You Are RICH! God’s Riches for You — in This Life and the One To Come!

June Teaching Letter from Denise 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|Hello, Friend!

Today as I prepare this teaching letter for you, my heart is filled with excitement about the truths we are about to discover together. Every month when I sit down to pen these letters, I ask the Lord to reveal exactly what you need to hear to thrive in your current season of life. It is my prayer that as you read June’s letter, these truths will sink deep into your heart and take root!
 
I’m speaking to you today from the book of Esther. I’m sure you have read Esther before, and maybe you’ve even gone to great lengths to study the contents of this amazing book.
 
I was recently studying in the book of Esther, and I couldn’t get past the first chapter! I was absolutely captivated by the lively description of the wealth of King Ahasuerus. Esther 1:4-7 says:

When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all. And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
 
There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king.

 
As I was reading this, I kept thinking, What kind of wealth do you have to have to be able to show it off for 180 days? That’s six months of celebration! Then I thought about Esther, a young virgin girl who came from a Jewish home. She had never in her life experienced such opulence as was on display in King Ahasuerus’ palace. Yet it was the plan of God for her to live in this palace and, eventually, become the queen!
 
It’s human nature to be impressed and taken with the things we can see with our eyes in the natural. In Russia, where I live, I have had the great privilege of visiting several beautiful palaces. In Saint Petersburg, the palaces are filled with gold, precious artifacts, silver, jewels, art, and opulence on a measure that is difficult to describe, much less imagine.
 
But try to picture what King Ahasuerus’ magnificent palace and garden looked like — or his feast of 180 days. King Ahasuerus reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. His was a lifestyle that I imagine was very overwhelming for young Esther.
 
I would love to be able to show you around the amazing places I’ve been blessed to see and to share with you the rich Russian history of Saint Petersburg — the magnificent staircases, world-renowned sculptures and paintings, gold and silver-covered walls and statues, marvelous tapestries, and ancient furnishings. This all sounds amazing, yes?
 
Unfortunately, I can’t take you to St. Petersburg, but I can bring your attention to a kind of wealth that exceeds beyond anything in that beautiful city or anything King Ahasuerus had in his lavish empire. What I want you to pay attention to is your own future wealth. Revelation 21:10-14;18-21 says:

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
 
Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
 
The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
 
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

 
Oh, friend, I just described your future home! Sometimes it’s easy to let yourself become focused on the wealth and riches you can see in this world, but the Bible says that you have unimaginable wealth waiting for you in eternity! There is so much more available to you that is past the limitations of this earth, and God wants your mind to be renewed in His immense power, magnificence, grandeur, wealth, perfection, and intelligence.
 
The only way you can open your mind to see the full measure of His greatness and refocus on your eternal wealth is by taking in the Word of God. Ephesians 1:19 says:
 

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

 
The word “exceeding” comes from the Greek word huperballo which here means to overshoot. Let’s say you have a target, and in the middle of that target is the bullseye. In the context of huperballo, meaning to overshoot, the bullseye is our expectation of God. According to Ephesians 1:19, God’s ability to provide — to save, deliver, heal, prosper, protect, and bring peace or joy — exceeds our target or our expectation. In other words, God’s provision in our lives “shoots right over the top” of the target and exceeds our expectations — that is the “exceeding greatness” of the power of God extended to you and me!
 
God’s Word says that we have joy unspeakable and are full of glory (see 1 Peter 1:8,9). That means exceeding, over-the-top, beyond what you need God provision!
 
We see the word “exceeding” again in Ephesians 2:7!
 

That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

 
In this verse, it tells of “…the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness….” Friend, the kindness God has for you is exceeding — it’s “off the charts” — bigger than you could ever imagine!
 
We’ve talked about the enormous wealth of King Ahasuerus and the riches that fill the palaces in Saint Petersburg. But what we need to look at is the wealth and riches we can’t see with our eyes — the “exceeding” provision of God — in this life and the next!
 
The Bible says that the things you can see in the natural are temporary, but the spiritual things that are unseen are eternal. Imagining what you can see doesn’t take any imagination at all! But imagining what you can’t see just yet — the blessings God has for you in this life and the powerful, magnificent, grand, rich, perfect provision waiting for you in Heaven — takes serious faith to think about and meditate on these eternal truths. But friend, I promise you that no matter what you’re going through, what you can’t see with your eyes right now is far greater and more real than what you can see.
 
Let’s look at Ephesians 3:20, where the word “exceeding” is used again to describe the Lord’s provision. It says:
 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

 
Here again we see the Holy Spirit expressing through the apostle Paul that God wants to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or even think! It is so important that we open our hearts and minds to look past what’s in front of us and spend time imagining how great our God is! We must take Him out of the small box we may have confined Him to and expect Him to work in us and in our situation to bring about His “exceeding” provision that completely overshoots the target of our highest expectations!
 
Friend, Scripture makes it clear that God has put no limits on Himself. He didn’t even spare His own Son! But instead, He gave Him up for us all (see Romans 8:32). God has put no limits on what He can do for us or show us about Himself. It’s our own small thinking putting limits on our magnificent, all-powerful God! We have limited Him by being overly captivated by our personal problems and what’s in front of our faces — so much so that we can’t see the One who has every answer to every one of those problems. He has “exceedingly abundantly” supplied us with more than any of us could need, want, or even dream of.
 
I want to close with a Scripture passage from Second Corinthians 4:7.
 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 
Your spirit is a treasure chest! Many times we see people in movies searching for hidden treasure or for the ‘X’ that marks the spot. They search high and low and go on death-defying journeys to obtain the treasure chest filled with jewels — precious stones, silver, gold — and other riches. But did you know that you don’t need to look further than inside? Your spirit is decked out with more riches, more wealth, more jewels, more gold, more power, and more splendor than any hidden treasure! The treasure on this earth is perishable, but what you have on the inside is unperishable!
 
I encourage you to spend some time this week thinking and meditating on the riches that are inside you. If you are born again and the Holy Spirit lives within you, it doesn’t matter if you were born into natural wealth or not. More than your status or station in this life, it matters that you are the Holy Spirit’s vessel — His treasure chest — into which He has deposited all the riches of God’s grace and blessing that you will ever need.
 
Dear friend, we are rich! Think about this during the week: I am rich with God! His riches, intelligence, wisdom, power, and perfection are living inside me.
 
I want to say thank you to those who watch my weekly program TIME With Denise Renner. I really value the time we get to spend encouraging each other in the truth of the Word of God and discussing ways to live a godly life. If you haven’t seen TIME With Denise Renner yet, I encourage you to tune in! You can watch TIME each Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. CT on my Facebook, YouTube channel, deniserenner.org, or by checking your local listings for my broadcast schedule. I hope to see you there next week!

Please let us know how we can pray for you. If you have a special prayer request, one of our prayer partners is just a phone call or email away. Call 1.844.473.6637 or send us an email at prayer@deniserenner.org. We look forward to joining our faith with yours for the answer you need!

We are moving forward together,

Denise Renner

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