Greetings in Jesus’ powerful name!

As you receive this letter, Denise and I are doing meetings across the United States. In February we are speaking in Tennessee, New York, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Florida. It’s going to be a very busy month of ministry, and — if you live near any of these places, we would love it if you could attend one of our meetings. You can go to renner.org/speaking-schedule to find details about each event.

This is an important month for RENNER Ministries because we are also preparing for the big launch of our brand-new Russian channel (different from our international channel) that will start airing programs on March 4! Please pray for us as we press forward toward this date. This is God’s channel, and we are trusting Him to provide all the finances needed this month so that we will launch on time with no bumps. This new channel will have the ability to eventually reach every Russian home, and it is a huge development for God’s Word going into people’s lives who are so hungry to receive it!

I want to say thank you for the way you pray for us and support this God-ordained work. When I think of what you and all our God-called partners do, it nearly leaves me speechless. All of what we do is possible because of precious partners like you who have joined hands with God and with us to bring the trusted teaching of the Bible to people around the world. First Corinthians 3:6 tells us that one plants and another waters, but it is God who gives the increase. It takes all of us working together with the Lord for the transformative Truth to change people’s lives. And today I want to especially express how thankful I am for your part in this great Gospel work!

In last month’s letter, I wrote to you about the word the Holy Spirit gave to me for our partners for the year 2024. Here it is again:

The year 2024 will be visited with turbulent episodes across the entire globe, especially in the realms of finances and politics and in the nations. These episodes will be of a sort that they will potentially cause those who are not rooted in God’s Word to be deeply disturbed. But for those who stay in faith…stay in peace…stay in love…stay in fellowship…and keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity — they will experience a supernatural power that will cause them to be unmoved, unshaken, well provided for, and to walk in a much-needed divine assurance, divine peace, divine power, and divine and supernatural victory. Yes, those who stay in faith, in peace, in love, in fellowship, and keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity will be blessed, empowered, joy-filled, and sustained, and they will miraculously thrive even if the world around them is tossed with a tempest.

Last month I also wrote to you about what it means to stay in faith — but today I want to speak to you about what it means to stay in peace. Remember, the prophetic word says those who stay in faith…stay in peace…stay in love…stay in fellowship…and who keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity — they will experience a supernatural power that will cause them to be unmoved, unshaken, well provided for, and they will have a much-needed divine assurance, divine peace, divine power, and divine and supernatural victory.

One purpose of prophecy is to wage a good warfare using the sure words of God that you receive from Him. Paul told Timothy, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18). So as Paul told Timothy, we need to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit has spoken and wage a good warfare with it.

What It Means To Stay in Peace

First of all, I want to draw your attention to John 16:33, where Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Notice that Jesus said we can have peace even if we are in the midst of tribulation. I want to go over both of these words so you’ll really understand what kind of peace is available to you when you experience tribulation or turbulence in life!

The word “peace” that Jesus used in this verse is interpreted from the Greek word eirene, which depicts the cessation of war and the putting away of conflict. This remarkably means that when “peace” is ruling a situation, it causes conflict, strife, and warring in relationships (or things that are waging a fight in the soul) to be put away.

But wait…the word “peace” that Jesus used in this verse also pictures a time of rebuilding and reconstruction after war has ceased. This means that when peace is ruling a situation, it becomes possible to start rebuilding instead of tearing down!

But hold on…the word “peace” that Jesus used in this verse also depicts a time when distractions are removed, prosperity is initiated, and a rule of order replaces chaos. This means that when peace is ruling a situation, it supernaturally eliminates what is a distraction, opens the door to prosperity, and is so strong that it brings order into the midst of chaotic situations!

There’s even more! The word “peace” that Jesus used in John 16:33 speaks of a calm inner stability that results in the ability to conduct oneself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would usually be traumatic or upsetting. This means that when peace is ruling a situation, it doesn’t matter how big the turbulence you’re experiencing is, that divine peace enables you to conduct yourself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would usually be traumatic or upsetting!

Finally, the word “peace” that Jesus used in this verse is from the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. This means that when peace is ruling a situation, it brings wholeness to those who would usually be negatively affected. It also brings a dominating and supernatural tranquility to the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures that are trying to shake you up!

Next, I want to bring your attention to the word “tribulation” in John 16:33, which is interpreted from the Greek word thlipsis. It depicts pressure so great it would usually be crushing, and it speaks of a horribly tight squeeze or a situation so difficult it would usually cause one to feel crushed, pressured, squeezed, or stressed.

You see, Jesus said when His peace is ruling your heart or any situation you are in, it supernaturally removes conflict, puts an end to strife, enables you to rebuild, removes distractions, initiates peace and prosperity, and brings order to whatever was chaotic. This peace is so supernatural that it produces a calm inner stability that results in your ability to conduct yourself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would usually be traumatic or upsetting. Indeed, Jesus said this divine peace will fill you with shalom — with such supernatural completeness, wholeness, and tranquility that your soul will be unaffected by circumstances or pressures!

It’s no surprise that Jesus added the words “be of good cheer!”

The original text could be interpreted this way: “In light of this, it’s time for you to cheer yourself up!” This is Jesus’ instruction for times when we hit turbulence in life. Rather than be shaken up by it, we are to grab hold of God’s divine peace and cheer ourselves up because Jesus has “overcome the world.”

The word “overcome” in that phrase is interpreted from the word nikao, which describes a champion, conqueror, master, overcomer, or victor. It depicts an overwhelming, prevailing force! This word is so power-packed that it pictures Jesus and His power as being a phenomenal, walloping, conquering force. That is the kind of power Jesus possessed and the victory He has to offer to us even when we hit turbulence in life!

In fact, Jesus went on to say His power has overcome the “world.” This word is interpreted from the Greek word kosmos, which describes the earthly realm where Satan is the “god of this world” (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). But no matter how powerfully he tries to project himself, because of the resurrection of Jesus, Satan has been stripped bare of his authority to rule over you (see Colossians 2:15). Jesus has completely prevailed over him — and now Jesus gives you His divine peace to rule you, even in situations that would usually be upsetting!

But for that peace to rule your heart and situation, you must decide to yield to it. The apostle Paul referred to this “yielding to peace” in Colossians 3:15, which says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts….”

I especially want you to notice the word “rule” in this verse. It is from the Greek word brabeuo, which, in ancient times, was used to describe the umpire or referee who moderated and judged the athletic competitions that were so popular in the ancient world.

Paul uses this word to tell us that the peace of God can work like an umpire or referee in our hearts, minds, and emotions. When detrimental emotions attempt to exert control over us or try to throw us into an emotional frenzy, we can stop it from happening by making the choice to let God’s peace rise up from deep inside us and work like an umpire or referee to moderate our emotions. As we do this, we will be kept under the control of that divine peace as it rules in our hearts. When this divine umpire called “peace” steps into the game, it suddenly begins to call the shots and make all the decisions — rather than fretfulness, anxiety, and worry.

Colossians 3:15 could be translated:
“Let the peace of God call the shots in your life….”
“Let the peace of God be the umpire in your life and actions….”
“Let the peace of God act as referee in your emotions and decisions….”

Even though it’s true that everyone runs into turbulent moments from time to time, if you’ll stay in peace — as the Holy Spirit has urged us all to do — you won’t have to surrender to emotions that try to steal your joy, disturb your relationships, and rob you of your victory.

If you feel overwhelmed by problems or emotions that are hitting you from every direction, just stop a moment and deliberately set your heart and mind on Jesus and the Word of God. As you do this, the wonderful, conquering, dominating, supernatural peace of God will rise up from within your spirit and take control — enabling you to stay in peace in 2024!

Wow! I can hardly wait to share with you next month about what it means to “stay in love” as you walk through 2024. But right now, if you are dealing with any kind of turbulence in your life, Jesus’ peace can rule your heart and the situation! So if you would like us to pray with you, we are waiting to hear from you right now. You can call us any weekday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT at 1-800-742-5593 or send us your prayer need at prayer@renner.org. We will get into agreement with you in prayer for God’s divine peace to rise up and, like a mighty umpire, rule your heart and emotions, bringing shalom to you and your situation. So please let us know how to pray for you, and we’ll release our faith with yours for God to move mightily in your situation or in the lives of those you love!

Please pray for us too! We are giving our best to do what Jesus has asked us to do, and obeying Him is our top priority. Your partnership is such a vital part of everything RENNER Ministries is able to accomplish, and we are so thankful for you and our other amazing God-called partners!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus Christ,