⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tuesday: God Is Always Near: Daily Affirmations,

This Tuesday episode offers powerful, Scripture-based affirmations to help you step into your week with boldness, peace, and purpose. As the world demands more, God invites you to rely on His strength. Through these promises, you’re reminded that you are never alone, never powerless, and never without purpose.

SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow.

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Today’s daily affirmations are for strength and confidence for the week ahead. Whatever this week holds, you are not facing it alone. God is with you—strengthening you, guiding you, and fighting for you. No matter what challenges you encounter, you can walk in faith knowing that God has already prepared the way for you.

Affirmation:

Joshua

Affirmation:

Isaiah

Affirmation:

Philippians

Affirmation:

1

Affirmation:

Ephesians

Affirmation:

Psalm

Affirmation:

2 Corinthians 5:7 

Affirmation:

Isaiah

Affirmation:

Exodus

Affirmation:

John

Affirmation:

Luke

Affirmation:

Ephesians

Affirmation:

James

Affirmation:

Romans

Affirmation:

Acts

Affirmation:

Galatians

Affirmation:

2

Affirmation:

Philippians

Affirmation:

Deuteronomy

Affirmation:

Psalm

Affirmation:

Psalm

Affirmation:

James

Affirmation:

1

Affirmation:

2

Affirmation:

Romans

Closing

Lord,

 Listen daily and start your morning with God’s truth so you can

#ChristianPodcast

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Your Questions, Answered | Bible Study 101 Q&A

You sent in questions during the Bible Study 101 series, and this episode is Rachael working through a handful of them. Where does a brand new believer start reading? Which Bible should you buy when you're standing in the store with no idea what NIV or NLT even means? Is the SOAP method the same thing as looking for God first? Can women be pastors?

Listen in to get Rachael's answers to these questions and more!

Links

Speakpipe: Leave a voice message or prayer request

Join the newsletter

Chapters

0:00 Why we're doing a Q&A episode

0:39 How SpeakPipe works and why some messages didn't get a reply

2:03 What SpeakPipe is for, and what it isn't for

4:27 Where should someone brand new to faith start reading?

7:22 Which Bible should I buy, and does translation matter?

10:11 Is the SOAP method the same as looking for God first?

12:35 Can you tell us the chapters ahead of time?

13:57 The Hearing Jesus for Kids show, and a question from a kid

17:53 The rescue of 136 children, and what Rachael is praying about now

27:22 Can women be pastors?

33:01 How to send in your question

33:38 Prayer

Where should a new Christian start reading the Bible?

Start with a Gospel or with Genesis, and don't overthink it. Rachael points new believers toward John, since it focuses on who Jesus is, or Genesis, which sets the stage for the rest of Scripture and lays out our spiritual DNA. She also makes the case that the Bible Study 101 series itself is a good starting place, because learning how to read is what makes everything after it stick. Luke and Acts are coming this fall, and those two books were written as part one and part two of the same work, so that's another natural entry point.

The honest answer underneath all of it is that no part of God's word comes back empty. He can use any of it in any season. If you're stuck choosing, pray about it and pick one.

What Bible should I buy, and does the translation matter?

Get a study Bible, whatever translation you land on. That's the part that matters most. A study Bible gives you notes on the verses, plus an introduction before each book that tells you who wrote it, when, and who was originally reading it. When you're new, that context does more for your understanding than the translation choice does.

For translation, the New Living Translation and the NIV tend to be the easiest to read. But Rachael's real advice is to go into a local Christian bookstore, open several of them, look up a verse you already know like John 3:16, and see which one sounds like language you can follow. It's a personal decision, and holding them in your hands tells you more than a review will.

Is the SOAP method the same as looking for God first?

Close, and the instinct behind the question is right. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer, and yes, observation comes before application in that method. So the order is the same idea.

