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

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight

Bonjour! Gospel Spice exists to inspire our generation to delight in God. We do this through the podcast, online Bible studies, leadership trainings, and more. We want to serve Christ-followers who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel. We want to love God, because He first loved us. We want to experience the fullness of life with Him—and not be content with stale, boring, leftover faith. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love the Lord our God, so we take Him seriously. He adds that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Now, there are many ways to do that, but I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – it is modern day slavery, and it revolts the heart of God. And so, they are our particular neighbors here at Gospel Spice. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.

Now we would love to invite you to join the team in one of three ways:

1, pray Gospel Spice forward – pray for our guests, our listeners and participants, and for us too!

2, play Gospel Spice forward by telling your friends about us, and by please leaving positive reviews and comments on your podcast listening app;

and 3rd, PAY GospelSpice forward. Less than 1% of our listeners are supporting us financially. We need your help! Please pay Gospel Spice forward today. It can be a one-time donation, or a monthly one, for the amount of your choice. Your donation is fully tax-deductible in the US. Plus, once we cover our costs, a significant portion of your donation will be given back to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking, and that we vet thoroughly. So, you can know that every dime you give is used for the Kingdom of God. Every little bit helps. So, be part of the spice of the gospel by becoming a financial partner today!

Bonjour! Gospel Spice exists to inspire our generation to delight in God. We do this through the podcast, online Bible studies, leadership trainings, and more. We want to serve Christ-followers who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel. We want to love God, because He first loved us. We want to experience the fullness of life with Him—and not be content with stale, boring, leftover faith. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love the Lord our God, so we take Him seriously. He adds that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Now, there are many ways to do that, but I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – it is modern day slavery, and it revolts the heart of God. And so, they are our particular neighbors here at Gospel Spice. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.

Now we would love to invite you to join the team in one of three ways:

1, pray Gospel Spice forward – pray for our guests, our listeners and participants, and for us too!

2, play Gospel Spice forward by telling your friends about us, and by please leaving positive reviews and comments on your podcast listening app;

and 3rd, PAY GospelSpice forward. Less than 1% of our listeners are supporting us financially. We need your help! Please pay Gospel Spice forward today. It can be a one-time donation, or a monthly one, for the amount of your choice. Your donation is fully tax-deductible in the US. Plus, once we cover our costs, a significant portion of your donation will be given back to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking, and that we vet thoroughly. So, you can know that every dime you give is used for the Kingdom of God. Every little bit helps. So, be part of the spice of the gospel by becoming a financial partner today!

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

**A first taste of the eternal feast | Easter and First Fruits** Nov 08, 2024
Jesus has set the Easter table richly, for us to partake. Come to His table today through our exploration of Easter, which took place on the very day of the Jewish Feast of First Fruits. What does it mean for us today?

The story of Easter is a tapestry woven with complex emotions—the somberness of Good Friday followed by the overwhelming joy of Easter Sunday. The sequence takes us through the contemplation of Jesus' crucifixion, echoing the depth of human suffering and sacrifice. As Christians, we are invited to relive these moments, acknowledging the pain while eagerly anticipating the joy of resurrection. Easter, often referred to as the most important day in the Christian calendar, transcends time and history. It bridges the gap between Jewish traditions and the new covenant established by Jesus.

The Feast of First Fruits mark the beginning of the harvest, while Pentecost signifies its culmination. Both events are intrinsically linked through the work of the Holy Spirit. The First Fruits celebration on Easter sets the stage for the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost, bridging the gap between the initial offering and the full harvest, pointing to the birth and growth of the Christian church.

The Feast of First Fruits, celebrated the Sunday after Passover, used to hold immense significance in Jewish tradition. Rooted in Leviticus 23:10, this feast involves offering the first barley harvest to God, symbolizing gratitude and the anticipation of a plentiful harvest. It’s a day Jews can’t eat bread or drink wine until sacrifices are made, an act mirrored by Jesus' Last Supper—where he promised a new covenant symbolized through bread and wine. During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the practice of communion, tying it to the Jewish Passover. He told his disciples that he would not eat or drink again until he was in God's Kingdom, thus establishing the new covenant.

