Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Prayer, Hearing God & Christian Affirmations

Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Prayer, Hearing God & Christian Affirmations

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Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Prayer, Hearing God & Christian Affirmations episodes

  • Sunday Daily Affirmations: Inviting God Into Every Moment | Preparation and Trust

    Sunday Daily Affirmations: Inviting God Into Every Moment |

    Preparation and Trust

    Sunday is for looking ahead with God. Before the week begins, we pause and place what's coming into His hands. These Scripture-based Christian

    affirmations are a steady way to enter the week grounded, attentive, and
    trusting God to lead you one day at a time.

    I'll say each affirmation, pause so you can repeat it after me, and then

    read the Bible verse it comes from.

    Links

    AD-FREE Daily Affirmations are on my Patreon: Patreon

    Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org

    Have a question? Leave me a voicemail: SpeakPipe

    Sunday affirmations and Scripture

    I place this coming week in God's hands.

    Psalm 31:15 — "My times are in Your hands."

    I trust God to guide my steps.

    Psalm 37:23 — "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights
    in Him."

    I enter this week with expectancy, not fear.

    Romans 15:13 — "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
    you trust in Him."

    I invite God into every moment ahead.

    Proverbs 16:3 — "Commit to the Lord whatever you do."

    I trust God to order my priorities.

    Matthew 6:33 — "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness."

    I receive God's wisdom for the days ahead.

    James 1:5 — "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God."

    I walk into this week anchored in truth.

    Psalm 119:105 — "Your word is a lamp to my feet."

    I trust God with what I cannot foresee.

    Isaiah 46:10 — "I make known the end from the beginning."

    I choose faith over anticipation of stress.

    Psalm 56:3 — "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."

    I rely on God's grace for each day.

    2 Corinthians 12:9 — "My grace is sufficient for you."

    I trust God's timing this week.

    Habakkuk 2:3 — "Though it linger, wait for it."

    I remain open to God's leading.

    Psalm 25:4 — "Show me Your ways, Lord."

    I step forward with humility and trust.

    Micah 6:8 — "What does the Lord require of you? To walk humbly with
    your God."

    I depend on God's strength, not my own.

    Psalm 68:35 — "God gives strength and power to His people."

    I trust God with every conversation and decision.

    Proverbs 20:24 — "A person's steps are directed by the Lord."

    I choose obedience over control.

    John 14:23 — "Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching."

    I walk into this week aware of God's presence.

    Exodus 33:14 — "My Presence will go with you."

    I trust God to work through ordinary moments.

    Zechariah 4:10 — "Do not despise these small beginnings."

    I release anxiety about outcomes.

    Psalm 112:7 — "They will have no fear of bad news."

    I remain attentive to God's voice.

    John 10:27 — "My sheep listen to My voice."

    I trust God to meet my needs.

    Philippians 4:19 — "My God will meet all your needs."

    I step into this week with courage.

    Psalm 31:24 — "Be strong and take heart."

    I trust God to shape my character.

    Romans 8:29 — "To be conformed to the image of His Son."

    I begin this week grounded in hope.

    Hebrews 6:19 — "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul."

    I rest in God's faithfulness as I move forward.

    Psalm 33:4 — "The word of the Lord is right and true."

    Closing prayer

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

    care. Go before me, guide my steps, and help me stay attentive to You. I trust
    You with what's coming, one day at a time. Amen.

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    10 min
  • Saturday Daily Affirmations: Looking Back with God | Reflection and Gratitude

    Saturday Daily Affirmations: Looking Back with God | Reflection and

    Gratitude

    Saturday is a good day to slow down and look back over your week with

    God. Not to replay everything or overthink it, but to notice where He met you, where He carried you, and where His grace showed up. These Scripture-based Christian affirmations are a gentle way to reflect with honesty and gratitude before the new week begins.

    I'll say each affirmation, pause so you can repeat it after me, and then

    read the Bible verse it comes from.

    Links

    AD-FREE Daily Affirmations are on my Patreon: Patreon

    Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org

    Have a question? Leave me a voicemail: SpeakPipe

    Saturday affirmations and Scripture

    I thank God for walking with me through this week.

    Psalm 143:10 — "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your
    good Spirit lead me on level ground."

    I recognize God's faithfulness in both the seen and unseen moments.

    Psalm 77:11 — "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will
    remember Your miracles of long ago."

    I release regret and receive God's grace.

    Psalm 32:5 — "Then I acknowledged my sin to You... and You forgave the
    guilt of my sin."

    I trust that God was at work even when I didn't notice.

    Ecclesiastes 3:11 — "He has made everything beautiful in its
    time."

    I give thanks for the strength God provided each day.

    Psalm 28:7 — "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in
    Him, and He helps me."

    I acknowledge where I grew this week.

    2 Peter 3:18 — "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
    Jesus Christ."

    I notice where God invited me to trust Him more deeply.

    Psalm 37:5 — "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do
    this."

    I receive God's mercy for where I fell short.

    Micah 7:18 — "You delight in mercy."

    I choose gratitude over self-criticism.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 — "Give thanks in all circumstances."

    I honor the work God has been doing in my heart.

    Philippians 1:6 — "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to
    completion."

    I acknowledge God's presence in ordinary moments.

    Psalm 16:11 — "You make known to me the path of life."

    I release this week into God's care.

    Psalm 55:22 — "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain
    you."

    I trust God with what remains unfinished.

    Proverbs 16:9 — "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord
    establishes their steps."

    I thank God for His patience with me.

    Psalm 103:8 — "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,
    abounding in love."

    I rest in the truth that God sees me fully.

    Hebrews 4:13 — "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's
    sight."

    I choose to end this week with gratitude.

    Psalm 92:1 — "It is good to give thanks to the Lord."

    I release comparison and embrace contentment.

    Hebrews 13:5 — "Be content with what you have, because God has said,
    'Never will I leave you.'"

    I acknowledge God's protection this week.

    Psalm 121:7 — "The Lord will keep you from all harm."

    I thank God for His provision.

    Matthew 6:31-32 — "Your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

    I recognize God's quiet guidance.

    Isaiah 30:21 — "This is the way; walk in it."

    I let go of striving and receive rest.

    Psalm 23:2 — "He leads me beside quiet waters."

    I honor the limits God has given me.

    Psalm 127:2 — "He grants sleep to those He loves."

    I trust God with what I do not understand.

    Romans 11:33 — "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge
    of God."

    I receive peace as I reflect with God.

    Psalm 4:7 — "You have filled my heart with greater joy."

    I end this week grounded in God's faithfulness.

    Lamentations 3:23 — "Great is Your faithfulness."

    Closing prayer

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

    faithfulness clearly and to release what I need to let go of. I trust that You
    were present in ways I noticed and in ways I didn't. I place this week back
    into Your hands. Amen.

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    12 min
  • FRIDAY BONUS: Who is Rachael and How Did the Hearing Jesus Podcast Start?

    Who is Rachael and How Did the Hearing Jesus Podcast Start?

    This bonus Friday episode is an introduction to Rachael and the Hearing Jesus podcast for all our new listeners. Rachael explains what listeners can expect each week, why the show is structured the way it is, and how her own story shaped the heart of the podcast. She also shares her testimony, the origins of the show, and the vision behind Bible Study Live and the wider Hearing Jesus community.


    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

    00:00 - What this bonus Friday episode is about

    01:01 - Why the podcast had extra bonus content this week
    01:49 - The normal weekly rhythm of affirmations and Bible study
    03:11 - Why interviews became more selective
    05:05 - Final call for unclaimed giveaway winners
    06:48 - Rachel’s calling to help people hear God’s voice
    08:03 - Early life, marriage, divorce, and healing
    09:25 - Ministry training, education, and early church work
    10:55 - Leaving the daycare and stepping into church leadership
    12:07 - From children’s ministry to outreach and justice work
    13:02 - Starting Sidewalk Sunday School in hard parts of town
    14:27 - The first empty bus and learning to keep going
    15:24 - Why outreach grew beyond kids into food, housing, and care
    16:23 - Missions work around the world
    17:16 - Pushback over preaching Jesus in the housing community
    18:30 - One conversation that changed everything
    19:27 - Fighting back and regaining gospel access
    19:56 - Writing Go and speaking about outreach ministry
    20:48 - The message that became She Hears
    22:37 - Starting the podcast during COVID
    23:33 - Asking whether the podcast was worth the work
    24:25 - Treating the podcast like the church
    26:48 - Full-time missions work and global ministry
    28:29 - Why immersive Bible study trips became the next step
    29:28 - How Bible Study Live began with Rome
    31:42 - Adding Maui and planning Greece
    32:35 - The heart behind immersive Bible study
    33:31 - Finding older episodes and sending questions
    34:52 - Organizing the episode library through Patreon
    35:52 - SpeakPipe questions and prayer requests
    36:21 - Encouragement for listeners facing discouragement
    37:16 - Closing resources and final thoughts

    Notable quotes

    “The call of God on my life was not instant.”

