About Pastor Rick Warren

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!
<< Daily Hope with Rick Warren

Who Controls Your Future? - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - June 20, 2018

Who Controls Your Future?
By Rick Warren

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

One of the great fears we all face is the fear of the future. We fear for the futures of our families, our friends, our jobs, our communities — and everything else in between.

It’s natural. We’re not in control. But that realization should drive us to trust God more deeply.

We might not be in control of our future, but God is. He created the whole universe. If he wanted to, the Lord could just snap it out of existence in a moment. Yet he is working his plan in history. He is moving history to a climax, a destiny. One day Jesus Christ will come back to Earth. Nothing will stop that. Just as he is working in history to move events toward that day, he will work in your life for a purpose, too — if you’ll let him.

The Bible says, And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”(Romans 8:28 NLT).

God’s Word doesn’t say that everything is good. It also doesn’t say that God causes everything. He doesn’t cause war. He doesn’t cause cancer. He doesn’t cause rape, abortion, abuse, or molestation. He doesn’t cause evil. We do that. God gives us the freedom to choose. Evil is the price of that freedom.

But the Bible does say that God causes everything to work together for good. He can take the dumb, evil, and bad decisions I’ve made in my life and use them for good if I’ll trust him. Romans 8:28 isn’t a promise for everyone, though. It’s for “those who love God.” It’s for those who trust God and say, “Here, Lord, you take all the broken pieces of my life and put them together.”

This is why when I read the headlines each day, I don’t worry. Sure, there are a lot of problems in the world today, but God is still in control. God is still moving history to a climax. And God is still moving his people toward his best for them. One day God will work everything out for his purpose.

Because God is in control, we can trust him with everything — including the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How will knowing that God is in control help you to trust him better?

How have you seen God take a bad decision and make something good out of it?

What’s one fear of the future that you can hand over to God today?

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!


Building My Life on Values That Last Guided Experience Book

$25,000 Matching Grant DOUBLES your gift!

In a world where what’s true and right seems to shift every day, it’s no wonder many people lead confused, unsatisfied lives.

That’s why Pastor Rick Warren put together a new resource called Building My Life on Values That Last. Which we want to send you to thank you for your gift below.

And for a limited time, a $25,000 Matching Grant will DOUBLE your gift to help even more people experience a joy-filled life through the hope found in Jesus!

So please give generously today – and get your copy of this vegan, leather-bound, full-color, beautifully illustrated guided study.

Building My Life on Values That Last reveals what God has to say about how you can:

• Be responsible

• Practice self-control

• Find balance

• Show respect

• Give and receive forgiveness

• Live honestly

• And love completely

We pray Building My Life on Values That Last helps you develop and apply God’s timeless values so you can experience a truly joy-filled life.

Thank you for your generosity!

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.



More Daily Hope with Rick Warren Articles