Blog | Greater Formation

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...

When “Illusory Delights” Call Your Name

comfort love needs pleasures rights temptation Nov 30, 2025

Sometimes we just want a little satisfaction, don’t we? A touch of comfort, something that takes the edge off, a moment where we feel filled. But, the real question is: what actually meets us at the deeper level?

Paul hints at this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything,’ but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24)

There’s an even higher call woven through Scripture: to seek God’s will and pursue it with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.

And yet, we’re often tempted to meet our own needs first—and fast. We lean on our own strategies, or we look to others to fill the gaps. At first, that urge can feel almost noble or necessary. But Ignatius of Loyola, writing in the 15th century, named these moments for what they are: “illusory delights.”

They’re the offerings that shimmer just enough to catch...

When Life Feels Aimless

design direction discernment perspective reflection wisdom Nov 22, 2025

Do you ever feel a little aimless—like you’re going through the motions, but the motions no longer mean much? It’s easy for weeks to blur into months of treadmill living: lots of activity, not much direction. And … wouldn’t it be nice if our path was simply marked out for us?

Most of us long for wisdom—the kind that blends knowledge, experience, discernment, and the ability to put it all into practice. We want to know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it well. We want to be effective and grounded.

But how do we actually get wisdom?

Scripture tells us we begin by believing wisdom exists outside of ourselves. There is a reason, a design, a deeper logic woven into this world and into our lives. And that wisdom isn’t hidden. It’s found in relationship with God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” —Proverbs 9:10

Wisdom doesn’t originate with us. It resides in God. He is its source and author.

Moses understood t...

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