Welcome to our 4th episode in our “Malachi” series! Today we explore a rich conversation with God through the dynamics of divine justice and mercy, focusing on the relationship between God's unchanging nature and His offer of grace to humanity.

Malachi offers both a picture of God’s judgment, targeting sins such as sorcery, adultery, and oppression, and at the same time, God declares His constancy, ensuring that humanity isn’t consumed. This paradox of divine justice and mercy is a central theme in the book of Malachi, since God's steadfast love is the foundation of our existence and redemption.

God, speaking through Malachi, presents tithing as a practical expression of faith. Tithing symbolizes our dependence on God as an act of returning blessings back to Him. In Christ, tithing is not as a strict obligation, but a way to encourage a lifestyle of generosity and trust in God’s provision. Tithing is not about a precise percentage, but about the spirit of generosity that reflects our relationship with God.

The people of Malachi’s time doubted the benefit of serving God, equating prosperity with divine favor. This prosperity gospel mindset, so prevalent in our own day and age, misses the true reward of intimacy with God, over and against mere material gain.

Today, Malachi offers us a powerful reminder of God’s promise to His people, stating that those who fear Him and honor His name are cherished by Him. We come full circle when we connect Malachi’s message to its prophetic fulfillment through Jesus Christ, who offers the ultimate relationship and reward with God. Stephanie encourages reflection on this relationship and challenges us to align our actions with our faith, fostering a community that esteems God’s Name.

Overall, the book of Malachi is about understanding the depth of God’s love and justice, encouraging us to return to God with open hearts, and recognizing the unparalleled reward of a close relationship with Him. Through Malachi's questions and answers, we are invited to explore our own faith, rooted and established in Christ. We are invited to seek God's presence and promises in our generation, in the context of historical Scripture.

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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