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

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.

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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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Go on a trip with Rachael: Bible Study Live

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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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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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Looking for the Hero: What the Bible Actually Says About Heroes: Bible Study 101: Hearing Jesus, Bible Study, Devotional

In today's episode, Rachael talks about why the people in the Bible were never meant to be our heroes, using Abraham's decision to hand his wife Sarah over to Pharaoh, twice, as the example. It's a harder story than the version most of us learned growing up, and understanding why God let it stay in Scripture changes how you read every Bible character after this one.

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Chapters

0:11 Why we keep turning Bible characters into role models

1:10 The problem with character-study Sunday school lessons

3:39 What happens when we put a person at the center of the story instead of God

6:12 Genesis 12: Abraham hands Sarah over to Pharaoh

10:53 God steps in to protect the promise Abraham put at risk

12:14 Abraham does it again in Genesis 20, and Isaac repeats it in Genesis 26

16:59 What about Hebrews 11 and the "heroes of faith"?

19:32 The one question to ask before you ever get to application

20:31 Closing prayer

Why Did Abraham Lie About Sarah Being His Sister?

Abraham told his wife Sarah to say she was his sister so the Egyptians wouldn't kill him to take her, then let her be taken into Pharaoh's household in exchange for livestock and servants. He wasn't protecting her. He was protecting himself, and profiting from it. God intervened directly, striking Pharaoh's household with disease until Sarah was released, not because Abraham did anything to fix it, but because God was protecting His own promise from the man He'd given it to.

Why Does the Bible Show Its Heroes' Flaws Instead of Hiding Them?

Because the Bible was never trying to hand you a role model. If the people in Scripture were meant to be heroes, this story would have been edited out. It stayed in on purpose. The pattern makes room for your story too: you're not disqualified by being someone who panics, protects yourself, and repeats the same failure more than once. Abraham does the identical lie again in Genesis 20, and his son Isaac repeats it in Genesis 26. The point was never "be like Abraham." The point is that the promise was never dependent on Abraham's character to begin with.

What Does Hebrews 11 Mean If the Bible's Heroes Weren't Actually Heroic?

Hebrews 11 doesn't hold up Abraham's character. It holds up his faith, specific moments he trusted God, not his whole life. It skips right past the Egypt story entirely. The chapter is pointing at God's faithfulness to ordinary, flawed people, not at the people themselves.

FAQ

Does this mean Abraham wasn't a real man of faith? No. His calling and obedience were genuine. This episode is about not confusing his character with the reason God used him.

Is this the same lesson as reading Scripture without making it about yourself, covered in a previous episode? It's the next layer of that same principle, applied specifically to Bible characters instead of to ourselves.

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Wednesday: I Choose To Rest in God's Peace: Daily Affirmations, Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

In today’s Wednesday Affirmations episode, Rachael leads listeners

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

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

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

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

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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Looking for God Instead of Ourselves: Bible Study 101: Hearing Jesus,

In today's episode, Rachael talks about the very first question we bring to

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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

0:09 Why the order of your questions matters

1:30 The Martha and Mary trap: making a passage about you first

3:17 Exodus 14 and the parting of the Red Sea

9:01 What the Red Sea story is actually revealing

12:19 How you learn to recognize a voice you know well

15:41 Why the first question always has to be about God

16:46 What about passages that are directly about us?

18:17 What does "seek first the kingdom of God" actually mean?

20:03 Closing prayer

How Do I Read the Bible Without Making It About Myself?

Most of us read Scripture and immediately ask what it means for us, what it

What Does the Martha and Mary Story Actually Teach?

The common teaching turns Martha and Mary into a mirror, are you a Martha or a Mary. That's not wrong, but it's incomplete, because it makes the story about our personality and our to-do list before it says anything about who Jesus is. The same self-centered pattern shows up anywhere we look for ourselves in Scripture first: David and Goliath becomes about our giants, the storm on the lake becomes about our storms.

What Does Exodus 14 Show Us About God?

Read to find yourself, Exodus 14 becomes a lesson about complaining, don't

Why Does the Order of the Question Matter So Much?

Because you learn to recognize a voice by spending time with the person, not by collecting facts about yourself. Asking "what does this show me about

What About Passages That Are Directly About Me?

Some commands really are about our behavior, love your neighbor, don't be

What Does "Seek First the Kingdom of God" Mean?

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these

FAQ

Does this mean I shouldn't ever ask what a passage means for my life? No.

Is this method the same as the Color Method mentioned in the series?

It's related but not identical. This episode focuses on question order; the Color Method is a separate marking system covered later in the series.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tuesday: I Am Never Alone: 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.

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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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