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

Episode 42 - After a brief recap of all the events we have attended through the eyes of Matthew in the life of Jesus, Stephanie invites us to ponder the global perspective on the message of Jesus, according to Matthew, and how it relates to YOUR LIFE today on planet earth.

This episode ties all sorts of gospel loose threads together to form a stunning picture of Matthew's message: Christ is Lord, and worthy of our adoration and full trust. We look at history past, from before Matthew all the way to the last 2,000 years of Christian history through the lens of fulfilled prophecy. 

In this eye-opening episode, Stephanie provides a unique perspective on the plan of salvation, described by Matthew, and revealed in Christ. We ask bold questions, such as, what would have happened, had the nation of Israel accepted Jesus when He came, 2,000 years ago? Why is the church age not clearly prophesied in the Old Testament? If Jesus knew they would reject Him, was His offer of the Kingdom nonetheless genuine? Or, was He a hypocrite? Hum... Oh, and, by the way, what is the infamous unpardonable sin?

These are topics that we have brushed against, time and time again, through Matthew. Today, we tackle them full on. And they point to the glorious truth of Christ, our Lord and King, our One and Only. In chapters 1-12, Matthew presents Christ to us. From chapter 13 until 27, Matthew now presents the Kingdom of God that Jesus has come to establish. Chapter 12 is the hinge in his gospel. And it's today's focus.

Matthew's biography of Christ provides a breathtaking glimpse into God's sovereignty, fully compatible with our freewill as creatures. Our minds may not fully comprehend, but our heart can always adore. And that, dear friends, is what it's like to taste the spice of the gospel.

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Episode 41 - Stephanie welcomes Dr. Michelle Bengtson to discuss the life-saving nature of learning to abide in hope as the only anchor to live your life to the full.

What happens when a board- certified neuropsychologist falls deep into the pit of depression herself?

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a neuropsychologist who treated thousands of patients before depression hit her, too. She learned the hard way that self-sufficiency and control were costly substitutes for dependance on God. Through many personal hardships, physical and psychological, she discovered the essential nature of the spiritual component to healing: hope. 

Join us today to discover her amazing journey of hope, and how you, too, can embrace a life where Hope Prevails.

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an author, speaker, podcaster and hope dealer!

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Episode 40 - Stephanie wraps up our census of kingdom citizens. Make sure that you listen to the previous episode, Episode 39, before you enjoy this one! 

On our Kingdom citizens census count today, a bleeding woman seeking to touch the Throne-Room-colored Tassels on Jesus' garments, a young lady raised from death and her influential parents, and more! Jairus and the bleeding woman have more in common than their vastly different status might indicate. The number twelve, hope of healing, and the blue of two tassels!

Jesus never said it would be easy, but He sure promises the adventure of a lifetime. 

Join Him and His motley crew into the Kingdom!

On a side note, have you ever wondered what is the color of the Throne Room of God? We answer this Bible trivia question as we delve into the healing of the bleeding woman, through the Tzitzits... this is part of a teaching that Stephanie shared several years ago, and then again more recently, at a large women's Bible Study. The ladies still talk about the blue of the tassels! Enjoy! 🙂

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Episode 39 - Stephanie invites you deep into Matthew chapter 8, for what appears like a laundry list of unlikely Kingdom citizens. Lepers, Roman heathens, women, cowards, and even former zombies.

Jesus definitely calls a motley crew to His Kingdom. It's not about ability or breeding, it's about faith and trust in Him as Messiah. And that is very good news indeed!

We've covered a lot of ground alongside Matthew since we started, 39 episodes ago. The finish line is almost in sight.

The last few episodes since Easter took us to the Transfiguration, where we beheld the King of our Kingdom. Then we listened as He set the "constitution" for His Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. And now, over the next two episodes, we will get to know our fellow brothers and sisters in the Kingdom, our fellow citizens. After an interview for Episode 41, we will end our time in Matthew by listening to how Jesus Himself describes the kingdom to come. We will do so, through the parables. 

In this episode, Stephanie mentions several times the episode about the messianic miracle when Jesus healed a leper (Matthew 8:1-4). It is the starting point that sets forth the chain of events that led to the establishment of the Kingdom. If you didn't get a chance, we warmly invite you to take a listen to it: Episode 4, who does Jesus say He is?

Are you a citizen in the kingdom too? Then be part of the team that spreads the spice of the gospel all around you! If you have enjoyed our time with Matthew, would you invite someone you love on the trip? This adventure comes to you via this podcast platform, completely free of charge. Would you share it with someone? Would you rate and review Gospel Spice on your podcast app or at www.gospel-spice.com in order to make it easier to find for others? Would you share it on Social Media, tagging #gospelspice and #gospelspicepodcast as well as Stephanie Rousselle, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter? This is how YOU spread the spice.

Be amazed at God, and He will be amazed at you!

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Episode 38 - Stephanie welcomes Amanda Florczykowski to discuss how to ground our faith in Christ to banish fear as we raise our children in an increasingly dangerous culture.

Child pornography and pedophilia are at an all time high. In 2016, Amanda's toddler was wrenched from her arms in a Texas grocery store in a foiled sex trafficking abduction attempt. The next year, her boy nearly drowned, she suffered a miscarriage, and their family home burned to the ground. Amanda shares the intimate unraveling that led her to unshakable faith in our mighty God. Since then, this mother of four has embraced her faith at a whole new level to trust God with her children. She now comes alongside parents who fear for their kids, teaching them to replace worldly fear with godly faith. 

The parenting journey is not for the faint of heart. But God, our Father, understands and provides His support. He never said it would be easy. But He promised He would walk us through this. 

Amanda's story will bring you strength to face your fears as a parent in today's world. You might even feel challenged to step up and join the fight to help end child trafficking in our lifetime! What a glorious way to become the spice of the gospel to our world!

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Episode 37: Stephanie takes us to that very first effusion of the Holy Spirit on the believers gathered in obedience to Jesus' command to wait for the Spirit to come upon them. 

Have you ever wondered who the Holy Spirit is, especially in relation to God the Father and Christ the Son? How about who He is in relation to us? We are told that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit at salvation. What does it mean, and what does it entail?

We're looking at the nature and goal of a seal in the ancient world--and it takes you much deeper than a dusty history lesson!

It's the most glorious of promises, and frankly, one of the most misunderstood ones. So today, peel the veil back and dive deep into the glory of the Holy Spirit. You may leave wet from head to toe--drenched in the guarantee of your inheritance, until you take full possession of it!

Have you ever pondered that Pentecost is what makes us superior to the angels? Take a listen today!

The Father is the Giver, who, through the Giving of the Son, freely and abundantly gives the gift of the Spirit to us, the gifted.

In other words, Pentecost takes us from a mentality of scarcity, to one of abundance.

This is a meaty episode today. Enjoy!

If you want to hear more from Stephanie, subscribe to her content directly on her site at www.stephanie-rousselle.com.

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Episode 36- God the Father could simply not wait to welcome Jesus back in Heaven after Easter. So much so, that He told us about the welcome party hundreds of years before it happened! It is a foretaste of the party that awaits YOU when you enter heaven. This is the sure hope that is the foundation of our faith. 

We look at the richness of the symbolism of the Ascension, but only because it is the precursor to one of the greatest celebrations for the believers: the gift of the Holy Spirit, the full indwelling of God Himself in the believers, given at Pentecost. We will delve deep into Pentecost next week, but this is a glimpse into glory today!

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Episode 35: Tracy Steel joins Stephanie to enter the world of spiritual interior design.

We do not serve an easy God. We serve a trustworthy, glorious, good God. And so, our lives are not easy. But, sprinkled with pepper as they may be, they can be, in Christ, glorious and beautiful. 

You are are the designed. He is the Designer!

