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True revival doesn’t begin with better habits or stronger resolutions—it begins with humble repentance and a renewed pursuit of God. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, this devotional reminds us that healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal start when God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sin.

Highlights

• Revival is deeper than emotion; it begins with repentance.

• God’s call to humility starts with us, not others.

• Pointing out sin in the world without self-examination blocks spiritual growth.

• Repentance is an intentional turning away from darkness and toward God.

• Revival flows from obedience, not performance or perfection.

• When God’s people respond with humility, He promises forgiveness and healing.

• Personal surrender can ignite widespread spiritual renewal.

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Full Transcript Below:

We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival.

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

As we are in the midst of New Year’s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

Now don’t get me wrong.

There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want to do more of this” or “I want to do less of that”.

But more than making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

We all need revival. We pray for it. We’ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We’ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we’re praying for it to happen again.

We have always needed God, and we’ll never stop needing Him.

But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever.

Revival isn’t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn’t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the beauty of finding holiness in everyday moments with the ones we love. When life gets chaotic and the to-do list feels endless, sometimes the greatest act of love is simply pausing together to appreciate God’s creation and presence. Discover how choosing to be present with your spouse—even in small, unexpected moments—can deepen your connection and reveal the sacredness woven into daily life.

Key Takeaways:

• Love thrives not only in grand gestures but in simple, quiet moments.

• Pausing to appreciate God’s creation invites peace amidst chaos.

• Being present with your spouse is a holy act and a way to cherish your relationship daily.

• The ordinary can become extraordinary when viewed through God’s eyes.

Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

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Bad news can feel relentless. Whether it’s headlines, social media, or conversations with others, we’re constantly reminded that we live in a broken world marked by suffering and sin. When the stream of tragedy and hardship seems nonstop, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even powerless. This devotional names that reality honestly—and then points us toward a steadier place to stand.

Psalm 112:7 describes a person who doesn’t fear bad news because their heart is steadfast and trusting in the Lord. A steadfast heart isn’t one that ignores reality; it’s one that stays anchored. Bad news often triggers fear because it highlights how little control we have. We can’t fix everything. But we’re not helpless—because we can pray. Prayer is a meaningful response when we can’t change outcomes ourselves. God remains in control, hears our prayers, and continues working for good even in a world where people make harmful choices and suffering exists.

This devotional also encourages a shift in focus. If we fixate on what’s wrong, worry can take over. But Scripture invites us to intentionally look for what is good, true, and praiseworthy—signs of God’s ongoing work in the world. That doesn’t minimize pain; it strengthens hope. And instead of letting bad news paralyze us, we can ask God how He wants us to respond—with compassion, kindness, generosity, encouragement, and action that brings light into dark places.

Ultimately, the greatest antidote to temporary bad news is eternal good news. In Jesus, we’re reminded that suffering isn’t the end of the story. God is redeeming, restoring, and overcoming—and when we keep our hearts anchored in Him, we can face hard headlines with faith instead of fear.

Main Takeaways

• It’s normal to feel stressed by bad news, but God offers steadiness and peace.

• A steadfast heart stays anchored in trust, even while acknowledging a broken world.

• Prayer is a powerful response when you feel powerless.

• Shifting focus toward what is true and good helps fight worry and renew hope.

• Bad news can lead to compassion and action—God can use you to bring light to others.

Today's Bible Verse:

“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” – Psalm 112:7, NIV

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Please take my anxiety and replace it with your peace… Keep me focused on you instead of on the trouble in this world.”

Listen to hear the full prayer or read the devotional at the links below.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Melissa Disney, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Sing a new song to the Lord! Meditate on Psalm 96:1-3.  Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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“I got prideful. I was like, ‘I’m never going to drink again.’ And then all of a sudden… it looked really good.”

This conversation with Jeramy Houghton is a reminder that recovery is rarely clean or linear. Jeramy shares how growing up in an unsafe home shaped his sense of stability long before alcohol ever entered the picture. When drinking did become part of his life, it wasn’t chaos at first—it was relief. Alcohol became a way to cope with pressure, stress, and the weight of adulthood, even as his faith was growing.

Over time, that coping turned into dependence. Jeramy talks honestly about knowing God was calling him to stop and still choosing alcohol because it felt easier. What started as occasional drinking escalated into daily use, morning vodka, and a slow unraveling that included job loss, health warnings, and deep strain on his marriage. Eventually, everything came to a head when Jeramy admitted what he could no longer deny: he couldn’t stop on his own.

What followed was a dramatic turning point. Jeramy describes a moment where his desire for alcohol disappeared entirely—something he’s careful not to present as a formula or a promise. For years, sobriety came without craving. But freedom didn’t mean the work was finished. Slowly, pride crept in. After five years sober, Jeramy found himself believing he was beyond the danger zone—until the old pull returned and drinking “looked really good again.”

This time, the turning point wasn’t dramatic—it was honest. Jeramy shares how naming his desire out loud before acting on it changed everything, exposing unresolved family pain and leading to difficult but necessary boundaries. His story isn’t about perfection or permanence. It’s about humility, obedience, and the kind of freedom in Christ that keeps inviting deeper truth long after sobriety begins.

We Explore:

— Growing up in an emotionally unsafe home shaped by alcoholism
— How alcohol slowly became a coping mechanism rather than a pleasure
— Living as a Christian while choosing alcohol despite conviction
— The escalation into daily drinking and morning vodka
— Job loss, medical warnings, and the moment of surrender
— Experiencing radical freedom from desire—and why that wasn’t the end
— Why some recovery structures felt like a different form of bondage
— How pride quietly reopened the door after years sober
— The power of naming desire out loud before acting on it
— Setting painful family boundaries for the sake of safety
— What freedom in Christ looks like amid ongoing sanctification

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Today’s Bible Verse: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23

Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that God’s mercy meets us fresh each day. Even in seasons marked by grief, uncertainty, or exhaustion, God’s love remains steady and sustaining. His compassion doesn’t run out—and it doesn’t depend on our performance.

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Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce.

Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom.

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There is a very real battle we face as believers: spiritual warfare. Yet, some Christians run from it in fear, while others completely dismiss it. How do we understand it biblically and approach it with wisdom? My friend, Joel Muddamalle, joins me today to discuss all there is to know about it in today's episode!

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Feeling unsettled but can't identify what's wrong? You're not alone. When confusion clouds our prayers, God still hears—and He knows exactly what we need.

In this episode, we explore how to pray when you can't put your finger on what's bothering you. Discover how the Holy Spirit intercedes, why God's character anchors us, and practical ways to pray when words fail.

What You'll Discover:

• Why confusion in prayer doesn't disqualify you
• How the Holy Spirit intercedes with wordless groans (Romans 8:26)
• Three things you can always pray when you don't know what to pray
• Why presence with God IS prayer
• How to pray what you DO know when circumstances are unclear

Resources Mentioned:

• Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments Available at desperateprayers.com or wherever books are sold. 
• Praying the Promises of God: A 52-Week Guided Prayer Journal: promisesprayerjournal.com

Until next time, remember: God sees you, He hears you, and He knows your needs.

Connect with Rachel: Website: rachelwojo.com

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