I sat down with two of my favorite people in the whole world—my dad and mom, Derrell and Virginia Rentz. We talked one morning a few weeks ago and I interviewed them for the blog. They have such wisdom in their words and mercy and grace in their actions. I truly had one of those blessed childhoods. My parents knew how to trust in God for His provisions, and then take those and s-t-r-e-t-c-h them out. I learned how to find joy in giving to others as I watched them share from the blessings we were given. Seeing them live out the verses of the Bible right in front of me gave me the solid foundation for who I am today.
It is with much excitement that I get to share a glimpse into our conversation about their favorite verses and how God has used these verses in their lives.
Julie: I’d like for you to tell us your favorite verse in the Bible. What verse speaks to you every time you read it?
Dad: I have a bunch of them. Not just one. But a few that I love are Jeremiah 33:3, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Ephesians 2:8-10.
Mom: I have a couple that are my favorite verses, Lamentations 3:22-23 and Jeremiah 32:17.
Julie: I’m going to need you to narrow it down to just one. What verse do you live by and what does that verse mean to you?
Dad: I guess it would be Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV. It says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” This verse means that salvation is a work of grace not of works. The Bible tells us that we are saved through faith and not anything on our part. He is the one who does the saving. He is the one who created us anew in Christ. We were created for good works, but Christ did THE WORK for us—we just have to trust in Him.
Mom: I would have to say Jeremiah 32:17 is my verse. The verse says, “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Sometimes people limit God and what they think He can do. God is able to do anything and everything and I love this about Him! When people can’t do things they get concerned, but God is not limited and we need to just trust Him.
Julie: How has God used this verse in your life?
Dad: He brought peace and joy into my life and my heart. He gave me a true sense of peace in my salvation not because of what I did, but through His grace, His workmanship. I’ve been greatly gifted by God.
Mom: Because God has made the Heavens and the Earth and He is able to do anything, people can be saved. God can touch their heart and they can know God as their Savior. That’s what He did for me.
Julie: Can you tell me about a time when God allowed these verses to become “real” in your life?
Mom: It just reminds me that I can have confidence that He can do anything He desires to bring about salvation, to bring peace, comfort, or anything we need.
Dad: One time when God showed us Jeremiah 32:17 “real” in our life was when Mom and I were living in Pennsylvania. We had an old car and we didn’t have any money to buy a new one or money to make our monthly payment. I was pastoring a church and on that day I was out doing house calls and knocking on people’s doors. At one house an older woman opened the door and invited me inside. Normally, I wouldn’t go inside, but on that day I decided to go on inside.
When we sat down she told me that she had been praying for God to send a preacher to her house. She had been listening to Billy Graham on the radio and she wanted to talk with a pastor about some recent events in her life. After we finished talking she asked me if she could give me a Bible—mine was old and literally falling apart. At first I resisted. But then I decided it would be okay to accept the new Bible.
On the way home I opened the new Bible and I discovered five $10.00 bills. It was just enough to pay our car payment of $49.00. I cried and praised Jesus all the way home—nothing is to difficult for God.
Note from Julie: My mom and dad both expressed joy and thanksgiving for how God worked so many years ago and how He has been real to them in so many different ways within their life. They have trusted in the Lord for His provision, and He has continued to be faithful.
Those are two sweet people and I loved reading about their faith and experience that the LORD provides in ways we can’t conceive. I am so pleased that they are part of my son’s family. They have been such a blessing.