Podcast Summary:

Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Episode: Why Some Miracles Happen and Others Don’t
Date: January 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is part of Red Rocks Church’s “Miracle Mindset” series. The message dives deep into one of the most challenging spiritual questions: Why do some miracles happen and others don’t? The speaker (likely Pastor Doug Wekenman) uses theology, personal stories, and honest reflection to encourage listeners to wrestle with disappointment, develop expectancy, and pursue a hopeful mindset when it comes to God’s miraculous work—especially amid the tension of both seeing and waiting for miracles. The tone is candid, humble, and faith-filled, aiming to grow trust in God’s goodness regardless of outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Year of Miracles and the Miracle Mindset

• The church declares 2026 as “the year of miracles” for Red Rocks (01:20).
• The “miracle mindset” is about expecting God to do what we cannot; it’s not hype, but anchored in faith (04:06).
• “Hype will not heal you, but He can.” (04:16)
• A miracle: “When God does what we can’t.” (02:45)

2. Already, But Not Yet: The Bible’s Lens on Miracles

• Using the metaphor of engagement vs. marriage, Pastor illustrates the tension believers live in—caught between the present partial fulfillment of God’s kingdom and the future complete restoration (10:28).
• “There is a richness to marriage, but there is a frustration to engagement ... It's already, but it's not yet.” (12:42)
• Theological foundation: Jesus has already come, but not all is restored; heaven is “already here, but not yet here entirely” (15:05).

Key Scriptures:

• Colossians 3:2: Setting minds on things above.
• Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
• Psalm 77:14: “You are the God who performs miracles.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: The Holy Spirit as a down payment—God’s “ring on your finger” (16:41).
• Revelation 19:6-7: The wedding feast of the Lamb (19:12).

3. Why Some Miracles Happen and Others Don’t

• The “already but not yet” framework explains why some receive miraculous answers and others don’t—heaven is present but not complete (23:01).
• Personal example: Pastor witnessed healing of a blind woman in Fiji (“when heaven rushes in, death must leave in Jesus’ name”—25:43). Yet, he himself has prayed for his own chronic pain for 18 years without healing (27:12).
• Honest questions: “Why her and not me? … Did I not have enough faith? … Is something wrong with me?” (30:44)
• “I don’t know” is a real, pastoral (and biblical) answer for many situations (34:17).

4. Living with Disappointment and Ongoing Faith

• The message acknowledges that miracle talk often stirs disappointment and doubt for many—especially those still waiting (29:50).
• Pastor emphasizes that God’s work is constant, even when unseen: “We’ll never know about all the tragedies that didn’t happen because of God.” (36:05)
• Everyday existence is itself miraculous: “It is impossible that you are you and that you are here—yet here you are. You are a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle.” (36:54)
• “As high as the heavens are above the earth, that’s how much higher His ways and thoughts are than ours.” (37:50)

5. Miracle Vending Machine? No. Relationship? Yes.

• Rebuke of “cosmic vending machine” thinking (praying/fasting to manipulate outcomes) (42:10).
• God’s miracles are not rewards for formulas or religious bargaining (43:19).
• Miracles are ultimately rooted in God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love—sometimes the answer is “wait” or “not yet.”

6. The Role of Faith, Prayer, and Fasting

• “Your testimony creates authority”—when you persevere through pain, your story carries spiritual weight (46:26).
• “Anybody can praise God after the miracle, but when you can say he is still good … there’s authority to that.” (48:12)
• Our job: “Call our church to fast, to pray, and to believe.” We can’t control when miracles happen, but we can posture ourselves to receive (49:50):
  • Fasting draws us nearer to Jesus—a spiritual hunger, not a health fad (51:02).
  • Prayer moves God’s heart; “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2) (55:46).
  • Belief—miracles happen to those who expect God to move (01:03:18).

7. Corporate Prayer & Sharing Needs

• The church practices corporate prayer for specific requests (healing, pregnancy, addiction, etc.) as an act of unity and expectation (57:15).
• Quote: “Miracles are a team sport.” (55:10, 01:13:42)

8. Faith as God’s Delivery System

• Jesus often said, “Your faith has healed you,” but never as an earned reward. Faith is the “delivery system” (01:04:06).
• “Faith is not just a muscle … it’s also a gift that God gives you.” (01:05:18)

9. A Call to Believe and Receive

• The episode closes with a passionate invitation to believe, to rekindle “the innocence of a little kid that has no reason to doubt” (01:06:45).
• Through prayer, worship, and expectation, the church believes for greater miracles in 2026.
• Salvation is offered—the greatest miracle of all—inviting listeners to commit their lives to Christ (01:08:49).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hype will not heal you, but He can.” (04:16)
• “Anything and everything is miracleable.” (05:14)
• “Already, but not yet... That’s why life can be so good and life can be so hard and so painful.” (16:55)
• “You are not better at sinning than Jesus is at saving.” (22:11)
• “The Holy Spirit in your heart is kind of like God’s ring on your finger.” (16:41)
• “If you want to know how serious God is about sin and about salvation, look no further than... the passion of the Christ going to the cross.” (21:43)
• “We just live in a very broken and fallen ‘not yet’ world where we will have trouble.” (32:31)
• “Testimony creates authority.” (46:26)
• “Your faith is God’s delivery system for his kingdom come in your life.” (01:04:22)
• “Miracles don’t happen to the lucky. They happen to those who expect God to move in their lives.” (01:03:36)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–02:45 — Opening, church shout-outs, intro to miracles
• 02:46–05:14 — Defining a miracle, miracle mindset for 2026
• 10:28–14:43 — Engagement metaphor; “already but not yet” theology
• 15:05–19:12 — Heaven now/Kingdom among us; Holy Spirit as pledge
• 21:43–25:43 — History of sacrifice, Jesus’ sacrifice, bridging heaven/earth
• 25:44–27:12 — Personal healing stories; the theological puzzle
• 29:50–32:31 — Real talk: disappointment and unanswered prayers
• 36:05–36:54 — Everyday miracles and God unseen
• 37:50–43:19 — Accepting mystery; rebuke magical thinking
• 46:26–48:12 — Testimony, authority, and pain
• 49:50–51:02 — Practicing fasting, prayer, belief
• 55:10–57:15 — Team sport of miracles, corporate prayer
• 01:03:18–01:06:45 — Faith as a gift and divine persuasion
• 01:08:49–End — Salvation call and closing worship invitation

Conclusion

This message directly addresses the hope, pain, and mystery of God’s miraculous power—affirming both faith that “all things are possible” and humility in the face of unanswered questions. Listeners are urged to fast, pray, and believe: not to manipulate God, but to draw nearer, receive His goodness, and posture themselves for the supernatural. The authenticity and vulnerability of the speaker, along with the clear biblical teaching, make this episode both comforting and challenging for anyone seeking God’s miracles—in 2026 and beyond.