Tracy discovered that God does not answer our prayers the way we want--but the way that is best for us. There is a big difference, and it is grounded in God's trustworthiness and faithfulness. Through her book and ministry, she accompanies women to understand that God is the designer of their lives. He makes a much better Designer than we ever could!

How do we start trusting God? How do we use our time wisely? How do we prioritize our time and energy? How do we avoid burnout? Tracy lays out six design-inspired tips to embrace the life God designed for you: movement, emphasis, pattern, contrast, balance and space. Listen to the episode to learn from these for yourself!

Write to Tracy on her website, mentioning Gospel Spice, to receive her special free gift for you! She mentions the details at the end of this episode. 

Tracy wrote A Redesigned Life, and the links are in the shownotes. Find Tracy on the YouVersion Bible App, for a 5-day devotional Bible readin plan, it's FREE and very encouraging!

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Episode 34 - Stephanie focuses on the Lord's prayer and the Golden rule as highlights of the Sermon on the Mount. Are you ready for a fresh spice explosion to taste anew these overly familiar passages of Scripture? 

Have you ever wondered how Jesus taught differently than everyone before Him? Others microwaved leftovers, while Jesus created brand new master dishes. And we are welcome in His kitchen today.

Prayer is not optional. Did you know our self-centered Western culture has actually changed our very approach to the Lord's prayer to justify our self-focus?

You might very well be able to recite the Lord's prayer without even thinking about it. But isn't that exactly the problem? We taste the Lord's prayer like microwaved leftovers--stale, and a bit chewy. How about some new flavors? It has to do with approaching God with our own words, using Jesus' very own blueprint, and not our own self-centered righteousness.

Love of money is another focus in our human self-centeredness. Have you ever noticed the hold it has on us? How about a fresh change--truly learning to see money as a tool, not the goal of our comfort-seeking culture?

How about anxiety and worry? Tripping you up lately? Well, Jesus has a way of putting things in their proper place, and providing you with the perspective that will effectively kill those nasty bitter flavors on your spiritual palate.

And a judgmental spirit? Or a tendency to compare with the Jones? Jesus tackles these, too.

Have you ever wondered when it is time to speak up, or when it is time to just be quiet and, well, shut thee up? Jesus lets us in on a few tidbits of holy wisdom.

And ever wondered if it's ever time to stop praying for something or someone, when the answer seems to tarry? Jesus gives golden practical wisdom right here--and it's all to do with faith.

As for the golden rule? He took His sweet time getting to it. And now He camps on it for a good long while--He gives us 4 sets of examples to make His point.

Come and taste.

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Episode 33 - Stephanie invites you to dive deep into the Sermon on the Mount this week and next.

What is Jesus' goal as He teaches what has become the most famous message ever given?

There are three essential parts to the Sermon on the Mount: the beatitudes; the Lord's prayer; and the golden rule. We are looking at each in turn, pondering each reaction from the audience--whether it be the Pharisees and religious rulers who choose to block Jesus from their social media feed, or the disciples, who choose to follow and subscribe to His every message, or the crowds, who are still sampling His message and trying to decide what to do with this hotshot from Galilee. 

The Sermon on the Mount is not addressed to people who are trying to earn the right to go to heaven. It's not a list of do's and don'ts to deserve paradise. "The Sermon on the Mount is a road map given by Jesus to those who know that heaven is already theirs by grace." 

Jesus hangs the entire Sermon on the Mount on one peg, and one peg alone--and He challenges us to do the same. That peg? Himself. He, and He alone holds it all together. We can only live by the Sermon if we fully abide in Him. No wonder we need the full power of the Holy Spirit, given as the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire full possession (Ephesians 1), in order to live life on the Mount!

One thing Jesus does methodically, is rebuke all sorts of false teachings that have arisen over time--largely due to the infamous Pharisees. The truth is, we can probably relate to them a bit too much for comfort. So, what does Jesus have to say to us about the road to heaven? 

You guessed it: it's all about what we make of Him.

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