The meal shared at Emmaus is another crucial moment. When Jesus broke bread with his disciples, they recognized him, affirming his authority and lordship. The breaking of bread in this context goes beyond a mere meal; it’s a reaffirmation of Jesus' identity and the fulfillment of his promises. Interestingly, Jesus reappears to his disciples but does not partake in the meal at Emmaus. Instead, he later eats fish with another group of disciples, a humble act connecting to his earlier ministry and ultimate sacrifice. This post-resurrection meal underlines his humility and serves as another reminder of the first fruits principle—Jesus is the first fruit of resurrection.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:20) highlights that Jesus’ resurrection on the Feast of First Fruits symbolizes the future resurrection of believers. Jesus is the firstborn of creation and the first to rise from the dead, promising eternal life for all who follow. The concept of First Fruits extends to envisioning a perfect, sinless world—a harmonized existence in the eternal presence of Christ. This heavenly vision, often referenced in biblical texts, portrays a future where every generation enjoys everlasting peace and the profound joy of being in God's presence.

In today's context, the call for revival echoes the ancient practice of offering First Fruits. Believers are urged to be the first fruits of revival in our times, sharing the message of hope and resurrection with a world in need. It’s a reminder to live with purpose, reflecting the truly life-changing power of Jesus' resurrection in our daily lives.

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

**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 spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus.

PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family.

PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with!

PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people!

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking.

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

(*ListenNotes ranking, 2023)

What matters to us here at Gospel Spice is to create a place where people who seek deeper intimacy with Jesus, will find Him. We want a warm, welcoming atmosphere to journey ever deeper into the heart of God. We believe it is the ultimate calling of the Christian life, and I like to summarize it with my motto, God’s glory, our delight. That is why we invite you to “taste and see” that the Lord is good. And we have been doing this every day since 2019. We need YOU to keep Gospel Spice alive and growing.

Financially speaking, we rely on people who understand this vision and who understand that we cannot function without a minimum budget. We run an extremely tight budget. For example, I work full time but don’t draw a salary. And yet, we have expenses – for example, the equipment and technology we use, and also the wonderfully gifted staff who make it possible to deliver high quality content all around the globe, and then the necessary occasional promotional budget to make it possible to be discovered by those who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need your help.

So we would love for you to consider if this ministry is blessing you to pay gospel spice forward. You can partner with us monthly with 10, 25, 50, 100, a month, or you can make one donation, once.

And because we are a register nonprofit organization in the United States under the status of a 501c3 charity, it means that the amount that you pay to gospel spice is fully tax deductible. Completely tax deductible. So you're even saving money as you invest in gospel spice ministries. It is an eternal investment, and we are very grateful to you for it.

Now it's very important to us that we give back as much as possible from what you give us. And so we commit to giving the majority of what we receive, once all of our administrative costs are paid, to organizations that fight human trafficking on the front line. There are many worthwhile causes in the world, so why this one? Because I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – maybe because I have never been its victim myself, so I feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate than me. Also, because Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and that is something that revolts the heart of God. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.

So, we do some due diligence. We pick organizations who have proven themselves trustworthy of our support. And then we give money to these Christians organizations that fight human trafficking.

So would you consider paying us forward at gospelspice.com/payitforward?

Your hard-earned money is always well used at Gospel Spice. Ultimately, you are giving back to the Kingdom, a portion of what Jesus has given you. We are well aware of the privilege to steward your partnership. And my prayer is always that you will find your own life spiced with the gospel as you partner with us to flavor the lives of those around us, near and far, with the spice of the gospel.

