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We all long to hear from God. Too often, we become desperate for His direction—and that desperation can lead us down the wrong paths as we search for His voice. Sadly, many in the body of Christ don’t know or trust the ways God speaks, and that confusion breeds discouragement. I often hear from believers who feel abandoned because God isn’t “talking” to them. What I usually discover is that God is speaking—but they aren’t recognizing His voice because it doesn’t come the way they expected.

The apostles John and Peter provide us with keys to hearing God that the modern church often overlooks. They describe prophecy differently than we commonly do today, and because of that, we miss personal words God longs to speak into our hearts. In Revelation 19:10, John tells us that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Peter draws a vital connection between prophecy and Scripture in 2 Peter 1:19-21. This seems to be overlooked in our understanding of prophecy.

This week, I’ll unpack what Peter calls a “more sure word of prophecy.” He urges us to pay attention to Scripture until it enlightens us—like a lamp shining in the darkness. That illumination is a form of prophecy—a personal word from God that can be even more sure than a human voice prophesying over us. Jesus taught this same truth through His parables about seed: truth planted in a heart will grow, produce understanding, and bear fruit!

When we read the Bible, specific phrases, verses, or images suddenly stand out. Those moments are God’s way of relating Scripture to what He’s longing to speak into our hearts now. But we must cultivate attention and focus. As Jesus taught, we must think, ponder, reflect, and meditate on the Scriptures that capture our notice. Pray this simple prayer: “Father, in light of what draws me now, what are You saying to me, and how do I put it into practice?” That prayer plants the seed in your heart—and with serious attention, it will bear fruit.

Join me this week as we uncover this beautiful, simple secret hidden in plain sight in Scripture. Learn how to recognize God’s voice in the pages of His Word so you no longer wait for someone else to tell you what He’s saying. God will show you—through Scripture—what He wants to speak to your heart. Come discover how to receive your personal word from Him.