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

Have you noticed how those who hate Christ can become strange bedfellows? (8th lesson from Luke)

Stephanie beckons us to continue our way through the gospel of Luke by experiencing alongside Jesus what it feels like to be attacked by enemies. With His usual meekness and boldness, He addresses their needs and ignores the facades they seem to put up to trap Him. What does this tell us about how we are called to behave? Have you noticed how people of different opinions can suddenly unite against a common foe? It's uncannily relevant to our current news; this feels ripped out of today's headlines! But it's nothing new; the enemies of Christ have always united against Him, and His people. Our generation is no exception. We see it happen today when 4 distinct people groups, who mutually hate and despise each other, come together in unity against their foe - Jesus Christ, who claims to be Messiah. Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and Scribes unite to attack Him. We can still see such strategies in our world today. So, when you behold people who seem to be divided on every issue, suddenly unite together against Christ--you know something is up. Jesus role-models for us what a good response is. And it has to do with love--yes, love. We are in Luke 20-22 today, and we hope to tie in these seemingly unrelated passages to show the seamlessness of Jesus' message and love--yes, even for His enemies. Stephanie takes us on a journey through Luke chapters 19-21. We’re entering the Easter Season with Palm Sunday. Today, we’ll explore the significance of time and the events leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion, the unity of His opponents, and the deeper invitation to know God personally. Stephanie invites us to celebrate the unique ability of Scripture study: the opportunity to both dig deep into the details of a passage and also to step back for a broader perspective. This week’s focus is on the approaching final days of Christ in Jerusalem, viewed through the lens of Luke—the Gospel writer most committed to chronology. Luke offers a chronological account, helpful for readers wanting to piece together the order of events in Jesus’s life. Contrasting Matthew, who organizes by theme, Luke’s western approach caters to our familiar way of thinking about time. The ancient Jewish (and Greek) concepts of time are richer: where “chronos” means sequential time, “kairos” refers to those moments when God breaks in—a divine appointment. Both are crucial to understanding the Gospel’s narrative. When Jesus enters Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), he weeps over the city’s inability to understand what would bring peace. Often, we’re so bound by everyday “chronos” time, we miss the “kairos”—special moments when God reveals Himself and His plans. Jesus’s lament invites us to seek understanding of God’s heart, even if we cannot know everything about His future plans. Luke describes four major groups who opposed Jesus: Pharisees (spiritual leaders), Herodians (political/wealthy elites), Sadducees (rationalists denying resurrection), and Scribes (religious legalists). These groups despised each other, yet their opposition to Jesus brought them into unity, if only for a moment: the rejection of Christ can unite even the most unlikely groups, and she asks: “If only you knew whom you are rejecting.” ·         Pharisees: Jesus challenges their authority using parables about the vineyard and fig tree, symbols deeply meaningful to all Israelites. ·         Herodians: Their materialism is confronted with the “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” lesson, turning the focus to what truly bears God’s image—us. ·         Sadducees: Their attempt to trap Jesus with a question about resurrection is overturned as Jesus points to God as the God of the living. ·         Scribes: Jesus warns against hollow religious showmanship. Jesus’s prediction of Jerusalem’s destruction in Luke 21 receives both a historical fulfillment in AD 70 and a future prophetic event. Early Jewish Christians escaped Jerusalem before its fall by heeding Christ’s warnings—a model for attentive faith. Ultimately, the gospel of Luke invites us to step beyond superficial knowledge and into deep relationship with God. We’re challenged not to be like Christ’s opponents, who knew what they rejected, but like the disciples—flawed but transformed into “the spice of the Gospel.” Don’t miss your kairos moment. Seek not just to know about God, but to truly know Him. Reflection: Ask yourself—do you merely know facts about Jesus, or do you know Him personally? Where is God inviting you into a kairos encounter this week? 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 [http://%20gospelspice.com%20]for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast [http://gospelspice.com/podcast] to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog [http://gospelspice.com/blog] Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/] Malachi: Messenger to Messiah https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/] Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/] Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/] Support us on Gospel Spice [https://www.gospelspice.com/donate], PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=U9CFSXW2XCWCL] and Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/gospelspice]!