    “God’s word does not come back void.”



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  • Favored Is Not the Same Thing as Favorite (Luke 1:26-38)

    Favored Is Not the Same Thing as Favorite (Luke 1:26-38)

    Have you ever wondered why, if you are really favored by God, life still feels this hard? A lot of us quietly carry that question. We hear that God favors His people, and then we look at our circumstances and feel confused, overlooked, or unqualified. The story of Mary clears up something we have gotten mixed up for a long time.

    In this episode we slow down in Luke 1:26-38, the moment the angel Gabriel visits Mary, and we sit with one word that changes everything: favored. Being favored by God is not the same thing as being His favorite, and once you see the difference, it changes how you read your own life. This is the second stop in our slow read through the Gospel of Luke.


    "And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28, NASB)


    Links

    Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. Learn more at https://biblestudylive.org

    Leave me a voicemail with your question for the series: SpeakPipe

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


    What does "favored" actually mean in Luke 1:28?

    The word behind favored comes from the Greek word for grace. It describes someone who has been given grace, not someone who earned a gold star. When Gabriel calls Mary the favored one, he is not saying she out-performed every other woman alive. He is saying God freely poured out grace on her. Favor starts with God's character, not our performance.

    Is being favored the same as being God's favorite?

    This is where so many of us get tripped up. A favorite is earned. Think of the favorite student or the favorite child, the one who won the spot by their grades or their effort. Favored is the opposite. It is a free gift, and in Scripture it is tied to being given a purpose, not to comfort or ease. Mary was favored, and it led straight into a hard, costly assignment.

    Why would God favor a girl from Nazareth?

    Nazareth was a small, overlooked town with no reputation. Later in John's Gospel, someone asks whether anything good could come from there. That is the point. Out of every place and every person God could have chosen, He chose the girl nobody would have picked, because His favor has never been about status or standing.

    What did being favored cost Mary?

    Betrothal was far more than a modern engagement. It was a legally binding contract, essentially marriage in every way except living together. A pregnancy that was not her husband's could expose Mary to public disgrace and real danger. Her favor came wrapped in risk. That is the piece we miss when we treat favor like a reward for good behavior.

    Why did Gabriel respond to Mary so differently than to Zechariah?

    When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, fear fell on him and he asked for proof. Mary was troubled too, but her response was to ponder, to turn the words over and work through them. Zechariah was older, credentialed, and established. Mary was young with no title or standing. Yet she is the one who trusted. God's favor and His ability to use us have nothing to do with our credentials.

    What does favor look like when you say "let it be"?

    Mary's words, let it be, came before she knew how any of it would work out. She still had to face Joseph, her town, and the math everyone would do on her pregnancy. Being favored did not remove the cost. It gave her the grace to trust God inside the cost. That is the invitation for us too, to trust Him so deeply that even when it does not make sense, we can say, let it be.


    Common Questions

    What passage does this episode cover?

    Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel's visit to Mary. It is the second teaching episode in the slow read through the Gospel of Luke.

    What Bible translation does Rachael use?

    Rachael reads from the ESV while using the color method and studies and teaches from the NASB, so you may hear small wording differences during the teaching.

    What is the color method?

    A simple Bible study approach Rachael teaches in the Bible Study 101 series for marking and noticing patterns in a passage as you read slowly.

    How can I send a question for the Luke series?

    Leave a voicemail through the SpeakPipe link above or email Rachael. Some questions get answered in future Q and A episodes.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  • Friday Daily Affirmations: Fully Known by God | Rest, Renewal, and Surrender

    Friday Daily Affirmations: Fully Known by God | Rest, Renewal, and

    Surrender

    End your week anchored in peace and presence. These Scripture-based

    Christian affirmations are a short, steady way to set down what you've been
    carrying and find rest in God's care. Today's affirmations are about releasing
    your burdens, letting go of striving, and remembering that God's strength,
    love, and renewal are available right where you are. It's time to stop striving
    and start resting in His goodness.

    I'll say each affirmation, pause so you can repeat it after me, and then

    share the Scripture it comes from.

    Links

    AD-FREE Daily Affirmations are on my Patreon: Patreon

    Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org

    Have a question? Leave me a voicemail: SpeakPipe

    Before we begin

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

    breathe. Release your burdens and rest in God's presence. We're not meant to carry everything ourselves. God calls us to lay our worries at His feet and
    find renewal in Him.

    Friday affirmations and Scripture

    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 failures.

    Lamentations 3:22-23

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

    plan.
    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 known and fully loved by God.

    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 fear because God is with me.

    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 feet. Help me

    to release my worries, rest in Your peace, and trust You with everything I
    cannot control. Refresh my heart and renew my spirit so I can step into the
    weekend with joy. In Jesus' name, amen.

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

    deeper, just keep listening. Your full Bible study episode is coming up next.

    Listen daily and start your morning with God's truth so you can walk in

    faith, clarity, and confidence.

     

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    12 min
  • When Fear Drowns Out God's Voice: Zechariah and Elizabeth: Luke 1:5-25

    When Fear Drowns Out God's Voice: Zechariah and Elizabeth: Luke 1:5-25

    There are things that keep us from hearing God, and fear is one of the loudest. Not because God stops speaking, but because fear gets between us and what He is saying.

    Zechariah is a hard case to dismiss. He came from a priestly family, Scripture calls him righteous, and it says he walked blamelessly. He was literally in the middle of serving God when God spoke to him. And he still couldn't hear it, because he had waited and prayed so many years that the fear of another disappointment had gotten louder than the voice in the room.

    Today we slow down in Luke 1 and look at what fear actually cost him, and what it did not cost him.

    Links

    Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. We visit Luke's house in Rome every November, and Greece is coming next spring. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org


    Have a question about the Luke series? Leave me a voicemail and I'll answer them as we go: SpeakPipe


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


    Who was Herod, and why does Luke mention him first?

    Because Luke is anchoring this in real history. Herod the Great ruled Judea for Rome from roughly 37 to 4 BC. This is not once upon a time in a land far away. Luke is telling you when this happened so you can go and check it.

    There's also a contrast being set up in that very first sentence. On one side, a paranoid and violent king who was terrified of losing his power, and everyone was watching him. On the other side, God quietly setting the arrival of the real King in motion through an ordinary priest in a small town, while nobody important was paying attention.

    What is the division of Abijah?

    Long before this, King David divided the priests into twenty-four family groups so each one got a fair turn serving in the temple. You can read about it in 1 Chronicles 24. Abijah's group was eighth in line, and each group served about a week at a time, twice a year, plus festivals when everyone served together.

    Luke includes this detail for the same reason he named Herod. It tells you which family Zechariah belonged to and narrows down when this happened. This is a real man in a real place at a checkable moment in time.

    What does "daughters of Aaron" mean?

    Aaron was Moses' brother and the first priest of Israel. So this tells us Elizabeth also came from a priestly family. In that culture, a priest marrying a woman from a priestly line was considered an excellent match.

    Both of them came from the most respected religious families in the country. Which makes the years of childlessness harder, not easier. In that time, the assumption was that being without children meant you had done something wrong. That was never what God said, but it was what the culture said, and people still say versions of it today. Luke is showing us the opposite. These two had done everything right.

    Why couldn't John drink wine or strong drink?

    Gabriel is pointing to something like a Nazirite vow, described in Numbers. That was a promise a person made to set themselves completely apart for God, and abstaining from alcohol was part of it. Normally an adult made that vow for themselves. Here, John receives the calling before he is even born, the way Samson did in Judges 13. It's God's way of saying this child belongs to Him completely.

    There's a practical dimension too. John's assignment was to prepare the way for the Messiah, and God wanted no obstacles and no grounds for dismissing him. When someone carries a word from the Lord, anything that gives listeners a reason to doubt the source can undermine the message. Even Jesus and the disciples were accused of being drunk.

    What does "the spirit and power of Elijah" mean?

    Centuries earlier, Malachi said God would send someone with Elijah's spirit to prepare people before the Messiah arrived. Elijah was bold and direct, never afraid to call people back to God even when it cost him. Gabriel is not saying John is Elijah returned. He's giving a job description. John will carry that same boldness into the same role.

    Why does it matter that the angel is Gabriel?

    Because Gabriel is named only a handful of times in all of Scripture. Twice in Daniel, and twice in Luke. In Daniel, he explains a vision and lays out a countdown to the arrival of the Messiah. Now the same messenger who told Daniel to watch for Him has come back to say it's happening.

    Luke is the details man. That detail is not decoration.

    How does fear keep us from hearing God?

    Most of us have heard this taught as a mouth problem. He spoke doubt, and he was silenced. That's true as far as it goes. But what comes out of our mouths does not start in our mouths. It starts in the heart.

    Back up to verse twelve. Zechariah was troubled, and fear fell on him. The angel recognizes it immediately and speaks directly to that fear, and then rattles off roughly a dozen promises, one after another. Your prayer has been heard. You will have a son. You will call him John. You will have joy and gladness. Many will rejoice. He will be great before the Lord. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. He will turn many back to God. He will go in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children. He will turn the disobedient toward wisdom. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

    A dozen supernatural promises, and Zechariah doesn't seem to hear past the first one. He's still standing in his fear. That's what fear does. It doesn't stop God from speaking. It makes His voice harder to receive.

    After all those years of waiting and praying, the waiting had almost become his identity, and the fear of it never happening spoke louder than the voice of God standing right in front of him.

    What did fear actually cost him?

    Here's the part worth sitting with. Look at verse twenty-four. After these days, Elizabeth conceived.

    She conceived anyway. Gabriel had said it would be fulfilled in its time, and it was. Zechariah's fear did not stop God from doing what God was going to do.

    What it stopped was his participation in it. A multitude of people were waiting outside for him, the very people he was called to lead and had served faithfully his whole life. He walked out with the greatest news of his life and could not say a word. He still got to see what God did. He just didn't get to tell anyone.

    He was doing all the right things on the outside and still let fear rob him on the inside. Our doubt will not stop God's plan. But it can silence our testimony of it.

    What's the invitation today?

    Sit with this one honestly. Where might God be authoring something in your life that you are too afraid to see? Where is fear the thing drowning out His voice?

    Maybe you've been holding a promise for a long time. Maybe you're afraid to hope, because hoping and being disappointed again feels worse than not hoping at all. Fear can keep you from recognizing the miracle standing directly in front of you.

    It won't stop God. It may stop you from being part of it.

    Featured quote

    "Our doubt won't stop God's plan. But it may stop your testimony of it."

    Scripture referenced

    Luke 1:5-25 (ESV), 1 Chronicles 24, Numbers, Judges 13, Malachi 4, Daniel

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Picking back up in the Luke and Acts study
    • 00:30 Reading Luke 1:5-25
    • 04:28 Prayer
    • 04:56 The way this passage usually gets taught, and what gets missed
    • 06:46 Who was Herod, and why Luke starts there
    • 08:27 The contrast between a paranoid king and the real King
    • 08:57 The division of Abijah, and how David organized the priests
    • 11:10 The daughters of Aaron, and what it meant to be barren then
    • 12:49 The Nazirite vow, and why John was set apart from the womb
    • 15:50 The spirit and power of Elijah
    • 17:13 Why Gabriel by name matters
    • 19:20 Righteous, blameless, and still waiting
    • 21:22 It started in his heart, not his mouth
    • 22:11 Fear fell upon him
    • 23:06 The dozen promises Zechariah didn't hear
    • 25:21 When waiting becomes your identity
    • 27:23 Elizabeth conceived anyway
    • 29:16 God will do what God is going to do
    • 31:41 The multitude waiting outside
    • 32:47 Doing all the right things and still bound by fear
    • 32:58 Your homework for today
    • 35:00 Prayer against the spirit of fear
    • 36:47 Why we go to Rome
    • 38:23 Coming tomorrow: Mary
    • Frequently asked questions

      Is fear a barrier to hearing God's voice?

      Yes, and Zechariah is one of the clearest examples in Scripture. God was speaking audibly through a messenger standing in front of him, and fear still kept him from receiving it.


      Why was Zechariah struck mute?

      Gabriel says it plainly: because he did not believe the words that would be fulfilled in their time. The deeper issue was the fear underneath the unbelief.


      Did Zechariah's unbelief stop the promise?

      No. Elizabeth conceived exactly as Gabriel said. What his fear cost him was the ability to speak about it, not the miracle itself.


      Were Zechariah and Elizabeth being punished with barrenness?

      No. Luke goes out of his way to tell us both were righteous and walked blamelessly. The assumption that childlessness signaled wrongdoing was cultural, not biblical.

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      41 min
    • Thursday Daily Affirmations: I Have the Mind of Christ | Walking in Purpose

      Thursday Daily Affirmations: I Have the Mind of Christ | Walking in

      Purpose

      You were created on purpose, for a purpose. These Scripture-based

      Christian affirmations are a short, steady way to walk into your day with
      intention, clarity, and wisdom. Whether you're questioning your calling or
      finding your footing in a new season, today's affirmations will help you trust
      God's plan, listen for His guidance, and move forward with boldness.

      I'll say each affirmation, pause so you can repeat it after me, and then

      share the Scripture it's based on.

      Links

      AD-FREE Daily Affirmations are on my Patreon: Patreon

      Join me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org

      Have a question? Leave me a voicemail: SpeakPipe


      Before we begin

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

      steps are not random. He has a plan for you, a purpose that brings glory to Him and fulfillment to your heart. 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.


      Thursday affirmations and Scripture

      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 mind of Christ and seek His wisdom daily.

      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 steadfast in my calling.

      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 to walk in

      wisdom today, seeking You in all I do. Give me clarity where I need direction,
      courage where I need boldness, and a heart that is always ready to serve You.
      Let my life bring You glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

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

      deeper, just keep listening. Your full Bible study episode is coming up next.

      Listen daily and start your morning with God's truth so you can walk in

      faith, clarity, and confidence.

       

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      11 min
    • Luke Was Not a Disciple: An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

      Luke Was Not a Disciple: An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke


      We're starting our fall study of the Gospel of Luke, and before we open the text, it's worth knowing who wrote this book and why. Luke was a physician, a careful historian, and the only non-Jewish author in all of Scripture. He wasn't one of the twelve. He never met Jesus. And he wrote for someone who had already heard the stories but needed something solid underneath them.If you have ever felt like an outsider in church, or found that your own faith has gotten a little shakier than you'd like to admit, this is your gospel.


      LinksJoin me on an immersive Bible Study Experience. We visit Luke's house in Rome, and our 2027 dates include Greece, Maui, and Rome. Payment plans are interest free. Learn more at BibleStudyLive.org


      Have a question about the series? Leave me a voicemail: SpeakPipe


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


      Why are we studying Luke and Acts together?

      Because that's how they were written. Luke was originally the first of two books, with Acts as the second. Treating them as one continuous work is the way they were meant to be read, and together they make up roughly a quarter of the New Testament. Luke gives us the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Acts picks up with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the formation of the early church, and the work of the apostles.


      Who wrote the Gospel of Luke?

      The book itself doesn't name its author, but the consensus is unanimous and uncontested. Early Christian tradition, along with the writing style and structure, all point to Luke. This isn't one of the books scholars argue about.Here's what surprises most people: Luke was not one of the disciples. He never knew Jesus personally. He was a Gentile who later became a follower of Jesus, which makes him the only non-Jewish author of any book in the Bible. Paul calls him a dear friend and tells us he was a physician. He was educated, careful as a historian, and a theologian.


      Who was Theophilus?

      The name means one who loves God, which has led some to read it as a title for any believer. That's a fair application, but it's probably not what it meant originally. Luke calls him most excellent, and that same phrase is used elsewhere in Scripture for Roman officials. Most scholars land on Theophilus being a Roman official or at least a man of real wealth and status, quite possibly Luke's sponsor, the person who funded the writing and distribution. Either way, this was a letter written to a specific man for a specific reason.


      Why did Luke write a fourth gospel?

      Because there was a gap. Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience. Mark wrote a short account for the church in Rome. But Greek-speaking Gentiles had only oral accounts and brief written summaries. They had no complete story of Jesus from a perspective that made sense to them. Luke saw the need, and the Lord led him to fill it. Most of his research was likely done while Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea, and he probably finished soon after arriving in Rome.You can see that Gentile focus in the text itself. Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham, which is what a Jewish audience would want. Luke traces it all the way back to Adam, because his readers needed to know that Jesus came for all of humanity, not one nation.


      What makes Luke different from the other gospels?

      Luke's writing (Luke and Acts together) is the longest book in the New Testament and the most comprehensive account of the life of Jesus. It has the most polished Greek. It's the only gospel that shows us Jesus as a young boy. It gives us a large body of teaching and parables found nowhere else, most of it delivered on the road to Jerusalem.Luke also keeps his eye on particular people: the poor, women, widows, children, the sick, the social outcasts. He was a doctor, and he notices things the others don't. He pays close attention to the prayer life of Jesus, to joy, and to the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and in the lives of His followers. The title he uses most is Son of Man, which holds together that Jesus was fully God and fully man.


      What does "exact truth" actually mean in Luke 1:4?

