make the world make sense through corrected perspectives. This deep internal work can lead to a more profound encounter with the divine and a life-lived congruent with the teachings of Jesus.Chris Hall emphasizes the importance of trusting God, even when life is difficult. Trusting God may not guarantee an easy life, but it promises a life full of His presence. His emphasis on the need to help others explore a different way with God underscores the transformative power of vulnerability, trust, and dependence on the divine. He shares personal experiences of suffering and the profound embedding in the love and care of God. This recognition of God's trustworthiness amidst life's challenges emphasizes the importance of trust and the development of character. His story serves as a reminder that God’s presence and providential care can be found, even in the midst of life's most difficult moments.Chris Hall's wisdom and insights leave listeners with a profound invitation to embrace life's challenges with trust, knowing that each trial can be an opportunity for growth and a deepening of our relationship with Jesus. His recent life-threatening medical crisis brought into focus God's providential preparation throughout his life. This shared experience serves as a powerful reminder that each moment is part of a greater tapestry, even when we may not fully understand it at the time.As we reflect on Chris Hall's journey and the wisdom he shared, we are reminded of the invitation to trust, to explore a different way of living with Jesus, and to recenter our lives around following Him. His story becomes a beacon of hope, inviting us to embrace spiritual transformation and a life filled with the presence and guidance of Jesus. Chris Hall's journey serves as a compelling call to embrace spiritual transformation, leaning into the challenges and opportunities that life presents, all the while rooted in the trust and love of God. As we carry his insights with us, may we be inspired to live a life that reflects the love, grace, and transformative power of Jesus Christ.MEET CHRIS HALLChristopher A. Hall is author of a four volume set on the Church Fathers: Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers, Worshiping with the Church Fathers, and Living Wisely with the Church Fathers, all published by IVP Academic. He also was associate editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (29 volumes: published by IVP Academic). His newest book is A Different Way (HarperOne).Chris previously served at Eastern University for twenty-four years in several roles, including chancellor, provost, dean of

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!This is it. Today we are entering the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. It is called the week of the “Passion” because the original meaning of this word is “suffering” – very different from our understanding of this word today! Hello! I am Stephanie Rousselle, and it is my dear privilege to be your teacher today. Thank you for joining us! It means the world to me.In this episode, we will be delving into the powerful story of Jesus' last week on Earth, leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the events of Monday and Tuesday, we will journey through the gospel of Matthew to uncover the profound significance of these moments.But before we dive in, let's take a moment to reflect on the testing that Jesus faced during this pivotal week. Just as lambs were tested and examined for blemishes before being sacrificed, Jesus was put to the test by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the crowds. From Sunday to Thursday, His authenticity and identity were tested, ultimately revealing Him as the spotless Lamb of God.In this examination of Jesus' journey, we will explore the purpose behind these tests and what they mean for us today. Through testing, we see the strength and character that lies within us. Just as a blacksmith tests and shapes metal to create a powerful blade, God tests and refines us to bring out the best in us. Testing is not meant to destroy us, but to reveal our true selves and transform us into the image of Christ.Join me as we uncover the significance of these tests and discover how they can shape our own faith journey. As we embark on this exploration, we will see how Jesus' mission to save us unfolds and how it is intimately connected to both Christmas and Easter, the two pillar-events of our Christian faith.So grab your Bible, settle in, and let's dive deep into the transformative power of testing and the profound significance of Monday and Tuesday in Jesus' last week on Earth. This is Gospel Spice. Let's get started.MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS EPISODESpring is in full bloom, and we hope you are enjoying the beauty of the season. In this week's episode of Gospel Spice, host Stephanie Rousselle takes us on a journey through the last days of Jesus' life leading up to the crucifixion.Just like the unexpected encounter Stephanie had with a doe and her fawn in her garden, Jesus faced unexpected challenges and tests during those final days. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the crowds chanting "Crucify him" just days later, the story takes a dramatic turn. But amidst these events, an incredible truth unfolds: Jesus' mission was to die for us, to become the spotless sacrifice required by the Old Testament law.Stephanie will guide us through the events of Monday and Tuesday, shedding light on the significance of Jesus being tested by Pharisees, Sadducees, and the crowds. These tests were not intended to make Jesus fail but to reveal His true nature as the Lamb of God without blemish. In the same way, we are also tested daily, both publicly and privately, to reveal the strength of our faith.Through these tests, God wants to encourage us and show us that we can rely on Him. Temptations and hardships may come our way, but God provides a way of escape and promises to strengthen us. Even in seasons of comfort, when our need for a hero is less perceptible, Jesus remains the hero of our lives. Do we cling to Him amidst abundance, showing whose we are?Join Stephanie as she explores these powerful themes from Scripture, and applies them to our lives today. Discover how testing can refine us, just like a sword being forged by a blacksmith. Let's dive into God's Word and explore the deep truths of Jesus' final days on Earth.Stay tuned for next week's episode, where we will delve into the events of Wednesday before the crucifixion, continuing our study from the

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!I had the delight of welcoming the brilliant Joy Clarkson, an American author, podcaster, and editor based in the UK. In a world dominated by technological metaphors and a rapid pace of life, she shares wonderful insights, reflections, and inspiration from her latest book "You Are A Tree." Joy joined me on the Gospel Spice podcast for a thought-provoking conversation about the power of metaphors in capturing the intangible aspects of life, finding resilience in times of upheaval, and embracing the poetry of everyday experiences.Joy Clarkson beautifully expounds on the significance of metaphors in illuminating the intangible aspects of life. She draws a compelling comparison to light as a metaphor for wisdom and guidance in her book. She reveals her desire to bring flavor and richness to people's lives, much like salt brings out existing flavors in food. Joy’s aspiration for her book is to intensify and flavor life, leaving people in awe of the poetry of life and the deep meaning woven into everyday experiences. Through her work, she encourages readers to slow down, pay attention, and savor the richness of life around them.In our discussion, Joy challenges the paradigm of equating human beings to machines, emphasizing the resilience and complexity of humans. She contrasts the organic nature of humans with the mechanical consistency of machines. Joy artfully weaves these insights into the metaphor of human beings as more akin to organic organisms, specifically comparing them to the resilience and growth of trees. This fresh perspective stands in stark contrast to a culture dominated by machine and computer metaphors, encouraging readers to appreciate their own resilience and organic nature.I must take a moment to praise the beautiful writing of Joy Clarkson and the book's ability to prompt readers to desire and experience the world around them. Drawing on this metaphorical culinary journey, Joy illuminates the significance of the book's title. She reveals her belief that her book has the potential to draw out the existing richness and flavors of life, leaving people with a more profound appreciation for the everyday experiences that God has intricately woven with meaning. In this context, the metaphor of the tree signifies resilience and the potential for growth, guiding readers to embrace their own capacity for resilience, growth, and rootedness.The conversation expands as we explore how Joy managed to write her book during a time of personal upheaval. She vulnerably shares how she embraced resilience and found inspiration during a challenging season of life, highlighting her ability to slow down and pay attention to the richness and meaning in everyday experiences. Choosing to draw strength from her surroundings, she surrendered to the process and found resilience in the form of a metaphorical journey, paralleling the growth and rootedness of a tree. This recounting adds depth to the metaphorical exploration within her book.Joy Clarkson's enlivening conversation on the Gospel Spice podcast beautifully illustrates the power of metaphors in conveying the richness of life and finding resilience in times of upheaval. Through the lens of the metaphorical and organic, readers are invited to slow down, savor life, and appreciate their own resilience. Embracing Joy's poignant insights, we are challenged to see the poetry in our everyday experiences and to draw inspiration from the resilience and growth of the trees that surround us, witnessing the beauty of our own metaphorical journey.Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:📚 Metaphors for Intangible Experiences: Through our discussion, Joy emphasized the significance of metaphors for capturing intangible experiences and guiding readers through an introspective journey. We dove into the depth and beauty of using metaphors like light, salt, and tre

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!I cannot wait to dive with you into the rest of our lesson on the symbolism of the Jewish betrothal ceremony and how it points to our own marriage to Christ our Lord! I am Stephanie Rousselle, your humble host, and it is my utter privilege to spend this moment with you through the pages of Scripture.Today we continue our exploration of the traditional Jewish custom of betrothal and how it relates to Jesus' mission as the bridegroom. We’re continuing our journey through the season of waiting and preparation that takes place between the moment of betrothal and the wedding celebration. Discover the significance of the bridegroom's role during this period and how it connects to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We'll also uncover the groom's mission of gathering the bride price and building a home for his new family, drawing parallels to Christ's redemptive work and his promise to prepare a place for us in heaven. So grab your cup of coffee and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of betrothal and its profound spiritual truths. My humble prayer is that this episode will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Jesus as your perfect groom and an anticipation for the day when he comes back to fetch you, His beloved bride. This is truly the spice of the gospel of Christ Jesus.MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn our previous episode, we explored the beautiful imagery of betrothal in the Jewish tradition and its connection to Jesus as the ultimate bridegroom. Now, we continue our journey of discovering the depth of this ancient custom. Stephanie takes us deeper into the betrothal period, focusing on the role of the bridegroom. Just as the bride was preparing herself for her new life and identity, the groom had his own mission during this season of anticipation.Stephanie explains that the first mission of the groom was to gather the full bride price, completing the initial down payment. We see the foreshadowing of this mission in Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, through which he fulfilled the payment of the bride price for all of humanity.The second mission of the groom was to build a house for his new family. Stephanie highlights the significance of Jesus being a professional house builder, skilled in both woodworking and masonry. He dedicated himself to creating a perfect dwelling place for his beloved bride, just as the groom in the Jewish custom would tirelessly assemble and furnish rooms for his betrothed.Stephanie also draws our attention to Jesus' comforting words to his disciples during the Last Supper, echoing the traditional parting words of a Jewish groom to his bride. We read John 14:1-3 and find Jesus assuring his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house, where they will be eternally united.As we delve into the significance of Jesus' role as the perfect bridegroom, we are reminded of the promise of Revelation 21:3-4: that one day, God's dwelling will be with humanity, wiping away every tear, eradicating death, grief, crying, and pain.The episode concludes with the anticipation of the rapture, the moment when the groom comes to fetch his bride. Stephanie delves into the symbolism of the best man, who forewarned the bride of the groom's imminent arrival by blowing a wedding horn. In a similar fashion, we await the trumpet call of God, signaling the return of Jesus to rapture his church, gathering all believers to be with him forever.Stay tuned and filled with Gospel Spice!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a l

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour! Stephanie here. I am excited to share the inspiring insights from my recent conversation with recording artist Aaron Shust on the Gospel Spice podcast! Together we invite you to journey deeper into faith through worship. Aaron opened up about his faith journey, music career, and deep connection to scripture and different cultural influences. Aaron and I discussed the importance of experiencing Scripture through different perspectives and interpretations, emphasizing the value of humility and teachability in growing in faith. He shared how diverse cultural influences have shaped his songwriting and deepened his understanding of God's word, with a key focus on the Messianic Jewish culture.Aaron remains truly humble and teachable, as well as always curious to learn more. This is the hallmark of someone who is walking closely with the Lord. God gets all the glory, and we get to delight in Him through it! It is essential to surround ourselves with people who inspire us to walk closer to God. Inspired by his experiences and love for Scripture, Aaron shared his ongoing desire to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, leading to the creation of his latest song, "Pray for Jerusalem" based on Psalm 122. His commitment to writing songs based on Scripture is truly a testament to God’s faithfulness and goodness, and the depth of Aaron’s faith and creativity.MORE ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS CONVERSATIONStephanie welcomes acclaimed worship leader and songwriter Aaron Shust to discuss his inspiring journey as a musician and a devoted follower of Christ. Aaron shares how his deep-rooted faith has not only shaped his musical compositions, but also transformed his spiritual walk.Aaron Shust's artistic evolution presents a compelling narrative of exploration and cultural immersion. His pilgrimage to Israel in 2016 served as a catalyst, reigniting his fascination with ancient traditions and compelling him to delve into the practices of messianic Jewish communities. This journey ignited a creative flame within Aaron, prompting him to infuse his songwriting with influences from his global travels, including the captivating sounds of Scottish music and the evocative melodies of Middle Eastern traditions. By embracing sonic elements from his expeditions, Aaron adds a vibrant and culturally diverse dimension to his musical repertoire.Aaron Shust's latest endeavor, "Pray for Jerusalem," stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to encapsulating scriptural inspiration within his music. Rooted in the profound call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, this poignant composition echoes the enduring devotion to scriptural narratives, weaving together the threads of prayer, faith, and melodic exaltation. Through this musical creation, Aaron extends an invitation to unite in prayer for the ancient city, encapsulating the spiritual essence of the Scriptures through his heartfelt melodies.Growing up in a family immersed in a love for both the Bible and music, Aaron's childhood was shaped by the harmonious fusion of these two elements. His early exposure to the Hebrew scriptures, coupled with his mother's affinity for music featuring the word Yeshua, laid the groundwork for a profound connection between faith and melody. Central to Aaron Shust's creative process is the imbuing of his compositions with the profound essence of Scripture. His deep reverence for biblical teachings and Jesus' words has led him to craft songs that serve as soul-stirring embodiments of faith and reverence. By weaving the timeless wisdom of Scripture into his musical tapestry, Aaron breathes life into age-old verses, ushering his listeners into a realm of spiritual contemplation and melody. His musical creations exemplify a harmonious marriage of faith and artistry, igniting the hearts of his audience with the eternal resonance of God's word.Aaron Shu