Making sense of AI, transhumanism, and gender ideology | with Abdu Murray

Together, Stéphanie Rousselle and Abdu Murray explore some of today’s most pressing concerns surrounding identity, truth, and technology—offering a Christian worldview on navigating these cultural shifts. At the heart of this conversation are two concepts Abdu Murray terms “bioclasm” and “AI mania”: * Bioclasm is a cultural movement that, much like the "iconoclast," seeks to smash the traditional pillars of biological identity—such as gender and humanity itself—and reconstruct reality based on feelings and preferences, rather than facts. It is rooted in a post-truth culture, where personal feelings often outweigh objective truth. * AI Mania refers to the society-wide rush to embrace artificial intelligence and technology without critical thought. Abdu Murray is careful to distinguish healthy technological use from unchecked enthusiasm, warning that overreliance on AI can blur boundaries between machine and human, making us question what it means to be truly human. Together, these movements lead to a "collapse of reality," where personal perception threatens to override the givenness of biological and moral truths. Navigating the tsunamis of bioclasm and AI mania requires discernment, compassion, and a return to the ultimate source of truth. The Christian hope is not in technological transcendence or personal autonomy, but in the God who creates, redeems, and sustains our true identity. Abdu Murray explains transhumanism as the ambition to overcome human limitations (including death) by merging with machines or uploading consciousness to digital forms. While proponents of this vision believe it offers hope for immortality, Abdu Murray points out its weaknesses—especially that all physical systems eventually succumb to entropy, or decay, and that technological "immortality" is a myth. True creativity, meaning, and relationship cannot be distilled into data or algorithms. Underneath the drive for identity autonomy (being your own authority) and technological transcendence is a deep longing for meaning, stability, and transcendence—what the Bible describes as being made in the image of God. The Christian faith urges us to find our core identity not in fleeting markers or technological advancements, but in relationship with our Creator. Abdu Murray draws parallels between today’s quests for sovereignty and the biblical stories of Eden and Babel: humanity’s attempts to become ‘like God’ on their own terms have always resulted in loss, not gain. The hope, he says, lies in returning to the thick, robust understanding of what it is to be human: a living soul, created and loved by God. So, how can we engage culture with both conviction and compassion? Abdu challenges believers to answer each person, not just their arguments, and to see every conversation as an opportunity to remind others (and ourselves) of our true worth and purpose—anchored in God, the unchanging source of truth and identity. MORE ABOUT ABDU MURRAY Abdu Murray speaks internationally about the intersection of Christian faith and the questions of culture. He is the author of several books, including Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, and More Than a White Man’s Religion. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim until a nine-year historical, theological, and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. Abdu lives in the Metro Detroit area with his wife, Nicole, and their three children. MORE ABOUT “FAKE ID” This groundbreaking exposé of how artificial intelligence and gender ideology undermine our view of reality helps us cut through the chaos and find the hope we’re looking for. We hear that technology will set us free and that identity is whatever we choose. What we’re not being told is how these promises unravel reality itself, leaving us restless and confused in a world where we can no longer tell what is true. Christian thought leader Abdu Murray shows us how the ancient, yet timeless wisdom of Scripture anchors us to transcendent truth as we navigate today’s cultural tsunamis. This fascinating book empowers us to: * Think critically and ethically about AI and gender identity * Understand why we are neither biochemical machines nor gods of our own making * Discern what is real apart from cultural influence and pressure * Be who God calls us to be rather than who culture tells us to be * Apply biblical truth to our understanding of what it means to be human A compassionate guide to finding scientific and moral clarity, Fake ID equips us to think clearly, love deeply, and live with unshakeable hope. Support us on Gospel Spice [https://www.gospelspice.com/donate], PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=U9CFSXW2XCWCL] and Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/gospelspice]!

Finding inspiration in the mundane (7th lesson from Luke)

Stephanie invites you to taste the spices of the gospel today in a live teaching recorded at a women's event about Luke 12-16. It feels a little like traditional Bible Study, with a live audience and all the sounds that accompany it (Bible pages bristling, anyone?). Reminder | Stephanie would be delighted to join YOU at your next church event! Consider booking her by contacting her (contact@gospelspice.com [contact@gospelspice.com]) or by filling out the form here:https://www.gospelspice.com/contact [https://www.gospelspice.com/contact] Most of our lives are not lived in extremes. We aren’t always celebrating big achievements or processing deep suffering—most days are full of routines, responsibilities, and ordinary moments. So, how do we encounter Christ in those “in-between” places? We often look forward to spiritual mountaintop experiences—big moments with God, career achievements, celebrations, breakthroughs, or retreats that leave us feeling invigorated. We also know the pain of life’s valleys—loss, disappointment, or suffering that drives us to cling to God. However, most of us spend the majority of our days “in the middle”—the ordinary routines, daily grind, or times when nothing extraordinary is happening. This is where God invites us to grow and walk with Him, even (and especially) when life feels mundane. Social media often pulls our attention toward other people’s mountaintops or valleys, leading us to compare our “middle” to their highlights or low points. Stephanie warns against this, reminding us that our worth and spiritual progress are not measured by comparison, but by our faithful walk with God in our unique journey. She encourages us to focus on encouragement and honesty with each other rather than comparison. Stephanie explores Luke 12, where Jesus highlights what not to do in the middle ground: don’t be overcome by the fear of death, don’t measure success by worldly standards (the parable of the rich fool), don’t let anxiety choke your faith, don’t forget the eternal hope of Christ’s return, and don’t compromise truth for comfort and false peace. The middle ground is where choices are made about what truly matters and whom we trust. So, how can we live well in the middle ground? Two words stand out: faith and commitment. Even “mustard seed” faith can move obstacles and make the path smoother. Commitment is the “narrow way”—an ongoing, lifelong journey after stepping through the narrow gate (salvation). Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a continuous walk, marked by sacrifices, humility, and perseverance. Living in the middle ground requires humility, faithfulness, and sometimes costly choices—just as the father in the story of the prodigal son bears the greatest cost out of love. Genuine Christian life prioritizes humility and sacrificial love, embracing God’s slow work of transformation, even when it isn’t instantly gratifying. Life in the middle ground is a prayer for God to level our paths: Psalm 26:12 - My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies. Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Isaiah 40:4 - Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. Isaiah 42:16 - I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them. Persevere today, dear friend. It’s another day in the middle ground, and we’re on our way to the mountaintop. Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God’s presence in your “middle ground” this week? What step of faith or act of commitment can you take today, regardless of how ordinary your circumstances feel? 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 [http://%20gospelspice.com%20]for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast [http://gospelspice.com/podcast] to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog [http://gospelspice.com/blog] Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/] Malachi: Messenger to Messiah https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/] Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/] Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/ [https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/] 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! Support us on Gospel Spice [https://www.gospelspice.com/donate], PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=U9CFSXW2XCWCL] and Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/gospelspice]!

Your Lenten journey from inward reflection to outward light | with Bonnie O’Neil

Stéphanie Rousselle welcomes her friend Bonnie O'Neil, author and spiritual director, to discuss the spiritual significance of Lent through Bonnie’s Christ-centered devotional, "Where the Light of Hope Falls." This new book gives us both theological depth and practical advice for those seeking to engage with Lent meaningfully. The title, "Where the Light of Hope Falls," reflects that our ultimate hope is found in Jesus’ sacrificial love—His crucifixion and resurrection. Throughout Lent, we are invited to place our failures and longings in the light of the cross, finding forgiveness and strength, and emerging to share that hope with those around us. Lent is one of the two penitential seasons in the church calendar, alongside Advent, and is traditionally a time for deep self-examination and realignment with God. Bonnie O'Neil shares that, although she grew up in a tradition that didn’t extensively engage with Lent, her lifelong exposure to global churches deepened her appreciation for its intentionality. Lent offers a set-aside, sacred period—40 days echoing biblical patterns for reflection and preparation, paralleling Jesus’ own time in the wilderness. While anyone could, in theory, embark on a season of introspection at any time, Lent’s communal and historical significance makes it a uniquely powerful time for spiritual renewal. The process of Lent isn’t about guilt or shame but about journeying inward "into the cave"—a metaphor for self-examination. Bonnie O'Neil emphasizes that only by plumbing the depths of our inner lives can we experience true healing and freedom. Importantly, this journey is not taken alone or in harshness. She shares how her approach is shaped by gentleness, beginning with an anchoring in the belovedness we have in Christ. The process starts with focusing on Jesus, remembering that we are utterly loved and safe in God’s presence; only then can we honestly bring ourselves to confession and repentance. A central tool Bonnie O'Neil uses is the historic Prayer of Confession from the Book of Common Prayer. Recited slowly, this prayer walks believers through acknowledging specific failings—not to wallow in them but to bring them into the healing presence of God’s mercy. Bonnie O'Neil recounts how, in a moment of frustration, quietly praying this confession brought unexpected freedom and release, demonstrating how tender acknowledgment before God removes the power of pride and shame. The end goal of this Lenten journey isn’t mere self-improvement. Bonnie O'Neil reminds us, drawing from John 17 and her experiences with Alpha, that true transformation equips us to participate in God’s work of reconciliation and hope in the world. After deep inward work, we are called outward—to reflect Christ’s hope and love to others, contributing to the revitalization of communities and the world at large. Lent is a sacred opportunity for intentional growth, transformation, and hope. Through honest self-examination, gentle confession, and remembrance of God’s abundant mercy, we find freedom—not only for ourselves but for the wider world. This journey, lovingly guided by ancient prayers and the presence of the Holy Spirit, prepares us to walk in the light of Christ’s resurrection—the truest hope of all. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK Purchase the book on Amazon today at https://a.co/d/4r14rHm [https://a.co/d/4r14rHm]  If the Christian life is meant to form us in Christlikeness, then why is transformation so elusive? We yearn to break free from the habits and mindsets that continuously ensnare us and remind us of how far we have to travel in our journey toward Christlikeness. Yet we get locked into the same patterns of control, envy, shame, anger, pride, judgmentalism and more. Can we hope for rescue from these habits that are so contrary to the abundant life of grace and rest Jesus offers us? Incorporating 47 daily Scripture readings and meditations, Where the Light of Hope Falls guides you on a journey inward to discover the roots behind many hidden sin patterns. Beginning by examining Jesus—the one into whose image we seek transformation—and helping us get comfortable with honest confession and repentance, the book then explores twenty-one common sin habits. This daily devotional helps you not only identify these central issues, but also yield to the Holy Spirit’s restorative work within you. From this posture of rest, you will discover that transformation into Christlikeness is never meant for your benefit only, but is meant to awaken you to share the love and grace of Jesus with a world in need. Where the Light of Hope Falls offers you: - 47 hope-filled meditations that guide you on a journey of discovering Jesus more intimately, understanding yourself more fully, and loving others more completely; - 47 Bible passages that anchor the meditations; - A journey into deeper rest that’s perfect for Lent or anytime. Lent offers us six weeks to wrestle with old habits and press into new ways of being as we accompany Jesus to the cross. Everyone who thirsts for more of God is welcome here, whether Lent is a familiar practice or something brand new—and not only during Lent, but whenever you long for deeper freedom. MORE ABOUT BONNIE O’NEIL “Hi there! I’m Bonnie and I’m glad you stopped by. I’m a hope hunter. As long as I can remember, I have sought to find hope in the hard seasons of life. I believe beauty can be found in every life, and that sometimes beauty does its most transformative work in brokenness. My greatest source of hope comes from trusting in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My training and work as a spiritual director has shaped me to go deeper below the surface of our emotions to discover root causes of things that block us from experiencing the love of God. Drawing from a deep well of faith, I have learned the restorative grace of giving space for sorrow rather than pushing quickly past it. Whether writing about discovering deeper freedom in Jesus or searching for hope in the darkest valleys of illness, suffering, and broken dreams, my writing reflects life in all its beauty and messiness, convinced that hope glimmers even in the darkest of shadows. I wrote my latest book, Where the Light of Hope Falls, as a Lenten companion for your six-week journey to the cross with Jesus. The book is for everyone who thirsts for more of God—whether Lent is a familiar practice or something brand new, and for any season— not only during Lent, but whenever you long for deeper freedom. A former banker, I’m now the Executive Director of Alpha Mid Atlantic, the local face of a global ministry called Alpha. Alpha offers churches a post-Christian approach to introducing people to Jesus and is run in nearly every denominational stream within the Church. I live with my husband in greater Philadelphia but have also made my home in New York City, greater Boston, Paris, Florida, Connecticut, and London. My happiest times are spent in the company of my three adult children. I’m passionate about helping others encounter the God of love, finding a cure for type 1 diabetes, filling my senses with beauty and wonder, and exploring all things France. Perhaps you too are hunting for hope in the hard places. I’d love to travel with you through whatever life season you’re currently encountering and discover hope and joy together in the journey. Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll continue hunting for hope with me!” More at https://www.bonnieoneil.com/ [https://www.bonnieoneil.com/]  Support us on Gospel Spice [https://www.gospelspice.com/donate], PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=U9CFSXW2XCWCL] and Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/gospelspice]!