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Tasting our faith anew through the feasts | An unusual pairing Nov 01, 2024

We invite you this week to come to the table and deepen your experience of the feasts that Jesus celebrated, by exploring together the timeless significance of Holy Week and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

In the heart of the Christian and Jewish traditions lie two sacred week-long holy feasts: Holy Week and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As Scripture and tradition invite us into the intricacies of these feasts, we invite you to connect the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to the rich tapestry of Jewish Torah and tradition.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread stand as inseparable pillars within Jewish celebrations. Passover, the most important Jewish feast, serves as precursor to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For Christians, the former marks the sacred observance of the Lord's Supper as the Lamb of God, while the latter points to Jesus' sinlessness.

The perfect alignment of Holy Week and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in 2025, an unusual thing, offers interesting connections we invite you to explore. For example, the Jewish tradition of inspecting and setting aside the unblemished lamb for sacrifice intertwines with the events of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The parallel between the Passover lamb and Jesus, the sinless lamb of God unfolds, as Holy Week draws us into the divine plan of salvation. We also explore how Jesus’ cleansing of the temple showcases his authority to safeguard the spiritual dwelling places of believers. Jesus' encounters with religious leaders during Holy Week also reflect his absolute integrity and absence of blemish, mirroring the unblemished Passover lamb. He is proving the true Lamb of God indeed!

The interweaving of Holy Week and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is an original way, in 2025, to highlight God’s eternal redemptive plan. Jesus is indeed the sinless lamb who fulfills the ancient prophecies, opening for us the path of salvation. We invite you to join us as we find ourselves steeped in the timeless tapestry of God’s divine love, giving glory to Jesus, our only source of salvation.

Our hope and prayer is that, through the original connection in 2025 between Holy Week and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we will together experience the divine truth of Scripture, anchoring our faith in the sinless lamb, Jesus Christ, for our redemption. Amen!

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight

DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Taste the rich fare of Jesus' last meal | Passover Oct 25, 2024

Passover is a prologue to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This most essential of Jewish feasts seamlessly transitions from prophecies in the Old Testament, to fulfillment in Jesus. We invite you today to see how this prophetic landscape is shaped with divine orchestration by the hand of our deeply loving God!

Passover is a significant Jewish feast that not only commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, but also points to Jesus’ mission and identity. We invite you today to navigate through the rich tapestry of the Passover tradition, examining its prophetic nature for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The observance of Passover, with its sacrificial lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread, is rooted in Old Testament events. Two lambs are central to this feast: one for each family and one to be sacrificed at the temple. The sacrificial lamb of the feast points to Jesus Christ, who becomes the ultimate sacrificial Lamb for our redemption. The act of painting lamb's blood on doorframes to prevent death eerily prefigures the sacrificial significance of Jesus' blood. Jesus deliberately fulfills the Passover feast of Pesach by instituting the Lord’s supper, and by going to the cross on our behalf. From washing his disciples' feet as an act of servanthood, to identifying Judas as the betrayer, Jesus adds new meaning to His last Passover meal - from the way He references the Passover elements, to how He identifies as the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone (Psalm 118).

The Passover feast is inextricably linked to the mission of Jesus, from the symbolism of the Passover elements to Jesus' own actions during the Last Supper. For instance, the 3rd cup of the Passover meal, identified as the cup of redemption, embodies the essence of the new covenant, which Jesus describes as the cup of his blood shed for the salvation of humanity.

Join us to experience Passover as Jesus did.

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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 spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus.

PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family.

PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with!

PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people!

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking.

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

(*ListenNotes ranking, 2023)

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

**Delight in Jesus from fasting to feasting | Purim and Lent** Oct 18, 2024
Stephanie here! We are in our Come to the Table series, and today is a bit of a surprise! I always find it fascinating to find fresh ways to worship Jesus Christ through the connections between different feasts and seasons. So today I invite you to delight in Christ through the unexpected juxtaposition of Purim and Lent.

