Don’t Back Down From What You’re Believing God For

 

December 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,

Merry Christmas and greetings in the name of Jesus, who came to us from the Father as Immanuel — GOD WITH US — and as the Savior of the world!

This month, people all over the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus with their friends, family, or church. Christmas is a wonderful time for us all to especially thank Him for coming to give His life for us. At this season when people are giving gifts to friends and family, I’m also thinking of the financial gifts you have given this year to the work of God in our ministry. I want to say THANK YOU for everything you gave to help us fulfill our God-given assignment.

This ministry is reaching people all over the world who watch us on TV and contact us for prayer, support, and materials to help them grow spiritually. We can do this because of our partners, and we are full of thankfulness for everything you so faithfully do to help us get the trusted teaching of God’s Word to people around the world. In fact, we illustrate this beautifully each year in our full-color Annual Report. Click here to view and download a free copy of our 2025 Annual Report, or call our office at 1-800-742-5593 to request it, and we’ll send it to you postage paid! For U.S. mailing only.  

I also want to remind you that until December 26, we are offering a 25-percent discount on every RENNER product in our website store. Also, the Renner Interpretive Version (RIV) of First and Second Peter is now available! It is loaded with insight and revelation that have the power to change your life. Right now, you can call 1-800-742-5593 or go online at renner.org/store to order all RENNER products at 25-percent off and place your order for the RIV of First and Second Peter. When you get your copy of this second volume of the RIV (the first volume was the RIV of James and Jude), I’d love to hear from you with your thoughts!

Last month, I began speaking to you about how to obtain the healing that Jesus purchased for you in redemption. We saw that we need to renew our mind to the truth and align both our heart and mouth with that truth. In today’s letter, I want to add the next two points: 1) hold fast to your confession and 2) let patience do its work.

Once you have renewed your mind concerning the healing Christ purchased for you, and once your heart and mouth are aligned with God’s promises, it’s time to dig your heels into the bedrock of your faith and decide to never budge from that position. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” The words “hold fast” are derived from the Greek word katecho, which is a compound of the words kata and echo. The word kata carries the force of something that comes down so hard and so heavily that it is overpowering and dominating to the point of being subjugating. When this force arrives on the scene, it conquers, subdues, and immediately begins expressing its overwhelming, influencing power.

The second part of the word katecho is the word echo, which simply means to have and carries the notion of possession. When kata and echo are compounded into the word katecho, it portrays seizing something with all one’s might and keeping it firmly under one’s control to ensure it never escapes. It portrays someone who finds the object of his dreams and then holds it down — taking control of it, dominating it, and even “sitting on it” so it doesn’t slip away!

This is the attitude you must have if you want to see God’s promises come to pass in your life. Once you’ve deeply embedded them into your heart and renewed your mind to them, you must wrap your arms around them and determine to never relinquish them. You must “katecho” God’s promises for healing so they won’t be able to get away from you. Hebrews 10:23 could be interpreted, “And let us hold fast to our confession, tightly wrapping our arms around it and embracing it with all our might….”

The words “hold fast” imply there is always a fight to stay on track with God’s promises. When it comes to healing, you must cling to God’s promises with unwavering determination. Without a conscious effort to hold tightly to God’s promise of healing, experiences or negative voices will try to steal it from you.

Hebrews 10:23 goes on to say, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith….” The word “profession” is from the Greek word homologia, which is a compound of homo and logia. The word homo means one of the very same kind, and logia is the plural form of logos, which means words. When these two words are compounded, they form homologia, and it is translated here as the word “profession.”

Let me give you a clear illustration of the word homologia. I am a writer and have written many books. My words are my thoughts, convictions, and beliefs printed on paper. If you read my books and agree with what I have written, in essence, you are in agreement and are harmonizing with me. If you take my viewpoints and begin to hold it in your heart and soul as your own conviction, it won’t be long until you and I are fully aligned in our thinking and believing. Then if you share that information with others, you will not be just repeating, or parroting, what you read in my books. You will be speaking from your own heart about what you believe. At that juncture, our ideas are not just parallel — they are united, and we are fluently speaking the same language of conviction!

Similarly, when a believer “confesses” or “professes” God’s Word from a heart of conviction, his words are not hollow or superficial; rather, they emerge from a profound well of conviction within his soul. After a period of renewing his mind, he finally begins to see things the way God sees them. From that place of heartfelt conviction, he then begins to declare his faith. Because he internalizes God’s Word so profoundly that it harmonizes with his own innermost being, the person’s words transcend the mere repeating or parroting of familiar phrases. Instead, he boldly articulates his faith from a place of authentic belief!

Many people make the mistake of merely repeating what they have heard someone else say without ever developing any depth of faith or understanding of their own. They say the right things, but because these words come only out of their mouths and not out of their hearts, their confession produces no results. It’s essential that your faith infuses your speech. For your confession to be impactful, it must resonate inside the depths of your heart as it comes out of your mouth.

So how do you avoid making mechanical, mindless confessions concerning God’s will to heal?

• First, choose to believe what God says about healing. Commit your heart to believing His Word, no matter how crazy it may sound to your natural mind.
• Second, ask God to make His Word real to you — so real, in fact, that if anyone even implies that what God says isn’t true, you’ll think that person is out of his mind!
• Third, pick up your Bible and do some serious study and meditation. Sow the Word into your heart until you and God are aligned on the issue.
• Fourth, once that alignment comes into being, open your mouth and start declaring the Word of God over your body!

Often people let go of their confession of faith for healing because the devil or other people tell them, “This thing you’re believing for isn’t ever going to happen. Surely it would’ve materialized already if it was meant to be. You’re wasting your time — you need to forget it, let it go, and move on with your life.”

Instead of surrendering or backing down, or giving in and giving up, you need to dig in your heels, drive down your stake, and tell the devil that you are not going to move from your position of faith. It may take a while for that promise to come into manifestation, but if you fill your heart and mind with the truth of God’s Word about healing and health, renew your mind to it, and hold fast to your confession of faith, God assures us that perseverance will lead to tangible outcomes.

James 1:3 says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The word “patience” in James 1:3 describes the heavenly force that God releases inside you in such a moment when your faith is being tried. This word originates in the Greek word hupomone, a compound of the words hupo and meno. The word hupo means under and here it depicts one under a heavy load. The word meno depicts the resolve to stay put, abide, and not move. When these words are compounded to form the word hupomone, the word “patience” would be better translated as endurance.

The word hupomone carries the idea of abiding; defiantly sticking it out regardless of the pressure mounted against one; keeping a position; remaining in one’s spot; or staying put. It also signifies “staying” power; “hang-in-there” power; or the attitude that holds out, holds on, outlasts, perseveres, and hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles, and turning down every opportunity to quit.

The word hupomone pictures one who is under a heavy load but refuses to bend, break, or surrender because he is convinced that the territory, promise, or principle under assault rightfully belongs to him. Thus, James 1:3 declares that a supernatural power is released in you the moment you choose to push back against the enemy’s assault. Rather than face the fight on your own, you can be sure God will join Himself to the one who chooses to push back against the enemy’s attack. The Lord will fill that person with the supernatural ability to stay put, remain in his spot, keep his position, and maintain the territory he has gained as he outlasts any assault.

Let’s take this into your own story. If you are believing for healing, when you make a bold proclamation of faith — whether it be for healing and health or for any other blessing — the devil is listening and will likely devise a “test” to see if he can put you under enough pressure to make you back off from what you have confessed. But if you make the choice to push back against the attack, saying, “Devil, if you doubt my resolve, just watch as I cling fiercely to the promises God has made to me,” God will respond by filling you with so much hupomone that you will be able to stay put, not budge, hang in there, never give up, refuse to surrender to every obstacle, and turn down every opportunity to quit. That’s the message of James 1:3!

Indeed, when the devil sees God has filled you with hupomone — that is, an unshakeable resilience that never backs off — he’ll retreat. It’s often after such a retreat that the manifestation of your confession swiftly follows. I cannot tell you how long this process will take, but I can tell you that God responds to your decision to push back by filling you with hupomone, which endows you with all that is needed to stay steadfast until the fight is finished and you are standing healed and healthy. If you exercise this kind of endurance, you have the key to receiving healing, deliverance, prosperity, protection, peace, joy, healthy relationships, and countless other blessings.

The RIV (Renner Interpretive Version) of James 1:3 says:

You need to know — really know, and never forget — that difficult situations come to see if you are serious about your stance of faith and if your faith is really all it claims to be or if it will break under pressure. But finally…when those tests let up, and your faith is still standing strong, it will have proven your faith to be real. When you push back to resist the tests that have been sent to break you — that pushback triggers a release of divine endurance that fills you from the top of your head clear to the bottom of your feet! It’s a supernatural endurance that will enable you to bear up under any heavy load, and it will give you the ability to stay put, to keep your position, and to never surrender. I’m talking about a power that will enable you to hold on; hold out; never give up; neither bend nor break; outlast; persevere; and stick it out. This power will strengthen you to hold on to whatever promise or territory is under assault.

For anyone who doesn’t know why his faith is not working — and he doesn’t seem to be able to find anyone who can help find the answer — James 1:5 gives the best possible advice: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God is more than willing to answer this question for anyone who is really willing to hear the answer. This verse promises YOU that if you ask God the reason for a delay to prayer, He will give you the answer you need. So today, in addition to holding fast to your confession and letting patience do its work, draw near to the heart of God, ask Him your questions, and be willing to hear the answers. Anything He tells you is for your good and is intended to speed up the process of receiving healing or whatever else you’ve been praying for!

I’ve covered a lot in this letter, but next month I have more to share about what else must be done to obtain the blessing of healing. I am pouring out to you what I believe the Holy Spirit wants me to share to help you, and my prayer is that it is helping you move forward into the manifestation of healing and health that Jesus purchased for you on the Cross.

Please be sure to let us know how we can pray for you. As a matter of fact, we are waiting to hear from you right now. Just call us at 1-800-742-5593 on any weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT or write to us at prayer@renner.org. We are already praying for you, but when we hear specifically how to pray, it helps us to pray more effectively.

We love you and thank God for you — Denise and I bless you and pray you’ll enjoy a wonderful Christmas season with loved ones this year!

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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