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to the Gospel Spice podcast, where we explore the richness of the Gospel message and explore its impact on our lives. I'm your host, Stephanie Rousselle, and in today's episode, we embark on a journey that will take us to Easter. We've covered the birth of Jesus, His baptism, and His temptation, and now it's time to look ahead and contemplate the significance of Easter, the climax of Jesus' mission on Earth.In our exploration of Matthew's account, we'll take a slow and meandering path, delving into the last week of Jesus' earthly life, leading up to Easter Sunday. As we unravel the layers of these historical events, we'll discover how Jesus, throughout His time on Earth, portrayed himself as the Bridegroom coming to collect His bride. By examining Jewish wedding customs, we'll uncover the profound parallels between Jesus' final week and the traditional chronology of a Jewish wedding.Join me as we explore the concept of betrothal, where Jesus initiated the process by coming to Earth with the intention of marriage. We'll discover the symbolism behind Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He symbolically flaunts His heavenly wealth and power as the groom in love, coming for His bride – the Church.As we journey together towards Easter, we encourage you to reflect on the profound love and devotion Jesus has for His bride, the Church. Just as the groom wooed his bride and paid the bride price to express his devotion, Jesus poured out His life for us, dying on the cross to save us from our sins and give us eternal life.Join us in exploring the rich symbolism and timeless truths found in the betrothal ceremony, as we prepare our hearts for the ultimate celebration of Jesus' resurrection this Easter. Together, let's step into the world of betrothal and allow it to transform our understanding of Easter and our relationship with Christ. Welcome to the Gospel Spice podcast. Let's dive in!Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. We are grateful for your support and encourage you to share our podcast with others who might be looking to deepen their understanding of the Scriptures.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star r

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!In a world filled with turmoil, our hearts ache for those who suffer unspeakable hardships, and we seek to understand as well as to help, however we are able. Today I have the privilege of speaking with Charmaine Hedding about the incredible efforts to rescue persecuted Christians and vulnerable families amidst the chaos in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Israel and Gaza, and many other places. Our conversation is about humility, courage, gratitude, and practical support for those facing persecution and hardship. Charmaine Hedding, President of the Shai Fund, shares her harrowing journey negotiating funds and organizing evacuation planes to rescue over 2,100 members of the Afghan underground church. Despite terrible conditions and threats from the Taliban, their unwavering courage prevailed. She also shares about remarkable efforts in South Sudan, among other places. These extraordinary efforts exemplify the resilience and determination of those fighting for freedom and faith in the face of immense danger. But the battle is far from over. Charmaine emphasizes the ongoing need for practical and financial support for these persecuted individuals. She tells me about the pivotal role of financial assistance for security, travel, legal aid, and resettlement, underscoring the urgent need to pressure governments to allow sponsorship of asylum seekers and refugees. Our prayers and practical support can make a world of difference. The conversation also turned to the current situation in Israel, with Charmaine calling for prayers amidst violent attacks and a hostage situation. As we pray for peace and safety, let us remember that our prayers are interconnected with our willingness to offer tangible support.If I were to summarize some key takeaways from my time with Charmaine, here are some things I would choose to remember:1. Embrace humility and wisdom in serving others, as seen in the hidden, effective work of humanitarian efforts.2. When faced with challenges or persecution, remain committed to saying "yes" to God's will and direction in your life.3. Stand with courage and compassion for the marginalized, especially women facing societal restrictions and persecution for their faith.4. Choose to live with gratitude and hope, knowing that God can do a new thing in your life and in the world.5. Acknowledge first-world privileges and use them as a reminder to advocate and support those facing greater hardships.6. Empower and support persecuted individuals and communities with practical resources, including financial aid, sharing information about relevant organizations, and investing time and talent in helping those in need.7. Find inspiration in the unwavering faith and resilience of persecuted Christians, letting their courage guide your own faith journey.8. Work towards practical support for persecuted communities, recognizing the importance of both prayer and tangible assistance.MAKE SURE TO CONNECT WITH CHARMAINE AT https://www.theshaifund.org/Let me tell you a little bit about the Shai Fund. First, the word Shai in Hebrew means Gift. And the Fund's mission is to support those who are affected by war, conflict, disaster, persecution, and exploitation. And they do that by partnering with local communities that provide urgent aid, practical support, and, yes, humanitarian assistance.Since 2014, the Shai Fund has directly assisted over 170,000 people with practical, immediate assistance, and they've created job opportunities and sustainable futures for thousands. My guest, Charmaine, is the founder and president. She oversees their global operations, strategy, and partnerships. She's worked for 2 decades in development management for the nonprofit sector, which is why she is so well suited to her current role for the Shai Fund. Her focus is the protection of persecuted minorities in the Middle East and in Africa. Sh

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour! So good to be with you again. Stephanie here. Welcome back to Gospel Spice, the podcast where we dive deep into the teachings of Jesus and uncover the rich flavors of the gospel. In today's episode, we explore the profound wisdom found in two sections of the Sermon on the Mount. So, I am taking you on a journey through the Lord's Prayer to taste the flavors of its true meaning and purpose. Prayer is not just a rote repetition of words, but a heartfelt conversation with God, rooted in intimacy and focused on worship. Praying “in the Name of Jesus” reminds us of our dependence on his righteousness.But that's not all. Our exploration continues as we delve into Jesus' insightful teachings on money. Jesus challenges our modern-day culture's obsession with wealth and highlights the wisdom found in prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly possessions. Through Jesus' words, we are reminded of the dangers of greed and the power of generosity in nurturing a light-filled heart.So grab your headphones and prepare to be inspired by the Holy Spirit teaching us through Jesus’ words! Get ready to spice up your faith with Gospel Spice. Let's dive in!MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn the previous episode, we explored the Beatitudes and learned about the call to be both salt and light in the world. Building on this foundation, we now bring our attention to the Lord's Prayer, arguably the most famous prayer of all time.Let’s look at the context in which Jesus taught this prayer: He had just admonished the Pharisees about the improper way of praying for public recognition. Jesus instructs His disciples and the crowd to pray in secret, seeking intimacy with God rather than the praise of others.The prayer itself is a revolutionary blueprint for approaching God with our own words. We will highlight the importance of seeking the meaning and spirit of Jesus' words, allowing them to guide our personal prayers. Prayer is not about mindless repetition or seeking public attention but about cultivating a genuine connection with God.Then, let’s go through the different components of the Lord's Prayer. Starting with worship and praise, we acknowledge God's perfect attributes, glory, and holiness. Only after worshiping God, do we intercede for the world and present our personal needs. Interestingly, the confession of sins comes after acknowledging God's perfection, reminding us to take ourselves off center stage and prioritize the needs of others before our own.The podcast episode also delves into the concept of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that our battle is against Satan and that Christ is our ultimate protector. Prayer is our powerful weapon in this spiritual battle, but it is essential to keep the focus on Christ rather than ourselves.After exploring the Lord's Prayer, we will continue with Jesus' teachings on practical aspects of a surrendered life. We will particularly highlight Jesus' warnings about the love of money and the need for generosity. In our comfort-driven culture, this reminder is crucial, as Jesus teaches that money is a tool, not the end goal. We are encouraged to have a light-filled heart through generosity rather than being consumed by greed and darkness.I really hope that you will find that this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical applications for our spiritual journey. Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice podcast community. We look forward to continuing this journey with you!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, b

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!From discussing prayer, surrendering to God's will, and navigating desires, to emphasizing the value of community and wisdom, today’s conversation is filled with invaluable insights for all stages of life!We are in February, which means Valentine's Day season. So, Stephanie prepared a rather unusual episode: a conversation with three of her single girlfriends about what it is like to be single this time of year – and every day of the year, really. Stephanie asked them, “how can I, who is married, come alongside you, invite you into my life and be part of your life?” They share advice, stories, and a unique perspective on God’s power and presence. And they help Stephanie put her foot in her mouth just a tad less often when she interacts with them. And this is no small miracle!Stephanie’s three guests have very unique, but complementary stories. Hannah Altizer is in her mid-twenties; Julie Molina is in her mid-thirties; and Jenn Hand is in her early forties. They share a common passion for God, and are deeply involved in the building of His Kingdom on earth in our generation. Stephanie feels inspired by them in so many ways, and wants to be like them when she grows up! Whether you're single and thriving or longing for a relationship, this episode is a beautiful reminder of God's unique purpose for each of us.Whether you're single or in a relationship, this podcast offers a wealth of wisdom! Let's champion each other to seek God first and find joy and fulfillment in every season. Here are 3 things Stephanie invites you to remember from these conversations:🔸 Embracing Your Identity and Purpose: Understanding one's purpose, desires, and identity in Christ is crucial before committing to a relationship. It's essential to know that God’s plan is right now, and we don't have to wait to start living it.🔸 Finding Contentment in Christ: The concept of finding contentment in the Lord and reshaping the narrative around singleness. We discussed debunking the myth of relationship completeness and the importance of maintaining focus on the Lord.🔸 The Power of Community: The significance of maturity in Christ and the potential pitfalls of settling for the wrong person. We also talked about the need for love, connection, and community in the church for single individuals without making singleness their entire identity.So, whether you're single, married, or somewhere in between, this episode of Gospel Spice is for you. Julie, Hannah, and Jen share their stories, challenges, and victories as they embrace singleness with faith and grace.And here is some advice we gleaned from Hannah, Julie and Jenn (in no particular order):1- "Know Your Identity" | Knowing who you are in Christ is crucial to navigating singleness well.2- "Embrace Aloneness" | Lean into the season of being alone without fear.3- "Community Matters" | Invest in community and the body of Christ at every stage of life.4- "Serve the Lord" | See singleness as an opportunity for serving the Lord.5- "Hold onto Hope" | Acknowledge your desires and hold onto hope, even in difficulty.6- "Focus on God" | Seek fulfillment and contentment in your relationship with God.7- "Seek God's Guidance" | Pray and surrender your desires to God's will.8- "Combat Lies" | Combat societal lies about singleness with the truth of God's love.9- "Thank God" | Thank God and share your disappointments with Him.10- "Live for God's Glory" | Remember that every one of our temporary stages are meant to learn to delight in God's glory.Want more? Here are a few pieces of advice Stephanie will remember from this conversation:· Know your purpose, desires, and identity in Christ before committing to a relationship.· Embrace aloneness without fear and invest in community and the body of Christ at every stage of life.· Take the time to mature in Christ and avoid settling for the wrong person out of

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!So good to be with you again today! Stephanie here. Let’s join Jesus and His disciples on a certain mountainside to experience the greatest sermon ever taught. We'll uncover the true meaning behind the beatitudes, the Lord's prayer, the golden rule, and so much more. Get ready to listen to Jesus and allow Him to challenge and inspire you as we discover what it truly means to be a follower of Christ! So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let's dig deep into the transformative message of the Sermon on the Mount.Jesus's words in this sermon challenge traditional beliefs and shed light on the true nature of the Gospel. Together, we will break down the key themes and highlights the contrasts between Jesus' teachings and those of the Pharisees.Jesus emphasizes the importance of not just following the letter of the law, but living by its spirit. He calls his disciples (and us!) to a higher standard of righteousness — one that surpasses even that of the religious leaders of the day. Through Jesus, eternal life and salvation are offered to all who believe and accept him as their Savior.The Sermon on the Mount is absolutely not a roadmap to salvation. It serves as a guide for how we should live as followers of Christ. We will meticulously explore each section of the sermon, from the Beatitudes to the Lord's Prayer and the Golden Rule. Let’s ask ourselves: how do these teachings challenge us to seek God's kingdom first, love our enemies, and go the extra mile in our relationships and interactions with others?In His sermon, Jesus also tackles the topic of persecution and rejection that believers may face. He highlights the immense blessings that come to those who remain steadfast and true to the Father through Christ, even in the face of opposition. He reminds us that the Sermon on the Mount cannot be fully lived without a complete surrender to Him and a reliance on His grace.Join us as we unpack the profound and life-changing words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. And don't forget to share it with your family, friends, and fellow believers who are seeking a deeper understanding of the Gospel.Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. Together, let us continue to seek God's truth, grow in faith, and boldly live out the teachings of Jesus.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast,

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!We are in February. And February, in the United States in particular, has to do with Valentine's Day and romantic relationships in specifically, but more in general, relationships and friendships. And so I have an interesting conversation with Elizabeth Laing Thompson about her new book, “When a Friendship Falls Apart.” I absolutely fell in love with her! It's a thick volume, especially by modern day standards where it seems like, publishing houses give us shorter and shorter books. This is not the case. Her book is a massive compilation of all the tips, all the advice, everything you need to know if you've ever been in a friendship that ended badly or that is going poorly or that has hurt you in any way, shape, or form. Through this book Elizabeth hopes to minister to those who are experiencing this often undiagnosed, unrecognized grief of friendship loss or friendship breakup, as she calls it. There are difficult emotions that accompany friendship hardship. So, she and I talk about important things, like:- friendship breakups: coping with loss and pain;- healing and forgiveness: overcoming bitterness;- Biblical wisdom: applying Scripture to relationships;- trust and vulnerability: rebuilding connections;- grieving and mourning: processing friendship loss;- finding beauty in brokenness: embracing imperfections;- prayer and guidance: seeking God's direction.Elizabeth acknowledges that the hardest part in navigating a friendship breakup is finding the right people to talk to about it. She acts as this one friend you need. She keeps you company. She points you to Gospel counsel as you navigate the loss of the friendship as it was. And then she offers wisdom for navigating future friendships after a loss because that's absolutely key. How do you even dare to open your heart again after it's been wounded?She is grounded in Scripture. She points to God's views on forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing after hurt. And then she gives us the best practical tools for navigating those conversations. How do you initiate a reconciliation conversation? What words can you use that are going to be most productive without escalating potential conflict? She is blending personal story, biblical examples, faith filled wisdom. I love all of the many, many interactions with Scripture that she gives us.She asks, how do we guard against the poison of bitterness so we can process the hurt and move forward? Elizabeth talks about when and how we can seek this reconciliation and what does look like. And this is anything but cliche. I promise you that. How do we know if the time has come to actually leave a friendship behind? How do we open up again and then trust our freshly wounded hearts to new friendships?Friendship loss is this unique kind of grief. It's a private and confusing kind of grief. And as we struggle to digest the pain and we wonder, how could this happen? What do I do now? Elizabeth is here to help hurting hearts find healing, find lessons to learn from the past, and stay open to new friendships in the future. Again, it's so full of hope. Some of the key advice I will remember from the book are,- Learn to navigate and overcome the pain and challenges of friendship breakups with grace and biblical wisdom.- Cultivate trust in relationships, acknowledging that past hurts can affect future connections but not define them.- 10. Find joy and hold onto positive memories even when some friendships can't be repaired, allowing healing to take place.- Protect your heart in extreme friendship scenarios by seeking comfort in prayer and scripture.- Give oneself permission to grieve and process the loss of friendships- Seek beauty in broken friendships and adopt a more open-minded and accepting approach to making connections despite past hurts.- Bring fears and insecurities to God as a source of courage and guidance in seeki

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Struggling with temptation? Jesus shows off His identity and power in our wilderness. That's our theme today. Welcome!Hello my friends! Stephanie here. It is so, so good to get ready to dive into another Bible lesson today. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and for being a part of the Gospel Spice podcast family. Your enthusiasm and engagement mean the world to us! We have no small topic ahead of us! We are exploring the temptation of Jesus and how it relates to our own struggles with sin and temptation. Last week, we discussed the necessity of God's perfect justice and the problem his love presents. We discovered that there is no cutoff or grading system for entering heaven. Instead, God, in His love, came up with a solution through Jesus on the cross.Today, we'll examine Matthew 4, where Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness. We'll see how Jesus, fully God and fully man, withstands the pressure and inspires us to true obedience and surrender. We'll also uncover the significance of the number 40 in Scripture and the parallels between Jesus' experience and Israel's wilderness journey.Through Matthew's account, we will see how Satan cunningly approached Jesus, acknowledging him as the Son of God, but attempting to entice Jesus to use His powers for personal gain. Jesus, however, remained true to His heaven-born calling and responded with divine wisdom, quoting from the book of Deuteronomy to ward off Satan's attacks.Matthew emphasizes Jesus' obedience to the commandments of the Deuteronomic covenant, highlighting that Jesus succeeded where Israel consistently failed. This passage serves as a reminder that no human can attain the perfection of God's standards. Yet, in facing temptation head-on, Jesus demonstrates His unmatched loyalty to God and establishes Himself as the only Savior.I warmly encourage you to listen to the full episode, as we unpack the profound implications of Jesus' temptation and its relevance to our lives today. Whether you are currently facing your own season of weakness or seeking inspiration for true obedience, I pray that our time together today will provide valuable insights and practical application points.As a podcast that strives to bring you thought-provoking content and deep dives into the Gospel, we want to invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Share this episode with your friends and family, engage in conversations around the significance of temptation and obedience, and continue to seek the truth that sets us free.We here are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and cannot wait to embark on new explorations of the Gospel with you. So, grab your Bible and let's jump right in to this intriguing passage. Welcome to Gospel Spice.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We invite you to chec

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Step into a journey of brokenness, healing, and hope with Laney Rene as she shares her powerful story with you and me this week! Laney beautifully articulates her struggles with questioning God's healing and how God redeemed her belief in it. Her story displays the profound ways in which God uses pain and suffering to exhibit His glory and grace.She tells us about her transformative encounters with God and how she felt His presence redefining her identity and value through pivotal life moments. Her vulnerability encourages me to seek such transformative experiences with my precious King! She emphasizes the importance of shifting from a performance-centered life to a grace-centered one, encouraging us to find refuge in God and derive confidence from our relationship with Him.Our conversation touches on the theme of finding wholeness and redemption amidst brokenness, mirrored by Laney's experiences of peace and joy even in the face of loss and pain. Laney expresses her heartfelt prayer for her daughter to inherit her lessons without enduring the same pain. The power of a mother's prayer is truly inspiring! We talk about fatherhood, earthly relationships, and the beauty of finding redemption and healing despite challenging circumstances. Laney's story exemplifies the resilience and hope captured in 2nd Corinthians 4:8—being hard-pressed but not crushed. It's a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering love of God.Here are some of my personal takeaways from this conversation; they focus on Laney’s message about the importance of hope, community, prayer, personal transformation, and seeking intimacy with God as foundational principles for living a purposeful and grace-filled life. I am sharing as many as I could think of, hoping a couple of them will really speak to you!- Believe in hope even in moments of perplexity and lack of understanding.- Embrace the truth that God can redeem and restore belief in healing, even in the face of doubt and questioning.- Recognize that God uses our pain and suffering to display His glory and extends grace based on our needs.- Find strength and wisdom in the community of believers, learning from each other's journeys and experiences.- Extend blessings and prayers of grace over relationships, seeking God's love and healing for others.- Embrace personal life experiences, as they can be transformative and lead to encounters with God's presence and grace.- Look for moments where God redefines identity and value, recognizing the transforming power of His love.- Emphasize internal transformation by seeking God's presence, despite outward appearances or circumstances.- Share prayers of love and healing for women in different seasons of life, asking for peace, health, and the understanding of being God's beloved daughters.- Seek to understand and share personal stories, acknowledging that everyone has a unique relationship with their earthly father.- Recognize that God can redeem and heal any story, regardless of the influence of our earthly fathers.- Embrace the journey of shifting from a performance-focused mindset to a grace-filled lifestyle, letting go of perfectionism and striving.- Find refuge and confidence in a relationship with God rather than in following specific steps or formulas.- Embrace the posture of a child seeking intimacy with God, recognizing the pure trust and love in being His child.CONNECT WITH LANEY RENELaney is a wife, mom, and founder of The One He Loves, a ministry which exists so every woman can be refreshed, encouraged, and reminded of Jesus’ loving-kindness toward them. Laney is known for sharing the goodness of Jesus in a way that is not just inviting but also captivating. After walking through a painful season and into a redemption story only Jesus could come up with, Laney couldn’t keep the good news to herself. Today, as a worshi

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour! Stephanie here. I invite you to join me today on a nostalgic trip to my grandmother's attic, where the scent of dried lavender transported me to the enchanting landscapes of the south of France. But as we explore the allure of lavender, we discover that sometimes its promises can be misleading. Just like the pursuit of independence, when detached from God, can leave us empty-handed.Drawing from personal experiences and family history, I invite you to discuss the inherited traits and tendencies that shape our lives. What have we received from our ancestors, and what are we passing down to future generations? Let’s explore the dangers of trying to measure up to a standard of goodness and the toxic effects of pride and shame. Our modern culture, saturated with self-centered ideologies, contrasts sharply with the biblical perspective on sin and righteousness. Through the lens of the Old Testament, we discover the importance of aligning ourselves with God's ways rather than seeking our own.I want us to highlight Jesus' interpretation of the 10 commandments, because He reminds us that we have all fallen short and broken each one. Temptation, like the scent of lavender, surrounds us, and our natural inclination to believe we can be good enough on our own is a consequence of sin passed down through generations.Our 21st-century Western culture tends to be self-centered and narcissistic, but the Bible paints a different picture. It emphasizes that God's standards are what truly matter, regardless of our feelings of success or failure. Murder and anger, adultery and white lies, all bear the poison that separates us from God. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden reveals the danger of seeking independence from God. By desiring their own way, they ingested the forbidden fruit, causing separation from the goodness and trustworthiness of God. Choosing our own way over God's leads us down a path of evil, twistedness, and untrustworthiness.So, if you're curious how misapplied lavender relates to our pursuit of independence from God, join me on this highly personal journey. Let's open the family album of the Old Testament together and uncover the truth about sin, good deeds, and the hope offered by the Gospel message.Remember, temptation is often laced with lavender, enticing us to believe that we can rule our lives better than God can. But in truth, true hope, peace, and fulfillment can only be found in surrendering to His ways.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospe

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!I am beyond thrilled to welcome special guest Joshua Aaron who invites us on a journey through the heart of worship, deep family stories, and living out faith in the midst of conflict. Joshua emphasizes the need to slow down and truly focus on worshipping God in Spirit and truth.From heart-wrenching family stories to personal faith journeys, Joshua Aaron shares his rich family history, including his grandmother's escape from the Holocaust, and her struggle with Christianity when her own daughter, Joshua’ mother, decided to trust Yeshua. It's a deeply touching and thought-provoking moment.Joshua Aaron's deep passion for worship is truly inspiring. He is passionate to share the love of God through music, and his dedication to Gather the Nations, a worship conference aiming to unite people from various backgrounds and cultures. He's a true ambassador of love and unity in Yeshua!Joshua Aaron began by emphasizing the necessity of slowing down the pace of worship and focusing on the primary goal of worshipping God in spirit and truth. He expressed his concerns about the overwhelming emphasis on new songs and the commercialization of worship, fearing that it might lead to a loss of focus on the true purpose of worship. This thought-provoking insight invites us to reevaluate our approach to worship and emphasizes the importance of centering our worship on God's essence.The conversation pivoted to the mix of old and new songs in worship, highlighting the importance of connecting the past and present in worship. Joshua shared a personal experience of being deeply moved by an old hymn and questioned the unremitting need for the constant production of new songs. It's a poignant reminder of the timeless beauty and depth of traditional hymns, and the need to integrate them with contemporary expressions of worship. Should we be seeking again the depth and understanding from the hymns of old? He shares concern about the industry of worship and the rush for new songs, questioning whether it takes away from the true purpose of worship. Can you relate? Have you ever felt that some worship songs are just missing the mark? Joshua expresses the value of seeking God in Scripture and worship, and cautions against self-centered worship songs. I agree with him on his personal preference for the mix of old and new songs in worship, stressing the importance of connecting past and present in our worship.Finally, Joshua invited us to enter the emotional strain of living in a conflict zone, recounting the challenges faced by his family in Israel. The personal anecdotes of his daughter serving in the IDF and his poignant recollection of an intense moment before a war broke out offer a glimpse into the emotional turmoil experienced by families living in areas of conflict. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and faith required to navigate such challenging circumstances, and the crucial support for families and individuals living amidst conflict. Our prayers go out to Israel and the people of Gaza in this conflict.The conversation wraps up with heartfelt prayers for Joshua Aaron's family and a moving moment where he blesses the audience. His touching presence and dedication to serving God are truly awe-inspiring.Profound, worshipful, heartwarming, and deeply thought-provoking. That’s how I would describe this conversation. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have!MEET JOSHUA AARONJoshua Aaron is an award-winning American-Israeli independent singer and songwriter recently listed as one of the Jewish Global 100 influencers. He resides near the Sea of Galilee with his wife Jeannie, and their 5 children, their eldest child now serving in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).Joshua is the founder of "Gather the Nations", an international non-profit hosting an annual conference, music outreach, and music mentorship program. Since 2009 he'

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour! Stephanie here. I really hope this new episode finds you well and nourished with the Spirit of the Gospel. I am honored and delighted to bring you a new episode of the Gospel Spice podcast, diving deeper into the topic of baptism.In our previous episode, we uncovered the deeper meaning of baptism and explored its significance in the life of Jesus. This week, we continue our journey of discovery and unpack the rich symbolism and connections surrounding baptism. We pick up where we left off with the baptism of Jesus, and dive into the Trinity's presence and the symbolism of the dove as the Holy Spirit. But the connections don't stop there! The prophet Jonah comes into the picture to give us profound parallels between Jonah's encounter with water and Jesus' baptism.As we delve into Matthew 12, we remember how Jesus refers to Jonah as the ultimate sign, connecting His impending death and resurrection to that of Jonah's three days in the belly of the fish. I invite you to take a fresh look at the significance of this connection and how it points to the central message of God's grace and salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ.Remember, the Gospel Spice podcast is all about digging deeper into the mysteries of the gospel and applying its truths to our everyday lives. So, join us on this journey of faith as we uncover the treasures hidden within the Scriptures.If you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out. We love hearing from our listeners and tailoring our content to meet your needs! Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. May the love and grace of the Gospel continue to spice up your life!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice ha

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!I love few things more than a conversation with someone I highly respect, and am always learning from. Susie Larson is right at the top of the list for me. She is a best-selling author, popular radio host, and Bible teacher, and most of all, she is full of hard-earned wisdom and a tangible love for those of us who are on the frontlines of battle. That is you and me! So, it is a great joy for me to spend an hour with her in your company today. We have a raw, honest, deep conversation that will bring you hope, fuel your faith, and most definitely invite you to reframe your story with God’s perspective!In her latest book, Susie reveals something she’s struggled with for a long time – something to which many Christians can relate: “I’ve lived much of my adult life bracing for impact. I love Jesus. I worship Him, enjoy Him, and spend hours in His Word. How is it possible to pursue Jesus earnestly yet simultaneously live with elbows locked? Though I loved my times with Jesus, I had developed a posture of self-protection, just waiting for the next storm to hit. Then, one day, God showed me my heart… I realized that because of my chronic battle with illness, I was disappointed in Him. Hurt by Him. Not enough to walk away from Him (where would I go?) but enough to rob me of the gift of expectancy. So I’ve spent the last couple of years earnestly cultivating an expectant heart around God’s goodness. And it’s changed everything!”Here are some elements you can look forward to learning from this episode:- Discover the transformative power of imprinting God's love, marveling at His mercies, and rehearsing His miracles in your life.- Gain insights into reframing your story with God's perspective and stewarding your words for positivity and empowerment.- Understand the impact of fear and trauma on our lives, and learn how to overcome and face these challenges with perseverance.- Uncover the importance of unity and collaboration in the Kingdom, breaking away from competition and embracing community.- Explore the concept of living in holy expectancy and seeking guidance from the Lord as you navigate life's challenges.Want more? Here are some of the topics Susie and I covered today:- Overcoming physical and spiritual challengesSusie’s battle with chronic Lyme disease and exposure to black mold resulted in a devastating relapse eight years ago. The impact was profound, leading to memory loss, difficulty speaking, and a struggle with fear and worry that caused a spiritual shift. Despite her love for God, she found herself in a place of deep mistrust. However, through this harrowing experience, she underwent a spiritual transformation, recognizing the need to appreciate God's miracles, marvel at His mercies, and imprint His loving kindness on her heart.- The power of positive physiological changes through faithAs Susie applied herself to appreciate God's miracles and imprint His love on her heart, she experienced positive physiological changes, increased vitality, resilience, and strength. This emphasizes the powerful connection between our thoughts and physiological reactions, underscoring the impact of imprinting God's love on one's heart. Susie Larson's journey serves as a testament to the profound relationship between faith, mindset, and the body's response.- Trusting in God's promisesWe switched to a discussion of the Israelites' lack of faith in God's promises, highlighting the importance of meeting God's promises with unwavering faith. Drawing from the book of Psalms, Susie share excerpts that reflect on the Israelites' grumbling and God's response, emphasizing the significance of faith and trust in God's goodness. Susie underscored the essential nature of embracing God's promises with faith, and how this paves the way for receiving His goodness.- Embracing God's perspective in difficult seasonsThroughout the conver

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Hi! Stephanie here. I am so glad you joined us today for a special dive (no pun intended!) into the experience and meaning of baptism. I want us to explore the parallel between the dyeing of fabric with a new color and our own transformation through baptism. Just as the fabric takes on a new identity and value, so do we as we embrace the added worth found in Christ. We become members of God's family, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and equipped to live out our faith in the world.Consider the message behind baptism: As believers, we are called to don the colors of our favorite team - Team Jesus! Baptism represents our identification with Jesus Christ, His message of grace and salvation, and His cause to share the good news with the whole world. It's a public declaration of our faith and a symbol of our new identity in Christ.But what about Jesus' baptism? He had no need for purification or repentance, as He was without sin. So, why did He choose to be baptized? It marked the beginning of His earthly ministry and revealed His role as the chosen Son, marked by God's love and the delight of His life.I also want to invite you to ponder anew the importance of delighting in the glory of God and making Jesus the delight of our lives. Baptism serves as a reminder of God's deep joy and love for us, just as He declared Jesus to be the delight of His own being.Remember, as we proudly wear our brightly colored jerseys, let's continue to identify with Jesus, His message, and His cause. Let's live out our new identity and share the good news with the world. Together, we can make Jesus the delight of our lives, just as He is the delight of the Father.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast. And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!NEW!Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example, - a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours. - a workbook for a series requires almost 1

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Have you ever thought about how your personality affects your prayer life? Today, I welcome a dear personal friend and inspiring author on the show, Janet McHenry. She is releasing a groundbreaking book on the connection between personality and prayer. Get ready for some mind-blowing insights!Janet reminds us that prayer is not just about getting answers, but about having ACCESS to God. It's about developing a prayer lifestyle, not just having a prayer life. In her book, "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style," Janet explores how different personality types connect with prayer.She looks at generational practices and even considers different learning styles. Janet studied Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, among others. Their unique prayer styles inspire us to explore and find our own God-given DNA of prayer, so to speak.Curious about your prayer personality? Janet’s book offers a praying personalities quiz to help you identify your unique style. Are you a problem solver, a friend of God, an organized prayer warrior, or a peace seeker? Let's find out!Known for her inspiring book, “Prayerwalking,” Janet saw the need to provide alternatives for those who couldn't physically walk. Thus, the idea for "Praying Personalities" was born! Janet McHenry shares her journey and how prayer changes not only situations but also OURSELVES.Preordering Janet’ McHenry’s book guarantees being the FIRST to receive it! So you can take the praying quiz beforehand and dive straight into discovering your praying personality. Mark your calendars for the release of "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style" on February 13th, 2024! Preorder now to ensure you receive this transformative book right on time. Don't miss out!Prayer is a powerful tool that shapes our lives, and Janet’s new book is a roadmap to unlocking the full potential of your prayer life. Now, it's time for you to explore your own praying personality! Let's go change the world, one prayer at a time!FIND OUT YOUR PRAYER PERSONALITYYou should pray in the morning.""You should write out your prayers.""You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day.""You should pray with others or out loud." We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But what do you do when the "right way" to pray feels like a struggle?When you take the Praying Personality Quiz, you will find out what kind of praying style is most natural for you--based on your God-given personality.Click here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, PRAYING PERSONALITIESDiscover your God-given prayer DNA and the particular way God designed you to connect with Him through prayer!You should pray in the morning. You should write out your prayers. You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day. You should pray with others or out loud. We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But when none of these ways to pray feel natural, what's next?In this book the author helps readers determine their particular praying personality by examining the praying styles of biblical people, spiritual gifts, and various ideas about personality, including the classic temperaments, the Enneagram, and more. McHenry includes scores of bulleted suggestions for developing a praying lifestyle that works for individuals. She has also created a Praying Personality Quiz for readers (available in the book and online) to help narrow down the style that will most naturally fit into how they process a prayer life.Preorder here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CONVERSATION1️⃣ Tailor Your Prayers: Janet suggests that prayer is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding your personality type, you can discover a prayer style that re

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Jason VanRuler doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk, emphasizing the importance of identifying and challenging our own self-perceptions. He's all about questioning the evidence behind those perceptions and boy, does that hit home for many of us! One of Jason's key messages? Find safe people to share and seek support from. Starting small and accessible rather than diving headfirst into vulnerability is essential. Learning curves! We've all been there!Let's talk about Jason's personal journey... From seeking support in all the wrong places to finding the right people who lifted him up, he's been there and back. His wife played a pivotal role in his journey, proving the power of a strong support system. Jason VanRuler also touches on his relationship with God, from strain to seeing His presence in his life. He emphasizes prayer as a safe space for vulnerability, intertwining it with the deep connection between vulnerability and love. Can I get an amen?!"Do the next right thing, have courage, and connect." Jason's advice is all about taking those small, courageous steps towards connecting with others. It all boils down to having the bravery to reach out, especially with difficult past experiences in tow. Jason's fascination with understanding and helping people led him to become a therapist. He's all about encouraging others to reassess their beliefs and seek validation to unlock their true worth. You are so much more than you realize!Questions, questions, questions! We highlight the value of asking, learning, and growing through the wisdom of others. Unleash that inquisitive nature for your own benefit and the good of those around you!Family, love, and connection take center stage as we discuss the role of parents in empowering children. We touch on the healing power of these moments and how children can teach us adults a thing or two about vulnerability and curiosity.And of course, there's some light-hearted banter about soccer teams because who doesn't love a good laugh? It's all about embracing the process, growth, and finding trust in God as a friend and coach on this wild ride called life. There's also a soul-stirring story about a song initially representing heartache, which transformed into a symbol of hope and healing. Perspective shifts are everything, and hope truly shines in the moments when we need it most.This conversation is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength found in vulnerability and connection. Let's keep this energy alive and embrace the journey of growth, love, and understanding. You are never alone! Key takeaways from the conversation1. Embrace Vulnerability: Jason VanRuler stressed the significance of identifying and questioning our self-perceptions. He encouraged finding safe people to share and seek support from, highlighting the power of vulnerability in connecting with God and others.2. Foster Authentic Connections: Our lives are defined by our relationships and our ability to connect with others. Jason emphasized the value of seeking support from trustworthy individuals and the importance of community in personal growth.3. Courage in Personal Growth: By sharing his personal journey and the obstacles he faced in becoming a therapist, Jason emphasized the importance of courage, connection, and seeking wisdom from others. His story serves as an inspiration for embracing vulnerability and pursuing growth.MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, GET PAST YOUR PASTLicensed therapist Jason VanRuler personally knows how difficult it can be to look at your brokenness, heal and move forward. He grew up surrounded by abuse, addiction, chaos and conflict. One morning after a night out drinking and using drugs, VanRuler was alone in an apartment he couldn’t afford due to having an unstable job and a substantial amount of debt. He felt broken and hated himself for falling into the same patte

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour, and welcome to Gospel Spice! I'm your host, Stephanie Rousselle, and today I am inviting you into my personal story of coming to faith from intellectual atheism. Through my story, I invite you to see how God can redeem past regrets and use our unique characteristics and experiences to offer guidance to others. Join me on this highly personal episode as we navigate the importance of language, cultural influences, and the significance of surrendering to God's call. So, grab your favorite cup of coffee (or tea! Or anything hot!). I hope you will be inspired by God’s kindness and grace, and how His tender fatherliness is the key to unshakable faith. Welcome to Gospel Spice!MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS UNUSUAL EPISODEMuch to my surprise, I discovered that being a Christian doesn't require checking one's brains at the door. Instead, we are called to engage in deep conversations, rooted in love, and grow in our understanding of God. God promises to redeem past regrets so that we can eventually share our experiences with others.Our unique minds and personalities, with our individual interests, dislikes, and stressors, combine to make us who we are. God has intentionally hand-woven each one of us, creating us with purpose and value.My God-given journey from intellectual atheism to Biblical Christianity is a powerful testament to His transformative power—much in spite of me! Having lived in multiple countries and immersed myself in different cultures and languages, God allowed me to gain a deep understanding of faith. And now, my goal is to be that spice of the gospel to the world around us, transforming lives through the love and truth of the gospel.I encourage you to listen to reflect on your own journey of redemption. Have you experienced moments of doubt, arrogance, or a thirst for knowledge? Can you relate to feeling broken on the inside, despite appearing confident on the outside? If so, I humbly hope that my story will inspire you to seek God's approval alone and embrace His transforming love. My story isn’t about me, it is about Him at the deepest levels.Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. Our mission is to point people to Jesus and draw them deeper into Him. We invite you to join us in embodying the Gospel and becoming an irresistible spice that attracts others to the good news. Our hope is that through our personal stories and experiences, you will find a unique flavor that resonates with you. Let's journey together and spice up the world with the fragrance of the Gospel!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-pac

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!We are replaying our most popular interview of 2023 as we end this year. It is more relevant than ever! Enjoy!Naomi Zacharias joins Stephanie again on Gospel Spice to provide insights on the global fight against human trafficking and towards the restoration of dignity—one life at a time. She also shares how her faith has allowed her to make it through the last couple of years.Make sure to watch the live recording of this conversation and to subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yuSfxAnzoUw?feature=oembed Naomi starts by sharing the stories of her ministry, Third Ladder, to serve the abandoned, the unloved, the forgotten of this world. In her incomparably gentle way, Naomi also draws our attention to the importance of little acts of kindness as we share the light of Christ with a world in need, one person at a time, one next-door neighbor at a time. Gospel Spice is proud to partner with Third Ladder financially.In the second half of the conversation, Naomi transparently shares how her family is doing after a couple of years of unparalleled struggles. She shares her perspective on living in the deserted valley, remembering what really matters. She shares how hard this has been, and how the Lord has been holding on to her. Naomi says, “I believe He is real, and He is who He says He is. I do believe He is faithful and good and true. When you are in the middle of the valley, you have to come back to what you know to be true.”Naomi says, “it is not faith if it all makes sense. Real is not always smooth and easy, but it’s deep and it’s got roots.” This deeply inspiring, raw conversation will draw you in, to give you hope in darkness, hopelessness, and loneliness. Naomi reminds us that the things that flatten us, break us, shred us are the perfect setting for God to use us. “This life will break us, and we will not have all the answers we long for. But He actually told us that, He gave us that foresight. He is faithful, and He doesn’t leave. He will sit with us through it, and this is not the end of the story.” Naomi reminds us that our stories matter especially when they are not (yet) tied up with a pretty bow and ending. We live most of our lives in the middle of the unresolved stories. And the places that don’t make sense force us to believe that faith matters in the middle of the darkness, the desert, the valley. Naomi reminds us of the importance of the body of Christ, and also that church hurt is real. We need community, and we have a deep desire to right the wrongs of this world. We also have so much at our fingertips to bring healing to the ones right around us.MORE ABOUT NAOMI ZACHARIASNaomi Zacharias received a BA in Business/Economics from Wheaton College. Her first job out of college was in Brand Development for Chick Fil A and she soon transitioned to Sales for The Coca-Cola Company to accept what was her perceived dream job. It was fantastic training under a superb manager, but a restlessness remained. She moved into the non-profit sector, seeking to apply herself to a cause she believed in. Following an internship in the Office of Public Liaison at the White House where she helped to organize presidential briefings for constituency groups, Naomi considered staying in Washington DC to focus on international justice issues. Instead, in a decision that surprised herself, she declined an opportunity at the US Department of Justice to return to Atlanta in 2004 to develop and launch a humanitarian initiative with a robust application process to evaluate international grant requests and distribute approximately 16M USD in grant funding over 16 years for rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking, healthcare, education, poverty-related issues, war-related issues, support for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, refugee aid and issues relat