We invite you into a delightful exploration of the divine tapestry that intertwines the ancient traditions of Purim with the solemn reverence of Lent, ultimately pointing to the redemptive Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Purim, a joyous and festive Jewish celebration, commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people as detailed in the book of Esther. The intricacies of the story, from the absence of God's name in the book of Esther to the sovereignty and deliverance of His people, provide a rich tapestry to explore. In the Christian tradition, Lent serves as a period of preparation and reflection leading up to Easter, encompassing forty days marked by fasting, sacrifice, and repentance. Both Purim and Lent share a dark background of struggle and the hope of a joyous feast, creating an intriguing juxtaposition.

Steeped in history and tradition, Purim and Lent leads us to worship Jesus at their intersection. It's compelling to note that while Purim is celebrated with joyful feasting and the giving of gifts to the poor, Lent involves fasting before the celebration of Easter. Both observances intertwine notions of hardship and hope, underscoring the resilience and faith exhibited by believers. Purim and Lent beckon us to seek and find Jesus in the heart of these sacred observances. So, join the conversation today!

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/

God's glory, our delight

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/

What matters to us here at Gospel Spice is to create a place where people who seek deeper intimacy with Jesus, will find Him. We want a warm, welcoming atmosphere to journey ever deeper into the heart of God. We believe it is the ultimate calling of the Christian life, and I like to summarize it with my motto, God’s glory, our delight. That is why we invite you to “taste and see” that the Lord is good. And we have been doing this every day since 2019. We need YOU to keep Gospel Spice alive and growing.

Financially speaking, we rely on people who understand this vision and who understand that we cannot function without a minimum budget. We run an extremely tight budget. For example, I work full time but don’t draw a salary. And yet, we have expenses – for example, the equipment and technology we use, and also the wonderfully gifted staff who make it possible to deliver high quality content all around the globe, and then the necessary occasional promotional budget to make it possible to be discovered by those who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need your help.

So we would love for you to consider if this ministry is blessing you to pay gospel spice forward. You can partner with us monthly with 10, 25, 50, 100, a month, or you can make one donation, once.

And because we are a register nonprofit organization in the United States under the status of a 501c3 charity, it means that the amount that you pay to gospel spice is fully tax deductible. Completely tax deductible. So you're even saving money as you invest in gospel spice ministries. It is an eternal investment, and we are very grateful to you for it.

Now it's very important to us that we give back as much as possible from what you give us. And so we commit to giving the majority of what we receive, once all of our administrative costs are paid, to organizations that fight human trafficking on the front line. There are many worthwhile causes in the world, so why this one? Because I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – maybe because I have never been its victim myself, so I feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate than me. Also, because Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and that is something that revolts the heart of God. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.

So, we do some due diligence. We pick organizations who have proven themselves trustworthy of our support. And then we give money to these Christians organizations that fight human trafficking.

So would you consider paying us forward at gospelspice.com/payitforward?

Your hard-earned money is always well used at Gospel Spice. Ultimately, you are giving back to the Kingdom, a portion of what Jesus has given you. We are well aware of the privilege to steward your partnership. And my prayer is always that you will find your own life spiced with the gospel as you partner with us to flavor the lives of those around us, near and far, with the spice of the gospel.

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

The coming of Messiah and the outpouring of the Spirit | The Feast of Tabernacles Oct 11, 2024

Succoth stands as a beacon of joy, celebration, and divine presence, weaving together the rich history of Israel with the identity of Jesus as our Messiah and Lord. So, today I invite you into the tapestry of Succoth, exploring its historical roots, its connections to the identity, mission, life and teachings of Jesus, and its enduring relevance in understanding the presence of God in Scripture and our lives.

The ancient feast of Succoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, marks the last of the four major feasts, taking place in the fall and following the solemn day of Yom Kippur. A time of rejoicing, Succoth commemorates the first harvest of the fall while also serving as a celebration of God's faithfulness and provision even in the midst of affliction. It is deeply ingrained with the themes of joy, abundance, and new life, reflecting the universal body of Christ and pointing to the coming millennial kingdom.

