Blog | Greater Formation

Choosing Stillness in a Noisy World

avoidance connection control encounter guidance Feb 23, 2026

We are so full of chatter.

Noise presses in from every side—opinions, opportunities, distractions, demands. Life can start to feel like a barrage, and before we know it, we’re reacting more than choosing. Pulled here and there, we may feel slightly out of control. God isn’t really guiding our lives—not because He’s absent, but because we’re not slowing down enough to notice or respond.

And the beat goes on.

So how do we step off this treadmill of shallowness?

One simple, difficult, and deeply transformative practice: intentional silence.

Silence creates space—for connection with your real self (which can feel unsettling at first), for encountering the real God, and for learning to speak and live with greater depth, clarity, and authority.

When we intentionally slow down, step away from the noise, and allow ourselves to be still, things begin to surface. What has been hidden or dormant in us often rises to the top. This isn’t always comfortable. In fact, much of our busyness may b...

Hearing God’s Voice – Part 2

discernment fear humility obedience Feb 14, 2026

So, you want to hear God’s voice—now what?

The first and most honest question to ask yourself is this: Am I willing to obey what I believe God is saying to me?
This is a crucial starting point. A genuine “yes” is not the outcome of hearing God’s voice; it is the precondition. A willingness to obey creates the soil in which discernment can grow.

Jesus once asked His followers, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). His words are sobering. If we consistently ignore what God makes clear, we begin to live as though He is not truly Lord. Over time, something subtle but serious happens: our ability to hear dulls. Our spiritual sensitivity fades. It’s much like slowly losing your native language after living for years in a place where it’s never spoken.

As followers of Christ, we are invited to receive His direction above every competing voice and opinion. When we sense that God is leading, our posture matters. Let’s receive His word thoughtfully—and then...

Hearing God’s Voice – Part 1

holy spirit listening obedience prophets Feb 07, 2026

What do people mean when they say they “hear God’s voice”? Is this something all believers can experience, or only a select few? Do some people hear God more clearly—or more often—than others? And does God seem to speak more in certain seasons or places?

Scripture suggests that God’s communication has unfolded differently at different times in history. The book of 1 Samuel opens with this striking line: “In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.” (1 Samuel 3:1). There was a season when God’s people experienced very little revelation. Then Samuel was born, and God began to speak again in a clear and powerful way through the prophets.

The New Testament gives us even greater clarity. The book of Hebrews begins by reminding us that “in the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1–2). Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophecy. Ever

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“Learning the Language of the Holy Spirit”

clarity decision making discernment holy spirit plan scripture wisdom Jan 31, 2026

Are You Drowning in Decisions? There’s a Better Way to Be Led.

Do you feel mentally tired before the day even really starts, feel like you are living without traction or sense of growth? You are not alone. We are making far more decisions than any generation before us.

What to buy.
What to say.
How to work.
Where to work.
How to rest.
What to believe.
What to ignore.

The sheer volume is exhausting—and it quietly erodes clarity. Not because you’re incapable, but because no one was designed to navigate this much noise alone.

Here’s the good news: you’re not meant to.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

But clarity requires learning His language.

The Spirit’s Primary Language Is Scripture

The Holy Spirit speaks in many ways—promptings, convictions, encouragement, restraint.
But His foundational language is Scripture.

Paul puts it plainly:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true… and to prepare and equip His people to do every good work...

Listen to Learn and Be Changed

abundant life alertness alignment change clammer discernment listen transformation Jan 31, 2026

Listening Is the Primary Pathway of Personal Transformation

God shapes us more through grace than striving, more through reception than toil.
Listen well to those who are speaking.
We cannot be formed by what we refuse to hear.
“… Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak …” James 1:19 NIV
Selective listening leaves us stuck and unchanged.

Poor Listening Protects the False Self

We often listen to confirm what we already believe.
Defensive listening protects what we believe and resists exposure, correction, and growth.
True listening requires humility and surrender.
What we won’t hear determines where we won’t grow.
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding…”
— Matthew 13:14–15

Jesus Models Listening as Submission, Not Passivity

Listening precedes clarity, authority, and fruitfulness.
Jesus listened to the Father to align His actions.
Listening is active alignment with God’s will.

Listening Requires Slowing, Softening, and St...

Listen Up ... God Still Speaks

discernment growth guidance listening to god obedience scripture Jan 17, 2026

Does God Still Speak? … And Can You Hear Him?

Have you ever met someone who says they hear from God?

Maybe they talk about sensing His direction or making decisions based on what they believe He’s heard Him say.

Sometimes those people feel a little out there.
Other times, they feel intimidating—as if their closeness to God highlights something you’re missing.
And if you’re honest, you might feel tempted to quietly dismiss the whole idea.

Don’t.

Jesus was clear: “My sheep listen to My voice” (John 10:27).
That statement wasn’t reserved for prophets, pastors, or the especially spiritual. It was spoken to ordinary followers. To people like you.

God speaks. He always has.

Scripture is filled with His voice—thundering in Psalm 29, guiding prophets, stirring hearts through dreams, signs, and moments of revelation. Ultimately, He spoke through Jesus and through the written Word. And today, He still speaks—through Scripture, people, prayer, worship, images, thoughts, and gentle in...

Practice Discernment and Humility

character humility prophecy understanding wisdom Jan 10, 2026

Have you ever encountered a false prophet?
More searching—and more uncomfortable—have you ever been one?
How would you know?

Scripture is clear: God’s plans for us are good. Yet the path to that good is not always pleasant or easy. The apostle Paul reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That does not mean all things are good. Many are not.

We live in a fallen world. Difficulty, loss, confusion, and suffering touch every life.

The good news is this: God is present in it all. When we turn toward Him, we gain wisdom, purpose, discernment, help, peace, and joy—often right in the middle of the struggle. He deepens our faith. He forms our character. He builds our lives as we learn to prize relationship with Him above outcomes. He is with us.

False prophets, however, tend to promise positive futures while missing what God is actually doing now. They say what people want to hear. They aim for affirmation rather...

What’s In Your Wallet?

bitterness forgiveness giving heart relationships Jan 10, 2026

This time of year has a way of stretching us, doesn’t it? Our time, energy, relationships, and even our finances can feel pulled thin. And when we’re stretched, what’s really in our hearts often rises to the surface. We’re given countless opportunities to give, but the truth is simple: you can only give what you truly possess—and you can only give as the person you truly are.re

If you are a person who is generous of heart, you will be able to give generously. And Scripture is clear, “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Though you may not be able to give much, your abundant heart will carry the gift – and it will minister joy to others.

But if your mindset is shaped by scarcity—if your heart feels tight, protective, or fearful—then giving can feel more like a loss than a blessing. Proverbs warns us that a stingy heart clouds even good actions. (Proverbs 23:6–7)

So while this is often called a cheerful season, it’s also a revealing one. It exposes the longings, hurts, ...

Whom Do You Resemble?

adoption character traits geneology personality traits Dec 13, 2025

Who do you take after in your family? Maybe you’ve been told you have your dad’s smile, your grandmother’s eyes, or your aunt’s sense of humor. It’s always fascinating to see how traits—both physical and personality—travel through generations. Some show up right where you’d expect, and others seem to skip a branch or two before popping up again.

It makes me wonder: who did Jesus resemble? Did He have Mary’s uncle’s expressions? His great-grandfather’s laugh? Were there family members who felt especially connected to Him because of some familiar or shared trait?

Matthew begins his Gospel by laying out Jesus’ genealogy—Abraham to David, David to Joseph, and ultimately to Jesus. It’s his way of showing us that Jesus truly came from Israel’s royal line. He was the Son of David, the Lion of Judah. His roots ran deep in the story God had been writing for centuries.

But then comes the surprising part. Joseph wasn’t Jesus’ biological father. His role was real, meaningful, and essential—but...

A Better Way to Measure

comparison humility standards striving value Dec 07, 2025

Do you ever catch yourself sizing up your life—wondering if you measure up to others, or even to your own expectations?

We all do this. We compare ourselves to people, timelines, and unspoken standards. And honestly, measuring isn’t wrong in itself. It can help us grow. But if we’re using bent or broken rulers, the results will always be off.

Scripture is often called the “Canon”—the true rule of faith. It gives us a trustworthy way to understand what really matters. But even then, we can take biblical ideas and twist them into something that misses the heart of the Kingdom.

The disciples did this more than once. In Matthew 18, they were busy ranking themselves, trying to figure out who was the greatest. Jesus interrupted their scorekeeping with a startling correction: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

He wasn’t talking about childishness. He was inviting them into humility, openness, and the simple clari...

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