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!We pick up where we left off last week with the second half of Stephanie’s deep-dive into the Christmas story from the perspective of Mary. We were joking that Joseph, through Matthew, gave us a very concise version of Jesus’ birth, while Mary, like most moms, has a lot more details to share! And indeed – it took one episode to cover Josepha’s account, and two episodes to cover Mary’s memories of the birth of her first born Son, Jesus our Messiah.Don't forget! Go to gospelspice.com/Christmas for a LOT of FREE and beautiful inspirations to make this Christmas your most Christ-centered and Gospel-spiced one! And also, brand new line of Christmas merch at gospelspice.com/merch - don't miss out!One fascinating aspect we discuss is the meaning behind the name Jesus, which was commonly used at the time and carried deep significance. Stephanie also explores the mystery surrounding the exact date of Jesus' birth, leading to a discussion about the potential timing of his conception during the Passover season.The Tower of Eder, mentioned in Matthew's account of the murder of innocent babies in Bethlehem, becomes a thought-provoking symbol. This tower, associated with the raising of sacred sheep destined for sacrifice, offers a glimpse into the symbolism of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb.Stephanie invites you to experience the ceremonies of circumcision and the redemption presentation at the temple, shedding light on the profound significance of these ancient rituals and their connection to Passover.We invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Christmas story and discover your own calling this holiday season. As always, we are grateful for your continued support and appreciate your engagement with our podcast. Stay tuned for more inspiring content, captivating discussions, and fascinating insights as we navigate the depths of Scripture together.Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Christmas season!MORE DETAILSThe nature of God is revealed in humility and sacrifice. Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be used for his own advantage, made himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant and being made in human likeness. Because of Jesus' humility and sacrifice, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name. Every knee should bow and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Do you see the connection? Christmas, the incarnation of God on earth, is intricately linked to the cross and resurrection, leading us to the eternal reign of Christ. It's a powerful reminder of the ultimate gift we receive during this season.Let's dive deeper into Luke's account of Mary's encounter with an angel. She is called "highly favored," a phrase only used twice in Scripture. This echoes Ephesians 1:6, where it's mentioned that God chose us before the foundation of the world, according to his favor and will. The Greek word used to describe Mary's favor is the same word used to describe God's favor towards believers in Ephesians. It means that it gave God great pleasure. Can you believe you are being highly favored like Mary? You are!The tower near Bethlehem, where Jesus is born, is known as “tower of the flock,” or “tower of Eder.” It holds significant biblical connections: it is the place where sacred sheep were raised, destined for sacrifice. Jesus was born in the same place the lambs were readied to be killed on behalf of the people! And the famous Christmas shepherds were watching over THAT flock at night.Now, let's talk about the circumcision and presentation of Jesus at the temple. Both events were customary for Jewish families. They symbolize redemption and the giving of the child back to God. This mirrors the Passover, where the lamb was sacrificed to redeem the firstborn.The redemption ceremony also foreshadows Jesus'

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Hello! Stephanie here. Have you ever felt a calling to be a light in your community and beyond, but struggled to find your path? Join me as I recount an inspiring conversation with Brenda Tenison, a remarkable woman on a mission to make a generational difference in the lives of children at risk. We invite you into a heartfelt discussion about her involvement in providing education, food, and care to over 800 children globally. Brenda shared moving success stories, including girls graduating from university and becoming advocates against human trafficking. She also described the impact of faith and resources on the lives of these girls and highlighted the tangible change happening one person at a time.Brenda shared her journey of finding purpose and identity through her volunteer-driven organization, BBright, which serves children at risk for human trafficking in Kenya and Thailand. Despite not being able to have her own children, Brenda has found her purpose in helping hundreds of others! Her dedication and impact are truly awe-inspiring.BBright collaborates with Faith House in Thailand, a shelter for refugee girls vulnerable to human trafficking. Brenda shared powerful stories of girls pursuing education despite pressure to work, highlighting the impact of the program on individual lives. Their work is making a tangible difference. BBright also supports 11 girls in university in Thailand and recently took on a school in Kenya to provide education and support to families living in extreme poverty. It's incredible to witness the impact of these initiatives and the hope they bring to communities in need.Brenda emphasized the importance of staying informed about the positive impact of contributions on the children's lives. Small steps can make a tremendous generational difference. The kingdom impact of faith and resources on these children is truly inspiring.Brenda's story serves as a testament to the impact of individual dedication in making a positive change. It's a reminder that we each have the power to be part of something bigger than ourselves and to bring hope to those in need. What a beautiful journey of faith and purpose!So, join me in prayer for the safety and well-being of the children, the success of Brenda’s organization's mission, and God's provision in their work. It's a reminder of the transformative power of prayer and faith in action.MORE ABOUT BBRIGHTYou can also find more at https://www.bbright.org/ The idea for Bbright was born when our president, Brenda Tenison, was thunderstruck by a thought she had in 2019, during her first mission trip ever.The trip was to Thailand, to a place called Faith House that ministers to Burmese girls fleeing Myanmar.Brenda’s thought was, These girls are just like our girls in the U.S. They love their friends and cross-body purses and makeup and jeans.But if these girls weren’t here, they wouldn’t be at home or in school. Or at a friend’s house or shopping.They’d be trafficked.The truth of it made Brenda ill. Imagine, she thought, looking at a group of American schoolgirls and knowing they had barely evaded prostitution or a sweatshop. It was appalling.Brenda’s church, which sponsored the trip, was helping Faith House financially. But Brenda knew that the girls needed more and that Faith House could do more. She resolved to figure out what, and how.It took a few years of planning and prayer, but in 2021, Brenda and her husband, Dave, launched Bbright, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission: is to help the world’s most vulnerable children meet basic needs, get an education, discover Jesus, and build a future they wouldn’t have otherwise.The name “Bbright” is a nod to all the ways Brenda envisioned bringing light to desperate young lives: through learning. Through Jesus. Through newfound hope.Bbright’s first partner was Faith House, of course. Its

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome back to another exciting episode of Gospel Spice, the podcast that adds a little extra flavor to your spiritual journey! I'm your host, Stephanie Rousselle, and today's episode is dedicated to diving deep into the fascinating Christmas chapters from Luke’s perspective. It's that time of year again, when we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But have you ever stopped to think about the incredible details behind this miraculous event? Let's dive into a Christmas story that will leave you in awe!Don't forget! Go to gospelspice.com/Christmas for a LOT of FREE and beautiful inspirations to make this Christmas your most Christ-centered and Gospel-spiced one! And also, brand new line of Christmas merch at gospelspice.com/merch - don't miss out!Now, you might be wondering when exactly Jesus was born. While the exact date remains unknown, December 25th has been widely accepted as a symbolic day to celebrate his birth. But here's an interesting thought - what if Jesus was conceived around Passover season?If we imagine Jesus being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit around Passover time, it adds another layer of significance to his birth. But what's even more intriguing is that Jesus wasn't born during a major Jewish festival like the Feast of Tabernacles.The lack of mention of a specific festival in the Bible indicates that Jesus was likely born when there was no major Jewish celebration. And personally, I absolutely love the idea of Jesus being born in late December, as it brings so much joy and hope to the Christmas season.We will, among other things, be exploring the contrast between the announcements of Zechariah and Mary. Join us as we unravel the significance of these encounters and discover the hidden gems that lie within. From the intimate setting of Mary's revelation to the timing of Jesus' birth, we'll explore the rich tapestry of the Christmas story and its profound implications for our lives today. So grab your favorite hot beverage, settle in, and get ready for a thought-provoking and faith-enriching episode of Gospel Spice!MORE DETAILSStephanie delves into the contrasting announcements of Zechariah and Mary. While Zechariah's proclamation takes place in the grandeur of the Jerusalem Temple, Mary's intimate encounter with the angel happens in a humble small town. We reflect on the significance of this juxtaposition and how it emphasizes the unpredictable nature of God's plan.The episode touches on the profound impact of the Christmas story and its connection to the cross and resurrection, ultimately leading to the eternal reign of Christ. It urges us to resist the temptation of seeking comfort and fulfillment in material possessions during the Christmas season and instead find true joy and purpose in the love of Jesus.The perspective of Mary will be explored through Luke's account, offering fresh insights into her journey of obedience and faith. Stephanie also dives deep into the angel's greeting to Mary, describing her as "highly favored." The Greek word used to describe Mary's favor is echoed in Ephesians 1:6, where it is revealed that believers are also highly favored by God according to His will. This delightful connection invites us to reflect on the incredible grace and favor extended to us through the birth of Jesus.The discussion concludes by exploring an unexpected encounter at the temple and how it ties back to Isaiah 6:1-4, emphasizing the glory and greatness of Jesus as God Himself.We invite you to join us next week as Stephanie concludes her teaching on the birth of Jesus from the perspective of Mary.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series,

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Bonjour! Stephanie here. I just finished reading a book called “27 Summers” by Ronald Olivier, and I'm still recovering from the shock of it. He shares his gripping journey of running the streets in Louisiana of life without parole at the Angola prison and then finding his way back home. 27 Summers, that's 27 years he spent in Angola prison.The first time that Ronald saw someone killed, he was 12 years old. Death was It's all around, and after running the New Orleans streets for several years selling drugs, stealing cars, he murdered a young man at age 16. And so he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. That is his story of how he lost his life, and he's going to tell us how, by God's grace, he found it again inside a prison cell in the worst prison in the states. He grew up in the eighth ward of New Orleans, and the streets were his playground. He played hard without many consequences until one ill-fated Christmas day when he pulled his gun, fired it, and killed someone. After waiting 2 years for trial, he was convicted a state of second-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole in Angola, the Louisiana state penitentiary which is America's most notoriously brutal prison.His memoir came out just a few weeks ago, 27 Summers. Ronald gives us an in-depth look into this mesmerizing story, his youth, he the Adrenaline filled highs, the utter lows, the near-3 decades of incarceration, and most of all, God's relentless love reaching into those dark depths. He details finding true freedom during the imprisonment. He details the miraculous release. The story continues to this day, and he tells us about it in today's episode.I've asked him why he wrote this book. And he said it's to be inspired by God's unrelenting love for all of us, his grace, his redemption, and they're on full display as Ronald finds abundant life in prison. He attends seminary. He finds forgiveness. He's going to tell us about that. All of this within the context of a life sentence.His motto gives me chills: “Don't tell me what God can't do.” It's the heartbeat behind this riveting story. It's a firsthand example of God's power to transform individuals, families, communities to this day.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Emphasizing the positive impact of rehabilitation, Ronald shares his journey from imprisonment to becoming the director of chaplaincy at the Mississippi State Penitentiary and his work with the Louisiana Parole Project, advocating for the reentry of long-term prisoners into society.- Olivier speaks about his coming to faith, the complete turnaround in prison, leading to his release and eventual parole, marking a turning point in his journey and a testament to the transformative power of God's grace.- Sharing about his book "27 Summers", Ronald Olivier's story touches global audiences, shedding light on the unjust conditions of the justice system and offering hope that trusting in God can bring about unfathomable change in the most challenging circumstances.MORE ABOUT RONALD OLIVIERRonald Olivier served twenty-seven summers in the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola. He was released in 2018, and became a client of the Louisiana Parole Project. In 2020, less than two years after leaving Angola, Ronald was hired as the director of chaplaincy at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. In 2023 Ronald returned to the Louisiana Parole Project as a client advocate, using his experience to guide other formerly incarcerated people toward successful careers and lives. He lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his wife and son.MORE ABOUT 27 SUMMERSIn one of America's most notorious prisons, a young man sentenced to life without parole miraculously found faith, forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. In 27 Summers, Ronald Olivier shares his dramatic and powerful story and offers proof that God can bri

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!In today's episode, we continue our exploration of the Christmas story through the eyes of Joseph. Last week, we discovered the significance of Jesus' genealogy and pondered the complexities of our own family histories. Today, we dive into the remainder of Joseph's account found in Matthew chapter 2. Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of the wise men from the East and the extraordinary role they played in the divine unfolding of Christmas. And don't miss the fascinating connections between these wise men and historical figures like Daniel and Esther. Grab a cup of spice-infused coffee and join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Matthew 2. Are you ready to spice up your understanding of the Christmas story? Let's get started.Don't forget! Go to gospelspice.com/Christmas for a LOT of FREE and beautiful inspirations to make this Christmas your most Christ-centered and Gospel-spiced one! And also, brand new line of Christmas merch at gospelspice.com/merch - don't miss out!MORE DETAILS | Stephanie begins the episode by reflecting on last week's exploration of the opening chapter of the Christmas story from the perspective of Matthew. She highlights the significance of genealogies and the complex emotions and stories they hold. Jesus' genealogy was no different, with both honorable and controversial figures making up his family tree.The focus then shifts to Joseph's perspective of the Christmas story. Stephanie ponders the likelihood of Joseph and Matthew knowing each other while living in Nazareth, and how this small-town connection adds a personal touch to the narrative. She continues by inviting listeners to close their eyes and immerse themselves in the richness of the story.Throughout the episode, Stephanie highlights the interactions between different characters and their roles in this pivotal moment. From the scholars who observed a special star in the eastern sky, to Herod's fearful response and his secret meeting with the wise men, every detail carries profound meaning. The journey of the wise men ultimately leads them to the house where Jesus, Joseph, and Mary reside, where they offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Stephanie also reveals the significance of the wise men's origins, be it Babylon or Persia, and how their access to Jewish Old Testament scrolls would have shaped their understanding of the prophecies concerning the future king of the Jews. The star that guided them hints at the deep connection between astrology and astronomy in the ancient world.The episode concludes by emphasizing the unique perspectives Matthew and Luke bring to the Christmas story. While Matthew focuses on Joseph and the visit of the wise men, Luke most likely provides Mary's version, offering insights into the experiences of overbooked innkeepers, humble shepherds, Simeon, and Anna.We invite you to listen to this thought-provoking episode of Gospel Spice as Stephanie untangles the intricacies of the Christmas story with her trademark knowledge and passion. You won't want to miss it!As always, thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. We appreciate your support, and we look forward to continuing serving you this Christmas!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jew

