28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 28: It’s Time To Arise and Shine!

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 68:11; Isaiah 53:3-5; Isaiah 60:1; Isaiah 61:3: John 15:5; Philippians 3:13,14

Today is the final day of our journey! Thank you for participating with me. I pray that God has enlarged your heart spiritually, leading you into a deeper, more intimate walk with Him.

No matter how successful we may be in various areas, we’re all challenged with inner struggles in our lives at times — and I am no different. In this last devotional, I’d like to share a deeply personal experience that I believe will greatly encourage you.

Several years after we moved to the former Soviet Union, Rick and I were pastoring one of the largest churches in this part of the world and had already experienced many God-given successes in our ministry, including establishing three churches and the first-ever Christian television network in the former USSR. Nevertheless, I was struggling emotionally. For years I’d battled low self-esteem, continually carrying a sense of shame that hovered over my life like a heavy, smothering blanket.

This blanket of shame came upon my life when I was about 12 years old and I developed a very serious case of cystic acne on my face and neck. This wasn’t a normal case of teenage acne. It was a condition so severe that it penetrated all five layers of my skin. As a young person, I was taunted and teased continually by my peers. Their cruel words pierced my heart like poison arrows. I didn’t know how to guard my heart at the time and to withstand those venomous words. As a result, they literally shaped the way I viewed myself in relation to the world around me.

I eventually received a miraculous healing at the age of 25 from the cystic acne I’d suffered with for 13 years. Then many years after that, I underwent surgery to reduce the scarring on my face caused by the disease and to regain what had been stolen from me in my youth. However, I soon learned that although doctors can change a person’s face, they can’t change his or her soul! So my battle with shame continued — until one glorious moment after I’d sought the Lord in His Word, and Jesus released me from the oppressive bondage that had held me captive for so long. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! The details of my story may be unique, but I’ve discovered over the years that everyone faces struggles like mine in some form. I don’t know the details of the battles you’ve faced in life — or of those you may be facing right now. But I believe that as we stand together, the redemption Jesus purchased for you and me can be realized in every area of our lives.

The Lord has opened doors for me to minister to thousands of women in the former USSR, many of whom have faced similar issues of fear, shame, and low-esteem for one reason or another. Yet from the foundation of the world, God has had a plan for each one of these precious souls. I am reminded of Psalm 68:11 in the Amplified Bible: “The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host.” God has always loved and esteemed all of mankind — both men and women. In fact, you’ll find that where Jesus is exalted, the role of “woman” is highly honored.

My heart can scarcely fathom the work God desires to do through His people in these last days, including through the lives of His handmaidens. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Men and women who are vitally connected to the Vine, Jesus Christ, are the ones who will make the greatest impact on the world around them in this hour.

In this crucial time, you and I are a part of that great host who are called to proclaim the Good News and to bear fruit for Christ’s Kingdom. If you find yourself struggling, it’s time to arise from the ashes of shame, fear, or whatever it is that keeps you from moving forward. It’s time for you to really shine, forgetting those things that are behind you and pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus. (See Isaiah 60:1; 61:3; Philippians:13:13,14.) You can make a huge difference in the world around you when you step out of the darkness of your old way of thinking and into the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ.

As always, we want to pray for you! Please let us know how we can stand with you for the fulfillment of the dreams God has placed in your heart.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 27: Taking Your Place for the Sake of Others

Daily Bible Reading: John 8:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Have you ever seen the movie “The Princess Diaries”? I’ve seen it several times and love the wonderful storyline. One of the most powerful moments in the movie comes toward the end when the main character, Mia, realizes that she must take her place as heir to a royal throne. She understands that she must leave behind her fears, insecurities, and familiar comforts. She must “come into her own” in order to serve the interests of others.

Well, that is exactly where we are as Christians — as followers of Jesus Christ. We were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18,19). We’ve been made a part of His royal family. We are joint-heirs with the King of all kings! Now we must leave our old identity behind and take on our new identity of strength, dignity, and honor so we can effectively give ourselves away in the service of others.

