God Desires Your Health and Prosperity

September Teaching Letter from Rick Renner

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas and greetings in Jesus’ precious name! Christ came into this world “in the fullness of time” to redeem mankind from sin and to reconcile us to the Heavenly Father (Galatians 4:4,5). And what a great salvation it was and is that God wrought for us in Christ (see Hebrews 2:3-18)! Denise and I and our family wish you a warm and wonderful Christmas season and the best new year of your life in 2022.

Today I want to talk to you about opportunities and adversaries, but first I want to say thank you for being such a faithful partner with our ministry. As I told you in my letter last month, our ministry is bursting at the seams, and I am so humbled that God would use Denise and me, our family, and our team to minister to the many people who are reaching out to us every day.

Every soul is precious, and it is our heartfelt desire to convey that truth to every person God brings to us — that they are precious to Him and to us. And your gifts are so vital to our ability to touch every one of these treasured souls! So today I want to say a special thank you for all you do with us to take the trusted teaching of the Word of God to people in Russia and all over the world. From the depths of our hearts, Denise and I THANK YOU!

This month is the last month of the year — and I know you are probably preparing for Christmas and many different kinds of gatherings. But in addition to Christmas, it’s also almost 2022. As we come to the end of this year and to the beginning of a brand-new year, the Holy Spirit keeps telling me to “stay on track” with the assignments He has given us. I hear Him saying that even if we hit bumps along the way, everything will be all right if we’ll just stay on track and maintain our God-assigned territory — the many opportunities and assignments He has given us to inspire, strengthen, and equip believers with the sound teaching of the Bible.

But I’ve learned over the years that opportunities and adversaries usually go together — and today I want to encourage you to undergird yourself so that you can stay on track with what God has asked you to do this month and in the coming year.

Over the course of our ministry, we’ve had many great, effectual doors open to us to do the work of the Gospel. I’ll never forget when I received an opportunity to minister on television in the former Soviet Union. It was as if a great door had suddenly swung open to an entire vast territory — a door that had never before been opened for anyone else — and I knew I was experiencing something miraculous. By faith, Denise and I stepped through that door and began to preach the Word of God on television in this spiritually starved corner of the world.

Given the former socialist-communist campaigns against the Gospel in this particular region, this opportunity was as miraculous as the Jordan River dividing for Joshua and the children of Israel. But with this great open door also came a slew of adversaries, specifically dispatched by Satan to instill fear and doubt into my heart. The devil desperately wanted to prevent me from touching the lives of spiritually oppressed people, so he positioned evil people with insidious plans to try to block my view of what God had in store for our ministry.

I’m telling you that it was like the children of Israel looking at the Promised Land from the far side of the Jordan River. From that perspective, they saw only the fruitful land of blessing that lay before them. But once they entered the Promised Land, they had to fight giants of every kind before they could possess that land and enjoy the blessing. In much the same way, if Denise and I had taken our eyes off the Lord during that tumultuous period — or if we had focused only on the problems and forgotten about the fruit we were pursuing for God’s Kingdom — I’m sure we would have backpedaled to get out of the situation!

But we knew this was a God-given opportunity and worth the fight, so we fixed our gaze squarely on the Lord. Girded with the armor of God and the power of the Spirit, we pushed through every obstacle and possessed the ground that God called us to take. As a result, millions of souls began to hear the Gospel for the first time. We knew that only God could have opened this door!

In First Corinthians 16:9, the apostle Paul wrote about the strategic doors of opportunity that open for the Gospel and the adversaries that usually accompany them. He said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Notice that Paul used the words “great,” “door,” “effectual,” and “is opened” to describe the opportunity that had been set before him.

The word “great” in this verse is translated from the Greek word megale, which means gigantic. The word “door” is the Greek word thura, which typically refers to a door, but in this context, denotes a rare opportunity. The word “effectual” is the Greek word energes, and it depicts something that is powerful and ready to be set into motion. Finally, the phrase “is opened” is the Greek word anoigo, which describes something standing wide open. In other words, the door in question couldn’t be any more open! Thus, an alternate translation of Paul’s words in First Corinthians 16:9 could be rendered, “A gigantic, powerful opportunity is already set in motion and standing wide open….”

Paul continued by saying, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me….” You see, Paul knew that the particular door he was referring to had never been opened to anyone else, and he stood in awe of the unprecedented opportunity. Walking through these kinds of doors is impossible without divine assistance, and Paul was fully aware of God’s role in the matter. That is why he specified that this door had been opened “unto me.”

