Remaining Steadfast

June 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,

Wow! It’s almost summer, but surprisingly, we just woke up in Moscow to a fresh blanket of snow. When I see it, I think of how the blood of Jesus — like snow — washes away and covers all the sin and blemishes in one’s life. Oh, I am so thankful for the precious blood of Jesus! Aren’t you?

Before I get into today’s letter, I want to remind you that my book Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters, and the World Before the Flood is available on our website for a significant, pre-publication discount. Amazingly, I have a second new book available right now, Renner A to Z, and it covers my comments and quotes on more than 400 Bible topics. I’m excited about both of these books, so please go to our website at RENNER.org to find out more information about these two new releases and order your copies today!

I also want to thank you for being such a faithful friend and partner with our ministry. In last month’s letter, I encouraged you to keep sowing your precious seed for the sake of eternity. The sowing of our finances into churches and ministries is essential, because it puts fuel in the tank so the Gospel and the teaching of God’s Word can get to people who need it. And every time you give to a life-giving church or ministry, you are literally becoming a significant partner in providing help to people who really need it. God thanks you, and I personally thank you for being such a mighty tool in the hands of God. Because of your willingness and obedience, lives are being touched and changed!

I call you a “partner” because you really have an eternal part in what is being accomplished through this ministry. The Lord, Denise and I, our family, and our whole team are thankful for every seed you have sown and will continue to sow into this soil of God’s Kingdom. Together we are making a difference in lives all over the world that are crying out for teaching they can trust. Wow! It is a blessing that God uses all of us together as a team!
 
But today I am thinking of people who have sown their seed into the soil of their churches and good ministries, and now they are waiting for a return or a harvest on what they have sown. Sometimes people get discouraged during the time of waiting between the seed sown and the harvest reaped. I want to encourage you not to quit before you’ve received what you’ve been expecting. You can rest assured that if you don’t give up, God certainly won’t fail to perform His Word for you!

Galatians 6:9 promises: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” This verse has been a strong encouragement to me personally over many years, so today I want to look at seven key words in this verse that I believe are going to encourage you. Let’s take a closer look at the following words: 1) weary; 2) well; 3) doing; 4) in due season; 5) shall reap; 6) if; and 7) faint.

1. The word “weary” is the word egkakeo, a compound of the Greek words en and kakos. The word en in this case means to give in, and the word kakeo is a form of kakos, a word fre- quently used to denote something that is evil, destructive, or even unjust. But when these words are compounded, the new word depicts one who is tempted to give up because he feels accosted by an evil, destructive, or unjust person or circumstance. This means God commands you and me not to surrender to the temptation to become weary and give up. He is the One who tells us, “Let us not be weary in well doing.”
2. The word “well” is the Greek word kalos, which means good, but it would be better trans- lated here as useful. The word “good” itself is too broad a term and leaves one wondering what is included. But when it is more accurately translated as the word “useful,” it gives clarity that a “good” work is a “useful” work. This of course suggests that in addition to useful works, there are also works that are “unuseful,” meaning a lot of energy and time expended on things that have no benefit to anyone. But Paul’s use of the word kalos tells us that we must focus on works that are “useful” with some type of measurable results. This tells us that what is sown is not only financial seeds, but also good deeds. Giving to the Kingdom of God is one of those good deeds that God deems so valuable!
3. The word “doing” is from the Greek word poieo and refers to any type of activity. It can even carry the idea of creatively doing something when the action doesn’t come easily or naturally. In other words, if we can’t easily see a way to do something that is beneficial, it’s time for us to get creative! But it must be noted that this word, as used here, is also a participle, which means it depicts ongoing, uninterrupted action. In other words, the type of “well doing” that the apostle Paul described here is not a one-time event, but an ongoing action. It is a lifestyle of sowing seeds and deeds.
4. God promises that “in due season,” we shall reap a harvest for our efforts. The words “due season” are idios and kairos. The word idios means its own, and the word kairos refers to a set season. Thus, each seed has its own set season — a specific, individual time when it will produce a harvest. Even if multiple seeds of different kinds are all planted at one time, each has its own season to be reaped, depending on the nature of the seed. One seed produces during one set season, while another seed is reaped during a different season. Thus, it is a mistake to judge our seed and its particular time of harvest by the harvest time of other seeds, because each seed has its unique set season to mature. We just need to remember God’s promise that if we are consistent — if we steadfastly keep sowing our seed into the ground and refuse to allow weariness to derail us — a time will come when we shall reap.
5. The words “shall reap” are from the word therismos, a Greek word that describes the reap- ing or harvesting of crops. What is important to note is that the tense describes a future, fixed event. Hence, the harvest is in the future, but it is fixed and guaranteed to happen — if we will do our part and stay on course. This is why Paul continued by saying, “…if we faint not.”
6. The word “if” tells us that our actions have the power to disrupt a harvest. Paul added the word “if” to help us understand that our consistency and refusal to surrender for any reason is vital in reaching the set season of our seed. If we “faint” at any point along the way, we can jeopardize the long-term harvest of what we have sown.
7. The word “faint” is the Greek word ekluo, a compound of the words ek and luo. The word ek means out, and the word luo means to loosen or to relax. When compounded, the new word means to loosen out. It is a relaxed mental state that results in loss. It pictures a person who has become so weary that he gives up and forfeits what he had long awaited and was so close to reaping. As a result, the person loses the desired outcome that was so near. Pressures applied against this person have unraveled him, causing his grip to slacken until the answer he was holding on to slips from his hands. The result is loss. In the case of Galatians 6:9, he has lost a harvest. The most common factor that causes us to loosen our grip is when we become “weary.” Thus, Paul urges us not to give in and quit in times of spiritual, physical, or mental exhaustion.

It’s exciting to plant seeds of faith, and it’s really exciting when the harvest finally comes. But to reach that point, you must hold tight to what God has told you and remember that your seed — whether it’s financial seed or seeds of uninterrupted, useful deeds toward others — has a set season when it will produce, if you do not disrupt the process. As long as you stay the course, it is guaranteed that you will reap a harvests from what you have planted.

Often people are tempted to give up and quit because they become tired. Although they are try- ing to be obedient, they may feel unappreciated. Perhaps circumstances out of their control are coming against them, or someone is treating them unjustly. Maybe you have experienced the temptation to give up. But Galatians 6:9 urges you and me not to loosen our grip on our future, fixed harvest!

You see, if you will remain steadfast, the time of waiting will eventually end and your harvests will come! They may not come at the time you were hoping they would — but regardless, don’t give up on your seed too early. The seeds you have sown have a set season, and God promises they will produce — if you don’t do something to disrupt the process!

I don’t know what you’re trusting God for in this present season of your life. Most of us are believing for something, and we are sowing seeds toward it. Perhaps no one knows what you are believing for because you’ve kept it between you and the Lord. Maybe it’s a financial harvest, a break- through in a relationship, a physical healing, or a restoration in some other area. Maybe this harvest is taking longer than you had anticipated.

I want to reassure you that God’s Word and His promises are eternal, and if you just won’t quit, it’s only a matter of time until your long-awaited blessing arrives. God’s Word is absolutely true, so I encourage you to remain steadfast and keep thanking Him for the harvest He has in store that’s been tailor-made just for you!

I appreciate you praying for Denise, me, our whole family, and our team as we do what God has commissioned us to do. The assignment is enormous, and we are giving our best to do what He has assigned to us. But your prayers and finances are a big part, so we ask for your prayers and thank you for your amazing support. Every day when I wake up and every night when I go to bed — and multiple times during each day — I am praying for God to respond to you with His very best!

And if you have a specific prayer request, please let us know so we can pray for you. I think you know by now that we are a ministry that really prays for our partners. It would be our honor to pray specifically for whatever is in your heart or about whatever you are facing. We fully understand the need to have people who will come into agreement with us and pray with us, so we want to pray with you with full faith for God to move mightily on your behalf. You can reach out to us by calling 1-800-742-5593 or by emailing us at prayer@renner.org.

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

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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