The Goodness of Our God

September 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,

I’m so glad you’ve chosen to spend this time with me! As you read this letter, I pray you receive all that the Lord has for you and allow Him to minister to you. He is drawing near to you as you draw near to Him. I’ve shared with you before about the goodness of God, and how through the sacrifice of His precious Son, He wants to freely give to us. Romans 8:32 says:

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

We can see from this scripture that God wants to give us all things. But God also does not want us to miss out on receiving what He has for us.

In Luke, we read about two brothers who took two very different roads to receive what their father had for them. They were both his sons — they belonged to their father, they were loved by their father, and they each had an inheritance. But both sons made choices, and those choices were very costly. Like these two sons, you and I have been richly graced and lavished with the love of our Father, but it is still our choice how we come to know our Father more intimately and receive all He has for us.

Let’s begin in Luke 15:11 and 12.

Then He [Jesus] said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.”

Some biblical commentators have said that for this younger son to ask for his share of the inheritance was very disrespectful and dishonoring to his father. In the language used in this young man’s request, there is even a tone of urgency. The request of the son that he be given his inheritance while the father was still alive and in good health was an insult to his father. It was as if the son said, “Father, I cannot wait for you to die! Give me what is mine now!”

This son, who already had everything his father wanted to give him, was so selfish and impatient that he basically said, “I want my money now! I am not waiting for it.” And the loving father freely gave his son all he asked for. The next verse says,

“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.”

— Luke 15:13,14

This young man thought he now had everything he ever wanted and didn’t need his father anymore. He had asked for and received all his money, but this wayward son didn’t know there was going to be a severe famine in the land. Having spent everything he had, he was not prepared, and the Bible says “he began to be in want” (v. 14). Now poor and hungry, the prodigal son had no one to turn to. The story continues in verse 15:

“Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.”

By this time, the young man had so little favor on him that the person he befriended sent him out to feed the swine rather than take him in to care for him. Feeding the pigs was considered to be the very lowest job that one could have because it was often offered to those you wanted to get rid of. Most would refuse this type of employment, but the prodigal son was desperate, so he took the job. Verse 16 says:

“And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.”

The young man was essentially a slave, and as a slave, any food taken from the swine would have been considered stealing, and he would have been beaten and punished for stealing from his master. He was destitute, and he was close to death.

One commentator stated that the prodigal son would have been so malnourished from lack of food and care that his condition would have been life-threatening. Another biblical commentator compared his life to that of a candle with only a flicker left. It was in this desperate situation that he made a wise choice. Luke 15:17-20 says:

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

Notice, friend, it wasn’t the son who was looking for the father, and it was not the son who ran out to meet the father. It was the father who was searching for his son. It was the father who was filled with compassion, fell on his son’s neck, and kissed him. And look at what happened next:

“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.’”

— Luke 15:21-23

Amazingly, the father did not even respond to the son’s remorse or guilt but, instead, was ready to receive him just as he was. The elated father called for the servants to bring out his best robe and put it on his son, to put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, and to bring the fatted calf to eat and be merry. The reason for the father’s joy is expressed in verse 24:

“‘For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

In these verses, we see the loving and compassionate actions of this father in welcoming home his prodigal son. We see that the father was out looking for his son because the Bible said “he was still a great way off” when the father saw him and ran to him. The son was not met with condemnation or harsh words of correction. The son was met with love and compassion from a father who had been waiting for his son’s return.

This son must have been filthy and smelled horrible. His clothes were probably torn and tattered. But it didn’t stop the father from kissing him and falling on his neck. It didn’t stop the father from giving this dirty, rejected-by-society son his very best robe! The father’s compassion put a ring on his son’s hand, put sandals on his son’s feet, commanded the fatted calf be killed, and ensured the rejoicing began!

You may be thinking, Why would a son leave a father like this? Could it be that this son didn’t take the time to get to know his father? Was he too busy and prideful about his own life? Sadly, this son took for granted the blessings that he had and didn’t take the time to get to know the one from which all the blessings came.

Friend, could it be that we have some of these characteristics of the younger son — enjoying the blessings of our Father but not spending time to get to know the One who is blessing us? Instead of being grateful, are we tempted to complain? And instead of recognizing what He has done for us, are we questioning why He hasn’t done more? Could this kind of deception have knocked on our doors at different times to seduce us away from the beauty and intimacy of our Father? Before you answer those questions, let’s turn our attention to the actions and attitudes of the older son who remained with the father while his younger brother squandered the family fortune.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’”

— Luke 15:25-30

We see in these verses that the older son made some wrong choices of his own. Yes, he had been obedient and worked hard, but he did not know the heart of the father. He was so unacquainted with his father that he questioned his father’s love for his brother. This son had been given the opportunity to not just work for his father but to serve and really get to know his father. But he still did not know him. He knew his father so little that he didn’t understand why his father would want to bless his brother after what he had done.

The story continues with the father pleading with his older son to come in and celebrate. And then in verse 31, we come to a very sad part of this story. The older son got upset with the father and then the father said to him:

“‘…Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.’”

When I read that verse, I think of Romans 8:32, which again says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” God did not spare Jesus but gave Him up for us. He wants to give us everything — just like the father of these two young men did.

Let’s not make the mistake of being like the younger son — enjoying the blessings of his father but with a thankless heart. And let’s not be like the older son who was obedient and worked very hard but never took the time to really get to know his father. Neither son really knew the blessing of what they already had and all that the father wanted to freely give them.

In this hour, when it is getting closer and closer to the time of Jesus’ coming, God is pouring out His Spirit. Let’s make whatever changes we need to make to spend more time with our Father, whether it’s by reading His Word, praying, or meditating in His Word. It is never wasted time. The Bible even says that if we meditate in the Word of God, we will have good success (see Joshua 1:8). God has freely given us everything we need to come through victorious in whatever battle we find ourselves in.

Thank you so much for spending this time with me. If you would like more encouragement from the Word, I invite you to join me for my program, TIME With Denise Renner, on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. CT on YouTube and Facebook. You can also find me Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. CT on GospelTruth.TV and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. CT on PTL. And you can access my audio podcast on Spotify, Apple, and Google with new episodes every Monday at 5:00 a.m.

Will you 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 1.800.742.5593 or send us an email at prayer@deniserenner.org. We are believing for you to experience the fullness of God’s blessings in your life and the depth of His great love for you!

We are receiving our healing together,

Denise Renner

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