Paul’s prayer request in First Corinthians 16:9 was not for a door to open because it had already opened. His prayer request was to receive God’s wisdom to deal with the numerous adversaries who were trying to come against him. Paul used the Greek word antikeimenoi to describe the vast number of “adversaries” that were sent to attack him. This Greek word describes something that was piled high and lying all around him. In other words, he was dealing with more than a few minor opponents. On the contrary, it felt like opposition was stacked high on every side!

I’ve learned that the enemy will try his best to keep you from stepping through the gigantic doors of opportunity God desires to open for you. Satan is afraid of what will happen when “his” territory is invaded by someone fully equipped with a full arsenal of spiritual weapons. So know this: God will open doors for you — but He needs you to make a determined decision that you will walk through them, no matter the opposition, with the help of His Spirit.

By opening the door, God has already done His part, which would have been impossible without His assistance. Now He beckons you to come, dressed in the whole armor of God and in the power of His Word — and proceed through that effectual door into new territory. It may look like enemies are everywhere, but it is simply a fact that the devil and his forces flee and collapse when they are subjected to a show of strong faith!

As I mentioned earlier, many great and effectual doors have been opened to us over the years to do the work of the Gospel. In each case, we knew these doors were unique to us and had never before been opened for anyone else. And just as Paul experienced opposition, there were plenty of enemies that came against us with each opportunity. But because we obeyed God, the devil was forced to move out of the way, and we walked right into the virgin territory that God had opened for our ministry.

Even if you think your situation looks threatening right now, I want to tell you that God is with you. He wants to supernaturally open new doors for you — doors that have never before been opened for you. He is not beckoning you to walk through these doors so you can fail. He is with you every step of the way, and He will empower you to defeat every foe and bring Him glory in that new territory that is yours to possess in Jesus’ name!

Your open door may be an opportunity to shine the light of God’s Word and God’s love to your family or friends during this holiday season. It may be a door that will open to you in the new year. Regardless of when it is or what it is, the same God who opens doors will empower you to walk through them — and then He’ll be right with you to give you the wisdom and strength needed to overcome any giant that tries to meet you on the other side.

I know this is not a typical December, “Christmas-style” letter, but this is what was on my heart to share with you today. I want you to always know that if we can join you in prayer, we would be delighted to do so. To be honest, we are praying for you anyway, but when we are alerted to know exactly “how” to pray, it increases our effectiveness as we pray for you. So if you have a special need, please either call or write to let us know how we can get in agreement with you for God to show Himself mighty to you according to Jeremiah 33:3, which says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

And please pray for us as we continue marching forward by faith to push back darkness, to shine the light of God’s Word, and to take territory for the Kingdom of God. Together — as partners — we can make a difference in the lives of throngs of people who are crying out to God for help. They are waiting for God to respond to their prayers, and God wants to use us — you and us together — to bring them the answers they desperately need.

But before I close, I want to say we are specifically asking God to do something special for you this month and before the end of the year. I don’t know what it is, but that is what we are praying. We are asking God to do something special that will bless your life! And please, please pray for us as we continue pushing ahead to build our studio in Moscow, to finalize the purchase of our new headquarters in Tulsa, and to continue to minister effectually to every precious soul Jesus brings to us!

Merry Christmas!

We love you and thank God for you!

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

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel and their families|Dear Friends,

Before I get into what is on my heart to share with you today, I want to say THANK YOU for your faithfulness to the Lord and for being among the best partners in the whole world. Denise and I are thankful to the Lord for you — and for our entire partner family. We are particularly grateful for your special generosity over the summer months. You are helping us to take the life-changing teaching of God’s Word to the ends of the earth. We are having a record response from people who are reaching out to us for prayer and spiritual support. Please pray for our whole team as they diligently respond to all these needs.

I also want to tell you that my new book The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Tribulation — an End-Times Countdown and What Happens Next has been released! If you haven’t ordered your copy, I want to encourage you to get yours by calling 1-800-742-5593 or by going online to renner.org/rapture. I was able to send some pre-release copies to Christian leaders across the nation, and many of them have responded with such encouraging comments, stating that it is a book that is really on time for believers — it will clear up a lot of confusion and fear that people have on this important subject. I wanted you to be aware that it is finally available!

Today I want to talk to you about HEALING.

Each year, our ministry is blessed to receive countless prayer requests, many of which come from individuals seeking healing for themselves or for loved ones and friends. It is a deep honor to unite our faith with theirs and steadfastly trust in the manifestation of God’s healing promises in their lives. In response to our faith-filled prayers, people regularly reach out again to let us know that they (or those they know and love) received healing or grew progressively better after we prayed with them. Oh, how we love to hear those praise reports!

But there are also others with whom we agreed in prayer for healing who are still waiting for the answer to come. In some cases, those individuals have waited so long that it seems to them as if the answer has been endlessly delayed. Some have waited so long that hope appears to wear thin, and questions loom large: Why does my healing remain unseen? Why does healing elude me despite my steadfast faith? Or, Am I doing something wrong that prevents my healing from taking place? These instances leave people grappling with profound — and often unanswered — questions.

Today and over the next few months, I want to encourage your faith by focusing on healing. Let’s begin by focusing our attention on First John 5:14-15, which says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

This passage assures us that we can possess unwavering conviction that when we petition for anything aligned with God’s will, He both listens and responds affirmatively. The word “confidence” in this verse is interpreted from the Greek word parresia, signifying a manner of expressing oneself boldly, candidly, and with straightforwardness. This bold kind of speech is often translated in the New Testament as the word “confidence.” Indeed, it depicts a confident kind of speaking — a daring to speak exactly what one believes or thinks with no hesitation or intimidation. Within this context, it means if we know our prayers are in harmony with God’s will, we have the liberty to approach God with boldness, honesty, and directness as we present our petitions to Him.

In fact, verse 14 goes on to say that “…if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us….” The word “ask” is from a form of the Greek word aiteo, which conveys a sense of demanding or insisting. This term paints a picture of someone who approaches prayer with authority, unafraid to voice his needs and fully expecting to receive what he seeks. The confidence of such a person stems from the fact that he or she is asking “according to His [God’s] will.” This means that individual is not just randomly asking for anything he or she wishes, but is praying “according to His will.” When you pray with what aligns with God’s Scriptures, there is no need to be timid. Instead, you can stand firm, assert your faith, and expect God to respond!

First John 5:14 continues to say that if we pray according to His will — or according to what God has revealed in His Word — “He heareth us.” God’s ear is attuned to His own promises spoken back to Him, and that is what prompts Him to take action. While our emotions and needs matter deeply to Him, it is ultimately the confident, heartfelt recitation of His promises that stirs Him to respond. Therefore, understanding what God has revealed as His will, particularly concerning healing, is of utmost importance. Indeed, First John 5:14 states that God is moved to action when He hears a believer boldly praying the promises of His Word.

As mentioned before, God responds to prayers when they are aligned with the teachings and truths found in His Word. This is why it is crucial to align your prayers with His will. Knowing the will of God — and praying according to the will of God — is absolutely essential if you want to see your prayers answered. And it is absolutely God’s will for you to be healed and to live in health. You will see as this teaching unfolds that these blessings are included in Christ’s work of redemption on the Cross.

God’s Explicit Will for Your Life

In Third John, verse 2, the apostle John expressed the will of God when he wrote, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth.”

This verse is an unequivocal declaration of God’s explicit will for your life, and, hence, it is key for you to understand this verse. Having this verse cemented into your heart and mind will put you on a foundation so strong you can confidently release your faith for divine healing.

The word “wish” in this verse is a translation of the Greek word euchomai, which means to express one’s strongest desire or will. John was writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which means this was not only John’s strongest desire and will, but also God’s strongest desire for His people.

Since the explicit will of God for every believer is stated in this verse, we need to really examine it to discover exactly what is God’s will for each of us. John wrote, “…I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth.”

First, the words “above all things” are an interpretation of the Greek words peri panton. The word peri means a circumference and that which surrounds, and the word panton is all-inclusive and means everything. As a phrase, it pictures absolutely everything that encompasses you, surrounds you, and concerns you — and that means absolutely everything.

Then John added that it was his desire (and because he was writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was actually expressing God’s will) that God’s people would “prosper.” The word “prosper” is interpreted from a form of the Greek word euodoo, which is a compound of the words eu and hodos. The word eu means good and pictures what is enjoyable, delightful, and pleasurable, and the word hodos is the Greek word for a road. As the compounded word euodoo that John used, it means to have a joyful, enjoyable, delightful, and pleasurable experience on every road of life you take.

In the ancient world, prosperity was frequently measured by the size of one’s home or the quantity of other possessions, as well as having enough finances to travel abroad and take vacations. For example, in Acts 19:25 when Paul was ministering with such great results in Ephesus that the idol-makers feared their “wealth” would be affected, the word “wealth” is translated from the Greek word euporia. This word is similar to euodoo in Third John 2 because it also means prosperity, wealth, and abundance. To have euporia meant to have the ability to travel and have an enjoyable traveling experience.

The idol-workers in Ephesus measured their prosperity and wealth by whether they had enough financial resources to travel and vacation abroad. Whether they were traveling to faraway places on expeditions to enhance their trade or their studies as explorers and hobbyists, or they were traveling and enjoying leisurely time away in a foreign land — travel was an indicator of a person’s wealth and status. These idol-workers feared that Paul’s preaching and the infiltration of the Gospel would cause people to stop buying the idols they made, thus affecting their income to the point that they would no longer be able to travel abroad and take vacations.

The way the word euodoo was used in history tells us that it was John’s (and God’s) will that believers “prosper,” meaning that God wants His people to have not only enough money to pay their basic bills, but also enough extra to enjoy life to the point they can travel and enjoy themselves.

In the First Century, traveling was an outward sign of prosperity and wealth. The same might be true today in the way some measure prosperity, but, largely, people measure wealth differently in modern society — for example, by the size of people’s homes or the quantity of their possessions or other resources. But the ability to travel was a pronounced mark of prosperity in the ancient world. Maybe traveling is not your dream, but according to the verses we’ve seen previously, the word “prosper” (euodoo) pictures having more than enough to pay your basic bills and sufficient resources to enjoy any road of life that you will ever take. In other words, it is not God’s will for you to struggle and barely make it in life, but to have enough financially to enjoy yourself along the way.

But notice John then added that it was his strongest desire (and God’s) that the people of God “be in health.” The word “health” is interpreted from a form of hugiaino, a word that depicts being physically healthy, in good working order, and in sound condition, and it includes mental soundness. The reason it is translated as the word “whole” is that it carries the idea of wholeness or of one who is complete and sound in every part of his being.

In John 5, we discover that a form of the word hugiaino is used four times concerning the lame man at the pool of Bethesda.

• In John 5:6, Jesus asked the lame man, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The word “whole” is from a form of hugiaino, which signifies Jesus was asking if he wanted to be healthy, in good working order, and sound physically and mentally.
• In John 5:9, we read that after Jesus told the man to pick up his bed and walk, he was “made whole.” The word “whole” is again translated from a form of hugiaino, which means he was immediately made healthy, restored to good working order, and made sound physically and mentally.
• In John 5:11, after the religious leaders asked who healed him, the healed man answered that it was Jesus who had made him “whole.” The word “whole” is again translated from a form of hugiaino, which means he testified that it was Jesus who’d made him healthy, in good working order, and sound physically and mentally.
• In John 5:14, after Jesus found the man, He told him, “Behold, thou art made whole.” The word “whole” is again translated from a form of hugiaino, which means Jesus jubilantly acknowledged that the man was now healthy, in good working order, and sound physically and mentally.

So when John wrote that it was his (and God’s) strongest desire and will that God’s people be in “health,” it meant that God wants His people to be healthy, physically in good working order, and sound physically and mentally.

In Third John 2, John wrote, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health…,” and we have covered the words “wish,” “above all things,” “prosper,” and “health.” But then John added “as thy soul prospereth.” The word “soul” refers to the emotions, mind, and will. Herein we find that God not only wants us to be in good physical health, but He wants His Word to transform our souls to the point that every thought — or every road the mind finds itself traveling — will be filled with the abundance of God’s grace. Overall, we find that it is God’s explicit will for His people to be healthy, in good physical working order, sound physically, and abundantly blessed with good mental health.

The RIV (Renner Interpretive Version) of Third John 2 says:

My dearly loved brothers, it is my strongest desire that you prosper in every way that concerns you — that you not only have enough money to pay your basic bills but enough extra so you can really enjoy yourselves on every road of life that you take — and that you be healthy, in good, physical working order, sound physically in every way, and that you are blessed with good mental health.

Today I want you to see that the Bible clearly states it is God’s unequivocal will for you to prosper on every road you take in life and to continuously enjoy the benefits of good physical and mental health — and that if you pray with faith according to God’s will, He hears you, and He will do what you requested!

When we come back next month, I want to pick up here and continue. Healing is needed by everyone at some time, so my heartfelt prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use this series of letters to enlighten your understanding and provide long sought-after answers that will lead you into the healing and health Jesus purchased at the Cross for you.

Thanks so much for letting me minister to you today. Please remember that we are here to pray for you, and if we can agree with you in prayer about anything on your heart or that you are facing, we are waiting to join our faith with yours for God to do what needs to be done. Just call 1-800-742-5593 or write to us at prayer@renner.org. And be praying for us, too, as we do what Jesus has called us to do. Thank you again for being such a faithful friend and partner!

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

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel Renner and our entire ministry team

P.S. Click here to view the new interactive Ministry Update page or click here to download the printable pdf flyer.

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