Miracles Always Come from Unexpected Sources

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES When You're Hoping for a Miracle

Miracles Always Come from Unexpected Sources By Rick Warren — Jul 6, 2016 “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT, second edition). Most of us have needs in our lives that we want met. And many of us try to figure how to get them fulfilled. You may be looking around saying, “Maybe God could do it that way” or “Maybe I could help God along with this” or “Maybe I could give a suggestion here.” You’re trying to manipulate God, and it doesn’t work! The source of a miracle will not be where you think it’s going to come from. It’s always unexpected. God told Abraham that he was going to have a son, and that son was going to be the father of a great nation. Abraham was nearly 100 years old and had a little trouble believing God’s promise. So he took matters into his own hands and had sex with a woman who wasn’t his wife, and they had a son named Ishmael. But God said, “No! That’s not the one I promised. That’s the one you came up with using your plan, but that’s not my plan. My plan is I’m going to use your wife Sarah and do a miracle long after she’s capable of having children.” The way you want to meet the need in your life is not the way God wants to meet the need in your life. Your way is second best. God’s way is always best. If you could understand God, you’d be God. But you’re not! Let me give you a little stress reliever. Repeat this 10 times: “God is God, and I’m not.” Isaiah 55:8 says, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’” (NLT, second edition). The source of a miracle always comes in an unexpected way. But you shouldn’t fret. Don’t fear. Don’t try to figure it out. Trust God, and say, “I don’t know how God is going to do it, but he will do it.” If God tells you to do it, even if it doesn’t make sense, you do it. Even if going in that direction or to that location or to talk to that person doesn’t make sense, you simply obey God and do what he tells you to do. And then, you get ready for a miracle. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>. Talk It Over What are you looking at as the source of your expected miracle? Or, is there a person you’re looking to? How do you think God wants you to show your faith in him to provide your miracle? What is God telling you to do that doesn’t make sense but that you know you should obey? Our Gift: God's Power to Change Your Life Book God is all about changing lives. He can help you through any struggle you’re facing, and take you from where you are to where you want to be. In God’s Power to Change Your Life, Rick Warren lays the groundwork for personal transformation, offering biblical insights on what it takes to become more loving, live more peacefully, develop patience, and have self-control. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren When You're Hoping for a Miracle teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: ​When You're Running Out of Everything Message 2: ​​​​​​​​​When You Can't See Your Way Clearly Message 3: ​​When You've Come Up Empty Message 4: ​When You Feel You're Sinking Message 5: When A Marriage Has Ended Message 6: ​​When You're Drowning In Debt Message 7: When A Friend is Dying PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe