Episode Overview

Theme:
“Miracles For Me” is the kickoff to River Valley Church’s new message series on miracles, delivered by Terry Parkman. The episode explores what miracles genuinely are, how they operate in believers’ lives, and the importance of embracing a posture of expectation that God’s miraculous intervention is both possible and personal.

Purpose:
The message seeks to demystify miracles, challenge shallow thinking about God’s intervention, and encourage listeners to believe for miracles—especially healing—in their own lives, rather than relegating God’s power to the past or to others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Miracles – Beyond Everyday Favor

• Terry begins with humor, referencing how people sometimes call everyday conveniences (like getting a good parking spot or free coffee) “miracles,” but urges the church not to diminish the concept.

• Key teaching:

  “If God’s greatness fits inside of a Starbucks cup, we’re thinking way too small. My friends, God’s miracles are way bigger than that and they change the course of your life forever.” (05:48)

• Definition of Miracle:

  “A miracle is a manifestation of God’s authority, His control, and His presence. An intentional act of the Spirit that awakens praise for what He’s done, faith in who He is, and hope for what He will do.” (18:14)

2. Miracles are for You—Not Just Others

• There’s a tendency to believe miracles are more likely for others. Terry pushes against this, sharing personal testimony of his daughter’s healing:

  “God healed my little girl on that day. That was a miracle for me. And I want you to know God has miracles for you.” (13:18)

• Scriptural basis:
  2 Corinthians 1:20; Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 52:12; Psalm 77:14, reinforcing the point that “the promises of God are for you.”

3. Purpose of Miracles—God’s Glory & Public Banner

• Miracles are not just to benefit individuals—they are banners, visible milestones to provoke faith in others and display God’s nature.
• Hebrew word for miracle:
  “Nes” – a banner/signal raised high for all to see (25:45).

  “Whenever you have a miracle for yourself, understand that God does it so that… you can look back and say, no, what you’re saying is wrong because my God has shown up in my life once before, and I know that He can do it again.” (27:10)

4. A Biblical vs. Modern View of Miracles

• Modern misconception: God is distant, and miracles require us to earn His attention; miracles are a “suspension of natural order.”
• Biblical view: God’s presence is imminent—infused in creation and always ready to move.

  “Our God isn’t transactional. He’s transformational... When a miracle happens, it’s God showing us the world the way it was always intended to work before sin.” (32:22)

• Cites Tim Keller:

  “Jesus’ miracles are not just proofs that he has power, but wonderful foretastes of what he’s going to do with that power.” (39:48)

5. Miracles as ‘Micro’ of God’s Macro Work

• Every individual miracle is a “foretaste” or “glimpse” of the ultimate restoration God is bringing (see Revelation: “Behold, I am making all things new.”)

  “Every miracle is a glimpse of God’s bigger story. And the bigger story is, he is making all things new.” (42:07)

6. The Miracle You Need Most: Salvation

• “Even salvation itself, my friends, is a miracle. When a heart once dead to God comes alive in Christ…” (45:14)

7. Personal Testimonies – From Healing to Transformation

• Shares two personal stories:
  • His daughter Abilee’s quick recovery after prayer (13:18).
  • His own release from 12 years of clinical depression:

    “God caused me to supernaturally forget to take [medication] for two weeks. And God had completely healed my body and my life and delivered me from depression.” (01:08:11)

    • Emphasizes that God uses medication as a form of provision, but also still works miraculous healing.

8. Miracles as Launchpads – Not Endpoints

• Miracles aren’t just for now—they launch believers into mission.

  “The miracle that is for you isn’t just about the moment. It’s about the ripple effect in your life that comes after… Miracles are made for mission.” (53:39)

• Reference to Jesus healing and then instructing “Go and sin no more” (55:33), using Blind Bartimaeus as an example.

9. Healing Miracles

• Most miracles in the Gospels are healings (60–65% of 37 miracles).
• Healing as evidence of God’s authority, control, and presence:
  • Authority: “Every act of healing then becomes a sign raised high declaring, the king reigns and his kingdom is here.” (58:56)
  • Control: “The same God who rules galaxies and governs cells…” (59:47)
  • Presence: “Healing is never just about recovery. It’s about relationship.” (01:02:55)

10. Your Posture & God’s Plans

• Good news for doubters: miracles do not depend on perfectly mustered faith or the “right” posture.

  “Our posture doesn’t matter when it comes to God’s plan and his will and his purpose for your life.” (01:12:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On not diminishing miracles:

  “When we label everyday coincidences as miracles, we domesticate God. And a domesticated God can’t do the impossible.” (07:13)

• On God’s proximity:

  “You’re already swimming in the divine. He’s already all around you.” (34:40)

• On the impact of miracles:

  “A miracle isn’t just about the miracle. It’s about turning our eyes towards God and off of our own circumstances.” (56:54)

• On healing & identity:

  “Healing is never just about recovery. It’s about relationship.” (01:02:55)

• On the miracle that matters most:

  “The greatest miracle you need in your life is for your heart that is dead to come alive in Christ and to beat the way that God originally designed it.” (45:22)

Important Timestamps & Segment Guide

• 00:00–05:10 – Warm introduction; humor about “small miracles”; series setup
• 05:11–09:43 – Redefining miracles vs. everyday favor (coffee, parking spots); challenge not to diminish God’s power
• 09:44–13:55 – Testimony: Healing of daughter Abilee after prayer
• 13:56–18:19 – Defining miracles; discussing basic characteristics and scriptural promises
• 18:20–27:30 – Purpose of miracles—God’s glory, not just our benefit; miracles as public banners
• 27:31–36:00 – Biblical vs. modern view; God not distant or transactional
• 36:01–45:30 – Miracles as glimpses of new creation, Tim Keller quote, relationship to Jesus’ mission
• 45:31–53:39 – Every miracle as a microcosm of Jesus’ work; salvation as ultimate miracle
• 53:40–58:00 – Miracles launching us into mission, not just being the endpoint; “Go and sin no more”
• 58:01–01:05:00 – Healings in the New Testament; what healing reveals about God; “Healing is about relationship”
• 01:05:01–01:12:30 – Personal testimony: 12 years of clinical depression healed; God’s persistence and surprising timing
• 01:12:31–end – Invitation for prayer and miracles at the altar; encouragement to act and receive

Final Reflections and Invitation

• Challenge to the listener:
  Don’t leave this moment or this episode thinking miracles are only for others or that you have to muster up perfect faith to qualify. God’s nearness, mercy, and power are for “me”—for you—today.

• Call to Action:
  If you need healing, reconciliation, provision, or especially the miracle of salvation, seek it with expectancy.

  “How awesome would it be if you could look back at November 2025 and say, that is when I got my miracle.” (01:13:07)

For further engagement:
Prayer teams are ready (at the close of the live service described), but the host’s call extends to the podcast audience—boldly seek your miracle and trust God to do what only He can.