The distinction Rachael draws is what you're observing. Looking for God first means the observation step isn't just noticing details in the text, it's specifically asking who God is in this passage, what He's doing, and what His character looks like, before you ask what it means for you. Rachael teaches the color method rather than SOAP, which she wrote about in She Hears, and she walks through it in the episodes right after this one.

Can women be pastors?

Rachael's answer is yes, and she grounds it in the text rather than in tradition or denomination. Jesus called, equipped, and sent women. Paul called women co-laborers. God has been doing this since the beginning of the story, which means the women we point to in Scripture weren't exceptions to a rule, they were part of the rule.

Her concern is with how a handful of verses get pulled out of context and used to define what leadership can look like. She names it directly: convincing people that half the warriors aren't equipped for war is one of the enemy's most effective moves. She's written three books that walk through the scriptural case, including Never Unseen, releasing March 2027, which looks at the female leaders working alongside Paul in the early church.

If this is something you're wrestling with, the invitation is to read the word yourself and see what it actually says.

What is the Hearing Jesus for Kids podcast?

It's a companion show for children, with around a hundred episodes covering three of the Gospels. When the adult show starts Luke this fall, the kids' show will run a Luke series alongside it, so families can be in the same material at the same time and talk about it at dinner or at bedtime. One of the questions answered in this episode came from a child listener asking how Jesus knew which side of the boat the fish were on.

How did Rachael help rescue trafficked children?

Rachael and her husband pursued an international adoption for about five years before their son was trafficked out of the country. What followed was a fight alongside that nation's government and Interpol that brought home somewhere around 136 children, most of whom were not orphans but had been taken. They were never able to recover their own little guy.

There was no organization behind it. It was the two of them, working out of relationships built through missions trips Rachael had led. She's currently praying about launching a nonprofit arm of She Hears for missions trips, scholarships, and missionary support, and she asks listeners to pray about the timing. For anyone looking to give now, she points to Metro World Child, which she has worked with for around 25 years.

FAQ

How do I send in a question? Use the SpeakPipe link in the show notes. Click the button and leave a voice message.

Can I stay anonymous? Yes. You can also ask for your question to be kept off the show entirely if you'd rather it not air. Note that anonymous messages can't receive a private reply, since there's no contact to reply to.

I sent one and didn't hear back. Why? A batch of messages landed in the wrong folder and were only recently found. Otherwise, check your spam folder, since replies have gone out to every message with a working contact and clear audio.

What is SpeakPipe not for? It isn't a place for coaching requests, confession, or arguments about the validity of Scripture. Questions about the Bible, the current series, or something you're wrestling with are all welcome, and feedback is welcome too.

When does the Luke series start? At the end of the Bible Study 101 series, this fall. Acts follows it.

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Monday: Nothing Can Seperate Me From God's Love: Daily Affirmations, Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

Start your day with confidence, peace, and purpose through these Daily Affirmations for Adults. Each episode is a short but powerful way to realign your heart and mind with biblical truth. Speak life over your day, renew your faith, and step into God’s promises with Scripture-based affirmations.

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Here are your Monday affirmations. I will read the phrase, then you

Take a deep breath. This is a new day filled with God’s grace and

I am a child of God, chosen and loved.

1 John 3:1

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I am fully known and loved fully by God.

Psalm 139:1–2

I have been chosen before the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

I am created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27

I am redeemed and made new in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

I am set apart for God’s purpose.

1 Peter 2:9

I am God’s masterpiece, created for good works.

Ephesians 2:10

I am loved with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

I am called by name and belong to God.

Isaiah 43:1

I am not my past. I am a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17

I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:20

I’m seated in heavenly places with Christ.

Ephesians 2:6

I am co-heir with Christ.

Romans 8:17

I am not rejected. I am accepted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:6

I am never alone. God is always with me.

Hebrews 13:5

I am valuable and precious in God’s sight.

Isaiah 43:4

I have been set free by the truth of Jesus.

John 8:36

I am more than a conqueror through Christ.

Romans 8:37

I am a light in this world, shining for Christ.