One of the many things we explore together today, is when Jesus, in performing a miracle of healing a man born blind on the last day of Succoth, speaks directly to the deepest meaning of the festival. This act clearly showcases His divine authority. The blind man's cleansing at the pool of Siloam on the day of the water-drawing ceremony reinforces the symbolism and points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the feast.

Another aspect I invite you to experience today is the symbolic significance of the temporary shelters used during Succoth. It resounds with the truth of our identity as sojourners on earth, as mentioned in Hebrews 11:13-16. Paul and others spell out for us the implications of living in temporary tents and call us to set our minds on the things of Christ and the kingdom of God.

So, join me today to experience this stunning feast!

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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 100 man-hours.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.

Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.

We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.

Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.

We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!

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 have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Rest and return to God with faith and confidence | Yom Kippur today and tomorrow Oct 04, 2024

In the midst of the rich tapestry of Jewish feasts and celebrations, Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, holds a pivotal place. In our Christian faith, we can draw stunning parallels with Jesus as our high priest and ultimate sacrifice.

Yom Kippur is a solemn and holy day in the Jewish calendar, a festival centered around national atonement, involving deep personal and communal repentance. The significance of the great high priest entering the holy of holies, dressed humbly and carrying the prayers of the people, serves as a central element of the day's rituals.

Central to the observance of Yom Kippur are the two goats chosen for sacrifice. One goat, known as the Jehovah goat, serves as a sin offering and is killed, symbolizing the atonement for sins. The other goat, the Azazel goat, is set free, representing the removal of sin. The casting of lots by the high priest determines the fate of each goat, highlighting the profound symbolism and purpose behind each sacrifice.

Drawing from passages in Isaiah and Psalms, we highlight the mission of the Messiah as outlined in the prophetic Scriptures. Despite initial rejection by the people of Israel, the Messiah's mission is to atone for the sins of the people and ultimately bring salvation to the entire world. This parallels the sacrificial roles of the goats in the Yom Kippur observance, with Jesus serving as both the sacrificial offering and the one who removes the sins of all people.

Jesus is our great high priest; the book of Hebrews explores the doctrine of Jesus' superior and eternal priesthood, surpassing that of Melchizedek, a figure of significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The criteria for the great high priest—being human, compassionate, and appointed by God—are elaborated upon, positioning Jesus as the perfect and compassionate high priest who mediates between God and humanity.

An essential component of Yom Kippur is the shedding of blood for the confession of sins, emphasizing the need for atonement and repentance. The sacrifices offered on Yom Kippur serve as a reminder of the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the need for a better and permanent solution. Through the lens of the New Testament, Yom Kippur underscores Jesus' sacrificial offering as the ultimate and permanent solution for the atonement of sins.

What about the future fulfillment of Yom Kippur? It points to the future acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah by Israel, aligning with the prophecies outlined in the scripture. The essence of true Yom Kippur will be realized through hardship and repentance, paving the way for national and individual acknowledgment of the Messiah.

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight

DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

"Your Face, Lord, will I seek” | Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets Sep 27, 2024

Stephanie navigates through key biblical passages that tie Rosh Hashanah (also called the Feast of Trumpets) to the second coming of Jesus. This feast invites us to tell the Lord, in answer to His invitation to seek Him, “Your Face, Lord, will I seek.” He always initiates relationship: How will we choose to respond to His holy trumpet call?

Picture this: the sound of trumpets, a grand gathering of believers, and the triumphant return of Jesus. It's like something out of a thrilling movie, but it's actual biblical truth! The Jewish fall feasts remind us, it's time for introspection and readiness. The feasts invite us to embrace a season of repentance, anticipation, and fervent prayer. It's a divine blend of remembering and looking forward—a call to prepare our hearts for the imminent return of Jesus.

The Feast of Trumpets echoes the Shofar to lead us into awe and worship through its prophetic biblical truths. Our episode today peels back the layers of significance behind the trumpet call and how it links to the church’s rapture. Rosh Hashanah is an invitation to embrace the call of the trumpets, marvel at the profound threads of prophecy, and prep our hearts for the triumphant return of Jesus Christ.

Rosh Hashanah is not your average New Year's celebration. It's a powerful blend of reminiscing and gazing ahead with hope. The blowing of the shofar during this feast serves as a wake-up call for repentance and a reminder to seek God's grace. For believers in Christ, embracing the new beginnings and spiritual awakening embedded in Rosh Hashanah paves the way for readiness for Christ's return.

Psalm 27 has traditionally been used to prepare hearts and minds for the grand Autumn feasts. This sacred song sets the stage, resonating with themes of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the millennial kingdom. It's like a spiritual GPS, guiding our hearts as we gear up for the festivities ahead. So, join Stephanie in telling the Lord, “Your Face, Lord, will I seek.”

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 spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus.

PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family.

PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with!

PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people!

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking.

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

(*ListenNotes ranking, 2023)

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Invite Jesus in your every day moments | Celebrating ordinary time and sabbath Sep 20, 2024

Have you ever wondered if God speaks more loudly through our feasts and fasts, than He does through our mundane, ordinary circumstances? In this episode in our “Come to the Table” series on the Jewish and Christian feasts, Stephanie reflects on the significance of ordinary time, the ordinary moments of life. They are the backdrop to our feast days. They are the bulk of our time. The present, nestled between special feasts, serves as a space where believers are called to live in anticipation of Jesus' return and seek God’s presence and delight in all moments. The question is, how did Jesus experience His own mundane and ordinary days? What does He wish to impart to us through them?

So, Stephanie invites us to consider how the body of Christ functions during ordinary time, focusing on the importance of living in unity. This period of ordinary time is an opportunity for spiritual growth and for experiencing the lived reality of Jesus in everyday moments, celebrating the cyclical nature of the liturgical calendar.

That word, liturgy. It can be ambiguous. Off-putting to some, attractive to others. Liturgy is simply the chosen flow of a service, or a day, or a life. It is how a particular local body of believers chooses to approach God, especially on Sundays but not only. It varies from church to church, with much to learn from the manifold practices of our brothers and sisters around the world. Stephanie’s extensive personal experience with various church traditions, including Anglican, charismatic, reformed, Pentecostal, and non-denominational, highlights the diverse ways in which different traditions approach worship and liturgical practices. Understanding the concept of liturgy as the way a particular tradition conducts its services, including prayers, readings, and rituals, is an invitation into the richness and diversity within the body of Christ.

Ordinary time is characterized by its lack of special feasts, representing the ordered life of the church and a period of watchfulness for the second coming of Jesus. Divided into two seasons, ordinary time serves as a call to unity within the body of Christ, inviting believers to keep Jesus at the center of mundane routines.

Within ordinary time, we have weekly min-feasts called Sabbaths. So, how did Jesus experience them? How do Sabbaths fit at the table of God’s Presence? Sabbath is associated with rest, refreshment, freedom, and joy, serving as a day of rest and a reminder of humanity’s co-partnership with God. Stephanie discusses Jesus' claim of authority over the Sabbath, highlighting how He emphasized its wholesome nature to be a source of blessing. The Sabbath is a time of rest and delight, providing a sacred space to experience God’s presence and embrace His joy.

Today, we invite you to embrace the beauty of ordinary days, seek unity in the body of Christ, and live in hopeful expectation while finding rest and delight in the Sabbath. We invite you to cultivate a lifelong liturgy of delight in Christ, breathing new life into everyday moments as we journey towards the eagerly anticipated return of Jesus. Join us!

OPTIONAL RESOURCE | Stephanie mentions the creation of a liturgy booklet designed to cultivate a lifelong liturgy of delight in Christ. This booklet consists of short liturgies for everyday moments, aiming to inspire you in building and nurturing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The liturgical year is presented as a means to grow in intimacy with Christ, providing an avenue to know Him more intimately in everyday life. Go to gospelspice.com or ask us about it!

