Hearing Jesus: Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Scripture, Faith, Hear from God, Bible, Devotions

401// Why Would Jesus Drown 2000 Pigs? A Devotional Bible Study on Matthew 8:28-34   This Bible story has a lot in it that can confuse or even agitate us. First, we have to grapple with demonic possession and what that was like in Jesus’ day. Then, we have to grapple with the fact that Jesus drove the demons into a large herd of pigs, causing them to rush into the water and drown. Why would Jesus...

400// When the Storms of Life Hit, Do This: A Devotional Bible Study on Matthew 8:23-27   Ever been caught driving through an unexpected storm? It can be terrifying. What about a hurricane? We would want to avoid being out in a storm like that at all costs. Now imagine being in the middle of a body of water, on a small boat, in the middle of a hurricane, and I’m sure you can start to imagine just...

399// The Cost of Following Jesus: A Devotional Bible Study on Matthew 8:14-22   As we make our way through the gospel of Matthew, we read about Jesus healing Peter’s mother after she has suffered through an illness. What she does after she is healed ought to be a blueprint for our own actions after we experience healing. After that, we read of men who came to Jesus ready to follow him, but Jesus’...

Life is about transitions, it’s part of the human experience. How do we embrace those moments instead of longing for the next stage? Today I invited my friend Nicki Koziarz on the show to talk about those transitions and her new book, Your New Now. Nicki walks us through the life of Moses, as an example to us when we are living in a place of transition. I pray this episode blesses you!   Nicki Koz...

  Ever wonder what it would have taken to impress Jesus? Well, we get a glimpse of that in Matthew 8, in the story of the faith of the Centurian. In this bible study, we’ll examine what about his faith was so remarkable to Jesus. We’ll also discuss the kind of people Jesus went looking for to make disciples, and how surprising his choices were to the people of that day. Finally, we’ll wrap in pray...

If you’ve studied the Bible for any length of time, you know that a huge portion of the work Jesus did on earth was healing people. We see him opening the eyes of the blind, healing the sick, and even raising the dead back to life. In this devotional on Matthew 8, we see Jesus’ interaction with a man who has leprosy. Let’s hear from God today and learn what it cost Jesus to heal then, and what it...

Jesus had a lot to say about good fruit and bad fruit. But it’s not always obvious what kind of fruit we (or the people around us) are growing. The Bible give us guidance on what good fruit looks like and how we avoid rotten fruit. Today, we’ll wrap up our Bible study on Matthew 7 and look at what it means to bear good fruit, how to spot rotten fruit, and how to build a firm foundation on Jesus.  ...

We’re continuing our bible study on the Sermon on the Mount, as we read and pray through Matthew 7:7-12. We’re going to discuss persistence in prayer, using Jesus’ instructions to ask, seek, and knock. I’ll share my personal experience of persisting in prayer in ministry despite facing challenges and opposition, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's timing and seeking His will. Today’s...

Calling all parents and kids! Do you know about Rachael’s new show – Hearing Jesus for Kids? We’re sharing a sample episode with you today on The Lord’s Prayer. In this devotional for kids, Rachael teaches us how this prayer is like a "How to Pray" model, guiding us to pray in our own unique way. Learn why addressing God Our Father in heaven is so special and how to keep God's name holy in your li...

What does it mean to have a log in your eye? Or giving your pearls to pigs? How would the disciples heard these messages from Jesus? How do we safe-guard our pearls? What are our pearls? All this and more on today’s episode.   Calling all kids (and parents of kids)! Check out my new show Hearing Jesus for Kids - be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   This episode is a companion to Ep...

Today we continue studying the Lord’s Prayer, we talk through the idea of forgiveness and how it impacts our relationship with God. While this prayer is called a model prayer, it’s not about reciting words or a formula. Instead it’s about recognizing God as a faithful Father who longs to connect with His children. I pray this episode blesses you.   Calling all kids (and parents of kids)! Check out...

The Lord’s Prayer is one that many of us are familiar with. Sometimes though, that familiarity keeps us from fully understanding what Jesus was meaning when it was called a model prayer. As we unpack one of the most famous portions of all of Scripture, let’s read it with a fresh heart and fresh mind.   Calling all kids (and parents of kids)! Check out my new show Hearing Jesus for Kids - be sure t...