Matthew 5:14

I am God’s dwelling

1 Corinthians 3:16

I am forgiven and free from condemnation.

Romans 8:1

I have a divine purpose and calling from God.

Jeremiah 29:11

I am dearly loved and nothing can separate me from God’s love.

Romans 8:38–39

Father, thank You for reminding me who I am in You. Help me to

I hope these affirmations spoke to your heart today. If you want to

Listen daily and start your morning with

#ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations

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Sunday: I Choose Obedience Over Control:  Daily Affirmations,

Today is about looking ahead with God. Before the week begins, we

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Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

I place this coming week in God’s hands.

Psalm

I

Psalm

I

Romans

I

Proverbs

I

Matthew

I

James

I

Psalm

I

Isaiah

I

Psalm

I

2

I

Habakkuk

I

Psalm

I

Micah

I

Psalm

I

Proverbs

I

John

I

Exodus

I

Zechariah

I

Psalm

I

John

I

Philippians

I

Psalm

I

Romans

I

Hebrews

I

Psalm

Closing Prayer:

God, as I step into this new week, I place everything ahead of me

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What Does it Mean to Lay Down Your Crowns?

Dropping her daughter off at college left Rachael with a heaviness she wasn't expecting, and the Holy Spirit met her there with one sentence: this is what it means to lay down your crowns. What followed was ten minutes of real-time Bible study in the middle of a worship service, and what she found in Philippians, Proverbs, and Revelation reframed a phrase she thought she already understood. This short bonus episode is about what it looks like to hand something precious over to God's care even when it hurts.

SpeakPipe: Leave a voice message or prayer request

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Chapters

0:00 Why Rachael does update episodes

0:57 August, transition, and a full season for the Groll family

2:24 The thought she woke up with on the last morning

3:23 "But you are all under My roof"

3:29 Testing what you hear against Scripture, and landing in Psalm 91

4:55 Crying in worship for two reasons at once

5:23 "This is what it means to lay down your crowns"

5:53 Philippians 4:1, when Paul calls people his crown

6:49 Proverbs 17:6, crowns as people again

7:01 Revelation 4:10-11, casting crowns before the throne

7:30 What the Greek actually says about laying down and about crowns

9:43 The call of the Christian parent

10:12 What is your crown

11:39 Trusting the One who created her

13:09 Prayer

What does it mean to lay down your crowns?

Most of us picture Revelation 4, standing before the throne one day and laying every reward we've earned at Jesus' feet. That's a real picture. But laying down crowns is something we're also asked to do now, on this side of heaven, with the things we hold as most precious. It means handing something over to God's care and trusting Him with the outcome before you know what the outcome is.

Can a crown in the Bible be a person?

Yes, and this is the piece that surprised Rachael most. In Philippians 4:1 Paul writes to the church he planted, Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. He's calling people his crown. Proverbs 17:6 does the same thing: Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers. Scripture repeatedly treats the people God has given us as a crown.

What does "cast their crowns" mean in Revelation 4?

Revelation 4:10-11 says, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

The word behind "cast" or "lay down" carries the sense of giving something over to another's care while being uncertain about the result. That's the whole tension of it. You release it without a guarantee, and you do it eagerly anyway, because of who is receiving it.

What does the Greek word stephanos mean?

Stephanos usually refers to an actual crown, whether a victor's wreath, a gold crown, or the crown of thorns. But one of its meanings is broader: that which is an ornament and an honor to a person. That definition is what opens the door to the whole idea in this episode. The people who are precious to you can be your crown, held in the same category as something of enormous value.

How do you trust God with your child when it's time to let go?

You don't have to do it without emotion. Rachael names the thing many parents feel guilty about, which is grieving and being grateful in the same moment. Laying something down before the throne hurts, and that pain doesn't cancel out the trust. What steadies it is verse 11: He created all things, including the very person you're releasing. He loves her more than you do. You can be uncertain about the result and still be certain about Him.

