Greetings in Jesus’ wonderful name!

I am really excited about what I am going to share in my letter today. Last month, we reflected on the incredible gift of Christ’s redemption — releasing us from the marketplace of sin and inducting us into the family of God. This month, although we take a different angle, we continue to explore that same redeeming power through the lens of Jesus’ anointing and His unchanging nature, for the One who redeems us is also the Anointed One — steadfast in His love, His purpose, and His power. Jesus’ powerful anointing is still active today and is available to you right now. Please read every word to the end of the letter because it is packed with what the anointing on Jesus can do for you right now.

But I want to FIRST say thank you for being the amazing friend and partner you are with this ministry. This morning as I was reading my Bible and praying, I stopped right in the middle of my Bible reading to pray for our partners. I had already prayed earlier for them, but as I read my Bible, my heart became filled with gratitude for what each person does. I am so thankful to God for you, and I am thankful to you for all you do to help us fulfill what Jesus has commissioned us to do. You are such a significant part of what we do in this ministry, and I really want you to know how deeply thankful we are to God for you.

Very often during summer months, people give less to the ministry, and this makes it difficult for us to stay on target in reaching people. We rarely make a financial request, but we would be so thankful for any extra gift during July and August so we can stay on track with what God has asked us to do. You know that I rarely make this kind of request, so please know that I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel the need was important. Thank you for praying for us as we do what Jesus has assigned to our ministry!*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

I also want to remind you that my new book The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Tribulation — An End-Times Countdown and What Happens Next is now available at our website, or you can call 1-800-742-5593 to order your copy. The book is being printed right now, and we’ll have it in our hands soon. I can hardly wait for people to get it! We are grateful that we can offer it as a pre-release at a discounted price. You will probably want to order multiple copies of this book because it is really an answer to a lot of people’s questions. And for a limited time — from June 30 to July 14 — our Independence Day sale is happening in our online store at renner.org/store. During this time, every Renner product is on sale at a 25-percent discount (international shipping rates apply)!

Now let’s dive into the amazing facets of Jesus’ powerful anointing! In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, we read that Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath, ready to participate in the sacred readings of Scripture. When His turn comes to read, Jesus unrolls the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, selecting the passage from Isaiah 61:1-3. These verses eloquently speak of the anointing that would rest upon the Messiah. As Jesus reads with authority, He astonishes the congregation by proclaiming that these prophetic words are realized in Him.

This bold declaration ignited a fiery anger among many of the listeners, who — unable to fathom such a claim — were driven to a frenzy. They rose, intent on silencing Him forever. However, in a miraculous turn of events, Jesus calmly passed through the chaos unscathed and left behind the angered throng (see Luke 4:28-30). Departing from Nazareth, He resettled in Capernaum and began a new chapter of His ministry.

In Luke 4:16-19, we read of that very moment when Jesus took the scroll of Isaiah and began to read. It says, “And he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

In these verses, Jesus announces that He is the Messiah — that is, Christ or the Anointed One — and then He vividly describes what that anointing upon Him would accomplish in those who come to Him by faith. Hebrews 13:8 reassures us that Jesus remains unchanging, and His works today are as potent as they were 2,000 years ago. And since He is the same today as He was yesterday, it is vital for us to understand what He was anointed to do in the past so we can fully grasp what He continues to offer those who seek Him in the present.

Indeed, the words of Hebrews 13:8 irrefutably affirm that the works Jesus was anointed to perform in the Gospels are the same works He is empowered to accomplish today. In Luke 4:18, Jesus spoke of six categories of human ailments that His anointing would change for those who came to Him by faith. But as you will see, since this was true of His anointing 2,000 years ago, it is still true of His anointing today — for He and His anointing never change!

#1: Jesus Is An Economic Game-Changer

First, we read in Luke 4:18 that Jesus was anointed “to preach the gospel to the poor.” In the Greek language, there are numerous words that can be used to depict poverty, but the word “poor” in this verse is drawn from the Greek word ptochos. It is a word that transcends the usual depiction of poverty, and it portrays images of those trapped in the deepest depths of destitution, utterly devoid of resources — a state of despair, indigence, and impoverishment. But Jesus declared that He was anointed to bring a message that would produce profound economic transformations for those who languished in the direst poverty.

