Hebrews 2 "He was perfected through suffering"
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, F10 And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." F11 For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." F12 13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." F13 And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." F14
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY WE MUST UNITE ...............................................
WHAT ANA IS SAYING IS SAYING IN THE BELOW EMAIL IS TRUE..WE MUST UNITE ..THIS IS JESUS PRAYER.."THAT WE MAY BE ONE" HOW ELSE WILL SATAN BE DEFEATED? I WISH I WAS ON CAMPUS WITH YOU ALL... MY PRAYER IS THAT ALL FELLOWSHIPS..THE BODY OF CHRIST...WOULD COME TOGETHER AS ONE TO WIN THE CAMPUS....WHY NOT SOMEONE JUST GET A GUITAR AND START WORSHIPPING ON THE 7TH ST STRIP? WHY DON'T WE JOIN HIM..IMAGINE HUNDREDS OF CHRISTIANS WORSHIPPING GOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL DAY ..WORSHIPPING WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS TO THE ONE THEY LOVE ..WHAT COULD HAPPEN...? WE MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION! WHERE IS THE POWER..WHERE ARE THE SALVATIONS? WHY DON'T CHRISTIANS COME OUT THE CLOSET AND JOIN HANDS IN PRAISE...JOIN HANDS IN OUTREACH....JOIN HANDS IN PASSING OUT PASSION FLYERS...? THE RIVER'S GOT THOUSANDS OF FLYERS SITTING IN THEIR OFFICE GOING NO WHERE...WE MUST DO OUR PART...I PRAY SOMEONE WILL STEP UP...THE TIME IS NOW..TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE..THESE WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY COME ONCE IN A MILLENIA...CARPE DIEME..ITS NOT ABOUT ME..ITS ABOUT HIM..ITS NOT ABOUT MY WANTS..PRIORITIES..MY HOMEWORK...ITS ABOUT HIS PASSION BEING RELEASED AND MADE KNOWN TO A DYING SCHOOL OF 30,000 STUDENTS....SOMEONE RALLY THE TROOPS ON CAMPUS...SOMEONE STEP UP...WE CAN'T BE SO BUSY AND ISOLATED TO NOT WORK TOGETHER...NOT LOVE ONE ANOTHER...STUDENTS ARE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS RIGHT NOW..THE MEDIA IS..THE NEWSPAPERS ...JESUS IS BEING LIFTED UP..BUT WILL WE HERE AT SJSU SUPPORT HIM? THE TIME IS NOW..THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL..THE WORKERS ARE FEW...THERE IS POWER IN UNITY PSALM 133 ..LET THE ANOINTING FLOW WHEN BRETHREN DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY...ITS LIKE THE LORD OF THE RINGS..UNTIL ALL THE ALLIED KINGDOMS CAME TOGETHER AS ONE MAN..ONE ARMY THE ENEMY COULD NOT BE DEFEATED..THE SAME IS NOW...WE MUST UNITE AND FIGHT THE DARKNESS OF OUR CAMPUS AS ONE MAN, ONE BODY IN CHRIST, OR ELSE....SAD TO SAY..THINGS WILL REMAIN THE SAME...LET US PRAY TOGETHER, PREACH TOGETHER, SUFFER TOGETHER....YET I DON'T THINK WE CAN SAY WE HAVE SUFFERED MUCH FOR CHRIST....ITS NOT ABOUT US..OUR MINISTRIES..ITS ABOUT JESUS..ONE VISION..."IF I BE LIFTED UP I WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO MYSELF" ..I'M RAMBLING...BECAUSE I AM BURDENED....SOMEONE...PLEASE..I PRAY...PUT FEET TO THE PRAYERS..GO TO THE ASB ASK FOR THE AMPITHEATER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ....BETTER YET..WHY ASK...LET US JUST PREACH AS PETER DID IN THE BOOK OF ACTS CHAPTER 2 ....3000 WERE ADDED...I DON'T THINK WE CAN SAY WHEN REMEMBERED 3 WERE ADDED? WE DON'T NEED AN EVENT TO WIN SOULS..WE NEED TO LOVE...WE NEED TO PREACH..WE NNEED TO PREACH..WE NEED TO PRAY...WHERE IS THE LOVE...LET US PRAY FOR THE POWER FROM ON HIGH TO BE RELEASED...BUT WE MUST COME TOGETHER...IT IS TIME ..IT IS TIME...IT IS TIME....SEIZE THE DAY..JESUS IS COMING..HE IS LOOKING FOR A FAITHFUL PEOPLE...REVIVAL WILL NEVER COME UNTIL WE UNITE AND PRAY AND LIVE SO HOLY ...GOD'S POWERS OVERRUNS THE DARKNESS....2 CHRONICLES 7:14 IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WOULD HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS THEN I WOULD HEAR THEIR PRAYERS AND HEAL THEIR LAND...LET IT BE SO LORD....FATHER MAKE US ONE IN YOU ....OPEN THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND MAKE US ONE LORD...MAKE US ONE...