FAQ

How long is this episode? About 14 minutes.

Is this part of the Bible Study 101 series? No. This is a bonus update episode outside the regular teaching series.

How do I send a prayer request? There's a SpeakPipe link in the show notes where you can leave a voice message, or you can email Rachael directly.

Where can I find the study Rachael mentions on Philippians? She goes deeper into Paul's letter to the Philippians in her new book, releasing next spring.

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Saturday: God Sees Me: Daily Affirmations, Christian

As we slow down today, this is a chance to look back over the week

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Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

I

Psalm

I

Psalm

I

Psalm

I

Ecclesiastes

I

Psalm

I

2

I

Psalm

I

Micah

I

1

I

Philippians

I

Psalm

I

Psalm

I

Proverbs

I

Psalm

I

Hebrews

I

Psalm

I

Hebrews

I

Psalm

I

Matthew

I

Isaiah

I

Psalm

I

Psalm

I

Romans

I

Psalm

I

Lamentations

Closing Prayer:

God, thank You for walking with me through this week. Help me to

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How to Prepare Your Heart to Read the Bible: Bible Study 101: Hearing Jesus Bible Study, Devotional

In today's episode, Rachael talks about what happens before you ever open

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Send Rachael a voicemail with any questions at her SpeakPipe here

Go on a trip with Rachael: Bible Study Live

Get Ad-Free Episodes, Bonus Content, and more here: patreon.com/HearingJesus

Chapters

0:01 Why we prepare for a Zoom call but not for Scripture

2:00 Scheduling time versus just fitting it in

3:26 There's no biblically required time of day

6:45 Why the phone belongs in another room

7:42 Reading Psalm 42

9:32 What Psalm 42 gives us permission to feel

12:49 Checking your heart before you read

14:58 It's okay to say you don't want to be there

15:36 A word about confession

17:57 Inviting the Holy Spirit to teach you

18:52 Why worship before reading changes your posture

25:15 Closing prayer

What Does Psalm 42 Actually Mean?

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You,

Is There a Right Time of Day to Read the Bible?

No. There's no verse requiring a specific hour. Morning has real value, and

Is It Okay to Not Want to Read My Bible?

Yes, and saying so honestly to God is more valuable than pretending

FAQ

How long should heart preparation take before Bible reading? A few minutes is enough, naming where you're at, a short confession if something specific comes to mind, and a simple invitation for the Holy Spirit to teach you.

Does this replace the Color Method mentioned in the series? No, this is the

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Friday: I Rest in God's Victory:  Daily Affirmations, Christian

End your week anchored in peace and presence. This episode invites

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Affirmations for rest, renewal, and surrender:

The week is ending, and as we step into the weekend, let’s take a

Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

I release my worries and trust God to handle what I cannot.

1 Peter 5:7

God’s peace fills my heart and I rest in His presence.

Matthew 11:28

I am not defined by my mistakes. God’s grace is greater than my

Lamentations 3:22–23

I let go of the need to control everything and surrender to God’s

Proverbs 3:5–6

I am deeply loved by God and nothing can separate me from His love.

Romans 8:38–39

God refreshes my soul and renews my strength.

Isaiah 40:31

I will be fully present today, trusting that God holds tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34

My body, mind, and spirit find rest in God alone.

Psalm 62:1

I let go of striving and choose to rest in God’s love.

Zephaniah 3:17

I step into the weekend with joy, knowing that God is in control.

Psalm 118:24

God’s presence is my safe place.

Psalm 91:1

I am fully

Psalm 139:1–2

I will not let stress steal my peace today.

Philippians 4:6–7

God is my refuge and I am safe in His hands.

Psalm 46:1

I do not need to have all the answers. I trust God.

Romans 11:33

God is fighting my battles and I can rest in His victory.

Exodus 14:14

I will not

Isaiah 41:13

I am held together by God’s love even when life feels overwhelming.

Colossians 1:17

God’s goodness and mercy follow me every day.

Psalm 23:6

I will not carry burdens that God has already taken from me.

Matthew 11:29–30

I am at peace because God is in control.

Isaiah 26:3

I trust in God’s timing even when I don’t understand.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

I will lay down my burdens and take on God’s.

Psalm 4:8

I am never alone for God is always with me.

Deuteronomy 31:6

No matter what happens today, God is still good.

Nahum 1:7

Closing Prayer:

Father, as this week comes to an end, I lay my burdens at Your

I hope these affirmations spoke to your heart today. If you want to

#ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations

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Who Does God Say He Is? Bible Study 101: Hearing Jesus, Bible Study,

In today's episode, Rachael walks through the moment God introduces Himself to Moses in His own words, right after Israel's worst betrayal, the golden calf. What God leads with, and what comes right after it, gives a fuller and more honest picture of His character than most of us were taught to hold onto.

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Send Rachael a voicemail with any questions at her SpeakPipe here

Go on a trip with Rachael: Bible Study Live

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Chapters

0:12 What are we actually looking for when we look for God in a passage?

3:19 The golden calf, and the worst timing possible

5:33 Moses asks to see God's glory

6:03 Exodus 34:6-7, God introduces Himself in His own words

7:32 Why God leads with compassion, not power

8:58 What "slow to anger" and "lovingkindness" actually

10:54 The justice side: the third and fourth generation

13:14 A personal story about generational sin

16:43 How this same passage gets quoted throughout Scripture

19:41 How to start building your own list of who God is

23:18 Closing prayer

What Does Exodus 34:6-7 Actually Say About God?

Right after Israel's worst betrayal, the golden calf, God passes in front of

Does God Punish Children for Their Parents' Sins?

The same passage continues: "Yet He will by no means leave the

Why Does This Passage Get Quoted So Often Elsewhere in Scripture?

David uses it in the Psalms. Nehemiah uses it during Israel's confession of

FAQ

Is this the same as the "God is the hero" teaching from earlier

What's a simple way to start applying this? Keep a running list titled

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Thursday: God's Uses My Life: Daily Affirmations, Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

You were created on purpose—for a purpose. In this episode of Daily

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God created you for a reason. Your life is not an accident, and

As you listen to these affirmations, let them remind you that God is leading, guiding, and equipping you for everything He has called you to do.

I’ll say the affirmation, pause so you can repeat it after me, and

Affirmations and Scriptures:

God has a purpose for my life and I walk in His plan.

Jeremiah 29:11

I trust in the Lord to guide my steps.

Proverbs 3:5–6

I seek wisdom, and God gives it freely.

James 1:5

God is directing my steps and I do not walk alone.

Psalm 37:23

I am a light in this world, shining for Christ.

Matthew 5:14

God has prepared good works for me to do today.

Ephesians 2:10

I am equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:17

I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8

I will walk in faith, not in fear.

2 Timothy 1:7

God’s Word lights my path.

Psalm 119:105

I choose obedience, knowing God’s ways are best.

Deuteronomy 5:33

I live with purpose and do not waste my time.

Ephesians 5:15–16

I am called to make an impact for God’s Kingdom.

Matthew 28:19–20

I have the

1 Corinthians 2:16

I am a vessel for God’s work.

2 Corinthians 4:7

I will not grow weary in doing good.

Galatians 6:9

God’s purpose for me cannot be stopped.

Job 42:2

I do everything for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23

God is using my life to accomplish His plan.

Romans 8:28

I am bold in sharing the gospel.

Romans 1:16

I walk in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

I remain

1 Corinthians 15:58

God will finish the work He started in me.

Philippians 1:6

I live with an eternal perspective.

Colossians 3:2

I press forward in my faith, knowing my reward is in Heaven.

Philippians 3:13–14

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for calling me to a life of purpose. Help me

In Jesus’ name, amen.

I hope these affirmations spoke to your heart today. If you want to

Listen daily and start your morning with God’s truth so you can

#ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations

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