Because Hebrews 13:8 declares Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, this tells us that since Jesus was an economic “game-changer” for those devoid of resources 2,000 years ago, He continues to be an economic game-changer today for those who suffer in the grip of extreme poverty in our modern world. The anointing to break the stronghold of poverty was upon Jesus and it is still on Jesus. And that powerful anointing to this very day unleashes a force that shatters the chains of hopelessness for those ensnared in destitution. Because Jesus’ nature has never changed, to this day that anointing provides hope to those who are devoid of resources and lifts them from the depths of indigence and impoverishment.

Again, Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus and His anointing have not changed or waned over time. The same divine force that shattered the chains of poverty 2,000 years ago remains just as potent and active today. So if you’ve been caught in the relentless grip of financial hardship, know that you can turn to God in prayer with confidence and unwavering faith. You can tap into the timeless anointing of Christ, calling upon it to disrupt the cycle of poverty and usher change into your life, just as it did those many centuries past.

#2: Jesus Heals the Brokenhearted

Second, we read in Luke 4:18 that Jesus was anointed “to heal the brokenhearted.” The word “brokenhearted” is translated from a form of the Greek word suntribo, which describes the crushing of grapes with the feet or the smashing and grinding of bones into dust. Taken in context, this word depicts people who have been walked on by others, those who have been crushed by others, or those who feel they have been smashed to pieces by life or relationships. By using the Greek word suntribo, Jesus was declaring, “I am anointed to heal those who have been crushed by others and who feel walked on or smashed to pieces by life and relationships.”

The word “heal” in this verse is translated from a form of the Greek word iaomai, which means to cure or to heal, and it frequently referred to a progressive cure. Unlike instant recuperation, this word depicts a healing power that progressively reverses a condition over a period of time or a sickness that is progressively healed rather than instantaneously healed. Although the anointing on Christ often yields immediate and miraculous outcomes, this word iaomai tells us of a different manifestation of His anointing. Approximately 2,000 years ago, when Christ’s anointing touched people who were deeply crushed by others — or by life itself — and were emotionally devastated as a result, the anointing He released moved deeply into their shattered emotions and minds and began the process of mending. That anointing invisibly worked unabated inside them until the person reached full recovery and restoration.

It is fitting that this word “heal” would be used to picture Christ’s anointing in a person who bears deep wounds and scars in his mind and emotions. This anointing progressively dissolves layers of pain, one after another, until the individual eventually reaches complete restoration. For a reminder, this is an anointing especially for the “brokenhearted” — for those who have been walked on by others, or who feel they have been crushed by others, or those who feel they have been smashed to pieces by life or relationships.

Take a moment to reflect on the number of people you know who feel trampled, broken, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges and by relationships. Our world is filled with individuals carrying emotional wounds and scars in their hearts and minds. Yet Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that Jesus Christ and His healing power remain unaltered. The same anointing that restored the emotionally wounded two millennia ago is just as powerful today, and it is ready to bring complete healing to those struggling with emotional and mental burdens. Jesus remains constant, and since His power produced emotional and mental healing in people 2,000 years ago, it is equally present now to heal our deepest wounds.

I encourage you to embrace the anointing of Christ and allow it to mend your heart and mind today, just as it did in times past.

#3. Jesus Delivers Captives

Third, we read in Luke 4:18 that Jesus was anointed “to preach deliverance to the captives.” The word “deliverance” finds its roots in the Greek word aphesis, which conveys the idea of complete dismissal, unbinding, liberation, or setting someone free. The word “captives” is translated from a form of the Greek word aichmalotos, a variant of aichme, which is the Greek word for a spear. But when the word aichme becomes aichmalotos, it is not merely a spear, but it pictures the pointed tip of a spear pressing relentlessly into someone’s back. Consequently, the person who wields the spear holds the power to dictate the captive’s path and to steering them at his will.

This word “captive” refers to those who are dragged into some kind of bondage by a sinister force that metaphorically holds a spear to their backs. It could be any number of things, including a poor self-image, toxic relationships, stubborn habits, the overpowering grip of alcohol or drugs, or disease, illness, and sickness. No one wants their lives to be controlled by any of these destructive developments. But this word “captives” includes a wide range of possible meanings, and it is unequivocally taking into account anyone who endures the chains of disease, illness, or sickness.

But Luke 4:18 declares that when Jesus came, He came as a herald of emancipation. His anointing unleashed liberation to those ensnared by the devil’s grasp. The four Gospels are testimonials to the power of Christ’s anointing, which, 2,000 years ago, brought deliverance to the diseased, the demon-possessed, and all those plagued by various kinds of disease, illness, and sickness. That anointing shattered the spear the devil held against their backs and that He intended to use to keep them in bondage. Once touched by the anointing, those individuals experienced an extraordinary and swift liberation, and they stepped into freedom to embrace the life God had designed for them.

Once again, stop and ponder how many people you know who are taken captive by the devil in some area of their lives. Though they long for freedom, the sharpened tip the enemy has pressed into their backs — driving them with a poor self-image, toxic relationships, habits, or keeping them in the grip of alcohol, drugs, disease, illness, and sickness — egregiously controls their lives. As you read this list, you may see yourself in one of these categories and may be thinking, “The devil has a spear pressed against my own back and has been manipulating my life.”

But once more, let’s turn our hearts to the truth found in Hebrews 13:8 — a timeless truth that assures us Jesus Christ and His anointing to liberate the bound remains unchanging: The very anointing that broke chains and freed the captive souls two millennia ago continues its transformative work today, releasing those ensnared by evil. As expressed in Acts 10:38, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and helping all who were oppressed of the devil….”

The fact that Jesus’ anointing shattered shackles and brought freedom to those who were bound 2,000 years ago means that His anointing is still at work to free people today, for Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Right now His anointing is still available to offer freedom to anyone who is held in any form of physical or mental bondage. This is a truth that can be embraced and accessed by anyone right now by faith in Him and His Word.

To review so far, Jesus was and is anointed to set the captives free, as enumerated in Scripture:

• #1: He is an economic game-changer by the power of that anointing.
• #2: He heals the brokenhearted by that healing anointing.
• #3: He delivers those held captive, and He does it through that yoke-
  destroying anointing.

#4: Jesus Recovers Sight to the Blind

Fourth, we read in Luke 4:18 that Jesus’ anointing brought “recovering of sight to the blind.” The words “recovering of sight” are translated from a form of the Greek word anablepsis, which is a compound of the words ana and blepo. The word ana means again, and the word blepo means I see. As a compound, it means to see again. In Luke 4:18, this word depicts the miraculous restoration of one’s sight.

During the early New Testament era, the miraculous act of granting sight to the blind was viewed as the utmost miracle, as blindness was believed to be utterly beyond cure. Yet curing blindness is God’s express will, and Jesus returned sight to the blind multiple times, as we read in the following verses:

• Matthew 9:27-31 • John 9:6-7; 32,39
• Matthew 11:5             • John 10:21
• Matthew 12:22 • John 11:37
• Matthew 15:29-31 • Acts 26:18
• Matthew 20:29-34 • Psalm 146:8
• Matthew 21:14 • Isaiah 29:18
• Mark 8:22-26 • Isaiah 35:5
• Mark 10:46-52 • Isaiah 42:7,18
• Luke 7:22
• Luke18:35-43

But because “blindness” was considered to be impossible to remedy, it meant Jesus’ anointing was able to heal even the worst of all physical maladies. If that anointing could restore sight, people understood that His power could undo any form of disease, illness, or sickness that afflicted any human being.

But in addition to miraculously restoring physical sight to the blind, Jesus also gives “sight” to those who have been spiritually blinded by the devil. The word “blind” is derived from the Greek word tuphlos, and it doesn’t just depict a person who is unable to see; it depicts a person who has been intentionally blinded by someone else. It can picture one whose eyes have been deliberately removed so that he is blinded. The individual hasn’t just lost his sight — he has no eyes with which to see.

This reminds me of Second Corinthians 4:3-4, where Paul wrote, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

In his writings, Paul describes how Satan has “blinded” the unbelievers’ minds using the word tuphoo. This word isn’t just about a lack of vision. This word tuphoo depicts one who has had his or her eyes “removed” by another. If you have friends or family members who appear unable to see the truth, it isn’t that they are naive — they are blind. Satan has “gouged out” their eyes, blocked their view, affected their minds, and they have no spiritual eyes with which to see.

But miraculously, when someone preaches the Gospel to them, the Holy Spirit gives them spiritual eyes to see. Indeed, it’s when we shine the light of the Gospel to those whom Satan has blinded that the Holy Spirit creates eyes for them to see!

Two millennia ago, the anointing on Jesus restored sight to the blind, and since He could do this, it meant there were no known human ailments that could resist the power of His touch. As we reflect on Hebrews 13:8, we are again reassured that Jesus Christ and His healing anointing are unchanging. The same power that gave sight to the blind, and that could heal any physical or mental condition, continues to heal today. Jesus remains constant, and as He worked wonders then, so, too, He extends His healing hand to heal all manner of sickness and disease today. He is unchanging, and the same anointing is present right now for all who come to Him by faith.

Jesus Liberates Those Who Are Bruised

Fifth, we read in Luke 4:18 that Jesus’ anointing came “to set at liberty them that are bruised.” The words “set at liberty” are translated from a form of the Greek word aphesis, which is the same word translated as “deliverance” earlier in the verse. It describes a dismissal or a release, or it means to permanently set someone free.

The word “bruised” originates from the Greek word thrauo, which conveys the idea of crushing or breaking one down. It pictures a person whose life has been fractured or one whose life has been split up and fragmented. This word “bruised” also clearly describes those who are oppressed. Of course, when we think of oppression, we gravitate to the idea of mental oppression, but oppression can also be felt in the body as one is weighed down by a sinister outside force that tries to crush or dominate it with disease, illness, and sickness. But the word “bruised” could also refer to one who has been shattered by a life experience, by broken relationships, including the trauma of divorce.

In the powerful proclamation of Luke 4:18, we see that Jesus was anointed to free those ensnared by life’s deepest fractures. That anointing which was unleashed more than 2,000 years ago shattered the chains of those whose lives had been fractured and crushed, permanently freeing them from the burden of past traumas. Hebrews 13:8 declares Jesus and His anointing is exactly the same today as 2,000 years ago! Since He healed this category back then and His anointing has never changed, that means if those who are “bruised” in any way will come to Jesus by faith, they can still be liberated from their bruised condition.

Jesus’ Same Anointing Is Available Right Now

Sixth, we read in Luke 4:19 that Jesus came “to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” The word “acceptable” is translated from the Greek word dektos, and it means accepted or favorable, and it depicts a favorable time to receive. The use of this phrase implies that whenever Jesus’ anointing is present, it marks the most favorable time in a person’s life to receive whatever kind of healing is needed. And since Hebrews 13:8 says He and His anointing are unchangeable — and because Jesus’ power is present through the ministry of the Holy Spirit — it means “right now” is the best moment for you to receive whatever you need His anointing to do in your life!

But in Luke 4:18 and 19, we see that Jesus’ anointing manifests in the following ways:

• It is an economic game-changer for the poor and will break the relentless grip of financial hardship, disrupt the cycle of poverty, and will bring change to their lives.
• It heals the “brokenhearted,” or those who feel they have been walked on or crushed by others — or who feel they have been smashed to pieces by life or by relationships.
• It sets free “captives” who have been dragged into bondage by a sinister force, whether it be a poor self-image, toxic relationships, stubborn habits, alcohol, drugs, disease, illness, or sickness.
• It restores “sight” to the blind, which means Jesus’ anointing is so powerful it can restore physical sight (along with spiritual sight) and, since He can heal the blind, there is no sickness known to medical science that He cannot heal.
• It sets at liberty those who are “bruised” — that is, those who have been fractured, fragmented, split up, or who suffer any kind of oppression in their emotions, mind, or body.
• It is available in an “acceptable” time, which means right now, at this very moment, for anyone who comes to Him by faith!

 Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever — and this means since this multifaceted anointing was on Jesus 2,000 years ago, it is still on Jesus today, and each facet of His powerful anointing is available to you right now.

The reason I shared these verses with you today is, I really want you to know that Jesus has the power to touch every sphere of your being. Whatever you need, He has the answer and the anointing to bring liberating change into your life.

If we can pray with you for that power to be released and to touch a part of your life, please reach out to us so we can pray with you. Please call us at 1-800-742-5593, or send us an email at prayer@renner.org. The moment we hear from you, we’ll release our faith, and we will believe for Jesus’ power to do exactly what needs to be done. As I told you at the beginning of this letter, we are already praying for you, but hearing exactly how we need to pray helps us to pray better, so please let us know.

I ask you to pray with me that God will use my new book The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Tribulation to answer many people’s questions and strengthen their faith. I am excited about it, and I am really believing it will be a tool of the Holy Spirit to touch many people. And please pray for us as we continue to press forward to touch people around the world with the life-changing message of Jesus and the teaching of God’s Word through our many platforms and outreaches.

We love you and we thank God for you!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus,

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel Renner and our entire ministry team