Intimacy with God starts with prayer. Today we take a look at the way Jesus taught us to pray, as well as the ways He taught us NOT to pray. Authenticity and vulnerability are the keys to inviting Jesus into our mess, so it’s important that we pray from that place instead of trying to “clean up” our prayers. As we uncover the depth of prayer beyond mere words, I pray this episode blesses you.   Th...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. In today’s episode, we are talking all about the heart of Jesus when He is discipling his earliest followers. As we listen in as He teaches His original disciples what it means to live within the kingdom, it helps us understand how we can live that way today. I pray this episode is a blessing to you as we learn how to live out our...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. In today’s episode, Rachael is joined by special guest Pastor Max Lucado to talk about his latest book, God Never Gives Up On You. Max and Rachael talk about the story of Jacob, and what it teaches us about grace, mercy, and God’s relentless love. You can find Max's book here: https://amzn.to/3RpLKkU Join us for an inspiring journ...

Welcome to the "Hearing Jesus" podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. Join us on this devotional journey through the gospels, where we explore the teachings of Jesus chapter by chapter. We provide historical and cultural context to help you better understand the message. If you're seeking to live a life that reflects God's, this podcast is for you. Tune in to "Hearing Jesus" and become a part of o...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. In this episode, we continue to explore Matthew 5 as part of our ongoing journey through the introduction to the Gospels. Join us as we unravel the depth of Jesus' message and its enduring relevance in our walk of faith. Don't miss out on this transformative exploration of the Sermon on the Mount and the heart of discipleship.   T...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. In today's episode, we explore the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on the Beatitudes. Join us as we explore these teachings of Jesus, revealing how they challenge conventional expectations and redirect us toward meekness, mercy, and peace. Discover the significance of being the "salt of the earth" and t...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. In this episode, we explore the profound moment when Jesus calls his first disciples. But there's more to this story than meets the eye. Rachael unpacks the historical and cultural context, revealing the significance of Jesus's invitation to "follow me" and become "fishers of people."   This episode is a companion to Episode 11 of...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus podcast with your host, Rachael Groll. Tune in as Rachael emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of temptation and testing, the power of recognizing God's voice through His Word, and the significance of relying on the Holy Spirit during challenging times. Discover the depth of Jesus's identity and His unwavering commitment to God's plan as we naviga...

Welcome to the "Hearing Jesus Podcast" with your host, Rachael Groll. In today’s episode, we look at the journey of understanding the significance of baptism in Jesus time as well as our own. We pray this episode blesses you!   This episode is a companion to Episode 9 of the Hearing Jesus for Kids Podcast: Hearing Jesus for Kids   For family discussion guides, journaling worksheets, bonus content,...

Welcome to the Hearing Jesus podcast with your host, Rachel Groll. In today's episode, we dive into Matthew chapter three, exploring the profound symbolism behind John the Baptist's unique lifestyle and his powerful message of repentance. Discover the historical significance of the wilderness, the powerful meaning of the word "repent," and the deeper understanding of the "kingdom of heaven." Join...

Join us on the "Hearing Jesus" podcast with host Rachael Groll for an insightful journey through Matthew 2:13-23. In this episode, Rachael the parallels between the challenges faced by ancient Israelites and those encountered by today's Christians, offering insights into the enduring hope found in God's plan for restoration.   This episode is a companion to Episode 7 of the Hearing Jesus for Kids...

379// Challenging Complacency in Faith: Lessons from the Magi's Encounter in Matthew 2:1-12   Welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast! In this episode, host Rachael Groll teaches on the captivating story of the Magi's journey to find the newborn King Jesus, as described in Matthew chapter 2. Through a detailed exploration of this narrative, we uncover the historical context, the remarkable symbolism...

In this episode of the "Hearing Jesus" podcast, host Rachael Groll delves into the second half of Matthew chapter one, focusing on the story of Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy through the Holy Spirit. This passage reveals profound insights into ancient Jewish culture, marriage customs, and the significance of Joseph's obedience. By diving into the background and cultural nuances of this pass...