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie here! I had the amazing opportunity to chat with Shauna Pilgreen, co-leader of EPIC Church in San Francisco and author of the powerful book "Translating Jesus." Shauna Pilgreen shares her background, experiences in San Francisco, and her insights on approaching evangelism in fresh, relatable ways. The episode also touches on the dynamics of holiday gatherings and the importance of sharing personal stories of faith, empathy, and understanding.We delved into the challenges of sharing faith in today's culture and the concept of being "bilingual" in understanding both our current culture and the culture of scripture and faith.Navigating holiday gatherings with diverse beliefs was a pivotal part of our discussion, emphasizing the importance of sharing and listening to personal faith stories at the table. Shauna's insights on becoming "bilingual" in evangelism and the global relevance of translating Jesus for all people in different contexts left me truly inspired.We highlighted the transformative power of listening in ministry and the need for Christians to remain culturally relevant while rooted in their faith. We also talked about how the Alpha course is transforming lives and providing non-threatening ways to share Christ and understand faith in today's world.Our conversation culminated with focusing on believers' faith, those uncertain about faith, and encouragement to be a light during the holiday season. I can't stress enough the value of Shauna's book "Translating Jesus." It's a must-read! Shauna Pilgreen's wisdom and essential book are celebrated, and I'm excited to see the impact of becoming bilingual in sharing Christ's love for all. What an enriching discussion!We invite you to tune in and gain wisdom from Shauna Pilgreen's experiences and insights. Be inspired to engage with others and share Christ's love and truth in creative, culturally relevant ways.Don't miss out on this transformative conversation! Subscribe now and listen to Shauna Pilgreen on Gospel Spice. Key Takeaways:- Becoming Bilingual in Sharing the Gospel: we emphasize the importance of understanding both the language of culture and the language of Scripture to effectively share Jesus with diverse audiences.- The Power of Listening in Ministry: We pondered the countercultural nature of genuinely listening to others before offering answers or advice, recognizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the process.- Engaging with the Changing Culture: Our discussion underscored the need for Christians to be culturally relevant while remaining rooted in their faith, emphasizing the relevance of translating Jesus for all people in different contexts.CONNECT WITH SHAUNA PILGREENhttps://shaunapilgreen.com/Hi there! I’m Shauna and I’m so glad you stopped by. You being here matters to me. Chances are we know each other. But then again, some of you are new to me and me to you. I dwell in San Francisco. Not because I was born here or went to school here, but because my family and I said yes to the call of God to start a church here. It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done. We had to make new friends (though we love our old ones). We moved far from family (nothing personal). We had no guarantee. We paid high rent. We brought three kids with us. And with all that was hard and scary and unknown, we believed God was in this and with us. The risk was worth it. And still is! Do you know why you are where you are? Can you see God’s purpose for you where you live? Wherever you live, wherever you are on the faith journey, I am discovering right alongside you how to weave together faith and culture. I am sharing my findings in my blog posts, each page you click is full of purpose – all so that you can pick up the story God is writing for your life and live it out too!for me, my roots can be found in texas, georgia, louisiana, alabama,

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome back to another episode of Gospel Spice! Today, we have a special episode lined up, as Stephanie takes us on a journey through Matthew 1, exploring the fascinating genealogy of Jesus Christ, and the intriguing spices of memories that permeate His family tree.Don't forget! Go to gospelspice.com/Christmas for a LOT of FREE and beautiful inspirations to make this Christmas your most Christ-centered and Gospel-spiced one! And also, brand new line of Christmas merch at gospelspice.com/merch - don't miss out!Stephanie starts off by sharing her personal connection to the spice of nutmeg, which transports her back to her grandmother's kitchen and evokes both sweet and bitter memories. Just like Stephanie's bittersweet memory of nutmeg, Jesus' genealogy is also a mix of sweet and spicy family spices.Hold on, we know what you're thinking - genealogies can be a bit tedious and easy to skip over. But trust us, this is not your average list of names! Matthew, the gospel writer, begins by grounding Jesus in history by tracing His lineage back to Abraham, highlighting His Jewish heritage. But it doesn't end there; Matthew masterfully captures the attention of his original audience by presenting Jesus as the King of the Jews, linked to the great King David.Stephanie highlights how Matthew's genealogy is not just a boring list of names but a poetic and literary device to captivate the readers. Through three sets of 14 names, Matthew weaves a narrative that spans different periods of Jewish history, reminding his audience of the patriarchs, the judges, the kings, the Babylonian exile, and the silent years leading up to the birth of Jesus.However, it is in verses 11 and 12 that Matthew drops a cultural bomb, introducing some less savory characters into Jesus' family tree. Stephanie refers to these names as 'poisonous family fumes,' demonstrating that even the family tree of Jesus Christ is not immune to broken relationships, bad habits, and family shame. This revelation serves as a reminder that Jesus came into the world not just as a perfect Savior, but as the one who redeems and restores even the most broken aspects of our lives.As we explore Jesus' family tree, we'll uncover a spice-filled journey that reveals both the bittersweet memories and the cultural significance behind each name. Get ready for a roller coaster ride through history, culture, and the ultimate Jewish page-turner. So, grab your favorite Christmas beverage and join us as we unlock the profound significance of Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1.We invite you to tune in to this eye-opening episode, as Stephanie explores the significance of each set of names and invites us to reflect on our own family memory spices. Just as Jesus embraced His entire lineage, spices and all, we are encouraged to acknowledge the complex blend of memories and experiences that have shaped us.Remember to subscribe to Gospel Spice on your favorite podcast platform so you won't miss an episode. Stay tuned for more engaging content that adds flavor and depth to your understanding of the Gospel.We are praying for a blessed day for you today, filled with the sweet and spicy flavors of life in this Christmas season.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish cu

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Today we are talking about the pleasure of participating with God in His Kingdom building. He chose to invite us to participate. We cannot just be believers in Jesus, we need to be His followers. And it means involving every aspect of our lives. Our faith is about the delight to be where Jesus is. He invites us to love – to let Him love through us! And one of the best ways to love God, is to love others in His Name.So, my invitation to you today is to pray about it as you listen to Ros and me. Have a conversation with God about where He would have you focus your prayers, your time, and yes, your money. Listen to our vision and ask yourself if and how you want to be a part of it.My pastor says the same parting words each week at the end of the service at church. He says, “life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So, be swift to love, and make haste to be kind.” It is a blessing that is inspired, originally, by the words of my French compatriot, Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881). This is what we are inviting you into.As we approach the end of another incredible year, we wanted to extend our deepest gratitude for your continued support and partnership in spreading the gospel message to countries all around the world. It is truly an honor to serve alongside each one of you!Don't forget! Go to gospelspice.com/Christmas for a LOT of FREE and beautiful inspirations to make this Christmas your most Christ-centered and Gospel-spiced one! And also, brand new line of Christmas merch at gospelspice.com/merch - don't miss out!In this special Giving Tuesday edition, we want to highlight the pleasure and privilege we have of participating with God in His kingdom building. God invites us to love others and to let Him love others through us.We heard the God-honoring, heartwarming story of a mother and son in Canada who have been faithfully listening to the podcast. Through the message of Gospel Spice, this young boy's faith has blossomed, and his relationship with God has become a source of hope and inspiration. It is stories like these that drive us to pour our hearts and souls into what we do.To continue expanding the impact of Gospel Spice, we have exciting plans for the future. We are committed to deepening personal intimacy with God and loving others as ourselves. We will continue producing impactful podcast episodes and engaging Bible studies, but we also have plans to develop new formats such as courses and expand our YouTube channel. Furthermore, we are laser-focused on combating human trafficking and supporting organizations that are making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.However, to achieve these goals and continue reaching even more lives, we need your support. There are several ways you can partner with us:PLAY GOSPEL SPICE FORWARD:1. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media: By doing so, you will stay connected with our latest content, receive inspiration, and be part of our growing community.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gospelspiceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelspicelife/2. Subscribe to our newsletter: Our newsletter includes exclusive content, free gifts, and updates on what God is doing through Gospel Spice. Don't miss out on these valuable resources!PRAY GOSPEL SPICE FORWARD:3. Prayer: We value your prayers immensely. Please pray for our ministry, our team, and all those touched by the Gospel Spice message. Let us know how we can pray for you as well. Prayer is a powerful way to make a difference!AND FINALLY, PAY GOSPEL SPICE FORWARD:4. Make a donation: Your financial contribution plays a vital role in sustaining and expanding the impact of Gospel Spice. Our platform relies on your generous gifts to deliver the message of the gospel to thousands of

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome back to another episode of Gospel Spice, the podcast that blends Scripture with culture to bring you a fresh and flavorful perspective on the gospel. Just like a decadent piece of dark chocolate enhanced by the infusion of fresh basil, Stephanie reveals how Scripture shines brighter against the backdrop of Jewish culture.In today's episode, we're going to explore the rich ingredients of the Jewish biblical heritage and how they enhance our understanding of prophecy. Did you know that prophecy makes up a significant portion of the Bible? Stephanie draws a mouth-watering analogy, comparing this percentage to the difference between basic dark chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate. So, rest assured, the Scriptures definitely qualify as gourmet chocolate!As Stephanie dives into the importance of understanding Jewish culture, she emphasizes that knowing the history, geography, and idioms of the ancient world enhances our understanding of biblical truth. Just as a chef infuses delicious flavors to create a culinary masterpiece, Stephanie encourages us to infuse our experience of Scripture with the basil of Jewish culture.But here's the catch: understanding prophecy can be daunting, like acquiring a taste for the intense flavors of gourmet chocolate. That's why we need to delve into the Jewish culture that infuses Scripture with richness and depth. From the history of Israel to the titles attributed to Jesus, every aspect of Jewish culture adds flavor to our understanding of the gospel.Join Stephanie on this mouthwatering adventure into the depths of Scripture, where prophecy, culture, and divine truths come together to bring a new dimension to your understanding of God's Word. So grab your virtual passport, because we're embarking on a journey to explore the geography, history, idioms, and more that make up the Jewish culture. And what better way to kick off this Thanksgiving-themed adventure than by delving into the Christmas story and its connection to prophecy? Join us as we uncover the hidden gems of Scripture and savor the spiritual fusion cuisine of the gospel. This is Gospel Spice, where Scripture and culture collide. Let's dive in.Don't forget to subscribe to Gospel Spice on your favorite podcast platform to receive notifications for future episodes and to stay updated on all things Gospel Spice. Together, we'll savor the flavors of Scripture and uncover the incredible insights they hold.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Have you ever struggled with comparison, performance, relationships, or the desire to be someone else? Have you ever felt lonely and misunderstood? I sure have. Which is why I am so happy to be joined by my dear friend Nicole Jacobsmeyer today. Nicole and I have had countless conversations this past year as we have sought to deepen our experience and understanding of humility, comparison, suffering, pain, faith, perseverance in Christ, self-awareness, discipline, and the spirit of performance. So, today we are here to invite you into the dance of surrender to discover the attractiveness of true worship.In this episode, Nicole and I embark on a beautiful journey of self-reflection, vulnerability, and biblical insight that aims to leave you inspired and encouraged, and reminds you that you are not alone. We explore the intricate dance between our actions and our motives. Nicole and I dive into the question of why we engage in all our various activities. Are we doing them to show off or to offer praise? We reflect on the concept of sacrificial worship and its presence in our everyday actions.The journey of faith is not always easy, and we all face seasons of doubt and questioning. Nicole shares her personal experience of pain, evil, and suffering, and the impact it had on her view of God. We discuss how she embarked on a journey to understand God's character through the lens of her own suffering. Through it all, she discovered the privilege of suffering with and for Christ.But our conversation doesn't stop there. We go further, exploring the impact of social media and the role it plays in our lives. Nicole shares how she had to set boundaries with social media, questioning whether it is truly necessary to be a part of it. We delve into the motives behind our posts and the need for authenticity. Are our online lives aligned with our offline selves? Do our loved ones and colleagues affirm the person we present online?This candid discussion between two friends, who have journeyed together on various topics over the past year, serves as a heartfelt invitation to all those struggling with comparison, performance, and the desire to be someone else. Join us as we challenge the prevailing narratives of comparison, performance, and the prosperity gospel. We uncover the truth that genuine kindness, love, and grace come from Jesus and our identity in Him, not from our achievements or striving. We discuss the importance of a personal relationship with Christ rather than being driven by materialistic prizes or external measures of success.Throughout our conversation, one message shines through - our purpose as Christians is not in what we do, but in the Person we serve, who is the Lord. We explore surrendering to God and the beauty of walking humbly and serving others.So, if you've ever struggled with comparison, performance, relationships, or the desire to be someone else, this episode is for you. Join us as we dive deep into these topics and seek to uncover the true flavors of the gospel in our lives. Let’s dive together into this insightful and thought-provoking conversation with Nicole Jacobsmeyer, right here on Gospel Spice.May you be encouraged, inspired, and filled with the joy of knowing that God is always by your side, carrying you through the highs and lows of life's dance.MORE ABOUT NICOLEMeet her here: https://www.nicolejacobsmeyer.com/"Hi! I’m Nicole and I am so happy we found each other. A little bit about me… Besides my relationship with Christ, the most important people in my life are: my husband Andrew, and our 4 kiddos! I love people, comfy clothes, chocolate chips cookies, being a mom, watching my kids play sports, writing and speaking, and a good cup of tea.Since becoming a mom almost 9 years ago, my life mantra has been: Embrace the Chaos! With a husband in the medical field, four little kids, an

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie invites you to meet Matthew, and to dive headfirst into the gospel he wrote, exploring its rich cultural background and understanding how it uniquely unfolds the life of Jesus.From the genealogy of Jesus all the way to the great commission, Matthew's Gospel carries a powerful message that transcends ethnic and cultural barriers. But first, let's acknowledge something crucial: the world has changed significantly since Matthew penned his gospel over 2,000 years ago. In fact, he assumed his audience, rooted in 1st century Jewish culture, would understand his own cultural references without needing further explanation.In other words, certain cultural nuances and references may be lost on us as modern readers. Stephanie highlights that Matthew's original audience would have understood and appreciated these cultural references, which were deeply ingrained in their lives. Drawing from this, she emphasizes the need for cultural awareness in our Christian living to ensure that we fully grasp the richness and depth of Matthew’s Gospel.This is where we often miss out on the nuanced flavors that Matthew's teachings offer. Together, we'll unpack the cultural richness behind Matthew's narrative and explore how it impacts our understanding of Jesus and our Christian living. From the shift in emphasis from a local Jewish context to a global perspective, to the significance of the term "church" and its implications across ethnic barriers, we'll embark on a journey that will broaden our horizons and ignite our faith.Throughout the upcoming weeks and months, we invite you to join us as we experience the biography of Jesus through fresh and flavorful lenses. We invite you to join us on this exciting exploration of the Gospel of Matthew. Open your Bibles to the first book of the New Testament and let us together delve deep into the scriptures as we seek to experience the transformative power of God's Word.We will be journeying through Matthew's biography of Jesus in a chronological order, uncovering the treasures that lay within each chapter. Matthew will highlight for us the power of Jesus' identity as God, King, and Messiah, made visible among other elements through Messianic miracles. As we journey through the pages of Matthew's Gospel, we hope to gain fresh insights, ignite our faith, and see Jesus in a whole new light.Our desire is that you will have an explosion of faith and encounter Jesus in new and transformative ways. So, get ready to taste and savor the incredible flavors of the Gospel of Matthew.May the words of Scripture leap off the page and into our hearts, transforming us into passionate followers of Jesus Christ!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life!ht

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome back to Gospel Spice, the podcast that adds a little spice to your everyday walk with Jesus! I'm your host, Stephanie Rousselle, and I am beyond excited for today's episode featuring the delightful Kristi McLelland. She is a well-known and loved Bible teacher, frequent Israel traveler, and Professor at Williamson College where she focuses on teaching the Bible from its historical, cultural, geographic and linguistic contexts. Needless to say, I love her work, focus, and mission! She is known for her outstanding Bible study, Jesus and Women. But now, she also just released one of my favorite books of 2023, Rediscovering Israel. If you like history and want to understand Israel in general, and Jesus in particular, through the lens of history, geography, language and culture, then this is the book for you! May I even suggest, it would be the perfect Christmas gift for someone you know!This conversation invites you into a powerful prayer journey. Learn how to embody the word of God, not just know it, as Kristi shares her deep insights from her study in Egypt and Israel. Discover the communal nature of Scripture and why it's important to be feasting saints, embodying and feasting on the word of God. Kristi and I also discuss the significance of the intertestamental period, and Jesus' celebration of Hanukkah.We explore the Jewish roots of the scriptures and the transformative power of prayer and embracing abundance. I love how Kristi McLelland appreciates the Jewish roots of the Scriptures. The intertestamental period between Malachi and Matthew is a focal point of our conversation. Kristi brilliantly compares it to preparing a nursery for Jesus' birth. It's all about setting the stage for Jesus' arrival. Kristi McLelland's study of scripture in Egypt and Israel was a life-changing experience. She emphasizes the importance of embodying the Word rather than just knowing it.We must be "feasting saints" rather than just "reading saints." The communal nature of Scripture for the Jewish people teaches us the importance of embodying and feasting on the Word of God. As the conversation progresses, I get to connect my love for Jewish culture and food, highlighting the connection between the French language and the delightfulness of God. It's all about the senses and embracing the abundant goodness of our Creator!The imminence of God for the Jewish people is awe-inspiring. He's present in their history, in the temple, and in every aspect of their lives. Such a powerful reminder of His intimacy and closeness. In the same way, prayer is not just a passive act; it's an invitation to participate in God's restoration and renewal. Our prayers should have hands and feet, actively engaged in transforming the world around us.The Western culture's scarcity mindset is challenged in this conversation. There's an alternative philosophy of abundance that allows us to be generous and give our lives away. We have a heavenly Father who is abundantly generous to us! Living in abundance instead of scarcity allows us to move freely and lightly through the world. It's a powerful witness to those around us. We have been saved into a family and community that thrives on abundance. The resurrection is the ultimate proof of abundance. It opens the door to endless possibilities and invites us to embrace the fullness of life in Christ. What a game-changer!Jesus often surprises us and does things differently than expected, but His transformative power remains unmatched. “Tikkun Olam,” the repair of the world, is an invitation for us to actively participate in God's work. Prayer is more than just a conversation; it's a partnership with God's plans, actively contending and co-laboring with Him. The Lord's Prayer is an open invitation to actively participate in the ushering of God's kingdom here on Earth. Let's not settle for passive pray

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Who would ever have thought that an understated miracle tucked away in the pages of Matthew could be the reason that initially led the Pharisees to want to crucify Jesus? Before she tells us about that, however, Stephanie takes us on a deep dive into the concept of discipline. She explores the idea of discipline as tough love, reflecting on her own personal experiences as a mother and the pain she felt when disciplining her own children. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of discipline for growth and teaching responsibility.Stephanie guides us through the historical and cultural context of Matthew 12, highlighting how the Jewish audience would have been familiar with the concept of discipline through their understanding of Old Testament prophetic passages. These passages were regularly discussed in the synagogue, shaping their understanding of God's discipline.Stephanie uncovers the root of the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus, as they sought a Messiah who would promote their own version of Judaism. Jesus' consistent criticism of their approach challenged their expectations. Throughout the episode, she shares her personal story, inviting us to consider our own responses to Jesus as Lord, even when His ways differ from our own. She challenges us to bow to Jesus as King, even when it's not convenient or aligning with our personal opinions.The episode concludes with a fascinating exploration of Judges 13 and the encounter between Manoah and the angel of the Lord. Stephanie draws parallels between this encounter and the theme of casting out demons, highlighting the power struggle between the spiritual realm and the earthly realm.So, whether you're seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings, wrestling with the concept of discipline, or simply curious to explore the wisdom and beauty of the Gospel, this episode is for you. If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review to let us know your thoughts.Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. May the message of grace, love, and redemption fill your hearts and lives.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life!https://www.gospelspice.com/merchGo to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogDo you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and ex

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook joins me today on Gospel Spice to talk about what is like to be a Messianic Jew today. We talk about his own personal journey of faith, that took him from the West Coast to Israel, Europe and then New York. He questioned faith in Yeshua, only to embrace Him as his Savior more fully and wholeheartedly.Today, he shepherds a congregation just outside of Washington, DC, so we talk about the particular challenges of this role in our day and age. His congregation’s vision statement is, “Becoming like Yeshua. Loving our Jewish brothers and sisters.”Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook shares with me the challenges and beauty of millennia of history and tradition – how do we navigate them to honor God, respecting and learning humbly from those who have come before us? And, how do we do so, without succumbing to the tyranny of man-made religiosity. He will help us understand the facts about the beautiful presence of Messianic Jews in the US, the world, and then also in Israel. He tells us of his heart and passion to tell his Jewish neighbors all over the world about Yeshua, and how we too can share Him with them.I had a few burning questions for him, and he was so kind to indulge me. For example, I asked him what the church in general can learn from our Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ. His answer is insightful. We talked about how to pray for them, too. His suggestion will inspire you.And of course, we talked about the current situation in Israel. And there again, his words will invite you to ponder and worship. Indeed, Rabbi Aaron is unequivocal: Yeshua alone is the solution.So, join us for a conversation that will leave you encouraged, and challenged to share the light of Yeshua around you to a world in much, much need and pain.If you are interested in discovering Rabbi Aaron’s congregation, and to view the services, you can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/ohevites/videosYou will find the Ohev Yisrael Messianic congregation here: https://www.ohevyisrael.org/MORE ABOUT RABBI AARON ALLSBROOKBorn and raised in Southern California, Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook has known Yeshua his whole life. He shared about Yeshua to his Jewish and non-Jewish friends in high school. At the end of high school Rabbi Aaron began to feel that there was more to his Jewishness than just Passover and Hanukkah at his grandparents.At this time he made his first visit to a messianic synagogue in Philadelphia, his first trip to Israel, and then his first visit to an Orthodox synagogue. God certainly was moving in his life, revealing to him that his Jewishness was something central to his identity. He went so far as to begin to live like an Orthodox Jew, including getting Orthodox rabbinic ordination.Not longer after that Rabbi Aaron knew there was something missing, something more. While the traditions were great, he craved for more of the Spirit of God and the love of Yeshua. He left the Orthodox world, and began to seek a way of living an authentic Jewish life under the leading of the Spirit.His travels brought him to Israel, where he lived for four years, and then to New York, where he met his beautiful wife, Brooke, with whom he has four children. It was in New York that he was a special education teacher and an assistant rabbi at a Messianic synagogue on Long Island. After several years of serving in this capacity, he wanted to pursue being a full-time Messianic rabbi, which is what led him to Ohev Yisrael.He desires to see Jewish people come to know Yeshua, their Messiah, and live their life in service of our Master as Jews full of the Spirit of God. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdent

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to Gospel Spice, the podcast that takes you on a flavorful journey through the text of Scripture. Stephanie invites you to dive into the Gospel of Matthew to uncover the hidden spices of the life of Jesus. We'll be exploring the cultural nuances and unspoken clues that Jesus' original audience would have easily picked up on, but that may have been lost in translation over time. As we follow Matthew, the most Jewish of the gospel authors, we'll also be connecting the dots between the Old and New Testaments, discovering how the entire Old Testament points to Jesus. Jesus is referenced, prophesied, and predicted throughout the ancient Scriptures. Join us as we discover the Christo-centricity of the Old Testament: it really is all centered around Jesus!Stephanie takes us on a journey to understand who Jesus claims to be, not through our own opinions, but through the lens of the cultural clues and perspectives of his original audience. As the most Jewish of the gospel authors, Matthew provides us with a rich tapestry of hidden spiritual spices that reveal the true essence of Jesus. Our focus is on establishing who Jesus is and what his opinion of himself is. We'll be exploring the divine authority of Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one sent by God to save us from sin and redeem our lives. Join us as we uncover the fascinating messianic miracles and the unique attributes that differentiate them from regular miracles.The authority of Jesus is a powerful theme. Stephanie delves into an unusual and obscure passage known as a messianic miracle. This episode will challenge our understanding of miracles and how they point to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. In subsequent episodes, Stephanie will dive deeper into the book of Matthew and explore the person behind the Gospel. But for now, the focus is on establishing the divine authority of Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one sent by God to save us from our shortcomings and lead us to a life of sanctification.So get ready to experience the gospel with new flavors, uncover hidden truths, and discover the authority of Jesus like never before. And please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, as it helps us reach more listeners who are seeking to deepen their understanding of the gospel.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie Rousselle is joined by a special guest, Katie Reid, to dive into the topic of surrendering and finding strength in God. In this episode, Katie shares her insights on surrendering to God's will and finding identity in Christ. Together, Stephanie and Katie highlight the importance of recognizing our weaknesses and relying on God's guidance. Katie candidly reflects on her own journey of understanding the surrendered life, reminding us that surrender is not a one-time event, but a continuous process.Stephanie and Katie explore the concept of being "all in" for God, irrespective of whether we are task-oriented or not. They discuss the struggle of wanting to be productive and achieve our to-do lists while staying grounded in our relationship with God. Katie's book, "Made Like Martha," offers practical wisdom on how to surrender and find peace in our busy lives.They encourage listeners to trust God and seek Him first in every aspect of their lives, using the example of Jesus' disciples who followed Him wholeheartedly. They discuss how rushing through our relationship with Jesus is like grabbing a quick meal from a drive-thru, while settling in and savoring His presence is like enjoying a slow-cooked meal with loved ones.They speak of Peter walking on water and the profound lesson it teaches about stepping out of our comfort zones with God's strength. They remind us that our value comes from God, not from our accomplishments, inspiring us to relinquish our striving and settle in the grace He freely gives.The Gospel Spice podcast, with its unique blend of biblical teachings and modern-day application, is here to help you deepen your faith and grow in your understanding of who Jesus is and who we are in Him. We invite you to join us in this beautiful journey of surrender and discover the strength that comes from trusting in God completely.KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CONVERSATIONStephanie and Katie discussed the beauty of surrendering and finding our true identity in Christ. Here are three key takeaways from this inspiring conversation:1️⃣ Seek God's guidance: Katie emphasized the importance of seeking God first and trusting His leading in our lives. It's essential to be in God's Word and surround ourselves with other believers, as it is one of the founding elements our personal relationship with Him. Quieting ourselves, praying, and journaling can all help us hear from God and untangle our thoughts.2️⃣ Enjoy God's presence: Rather than solely seeking solutions or checking off our to-do lists, it's more important to build a relationship with God and enjoy His presence. Being "all in" for Him, regardless of our personality traits or tendencies, is crucial. Remember, just like a slow-cooked meal nourishes our bodies and souls, being with Jesus as a family member nourishes our spirits.3️⃣ Surrender and find strength in weaknesses: Surrendering to God's control can be challenging, but it's an opportunity for growth and experiencing His goodness. We don't need to rely on our own strength or accomplishments to please Him. Instead, we can bring our weaknesses to Him, trusting that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Just like Jesus surrendered to the Father's will, we can enter into a covenant with God and let Him do the heavy lifting.BONUS! QUESTIONS TO GO DEEPER, ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A FRIEND1. How has your understanding of surrendering to God's will evolved throughout your journey of faith?2. What are some practical ways you can discern God's voice and guidance in your life?3. How do you strike a balance between being a "doer" and finding your identity in Christ?4. Have you ever struggled with feeling less spiritual because of societal pressures to be productive? How did you overcome it?5. What areas of your life do you find it most challenging to surrender control to God? How can you invite Him into

