Raise Your Expectations of God - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - July 29, 2023
Raise Your Expectations of God
By Rick Warren
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
God works in people’s hearts when we expect him to.
Before each service at Saddleback Church, I would pray, “God, it would be a waste of time to go out there and talk to those people without expecting you to do something. So I’m going to thank you in advance for changing lives. I expect it to happen in faith. Not because of who I am, but because of who you are.” That is the faith that God uses to change lives.
Very few people come to Jesus Christ the first time they hear the Good News. They’ve got to think about it and take the time to make the right decision.
Never give up on anybody. Nobody’s hopeless! You have to trust God. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV).
Maybe you have been praying for some time for your boyfriend or your child or a close friend to become a believer. You’ve been praying for years, and yet you don’t see any evidence that they’re any closer in their journey to God than they were five years ago or two years ago or last year.
What do you need to do? Pray in faith, expecting God to act. Faith is certain of what we do not see. You need to say to God, “I don’t see them warming up to you at all. But I’m going to pray and expect that you’re working in their life, even when I can’t see it.”
Remember the story in the Bible of the four guys who had a friend who was paralyzed? They believed Jesus could heal their friend, so they put him on a mat and took him to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20 NIV), and he healed the man.
Jesus healed the paralyzed man on the basis of his friends’ faith, not his own faith. Sometimes you have to believe in faith for other people and expect God to act.
Put a little faith in a big God, and you’ll get big results.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Transform Your Health and Deepen Your Faith with the Daniel Plan!
Are you ready to enjoy whole health—body, mind, and spirit? Pastor Rick’s bestselling book, The Daniel Plan can help!
This proven, Bible-based program has helped thousands of people:
• Lose weight in a sustainable way.
• Boost energy and vitality.
• Strengthen relationships.
• Grow closer to God.
The Daniel Plan is our thanks for your continued support to help bring the hope of Jesus Christ to more people around the world through Daily Hope.
But this resource is only available for a limited time—so request your copy below when you give today!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.