I encourage you today to ask God to show you how you can sow more into the lives of others. Then be open and expectant for His answer! Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s beckoning to do something different — perhaps something outside your comfort zone that you’ve never done before. Now more than ever is the time for you to occupy the God-ordained position you’ve been called to stand in. Jesus purchased it for you to possess. Whether you always feel like it or not, He has made you strong and secure — not so you can boast in yourself, but so you can utilize your God-given strength for the benefit of others. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! When serving others is your agenda for the day, life will be different for you. So I encourage you to use your strength because of your vital union with Jesus Christ to help someone else today. As you step out more and more to do this, you will see places once filled with despair turn to places of hope. You will see the atmosphere in a room change from one of darkness, loneliness, and despair to one of joy and salvation as you bring to others the precious light of life (see John 8:12).

We don’t have this kind of power and influence because we’re wonderful or because of what family we were born into, naturally speaking. We have the potential to change individuals, communities, and nations because we were born again into the family of God. It’s not because of our personalities handed down to us by our parents; rather, it’s because of our new nature given to us by God that we have authority to reach out and minister in His name.

Friend, you are here on this earth to make a difference in the lives of others. I encourage you today to give yourself more to the plan of God for your life. And as always, if you have prayer needs, we want to know about them. If your burden seems too heavy, we want to help you carry it in prayer to the Father.

Thank you for spending this time with me. Tomorrow is the last of our 28-Day Journey together! I would love to hear what God is doing in your life.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 26: Lessons From Abigail

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25:2-42; Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:5

I’m so excited to share with you what’s on my heart today. We are on day 26 of 28 — we are almost done with this journey!

Lately I’ve been studying the story of David and Abigail and how she became his wife through very unusual circumstances. The story is found in First Samuel 25. I strongly encourage you to read this account in your own Bible. This amazing drama began when David’s men helped the cruel husband of Abigail, whose name was Nabal. The Bible describes Nabal as a “churlish” man (v. 3), which means difficult, severe, cruel, harsh, inflexible, obstinate, or stubborn.

Nabal was a very rich man who had large flocks of sheep. One day while Nabal’s men were in Carmel shearing his sheep, David’s men provided protection to their flocks as they traveled through the region, and David sent his men to ask Nabal to show favor to them by sharing some of their provisions. Nabal — being the harsh, obstinate, headstrong man he was — answered David’s request with insults, saying, in effect, “Who is this son of Jesse?” Basically, Nabal said, “No way am I going to share my provisions with these men!”

When David’s men returned and reported Nabal’s response to David, David became so angry that he took 400 of his men and set out to retaliate by destroying all of Nabal’s men.

A servant of Nabal came to Abigail and told her how his master had insulted David and his men. Immediately Abigail began to gather provisions for David’s men so she could take the provisions to David herself and to apologize to David (vv. 14-20). As Abigail approached these 400 men, David had just exclaimed in anger, “…Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light” (vv. 21,22 NKJV).

That was the explosive scene Abigail rode into! But Abigail acted in wisdom. She got off her donkey, fell on her face before David, and began to give a most amazing speech of humility and honor and respect.

First Peter 5:5, it says, “…Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” And in the account of Abigail, we witness a woman who remained in an attitude of true humility before her enemies — even before someone who had the power to destroy family members, servants, her home, and her life as she’d known it. Abigail could have taken a bad attitude toward David, but through her humility, which was her one of her greatest strengths, she saved her entire household.

First, Abigail fell on her face before David and said, “…Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be…” (v. 24). In other words, she took complete responsibility for the cruel decision and actions of her husband. She also immediately postured herself as a servant to David, addressing him as “my lord” 14 times in her speech while addressing herself 6 times as his “handmaiden.” I encourage you to read the details of Abigail’s humble and gracious speech in verses 24-31. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! I will make a long story short. Abigail’s humility silenced her enemy and completely changed his response to the situation. David even apologized to Abigail and thanked her for her words that restrained him from killing many innocent people in his anger (vv. 32-34). Then David’s men received all the provisions she had provided.

While all this was happening, Nabal was at home throwing a party and getting drunk, so Abigail waited until morning to tell her husband what had happened. Verse 37 says that when she told Nabal everything, “…his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.” Ten days later, the Lord smote Nabal and he died (v. 38).

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he sent his messengers to ask Abigail to be his wife. From her humble position, Abigail saved her husband, all their servants, and all their belongings. And because her heart was right before her evil husband, God honored her for the cruelty and abuse she’d endured for so many years and positioned her to become the wife of a soon-to-be king.

Friend, a humble position is a powerful position! Abigail’s story is amazing, and we can learn a lot from her.

  1. Even though Abigail was a rich woman, she remained humble. She didn’t set her heart on her riches and was not led by a fear of losing her material possessions.
  2. When her life and everything she knew was threatened, she didn’t yield to fear; instead, she acted in wisdom. Through the years, as she humbled herself before her cruel husband time and time again, God was building character within her heart, causing her to grow into a respectful and powerful woman, even in the midst of adversity.
  3. She didn’t nag her husband, even though she had the right to say, “You fool! You’re going to get us all killed! How many times have I told you to do something about your temper?”
  4. An attitude of humility and honor and respect gives a person boldness. The extent of Abigail’s boldness can be seen in the way she walked up and faced a man, who would one day rule over Israel, and his 400 strong and angry men.
  5. Abigail had faith in God and recognized His plan for Israel concerning David, the man whose intent on destroying everything she’d known. Humble, honoring, and respectful people believe for God’s good plan and keep expecting the best outcome.
  6. She was forgiving. Humility, honor, respect, and wisdom don’t mix with bitterness and unforgiveness.
  7. Abigail was thinking about her enemies’ good. Jesus said, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). Abigail knew David and his troops needed food — physical sustenance. She focused on their need, not their anger and threats.

As those who live in this world’s system, we’re often taught, “Don’t put up with that! You don’t deserve that! You need to give them a piece of your mind!” But we can see through Abigail’s example that even while living under the cruel hand of Nabal, God was putting into her the attributes of a queen.

You may not be facing a specific enemy right now, but Abigail’s story gives you clear insight into the power of humility, honor, and respect to defeat your enemies and even cause them to agree with you. I hope this has encouraged you, as it has encouraged me, to know how to respond when you experience rejection or mistreatment from another. Let’s learn from Abigail and discover the powerful secret of humility, honor, and respect.

I’m going to close with one last verse that speaks of our Savior Jesus Christ. No one has gone further in humility than our Lord, who laid down His life for our redemption.

And being found in fashion as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:8

Friend, the challenges of living in this hour aren’t going to get any easier. Please read my prayer for you and let your heart agree.

Father, I lift up before You the precious person who’s reading this. I pray that he or she will learn something new from the humility of our Savior Jesus — and of Abigail — and find wisdom in Your Word to face every enemy. Holy Spirit, I know that You are surrounding this person with grace and peace. I ask that this dear one experience Your comfort and know that You’re working out the Lord’s good plan in his or her life to become strong and overcoming, wise, humble, honoring, and respectful. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with me. Please let us know how we can pray for you. We want to be your partners in prayer as well as in the Gospel. We’re standing with you in faith, believing God for success and fulfillment in every area of your life.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 25: Make the Choice To Rejoice!

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 12:3; 61:3; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:4

It is important that we as believers learn to rejoice! To be spiritually healthy, we must give place to the joy of the Lord.

We might compare rejoicing in the Lord to baking a perfect cake. For example, we could mix eggs, sugar, vanilla, and baking soda, etc. together — but if we didn’t add flour to the batter, the cake that came out of the oven would be very flat! That’s how it is with our spiritual walk. If we don’t add rejoicing, we’re going to have a very flat Christian experience.

Of course, we all know that we don’t always feel like rejoicing. However, that doesn’t change the fact that we’re actually commanded to rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

We need to focus on rejoicing and do it on purpose instead of just waiting for some kind of feeling to overtake us that makes us want to rejoice. I never realized this truth more than during my recent study of Philippians 4:4. As I was studying this verse, I discovered that Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi while he was suffering in prison. Not only did Paul tell us we were to rejoice in the Lord — he said we were to rejoice in the Lord always!

If that wasn’t enough, Paul then said, “…And again I say, Rejoice.” It was as if Paul was saying, “Rejoice in the Lord always — and in case you didn’t get it the first time, I’m saying it again: Rejoice!”

Just as we’ve been given the Ten Commandments, such as, “Thou shalt not kill” and, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” God has also commanded us to rejoice! We must each make a decision whether to obey or ignore this holy command to rejoice. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! But how can we ignore God’s command to rejoice always? Rejoicing causes a spiritual transformation to take place in our lives. When we look in the mirror each morning and tell ourselves to rejoice in the Lord, it powerfully affects our attitude. And it’s not just a demonstration of “mind over matter.” When we choose to rejoice, the spiritual force of joy is manifested, and we carry that joy with us — to our family in the kitchen, to our co-workers on the job, and to strangers in the marketplace.

When you walk into your workplace full of joy, the joy you exhibit is one of the hallmark signs that you’re a believer. Anyone can frown. Anyone can complain about the economy or worry about finances. But it takes a strong person to look at his problems — as the apostle Paul looked at his situation in prison — and make the choice to rejoice!

Darkness surrounded Paul in that prison where he wrote the book of Philippians. Paul wasn’t surrounded with creature comforts — he had really serious problems! I’m certain that the problems you face are serious too. I’m not making light of anything the enemy would bring against you to distract you or overwhelm you and try to swallow you up with hopelessness or anguish of soul. But you can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might because the joy of the Lord really is your strength (Ephesians 6:10; Nehemiah 8:10)!

With the challenges I’ve faced living in the former Soviet Union for nearly 25 years, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to get out of bed in the morning with a gloomy look on my face. But I have learned that I “create my world” with my attitude and that all it takes is one small decision — one simple act on purpose — to create it right! So instead of allowing myself to feel discouraged, I throw my feet firmly on the floor, walk over to my mirror, stare into my own eyes, and say, “Denise, this is the day that the Lord has made. You will rejoice and be glad in it!”

As an act of my will, I began speaking from the depths of my spirit to my flesh and my soul. I didn’t start smiling the first time I exhorted myself in this way. But I stayed with it because I knew it was my choice to rejoice — and it’s your choice as well. You choose whether you will rejoice in the Lord no matter what you’re facing or how you feel.

Along with rejoicing comes the huge benefit of increased strength — spirit, soul, and body. I know you need God’s strength today and every day, just as I do, and the Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). However, it’s only as we choose to stir up joy that we actually experience His strength.

The Bible also says that God will give you the garment of praise in place of the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). Just as you can put on a garment of praise, you may have to take off a garment of heaviness. Heaviness can be like a cloak that someone wraps around you, but it’s your choice to wear it. God has given you the ability to take off that garment of heaviness and to put on another garment called praise! When you put on your praise garment, you begin to draw from the wells of salvation and provision (Isaiah 12:3). As you praise God, He immediately comes on the scene. And in His presence you begin to find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

How can we pray for you today? Let us know how we can stand with you in faith. God wants to answer your prayers and cause your joy to be made full and complete!

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 24: When You Give to the Lord

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-22; 1 Samuel 3:19

In First Samuel chapter 1 we read the connecting stories of Hannah, her son Samuel, the prophet Eli, and his wicked sons. For many years I had known that Hannah had been barren, but then she prayed, Eli was used as mouthpiece to confirm her answer, and she conceived Samuel as a result of her faith. But for years, I hadn’t realized everything that happened after that. It was a huge sacrifice for Hannah to give away her beloved son Samuel to live in the house of the Lord, which at that time had become very evil under the leadership of Eli the high priest (Eli’s sons were committing sexual acts with those who would come into the temple.)

This mother, who had waited and prayed earnestly for a child for years, received her child and then gave him back to the Lord! Hannah was able to visit Samuel only once a year, and on that visit, she would always bring him a new coat. As with so many other mothers in the world, her heart was very attached and devoted to her son. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! What I hadn’t realized was that Hannah gave the most precious thing in her life to the ministry of the Lord without knowing whether she would ever have any more children. But God is so faithful! The Bible says He blessed her with five more children after Samuel.

You simply can’t out-give the Lord! This woman gave up the most precious thing she’d ever received, trusting completely in the Lord, and He gave back to her five times more than that which she had given Him. Also, she had the privilege of knowing that in the midst of the evil practices of Eli’s sons, Hannah’s son Samuel had become the great prophet about whom the Bible said, “None of his words ever fell to the ground” (see 1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel was esteemed and respected all over Israel.

I want to encourage you today with this thought: When you give to the Lord — whether it’s your finances, your time, etc. — those things will be multiplied back to you many times over. Whatever price you’ve paid to give unto the Lord, your giving will be rewarded. He is so faithful and generous toward His children who call upon Him in humble faith and trust, just like Hannah did.

As always, our prayer team and I would like to pray for you. Please let us know what you desire to receive from God. We’re honored to set ourselves in agreement with you for total healing, deliverance, victory, and blessing.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 23: Making Changes and Drawing Nearer

Daily Bible Reading: Romans 1:21; 8:29; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; James 4:8

God spoke to me some time ago about making some changes in my life in order to draw closer to Him, and I’m certain He has spoken to you at times as well. In fact, He speaks to all of us. He wants us all to be conformed more and more to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29), and He is working in our hearts to get us to become more like Him.

To be candid, one change the Holy Spirit spoke to me about was how I’d been treating my “temple” — my body. He showed me that I had not been eating the right foods to function at my best physically. In fact, the foods I’d been eating habitually, as a lifestyle, were taking away from my physical productivity and strength.

God’s Word states that our bodies are not our own. That is an absolutely amazing statement! First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Those verses state that my body, which I sometimes mistreat by overeating, eating the wrong things, or refusing to exercise, is not even mine! My body belongs to the Lord!

Think for a moment about the most beautiful church building you’ve ever seen. Your body is more precious to the Lord than that! Your physical body is more valuable to Him than any building made of mortar and brick or stone. Why? Because your body carries within it His very presence!

Now envision once again that beautiful church building. Would you take your trash to this building and just dump it at the front entrance? Would you release termites in the building that would eat away at the structure, eventually causing it to crumble and be destroyed? Of course, you wouldn’t! Purposely disfiguring and destroying such an edifice would be an atrocity!

Yet think about what we do to our bodies when we fail on a regular basis to eat right, exercise, or even get enough sleep. Our bodies are more precious and costly than a building constructed with the finest architectural and structural engineering available to man. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). And our bodies are where God lives!  Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! God needs your body on this earth so you can minister to your community and friends, take care of your family, and fulfill the call He has placed on your life. So please stop for a moment and ask yourself these serious questions:

  1. How healthy do I want to be ten years from now? Twenty years from now?
  2. What kind of lifestyle do I want to enjoy right now?
  3. Am I doing things now to increase the quality of my life?
  4. Am I doing things to my physical body that will eventually catch up with me and affect my mobility and lifestyle?

We can only live one day at a time, and sometimes we have to make changes little by little. Yet one thing is certain. If we don’t have a mindset for change, we will probably be sorry next year about the habits we refused to break today.

I hope you’re still willing to continue reading! I’m not even telling you to go on a diet or join an exercise club. I’m simply asking you to think about these questions in light of First Corinthians 6:19-20 and to pray about what you might need to change. Ask the Holy Spirit, and He will tell you if you need to make adjustments to your lifestyle. God loves us and will always warn us in advance — if we’ll listen — to try to save us from future problems and even tragedies that the enemy would love to ensnare us with.

Another thing God dealt with me about during that same time period was my level of thankfulness. As children of God, we should be the most thankful people on earth — toward Him and toward others!

Thanksgiving can be such a powerful tool in our mouths! In fact, it is impossible to express thankfulness and to complain at the same time. The Bible uses the word “thanks” or “thanksgiving” more than 100 times. So it must be important enough for us to practice it! We should strive to be the most thankful people in our spheres of influence. What a difference it would make in our lives and in the lives of those around us!

Romans 1:21 says, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” You see, refusing to be thankful opens the door for the enemy to operate in our lives. So let’s make this year our most gratitude-filled year ever! How do we do it? One day at a time.

I’m so thankful to you for spending this time with me. I hope this devotional was as encouraging for you to read as it was for me to write. It’s exciting to make the changes in our lives that God asks us to make because we know that the purpose for those changes is a closer, deeper, more intimate walk with Him.

If you have any prayer requests, please contact our ministry because we are here for you! We’re always excited to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer for you. We know that when we pray in line with God’s Word for your needs, He will hear and answer our prayers.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 22: God Will Be Faithful to You

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 18:24; Luke 2:8-19; Acts 4:13; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Hebrews 13:5; James 4:8

The Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Can you imagine this kind of love — the Father sacrificing His Son to save others who weren’t even looking for Him? No wonder that heavenly host filled the sky, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)! Angels joyfully announced that the time for the plan of all ages — the redemption of mankind — had finally come!

I’m certain there are things in your personal life you’re believing God for, and I want to encourage you that just as God was faithful to His Word to fulfill the promise of a Savior, He will be faithful to do for you what He said He would do!

Years ago, I was seeking the Lord and questioning Him about something. I asked Him, “Oh, God, can I really trust You for this?” I wanted Him to change something in me; I needed a supernatural touch. Then the Lord spoke to my heart so sweetly, saying “Denise, don’t you believe Me? Don’t you believe that My Word is true? Haven’t I proven My faithfulness in your life over and over again?” Then He called upon me to remember and rehearse what He’d spoken to me about the very situation I was pondering.

Immediately, I repented. “Lord, I’m so sorry! I do believe You! I believe what You said in Your Word — that if I draw near to You, You will draw near to me [James 4:8]. You do hear my prayers. You know my deepest heart’s desires and my every thought!”

God said He would always be with us — that He would never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). In fact, we are joined to the Lord. We are one spirit with Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:17). He truly is as close as the mention of His name! Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! Many times as we’re pressing in to know the Lord better and to trust Him more completely, the enemy will come up beside us and begin ridiculing us. Why are you doing that? he’ll whisper. You’ve gone off the deep end if you believe all those great things are going to happen! What makes you think those things will come to pass? Do you think you’re somebody special?

Thoughts from the enemy come to try to make us unsure and cause us to lose our footing. However, although thoughts may bombard us at times, those thoughts do not and cannot change the truth of God’s Word! They don’t change His will, His plan, or His faithfulness.

Just as it was time for the birth of the Messiah that beautiful night more than 2,000 years ago, it is time right now to trust the Lord explicitly in every area of our lives. We can trust the Eternal One with our lives, but our faith must be real, not something we talk about to impress others. Our fellowship must be intimate, not shallow and superficial. We must truly lean on and rely on Him instead of putting our hopes in those around us.

I encourage you to press in as never before to know the Lord better. Just as others took notice of Peter and John “that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), others with whom you come into contact will take notice of the light and life of God within you as you spend more time with Him.

Please let us know how we can pray for you. We are excited to stand in faith with you because we know God is faithful, and He will be faithful to you!

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 21: Conversations Filled With Thanks and Grace

Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 4:6

Lately God has been speaking to me through Ephesians 5:20, which says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I have read this scripture many times, but recently as I read it, I gained a better understanding of what it really means to give thanks always. Certainly, we should be “giving thanks always” in our personal, private lives, but “always” also means we should exhibit this same attitude of thanks when we come together with others.

It’s sad to say, but many times when believers come together for fellowship, conversations turn into something that’s not even close to thanksgiving. Instead, negative things are said, such as:

As I was reading this verse in Ephesians 5, I suddenly realized that you and I can turn any conversation into words filled with thanksgiving instead of gossip, complaining, and negativity. Wholesome conversation is crucial to experiencing victory in our walk with God, so why wouldn’t we want to do this? Bad reports bring a souring effect to our heart and soul and can affect our whole day and even our attitude and mindset.

Have you ever experienced being part of a negative conversation? Maybe you were having a wonderful day praising God and looking forward to having lunch with someone you really liked. Then lunch began, and the conversation took on a tone that had everything but praise in it. Eventually you realized that your happiness in sharing a lunch with someone vanished somewhere between “Hello, how are you?” and the waiter bringing the soup! Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! Because we have the presence of God in our lives, we can very politely bring change to those kinds of conversations. Every time a person says something negative or critical, we can say something praiseworthy.

Look at Philippians 4:8, where the apostle Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit about things that are worthy of our thoughts, our meditation, and our speech.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As you can see, everything we’re supposed to be thinking on is good. And since our thoughts are to be focused on good things, our speech should also be filled with good things — with uplifting words of thanksgiving and praise. If we follow this scriptural principle, you and I can change the flow of any conversation — not to mention the outcome of everyone’s mood at the end of that conversation!

Think of it this way. God inhabits our praises (see Psalm 22:3). His presence comes when we are praising Him. He wants to be in our midst when we are using our mouths to give thanks and glorify Him. But what about when we’re gossiping, backbiting, complaining, or being critical? God doesn’t share His wonderful presence with that kind of negative talk.

If we really love the people around us, we should desire to bring good into our conversation with them. There is such an enormous blessing in lifting each other up when we come together and bringing praise to every conversation. God’s presence will abide with us, and because the Holy Spirit is not grieved, He’ll be able to comfort and minister to everyone involved. Let’s resolve to be people whose speech is always seasoned with thanksgiving and grace (see Colossians 4:6)!

If there’s something on your heart you’d like us to pray with you about, please contact us. We count it an honor to partner with you in prayer!

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 20: Be Confident About What God Is Doing in You!

Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 5:7

Today is Day 20 in our 28-Day Journey. I trust you’re learning and growing as you spend time daily with the Lord.

I want to share from my heart for a few moments about a challenge I had to deal with several years ago that you might relate to as well. Because of all that I was responsible for — my family’s needs, the women’s ministry and music ministry at the church, extensive traveling, etc. — I was beginning to feel a great deal of pressure. Of course, I always reached out to God for grace to help. But sometimes my emotions would kick in, and before I knew it, I would start thinking I was failing at everything. Although I knew Jesus is my only answer, sometimes the trials of life seemed to cloud my view of His wonderful face, the only place where I could see my overcoming victory.

Feeling undue pressure to perform well is a pressure we all feel at times. As I began seeking God, I asked Him, What am I supposed to think about all this? Please help me think correctly about this and show me what to do. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way right now.

As always — in this case and in every other challenge I’ve ever encountered — my answer was found in the Word of God. Every word in the Bible is anointed to strengthen us and to break off bondages, including the terrible bondage of feeling like a failure. God has the answer we so desperately long for, so allow me these few moments to comfort and encourage you even as I received comfort and encouragement from the Word.

Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” During this time of seeking God, as my eyes read those wonderful words, “Being confident of this very thing,” I realized that my feelings were anything but confident. It seemed like everything in my life was rising up and declaring, “You are a failure!”

Oh, how our emotions can lie to us! Although they can sometimes be a blessing, we cannot live by our feelings. We must be the master over our emotions and not let them be master over us.

As I began to meditate on the phrase “being confident of this very thing,” I began to see that it doesn’t say, “Being confident in yourself and in your performance” or, “Being confident that you do everything right and people really like you” or, “Being confident that everyone is singing your praises because of the great job you’re doing.” No, it says to be confident in what God is doing in you. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! God is at work in you right now. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? And when you read the next sentence of this devotional, and when you take your next breath, God will still be working in you.

Notice that this verse also doesn’t say, “Being confident as you work on yourself. Philippians 1:6 doesn’t say you’re the one who’s responsible for making yourself successful and never feeling like a failure at anything.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

The Scripture says you’re to be confident because of the very thing God has begun in you. He has started a good work in you, and He won’t stop working on and perfecting that good work until the day of Jesus Christ!

I encourage you to meditate on this truth right now. God — not your spouse or parent or child or boss or even yourself — is working in you. God is working, and He is not going to stop! If you’re disappointed in how you’ve been performing lately, just stop for five minutes and consider the beauty of God’s performance on the inside of you! Think about all God is doing inside you that you can’t see with your physical eyes. It will bring a smile to your face and strength to your mind and your body!

How do you visualize a confident person? Are his shoulders slumped? Is there a frown of worry on his face? I visualize a confident person with his shoulders thrown back and his head held high. That confident person has the presence of hope on the inside of him that makes him believe everything is going to be all right and that he can smile in the face of problems.

You and I will fit the description of that confident person as long as we keep taking hold of this truth every minute of every day: There is One living inside us who is much greater than any problem we could ever face. When the pressures of life make us feel like a failure, we need to stay conscious of the Holy Spirit’s presence within. As we remain confident that He truly is greater than anything in this natural world and that He is working in us at this very moment, eventually the harmful thoughts of self-judgment will subside. Then we will receive the peace that only comes when we’ve placed all our cares and worries in His hands and begin to see ourselves as He sees us — as His workmanship, an ongoing masterpiece in the making (see 1: Peter 5:7; Ephesians 2:10).

We are to believe that God is working in us. We are to embrace and be confident in that divine work, even though it is a “secret” performance, hidden from our natural view.

We often hear people say, “I believe in myself.” But that belief isn’t high enough. Our confidence must be in God and in Him operating in our lives. This is the only kind of thinking that will comfort us in the midst of every storm and give us courage when we feel overwhelmed.

I trust this devotional encourages you, or perhaps it will encourage someone you know who may need to hear these very words. If you have any prayer needs, please let us know. We want to be a help to you. Remember this eternal truth: You can be confident about what God has started and is doing in you RIGHT NOW!

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner

28-Day Journey — Denise Renner

Day 19: Finish at All Costs!

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 7:25; Luke 14:28-30,33

Have you ever been tempted just to quit? Of course, the answer is yes, for discouragement pays a visit to all of us at one time or another. We can begin to think, I don’t know if this was a good idea after all. Maybe I’m not equipped for this job. Maybe I just don’t have what it takes to do what’s in my heart.

Of course these kinds of emotions and thoughts are normal, but we are not called just to be normal. We have a supernatural calling from God to do supernatural things. We must therefore walk not by our feelings and thoughts, but rather by faith.

If God has put it in your heart to do something and you get discouraged along the way, you have only two options: 1) You can press forward with all that is within you until you experience victory — past all your emotions that are screaming that you’re going to fail; or 2) you can listen to your negative thoughts and emotions, fall out of your race, and fail to complete the assignment God has given you.

That’s why I want to talk to you today about the attitude and commitment that’s required to finish at all costs what God has put in your heart to do.

I learned to sew as a teenager and, oh, how I loved to sew! I made many beautiful outfits for myself. I even considered myself to be quite a good designer. In fact, I would lie in bed at night and think to myself, What kind of sleeve would look best on that dress? What if that sleeve was a little puffier?

One day while I was sewing — I remember this day so well ¾ I messed up and sewed a sleeve to my dress going the wrong direction. I knew that in order to finish that garment, I would have to take out all those stitches by hand and then sew the sleeve on the correct way. So do you know what I did? I just put that dress aside, and I never picked it up again. Instead, I started cutting material for another outfit! At that time in my life, I just didn’t have what it took to finish what I started.

You might say, “But, Denise, you were just a young person. That’s a fairly normal response for someone at that age.” But here is my point: At that moment, I had a choice to make, and I decided, This situation has become too hard, so I’m going to quit. Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! This mindset that starts in childhood can continue throughout a person’s adult life. But this mindset should not be found in the people of God! Let’s look at just a few examples of people who were given difficult assignments, yet they refused to quit.

Sadly, this mindset of quitting when things get too hard has gotten into the Church. Too many Christians say, “It can’t be God’s will for me to suffer like this, so I am changing my course and my plan.”

Luke 14:28-30,33 has something very important to say along this line:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish…. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

I have read this passage many times, but there was a time when I didn’t understand what Jesus meant. I wondered, Why was Jesus talking about finishing a building? What did that have to do with giving up everything to be His disciple? But after meditating on this passage, I began to understand that Jesus was talking about surrendering and counting the cost. He was asking us, “Are you really serious about what you want to do for Me? Are you willing to pay the price that will be required to accomplish this divine assignment?”

For example, let’s talk about marriage. Are you willing to pay the price of loving, forgiving, and serving your spouse? Are you willing to correct your own attitude and make the changes you need to make rather than trying to change your mate? Are you willing to pay the price to have a marriage that truly is like Heaven on earth? Is it worth it to you to die to your own selfishness so you can have this kind of relationship with your spouse?

No matter what assignment God has given you, this is the question you must answer: Do you want to pay the price required to see it to the finish?

This devotional is so important because the enemy is pressing on many believers with heartache and destruction. The Bible says that the devil wants to “wear out” the saints so they will become discouraged and quit (see Daniel 7:25).

I encourage you today to check your heart and count the cost. Count the price you must pay to fulfill all that God is asking you to do. Make sure you’re committed to staying faithful to the end. Stay willing to go through any and every difficulty in order to finish your God-given assignment. Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you and teach you not just how to start your “building,” but also how to complete every wall and even the roof! If you will do these things, one day you will hear the words from the Master you’ve longed to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Thank you for spending this time with me. I continue to pray that these 28 days of devotionals are doing a wonderful work in your life! Please let us know how we can specifically pray for you about the things that are closest and dearest to your heart.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner