Journey into the grace and presence of God | with a surprise guest for our 5th anniversary | Episode 347

Stephanie has a fun surprise for anyone who has loved the show for some time! She is joined by her husband Jonah, for the first time on the show, to celebrate a momentous milestone: the fifth anniversary of the podcast! Through a heartfelt conversation, they invite you to explore the themes of spiritual growth, understanding God’s love, and the journey of faith. They hope to point us to God’s faithfulness and the transforming power of His presence.

Listen here: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/312666/link/ 

Want to use the prayer that Jonah uses at the end of the episode? Click HERE to download a beautiful printable version (also available here: https://www.gospelspice.com/free 

In a world rife with distractions, Stephanie and Jonah invite you to remember our need for intentional presence. They discuss practical steps like spending quiet time with God, paying attention to distractions, and listening to the Holy Spirit's nudges. This investment in intimacy with God allows for discerning His guidance and being His hands and feet in daily life. Scripture challenges us to engage our faith deeply through Christ.

Jonah opens up about his spiritual journey, transitioning from a works-based faith, to understanding sanctification as a divine gift through the Holy Spirit's work. He highlights the importance of obedience stemming from gratitude rather than religious vanity, noting the critical need to avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-righteousness.

Stephanie asks Jonah about a Bible character he relates to. Jonah finds a connection with King David, appreciating his acknowledgment of grace and his deep yearning for divine presence. He draws a beautiful parallel with an imagined “third brother” in the parable of the prodigal son, the brother who is content simply being in his father's presence. This will inspire you! Make sure to listen.

Jonah admires David's profound understanding of grace and his relentless pursuit of God's presence. David’s journey, especially as portrayed in Psalm 56 and Psalm 27, serves as a roadmap for seeking God’s presence amid crises and life's challenges. Jonah encourages us to embrace God’s goodness, trusting Him with our sorrows and tears, much like David did.

Jonah’s aspiration to reject shallow spirituality is another powerful point. He invites us towards deeper wisdom and joy through God’s presence, rather than transient cultural practices, urging us to develop mindful habits centered on Christ. This intentionality in connecting with God’s presence is essential in today’s distraction-filled world.

Stephanie and Jonah provide practical advice for growing in grace and holiness. They emphasize that sanctification should not be self-centered, but focused on reflecting Christ’s image on earth. This aligns with God’s broader goal for us - of transforming us from within, in order to then share love externally, cultivating an internal source of life that impacts outward actions.

As they conclude the episode, Jonah and Stephanie reflect on the journey of Gospel Spice, expressing gratitude for its impact over the past five years. They offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the ministry and its listeners, invoking God’s guidance and blessings.

Fun Fact from the Episode: Stephanie and Jonah usually chat in French, but for this special episode, they switched to English, making the conversation an adventurous and fun challenge for them both!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1.      Intentional Presence: Invest time and focus to truly connect with God’s presence, setting aside daily distractions to foster deeper spiritual growth. Use Scripture, prayer, worship.

2.      Responding to Divine Nudges: Cultivate an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your everyday life, aiming to be God's hands and feet in all you do.

3.      Reflecting Christ's Image: Sanctification is about transforming from within to reflect Christ’s love outwardly—impacting your actions and interactions with others.

4.      God’s Balance of Might and Love: Understanding both aspects of God is essential to a complete faith.

5.      Journey from Works-Based Faith to Grace: Discover Jonah’s transformation from a works-focused faith to embracing sanctification through the Holy Spirit.

6.      The Real Meaning of Obedience: True obedience stems from gratitude and the Holy Spirit, not religious vanity.

7.      David’s Example of Grace: King David’s pursuit of God’s presence can inspire a deeper, more genuine faith.

8.      Cultural Contentment and Spiritual Practices: Explore ways to find true contentment in God’s presence amidst the distractions of modern life.