I PRAY ALL THIS NOT BECAUSE I HAVE THE ANSWER..ONLY GOD DOES..
I AM JUST BURDENED FOR THIS CAMPUS...AND I KNOW I CAN'T DO IT
ALONE WITH JUST MY FELLOWSHIP...WE MUST DO IT TOGETHER ..WE
ARE THE BODY..CHRIST IS THE HEAD...LET US BECOME HIS PRAYER..
MAKE US ONE FATHER..MAKE US ONE...
PRAYING FOR UNITY AND REVIVAL....
JAESON MA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
hello,
my name is ana guevara, i am a social worker major at sjsu, with a sophomore standing for about two years now. two years ago, i accepted Jesus Christ as my friend and savior.... i can't even begin to describe how beautiful, meaningful, and life changing this walk has been to me. i am writing out of love and concern, you see... i do not see you guys ever on campus, i never see you trying to reach out to the unsaved and dying, i never see you or hear about you unless it involves activities amongst yourselves. the times that i have seen you, have been by the book store at the beginning of each semester, sitting there in your table.... brothers and sisters i see no love, no hope, no devil stumping, we know THE Truth, we are more than conquers JOY! I AM DEEPLY HURT.... IT MAKES ME WANT TO CRY when i see sororities and fraternities be more welcoming to poor souls, than the body of Christ....where are you at? where are you at? oh lord, ....i would think that with the movie of the passion of the Christ that surely my Christian brothers and sister would take arms and infest the school with the love of Christ. for if someone like Mel was able to stand for God at such a high cost, what else do we have to fear but god himself? yet, I've seen more attractive fliers from the gay and lesbian club consume an entire college building, than i have seen yours'. where are you at? explain to me why you don't represent? why don't we have open campus outreaches for Christ? why don't we join hands with our catholic brothers and fight the good fight, why? where do you stand, or better yet, where are you sitting?
with much love and concern
Ana <><
ROMANS 8:31-37
These last two weeks have gone by so fast with so much.
I guess you can say alot of new things and good things
have transpired. At the same time I'm feeling a mixed bag
of emotions.
God has let me experience restoration with an old friend,
somehow made new again. He restored a friendship I
never really thought could be mended. I never would have
thought or planned the timing would be now, but somehow
when all you want is God's will, friendships just become
easier. I'm still in a daze (things seem surreal yet real) and
the miracle of our friendship hasn't quite kicked in yet, but
all i know is that I am at peace. Of course there are things
that need to be worked out, but I trust that God will guide
each and every step. Reconciliation and restoration are two
beautiful things. A friend that sticks closer than a brother
is just as much beautiful. Somehow I always had this
"knowing" things would be beautiful again. I guess with God
things can always be made beautiful again. Isn't He wonderful?
He is the "Matchmaker" in heaven plotting, planning and bringing
all things into existence. Without Him, nothing is possible. With
Him even pain can be turned into comfort and a new beginning.
As I am elating with joy and smiles from this friendship restored,
I am also burdened with urgency and excitement of what is
about to happen this Wed in theaters.
The Passion of the Christ. Who would have thought I would I have
the privilege of being part of a third Great Awakening in America?
I have been praying for this movie almost daily the last 9 months
because the Holy Spirit was showing me the magintude and
importance of this film in this generation. Something crazy is about
to happen & its so big I don't know what to do but pray and do my
part to invite as many seekers I know to this film.
Jesus said, "And if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself."
The Church in America finally got it on this one! We finally are coming
to an understanding of Jesus last prayer ....
"Father that they may be One, just as we are One."
Churches and ministries all over the USA are coming together under one
vision "JESUS" to evangelize the seeking, dying and lost. The result?
Churches are buying out theaters, buying 20,000-60,000 and I just heard
this week 100,000 tickets in advance to invite the world to see The Passion
of Jesus Christ. Fandango's online ticket sales last week 49% were pre-sales
for The Passion. This movie is the talk of almost every secular media show,
newspaper, magazine, etc. The Governement, the Media, Hollywood and the
World is watching, curious, and in wonder because Jesus is being LIFTED UP!