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie reflects on the concept of freedom and the idea of choosing our master. As she shares her personal journey of relinquishing control, Stephanie challenges the notion that we are the best masters of our own lives. Instead, she encourages us to look beyond ourselves and find a master who is infinitely better than us. Join us as we explore the true meaning of freedom and discover the power of putting our trust in a trustworthy God.In our culture, the world tells us to follow our own hearts, to be the masters of our own destiny. But as Stephanie points out, our hearts are not always trustworthy guides. She admits her own shortcomings and realizes that she is not the best master for her own life. Can any of us truly claim to be? Stephanie challenges us to consider who or what we are following in our own lives.Stephanie then invites us to shift our perspective and look outside of ourselves for guidance, for a master who is infinitely better than us and who has our best interests at heart. She highlights that true freedom lies in choosing the right kind of help. In this case, it is choosing God as our master, the master who loves us infinitely, who knows all and has ultimate power and control.Faith, Stephanie reminds us, is not a step in the dark. It is about stepping out boldly because we know whose hand we are holding. It is trusting in a God who has proven trustworthy time and time again. Putting our faith in our own hearts would be misplaced faith, but putting our trust in God brings us freedom and a clearer view of reality.So, dear friends, let us consider who or what is truly guiding our lives. Are we choosing to follow our own flawed and finite hearts, or are we surrendering to the loving and wise guidance of our Heavenly Father? Let us choose the master who knows our purpose, who guides us towards true freedom, and who transforms us into the best version of ourselves.True freedom is not found in independence but in choosing whom we will follow. We all have a master, something or someone who controls our lives. So, who will you choose as your guide to true freedom?Get ready for an episode that will captivate your heart and inspire you to embrace the gospel in a whole new way. Welcome to Gospel Spice. Let's dive in.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES The Gospel Spice Podcast is part of a larger range of tools given to you by Gospel Spice Ministries.In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God.In more details: we provide resources to empower Christian leaders across generational, social, ethnic and geographical boundaries towards more intimacy with Jesus Christ and discipleship effectiveness through a Biblical Christocentric foundation. The Gospel-Spice Ministries provide a safe environment for spirit

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Today I am welcoming my dear friend Heather Creekmore to talk about her radical solution to body image issues for Christian women who have tried everything. Heather and I talk about our truth vs. God’s Truth – things we think we know, but let’s be honest: when it comes to our bodies and how we perceive them, we are not always thinking straight or biblically. Or is it just me?Heather talks about idolatry and how our culture has promoted the wrong kind of body image and fostered idolatry – right under our noses, and much to our confusion. We discuss the cultural rules around food, and the history of “eating best practices” – aka, dieting – in the past 40 years, and how they have wreaked havoc on our faith and confidence.Now, this is not a conversation only for women! If you are a man, and have a wife, mother, daughter, sister or female friend, then chances are, one or more of them deal with body image issues – and you might not understand it, or know what to do to help. This conversation will be enlightening to you because it will give you insights into our female brain and emotions! You absolutely want to listen.Heather is releasing a brand new book, titled “The 40-day body image workbook – help for Christian women who have tried everything.” And the title absolutely says it all! So, I think this book needs to make your Christmas wish-list.So, make sure to grab your copy, in pre-order until December 12, here.Also, Heather is offering a phenomenal online course which is a deep dive into all the core issues behind body image problems. You will find more at https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coachingYou do not want to miss this!MORE ABOUT HEATHER CREEKMORE “Hi! I'm Christian body image coach, Heather Creekmore. I was stuck in body image bondage for decades. Now, I want to help you feel more confident and peaceful about your body. I've learned that body image freedom is about so much more than mirrors or scales, it's about what digging in to our core beliefs about beauty, value, and where worth really comes from. As your coach, I want to help you re-frame the way you see yourself, your purpose, and your body. Using the lens of scripture as our guide, we'll journey to a land that may feel unfamiliar: the land of Christ-centered confidence. I can tell you first-hand, there's no better way to live. If you're tired of stressing over your weight or appearance, I get it. I know you're afraid that this won't work because nothing has worked before. But, I promise you, this time will be different.”MORE ABOUT THE 40-DAY WORKBOOKMore than ever, you are bombarded with intense pressure to meet culture's elusive standards of beauty. And while you know theoretically that God loves and accepts you for what's on the inside, is that really enough to free a gal from the nonstop stress of body improvement?With humor, grace, and biblical truth, nationally known body image coach Heather Creekmore leads you on a 40-day journey to stop stressing about your body. Full of hands-on exercises, self-inventories, quizzes, guided questions, biblical truth, and healthy tips, this one-of-a-kind workbook will help you:· go deep to work through destructive beliefs and thought patterns· feed your mind with God's truth· release the pressures of image management· reevaluate your relationship with foodIt's time to stop comparing, start living, and find the rest that comes when you entrust your self-image to the Savior. So, make sure to grab your copy, in pre-order until December 12, here.The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life!https://www.gospelspice.com/merchGo to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Welcome to another episode of Gospel Spice, the podcast where we delve into the original flavors and spices of the Gospel. Stephanie invites us to explore the impact of culture on our faith.Stephanie Rousselle takes us on a journey to understand how culture shapes our perspective of God and how we can learn from Christians in different times and places. Stephanie's unique background, living in three continents, four countries, and experiencing diverse cultures, gives her a fresh and insightful approach to Scripture.She shares her recent cultural experiences across Europe, attending various worship services ranging from prominent evangelical settings to Catholic Masses to French-speaking worship services. She highlights how culture alters our approach to God, and she invites us to reflect on how culture has impacted our own faith journey.Stephanie reminds us that culture greatly influences our approach to God and invites us to embrace the diverse flavors of worship. She also acknowledges the common struggles and challenges we all face in our faith journeys, offering practical wisdom and encouragement to keep our faith alive and vibrant.She dives into everyday situations that we can all relate to, such as grappling with life's challenges, seeking God's guidance in singleness, struggling with infertility, navigating the roles we play in marriage, parenting, and more.We all experience moments when our faith feels stagnant, and Stephanie recognizes this. She calls us to reintroduce the excitement of the spices as we taste and see that the Lord is good. Whether our quiet times have lost their fervor, our prayers have become dry, or our circumstances have drawn us away from that initial love for God, Gospel Spice is here to rejuvenate our walk with Him.Through Gospel Spice, we will explore how to embrace the cumin, cinnamon, cilantro, cardamom, and fennel of Scripture instead of settling for an all-purpose salt faith. Stephanie provides practical and inspiring insights into remembering who God is and what He has done, allowing us to rediscover the depth of His love and the joy of living in His presence.We invite you to join us on this exciting journey of rediscovering the original spices of the Gospel and allowing them to flavor our daily walk with God. Join us as we learn how to infuse our walk with God with excitement, joy, and deep intimacy.Welcome to Gospel Spice!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life!https://www.gospelspice.com/merchGo to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogThis month we are celebrating the anniversary of Gospel Spice! We launched our

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie and her guest Shadia Hrichi delve into the richness of messy stories and God's incredible redemption.We have the privilege of welcoming back the brilliant and passionate Shadia Hrichi. Shadia is known for her love of messy stories and the people who have experienced pain and trials. Together with Stephanie, she uncovers the beauty of redemption in the lives of characters such as Hagar, Legion, Tamar, and Rahab.Throughout the episode, you'll witness Shadia's deep personal connection to these stories, particularly the themes of sexual pain, betrayal, and heartache. But don't worry, redemption is the thread that weaves through it all, pointing to the transformative power of our Lord. Shadia also shares a powerful story of how she prayed a bold prayer during a conference, asking God to translate her Bible study, Hagar, into Arabic. Discover the amazing way God answered her prayer and be inspired to pray bold prayers too!Shadia tackles the controversial topic of Rahab's profession. While some scholars try to paint her as an innkeeper, Shadia stands firm in highlighting Scripture's truth that Rahab was indeed a prostitute. Join us as we explore the redeeming power of God's grace in Rahab's life and how it symbolically reflects the story of the church body.The conversation takes an even deeper turn when Shadia shares her personal experiences and challenges faced while writing her latest Bible study, Rahab. Prepare to be inspired by her powerful testimony of how the Lord met her in profound ways during this project.Lastly, Stephanie and Shadia discuss the impact of our words and actions on others, even when we can't see the immediate fruit of our labor. Stay tuned as they dive into the incredible story of how God used Shadia's words to impact her own mother, leaving a lasting legacy of faith.We encourage you to listen to this thought-provoking and faith-strengthening conversation. It's bound to ignite your passion for redeeming stories and remind you of the incredible work God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us.Join us on this captivating journey of faith, redemption, and transformation!NEW! Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:1️⃣ God's redemption knows no bounds: Through the messy stories of Hagar, Tamar, Rahab, and Legion, we see how God can redeem the darkest of circumstances and bring beauty out of pain and trials.2️⃣ Pray bold prayers: Shadia shares her personal experience of praying for the translation of Hagar into Arabic, a bold request that was answered six months later when she received a copy of the book being distributed in churches in Egypt and beyond. Let's be encouraged to pray bold prayers and trust that God can move mountains!3️⃣ Embrace the true word: There is a temptation to alter Scripture for the sake of political correctness or to make it more palatable, but Shadia reminds us of the importance of not hiding from the true Word. Let's embrace the wisdom, goodness, and beauty of God's redemption, even when it challenges our preconceptions.NEW! QUESTIONS TO GO DEEPER, ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A FRIEND1. How do you personally define a "messy story" and why do you think the speaker is attracted to them?2. How does the story of Rahab challenge your understanding of redemption?3. In what ways do you relate to the experiences of pain, betrayal, and heartache mentioned in this episode?4. Have you ever prayed a bold prayer? If so, what was the result? If not, what would a bold prayer look like for you?5. How does the story of Hagar being translated into Arabic and distributed in churches in Egypt and beyond illustrate the beauty of redemption?6. What are your thoughts on Shadia’s discussion about the word "zona" in the book of Joshua and the temptation to alter Scripture to fit certain narratives?7. How does Rahab's story reflect the story of the church as a whole

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It’s a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God’ goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It’s a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you’re interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at [email protected] **Together, let’s encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.We invite you to encounter Jesus in a culturally relevant way. In this first episode of our brand new Series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD, Stephanie Rousselle takes you on a journey to understand the gospel from the inside out. We will explore the big picture context of the Bible and uncover the purpose of our existence on Earth. Get ready to dive deep into the text as we seek to unearth raw diamonds and discover the hidden gems within the Scriptures.In this episode, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context in which the Bible was written. Our generation, with its global cross-cultural interactions, has become acutely aware of the otherness of Jesus' culture. And that awareness fuels our desire to comprehend the culture of scripture in a new and profound way.Stephanie encourages us to consider the global cross-cultural interactions we engage in every day, whether at work, home, or online. She highlights the importance of understanding the culture of Scripture, especially in our generation that effortlessly navigates a diverse and interconnected world. As we explore Jesus' initial audience and their Jewish culture, we will experience the fresh spiritual flavors woven into the gospels.Drawing inspiration from Tim Keller, Stephanie emphasizes how cultural awareness is essential for authentic Christian living. She reminds us that the authors of the four canonical gospels never anticipated the gentile church that would emerge over the last 2000 years. Just as they navigated a different world, we must appreciate the nuances of their culture to fully grasp the essence of their teachings. Just as they wrote without knowledge of the centuries of gentile church that would follow, we must recognize the cultural nuances they embraced and unfold them within our modern context.Join us on this guided tour through Scripture as we make the 1st-century Jewish culture accessible to our modern, gentile Western minds. Stephanie's deep knowledge and passion for Jewish culture, combined with her personal stories, will engage and enlighten you.So join us on this adventure, as we unearth the spices that flavor the gospel and invite Jesus to weave His spirit into our own stories. Gospel Spice is the podcast that will challenge, inspire, and transform your understanding of the Scriptures.Stephanie's own journey, from being an atheist in France to encountering Jesus and living a life of faith, adds a relatable and personal touch to the episode. Her experiences as a French atheist turned follower of Jesus, combined with her international travels, have sharpened her ability to decipher local cultures and understand the essence of each unique context.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD.