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

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
Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

As we slow down today, this is a chance to look back over the 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. Let these
affirmations help you reflect with honesty and gratitude.

AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found on
my Patreon at: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus⁠

Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

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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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
your Bible, scheduling the time, checking in honestly with your heart, and
giving yourself permission to bring real emotion into that space instead of a
sanitized version of it.

Sign up for Rachael's newsletter here

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,
O God" isn't a picture of quiet contentment. It's a picture of a
person in a dry, desperate season, someone who feels forgotten and says so
directly to God: "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you
become disturbed within me?" Psalm 42 exists in Scripture on purpose,
to give you permission to bring the real, unresolved version of what you're
feeling into your time with God instead of a cleaned-up one.

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
Scripture shows people meeting God there, but it also shows people meeting Him at night and in the middle of the day. The actual goal is consistency, a set time you'll actually keep, not a specific clock hour.

Is It Okay to Not Want to Read My Bible?

Yes, and saying so honestly to God is more valuable than pretending
otherwise. He already knows. Naming it, "God, I'm here out of obedience,
but I don't want to be," is itself an act of honesty He can work with.

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
preparation step that comes before it. The Color Method itself is covered in a
later episode.

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

End your week anchored in peace and presence. This episode invites
listeners to release their burdens and find rest in God’s care. With each
affirmation and verse, you’re reminded that you’re not alone—God’s strength, love, and renewal are available right where you are. It’s time to stop striving and start resting in His goodness.

AD-FREE Daily Affirmations can be found on
my Patreon at: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/HearingJesus⁠⁠⁠

 

Affirmations for rest, renewal, and surrender:

The week is ending, and as we step into the weekend, let’s take a
moment to breathe. Release our 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.

 

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
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.

 

#ChristianPodcast #DailyAffirmations
#FaithOverFear #BiblicalTruth #MorningDevotions #RenewYourMind
#HearingJesusPodcast

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

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.

Sign up for Rachael's newsletter here

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

0:12 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
mean in Hebrew

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
Moses and introduces Himself in His own words: "The LORD, the LORD
God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin." He doesn't lead with power, even though He'd just parted the Red Sea. He leads with compassion, a Hebrew word tied to the tenderness of a mother for the child she carried.

Does God Punish Children for Their Parents' Sins?

The same passage continues: "Yet He will by no means leave the
guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the
grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." This isn't God
assigning guilt to people who didn't sin. It's an honest description of how far
the damage of unaddressed sin actually travels through a family line,
generational patterns, addiction, broken relationships, until someone in that
line chooses to stop it.

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
failure. Joel uses it as a call to return to God. Jonah even throws it back at
God in complaint, because he didn't want God to be merciful to Nineveh.
Different authors, different centuries, different circumstances, all returning
to the same description, because it's the fixed reference point for who God
actually is.

FAQ

Is this the same as the "God is the hero" teaching from earlier
episodes? It builds on it. Once you're looking for God in a passage, this is
the actual content you're looking for, His own self-description.

What's a simple way to start applying this? Keep a running list titled
"God is like" somewhere in your Bible or journal, and add one line
every time you study a passage.

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