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

A day of mourning, a future of promise: our sacred journey from loss to legacy Sep 13, 2024

Today we discuss our sacred journey from mourning to joy, desolation to restoration. It is about the legacy of holy sorrow. In this new episode of our new series around the Jewish feasts, I invite you to travel into the historical and spiritual significance of Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av in the Jewish calendar, and the hope it holds for the future. This day beckons us into a profound journey through grief, remembrance, and ultimately, hope. On the 9th of Av, also known as Tisha B'Av, the Jewish community commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem – not once, but twice. This day, while marked by deep mourning, also carries profound messianic overtones and a powerful message of hope.

🕊️ The 9th of Av invites us to embrace history and Scripture in a fresh way: By understanding the observance of the 9th of Av and its deep-rooted historical significance, we gain a fresh approach to our study of Scripture and history. It's a reminder to look beyond ourselves and explore the rich tapestry of faith and culture. Ultimately, it points to Jesus in unique ways that can nourish and maybe even transform our faith towards deeper intimacy.

🙏 It challenges us to find hope and patience in the midst of grief: The 9th of Av serves as a poignant reminder that grief is not forever and that there is always hope on the horizon. Sometimes it's challenging to see beyond personal struggles, but the day's significance encourages us to have patience and faith in understanding the deeper meanings of our studies.

🔍 It gives us permission to seek transformation in tragedy: Despite the sorrowful nature of the day, Tisha B'Av reveals an inspiring message – even the most tragic events can be transformed into occasions of joy and glory. It's a powerful testament to the resilience and hope that stems from faith, reminding us of the promise of future restoration.

WHAT IS THE 9TH OF AV?

Tisha B'Av is a day of fasting in the Jewish calendar, symbolizing a time of lamentation and remembrance. It is a day when the Jewish people reflect on the tragedies and calamities that have befallen their community throughout history, particularly the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem.

The 9th of Av isn't part of the Mosaic law but was instituted by the prophet Zechariah to commemorate the fall of Jerusalem. This day of mourning has deep historical and biblical roots, with connections to the Jewish exile and the prophet's message of hope and restoration.

Mourning on the 9th of Av also serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and failing to see His promises. It's a day to reflect on the loss of the promised land, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people.

But amid the solemnity, there's a profound message of hope intertwined with the grief. The longing for the restoration of Jerusalem and the reconciliation of God with His people echo throughout history, pointing to a future where sorrow will be turned into joy and mourning into celebration in Christ.

The depth of historical significance behind Tisha B'Av invites us to look beyond our own struggles and sorrow, acknowledging that even in the most tragic events lies potential for transformation and a promise of hope. It calls for faith in the understanding that God can lead us from grief to glory in Christ.

So, as we reflect on the solemnity of Tisha B'Av, may we also hold onto the profound hope and promise of transformation we firmly possess in Christ Jesus. Throughout Scripture, we're reminded that even in the darkest times, God's power can turn mourning into joy and tragedy into triumph. 🌟

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/signup

2- 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 confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!

So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:

1- signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup

2- find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice

3- rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!

4- and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!

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 have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Come to the Table: an invitation to the feasts Jesus celebrated Sep 06, 2024

We need our eyes on Jesus. We need to train ourselves to see Him even where it is not obvious. Because He is here. He is in the middle of every detail we are going through. We just forget.

So, Stephanie invites you to join us as we train ourselves to see Him.

There is something profound in seeking Jesus in the routine of daily life and also in the unusual moments of our years. To find him through our feasts and our fasts – our joys and our sadnesses, our happiness and our grief.

Through the series and in this episode, Stephanie hopes to provide an overview of the Jewish and Christian feasts and how, for example, some of them were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and then the birth of the church in the first coming of Jesus. The remaining feasts are yet to be fulfilled in the second coming of Jesus. This broad perspective allows us to see the feasts as part of a larger narrative under the sovereignty of God, pointing to the continuing, redemptive work of Christ. The Jewish and Christian liturgical calendars remind us to keep our focus on eternal things as we await the fulfillment of the remaining feasts.

Stephanie invites us into Jesus' interactions with his people through feasts, fasts, and daily life, focusing on the 17 special days in the Jewish and Christian liturgical calendars. Scripture and the communal aspect of faith urge us to explore ancient Jewish and Christian celebrations together as the body of Christ. Understanding the significance of feasts is not just an individual pursuit, but an opportunity to grow together as a community of believers.

Scripture points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the law of Moses and the covering provided in the Garden of Eden. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law, bringing a new covenant through his death and resurrection. The sacrifices in the Old Testament, as described in Leviticus and the Mosaic Law, were valid in the eyes of God because they pointed to the future death of Jesus Christ, first highlighted in Isaiah. The sacrifices in the Old Testament did not remove sin, but worked to restore covenantal relationships and forgive particular sins. This is a crucial aspect to understand, as it lays the foundation for Jesus' role as the ultimate sacrifice for the complete removal of sin.

By understanding the significance of feasts in both traditions and how they point to the work of the Messiah, we are invited to deepen our worship and grow in likeness to Jesus, the King of Kings. As we come to the table of God’s goodness and presence through the series, may we embrace these feasts as a fresh way to connect with our Savior, to fall in love and worship of Him ever deeper. Amen.

Don’t forget to check out our essential workbook to accompany this study. Stephanie personally created the content to invite you deeper into study. Don’t miss out! It’s at https://www.gospelspice.com/store

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight

We have a high-quality, deeply inspiring, truly original Advent devotional for you!

Stephanie created this original video series for YOUR ADVENT season! It will draw you closer to Christ, and deeper into the presence of God.

It is comprised of 12 videos leading up to Christmas, and a gorgeous devotional PDF to accompany it. You will not want to miss out! Go to gospelspice.com/advent to download your FREE one-day sample, and/or purchase the Gospel Spice Advent devotional at an amazing price.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Delightfully French | An invitation to taste & see God Aug 23, 2024

Could there be more to your Christian faith, than what you have been experiencing so far? Have you ever wondered if you are tasting the fullness of the flavors God infused Scripture with?

The Bible teaches that the goodness of the Lord is, literally, tasty (see Psalm 34:8). Has that been your experience? When you come away from your experience of church, or Bible Study, or your own time alone with God, do you feel replete and overflowing with His goodness? Do you feel full, spiritually speaking? Or, do you feel wondering if you have been feeding yourself on scraps and leftovers?

Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample.

Together, let’s take a seat around Scripture, the best table that has ever been assembled for our enjoyment and delight, and for the glory of God. We aim to serve you as you feed on the Word of God to intensify your faith. It is a feast for the spiritual senses towards more of God. It answers the question, Are we tasting the fullness of the spiritual banquet of Scripture?

I am truly honored and humbled that you would embark on this journey in Scripture through the French culture to grow in faith and intimacy with God by delighting in Scripture through French eyes. I am tickled to no end by our western culture’s premise that all things French are, well, maybe a bit more elegant, refined, sophisticated—maybe a tad next level. After all, what is better than vanilla or toast, except French vanilla and French toast? We’re going to unpack Scripture through the French culture that will tell you something unexpected about Christ, so that you too can experience delight in Christ.

Could it be that we are missing out on some of the spiritual savors that God created us to enjoy? Are we unknowingly neglecting our spiritual tastebuds? We are created body, soul, and spirit. We cannot disassociate what God has woven together without experiencing much loss. And so, in a culture that has lost its spiritual tastebuds, I invite you to recover our Christ-centered spiritual delight in God. Make God your delight—your delicious delight. Words are to our mind what food is to our body, and Christ to our spirit.

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/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

God's glory, our delight