      This is the heart of it. Luke states his purpose plainly: so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. The Greek word behind exact truth shares a root with our English word asphalt, and it carries the sense of something firm and solid, a stable foundation, something that will not let you slip.That's what Luke was after. He wrote so that a man who had already been taught would have something concrete under his feet when life got hard.


      Why does that matter for us?

      Because a lot of people are walking around with a faith more fragile than they would ever say out loud. You can attend every Sunday and know all the right words, and still find that a hard season, a painful loss, or a stack of unanswered questions has softened the ground underneath you.That's exactly who Luke wrote for. And it's why this gospel is so accessible now. Luke wrote for outsiders, for people with no background and no context, starting from the beginning. The poor, the Gentile, the tax collector, the Samaritan woman, the leper, the sinner, all of them get placed at the center of his story.If you have ever felt too far outside to be included in what God is doing, this is your gospel. And if you haven't felt that way, someone near you has.


      Featured quote:

      "Luke is saying, I wrote this for you so that you would have something firm and stable to stand on."

      Scripture referenced: Luke 1:1-4 (NASB)


      Timestamps

      • 00:00 Where we've been, and why the Bible Study 101 episodes matter
      • 00:55 Why we skipped Luke last year, and why we're doing Luke and Acts together
      • 01:48 Reading Luke 1:1-4
      • 02:25 Who was Theophilus, and what "most excellent" tells us
      • 03:41 Who wrote this gospel, and why there's no real debate
      • 04:30 Luke was not a disciple, and he was not Jewish
      • 05:26 What Luke and Acts cover together
      • 06:36 What Paul tells us about Luke
      • 07:29 The gap Luke was filling for the Gentile church
      • 08:26 Abraham or Adam: how audience shapes a genealogy
      • 09:22 What's inside Luke, and what's found nowhere else
      • 10:19 The longest, most literate, most comprehensive gospel
      • 10:49 The marginalized, prayer, joy, and the Holy Spirit
      • 11:26 Why the big picture of Scripture changes how you read
      • 13:18 Luke is the gospel for people who feel like outsiders
      • 14:14 Rachael's own story of walking in with no context
      • 15:14 The faith that's more fragile than we admit
      • 16:39 Asphalēs: something firm to stand on
      • 17:39 Why Luke is a better starting point than most people are told
      • 18:32 What to expect this fall
      • 18:47 Prayer
      • 20:26 Standing in Luke's house in Rome
      • Frequently asked questions

        Was Luke one of the twelve disciples?

        No. Luke never met Jesus and was not one of the twelve. He came to faith later and built his account on eyewitness testimony and careful research.

        Was Luke Jewish?

        No. Luke was a Gentile, which makes him the only non-Jewish author of any book in the Bible.

        Should I read Luke or John first if I'm new to the Bible?

        There's no bad place to start. But Luke explains things in a way that assumes no background, which makes it an especially good entry point if church language feels unfamiliar.

        Why study Luke and Acts as one book?

        Because Luke wrote them that way, as volume one and volume two of a single work addressed to the same man.

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        25 min
      • Wednesday Daily Affirmations: Jesus Carries My Worries

        Wednesday Daily Affirmations: Jesus Carries My Worries

        In today’s Wednesday Affirmations episode, Rachael leads listeners

        through declarations of peace, trust, and confidence grounded in Scripture. As the world feels overwhelming, these affirmations anchor the listener in God’s promises. From surrendering anxiety to trusting God’s timing, each statement is followed by a full Bible verse designed to renew faith and calm the heart. This episode is a gentle reminder that God’s peace isn’t just a feeling—it’s a promise.

         

        AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found on

        my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus

         

         

        Today’s daily affirmations are for peace and trust in God’s plan. I

        will say the statement, then pause so you can repeat it after me. Then I’ll
        share the Scripture reference where it comes from.

        Breathe in God’s peace… and exhale your worries. This day is a

        gift, and no matter what’s ahead, you can trust that God is in control. His
        love is steady. His plans for you are good. His presence goes before you. Let
        these affirmations remind you to trust Him today.

        Affirmations and Scriptures:

         

        I am ruled by God’s peace today.

        Isaiah 26:3

         

        I cast all my

        worries onto Jesus—He carries them for me.

        1 Peter 5:7

         

        I will not be anxious. I will pray and trust God.

        Philippians 4:6–7

         

        God’s plans for me are good, and I trust Him.

        Jeremiah 29:11

         

        I do not need to worry about tomorrow.

        Matthew 6:34

         

        I will rest in God’s presence today.

        Exodus 33:14

         

        God is my refuge and strength.

        Psalm 46:1

         

        I will not let my heart be troubled. I trust in God.

        John 14:27

         

        The Lord directs my steps.

        Proverbs 3:5–6

         

        Even when I don’t understand, I trust in God’s wisdom.

        Romans 11:33

         

        I do not have to be afraid because God is with me.

        Deuteronomy 31:8

         

        God is fighting for me.

        Exodus 14:14

         

        I am not alone. God walks with me.

        Isaiah 41:13

         

        God is my rock and salvation. I will not be shaken.

        Psalm 62:6

         

        I find rest in God alone.

        Psalm 62:1

         

        God’s love never fails me.

        Lamentations 3:22–23

         

        I have peace because I am in Christ.

        John 16:33

         

        I wait on the Lord and He renews my strength.

        Isaiah 40:31

         

        I will trust in God, even when I don’t see the whole picture.

        2 Corinthians 5:7

         

        God is working all things for my good.

        Romans 8:28

         

        God’s peace rules in my heart today.

        Colossians 3:15

         

        I give my burdens to the Lord and He sustains me.

        Psalm 55:22

         

        I will be still and know that He is God.

        Psalm 46:10

         

        I trust God’s timing and His ways.

        Ecclesiastes 3:11

         

        I will rejoice in the Lord always.

        Philippians 4:4

         

        Closing Prayer:

        Father, I surrender my worries to You. I choose to rest in Your

        peace today, trusting that You are in control. Fill my heart with faith instead
        of fear, and let Your peace guard my mind. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

        go deeper, just keep listening—your full Bible study episode is coming up next.

         

        Listen daily and start your morning with

        God’s truth so you can walk in faith, clarity, and confidence.

         

        #ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations

        #FaithOverFear #BiblicalTruth #MorningDevotions #RenewYourMind
        #HearingJesusPodcast

         

        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        11 min
      • BONUS: ECHOES OF EDEN: Learning His Voice

        Learning His Voice

        Jen shares a deeply personal story of meeting Jesus as a young girl, walking through fear, grief, anger, and surrender, and eventually discovering what it means to live in an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit.In this conversation, Jen and Silvia explore the difference between simply knowing about Jesus and wholeheartedly yielding a life to Him. Jen talks about learning to recognize God’s voice through Scripture, prayer, relationship, and time—and why anything we believe we are hearing from God must align with His Word and His character. Her story is an invitation to come as you are, keep pursuing Jesus, and discover the Helper He promised.


        Check out more from the Echoes of Eden Podcast



        IN THIS EPISODE

        • Jen’s salvation at age twelve and the later moment she surrendered her whole life to Jesus

        • How Christian families and mentors showed her what a life filled with Jesus could look like

        • Moving from anger and hurt toward a new way of living

        • Why sharing our testimonies can help others recognize Christ

        • What it means to be Spirit-filled and continually yielded to Jesus

        • Learning to recognize God’s voice through Scripture, prayer, and relationship

        • Experiencing God’s presence through grief, suffering, healing, and seasons of darkness


        SCRIPTURE & BIBLICAL THEMES

        John 10 — Jesus’ sheep know Him, hear His voice, and follow Him.

        Colossians 3 — Putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love as part of a transformed life in Christ.The conversation also explores the Holy Spirit as the Helper Jesus promised—the One who teaches, leads, convicts, directs, and empowers believers.

        CHAPTERS

        00:00 — Meet Jen

        03:50 — Meeting Jesus at Twelve

        09:45 — The Night Jen Surrendered Everything

        17:00 — A New Heart & a New Way of Living

        24:05 — What Does It Mean to Be Spirit-Filled?

        30:35 — Learning God’s Voice Through His Word

        42:50 — The Holy Spirit, Pain & God’s PresenceWhether you have followed Jesus for years, are learning to recognize His voice, or are simply wondering whether there is a place for you in His story, Jen’s testimony offers a simple invitation: come as you are. Spend time in His Word. Talk with Him. Ask questions. Keep pursuing Him.


        Pull up a chair. There’s a place for you here.

        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        53 min

      About Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Prayer, Hearing God & Christian Affirmations

      From the publisher's feed

      Do you ever wonder whether you're actually hearing God's voice, or whether it's just your own? Have you been in a season where He feels completely silent?

      Best of Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Prayer, Hearing God & Christian Affirmations

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