Healing, holiness, and humility: encountering Jesus in faith (6th lesson from Luke)

In this episode, we explore two interconnected stories from the Gospel of Luke. They invite us to explore Jesus’ character, the meaning behind ancient Jewish practices, and how these stories can ignite our spiritual walk today. Today’s passage invites us to approach Jesus with faith, basking in both His dazzling holiness and His tender, approachable love. God delights in us and calls us to delight in His glory—this is our deepest invitation. In Luke 8 and 9, we read of the healing of a woman suffering from chronic bleeding and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Both events are crafted to reveal the multifaceted personality of Jesus and new perspectives on faith, purity, and intimacy with God. Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleads for Jesus to heal his dying daughter (who is 12 years old). On the way, a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years reaches out to touch Jesus’ garment, believing it will heal her. While others crowd around Jesus, it’s her act of faith that connects her to his healing power. Jesus calls her “daughter,” affirming her restored status, both physically and spiritually. The parallel is striking: the girl has lived 12 years; the woman has suffered for 12 years. For one, 12 years was a short, cherished life; for the other, it was a long, isolating ordeal. These stories highlight Jesus’ care for both the old and young, the named and unnamed, those seen by society and those forgotten. Stéphanie explains the importance of the tallit—the Jewish prayer shawl—and its tassels (tzitzit). The tassels, with white threads and a single blue thread, served as daily, physical reminders of God’s commandments and presence. The blue thread (“techelet”) is rich with symbolism: representing the sky, sea, and ultimately the heavenly throne room of God. Blue is a visible connection to God’s glory and the promise of intimacy with Him. These tassels would have been the very ones the bleeding woman touched; believing, as some rabbis argued, that only the tassels could be touched without making someone unclean. Yet Jesus breaks all ritual barriers—nothing and no one can defile Him. Luke urges us to see ourselves in the bleeding woman: After years of trying remedies, it is faith in Christ—not faith alone—that truly heals. Her faith is both fearful and courageous, reaching out in desperation and hope. Jesus, “interruptible” like a loving parent, honors her faith, inviting all to experience relationship with Him—a relationship marked by delight in God’s glory, not rule-keeping. Like the disciples at the Transfiguration, we are called not just to witness Jesus’ glory, but to let it transform us in humility and awe. We’re reminded not to seek spiritual pride, but deep, childlike trust and open-hearted worship—the “spice” of the gospel. Support us on Gospel Spice [https://www.gospelspice.com/donate], PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=U9CFSXW2XCWCL] and Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/gospelspice]!