It's like the Lord of The Rings, when finally all the kingdoms of the allies unite
together as one, then and only then in their UNITY they are able to defeat
the forces of darkness. What's happening with this movie is exactly that. Christ
followers are uniting together as ONE MAN to show the world the power
and authority of Jesus Christ. The church is now a force to be reckon with, this
country will never be the same, Hollywood will never be the same, everyone
will have to come and face the Love of the Christ.
Why would an extreme suffering and violent depiction of Christ be released in
this generation? Because we are in a desparate and extreme time. This generation's
very DNA has been built to witness and experience the EXTREME, the maximum.
We've had extreme wickedness, sin, idolatry, materialism and liberalism. We have
yet to experience EXTREME LOVE, EXTREME SACRIFICE, EXTREME PASSION, the
in its correct meaning. We have loved ourselves, our cars, sacrifced our souls for
material wealth and gain, lusted for Hollywood's definition of passion, & because
of this been left in bottomless vacuum of dissatisfaction. This generation
is crying out desparately for Love, for a purpose, for something worthy dying for.
This movie is going to be a signpost, an awakening, a turning point, an instuting of
God's burning PASSION to this generation. I prophesy this film will be the breaking
point to destroy and change all ungodly cultural mindsets of what it truly means
to know and love Christ. The same way the Beatles changed, influenced and killed an entire
generation in the 60's, the same way this film will change, influence and resurrect a dying
generation. Let it be the MARK and defining BANNER of this generation. That
we are not Gen X, or GEN Y, we are a Generation of Passion ready to live and die
for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because He died for us.
I see teenagers watching this film not knowing what to expect and going back
to their schools burining with the fire of God in their hearts and in their eyes.
I see them preaching with an unexplainable, invincible, relentless passion to
students in the middle of the quad. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE PASSION
OF MY JESUS...LET ME TELL YOU HOW HE DIED TO FORGIVE YOU AND ME OF OUR
SINS! Let there be chaos in the camp of Satan! Let the freedom bells ring and
let the Jesus Revolution arise, a might army is about to be released and the
enemy is trembling with fear. We must remain in humility and in passionate
prayer for this film, we must do all we can to make sure all see and hear
the Passion of the Christ.
www.thepassionofthechrist.com
Pray hard for the Passion of the Christ
needed info below.... ><>
------------------------------------------------------
www.abc.new.go.com
You can also view this email announcement online here: http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/february1.html
MEL GIBSON'S "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" UPDATE
If you wish to no longer receive these announcements, please visit:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/unsubscribe.asp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THANK YOU AGAIN!
Again, we wish thank the many supporters of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"! Your dedication and enthusiasm are proving to be very effective.
RELEASE DATES - LESS THAN 17 DAYS FOR MANY COUNTRIES!
We have official and "rumored" release dates for more countries. As you know, the US release date is February 25, 2004. Here is what else we now know: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are scheduled for February 25, 2004 as well. The film is scheduled to open in the UK and Ireland on March 26, 2004. We have heard rumors that it will open in Mexico and Latin America sometime in April. As we find out more release dates, we'll let you know and also have it posted on our website.
WILL IT PLAY IN YOUR AREA?!
MANY of you have asked us if the film is going to be playing in your area. We now have a resource for those living in the US. Visit the below link and click on "FIND OUT HOW FAR THE CLOSEST THEATER IS." It is actually the form to order advance tickets; however, you can actually use it to find how many miles away the closest theater showing the film is! You just enter in your name and address information (no billing info required) and it will then tell you how many miles away the closest theater is. If a theater showing the film is close, we encourage you to consider the purchase of advance tickets. This is the best way to show your support for the film. A man in Texas bought 6,000 advance tickets for his church and friends and another large Church recently purchased 30,000 advance tickets (there are even rumors one group even secured 100,000 tickets). Advance tickets are a great way to show your support! To find the distance to the closest theater and to order advance tickets, visit the below link:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/tickets.html
WHAT IF IT IS NOT PLAYING IN MY AREA?!
Regretfully, there are a few places in the US where the closest theater showing the film may be over 100 miles away. What can you do if this happens other than driving those 100 miles away to see the film? We have two suggestions. First, we suggest you call your local theater and ask them to consider carrying the film and tell your friends in your area to do the same. This makes the theater owner consider carrying it if he's convinced enough people will really come out to see the film. You can also use the petition on our website that has already proven to be very effective for many people, especially when sponsored by a church. That petition can be found here:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/petition.html
QUESTIONS ABOUT ADVANCE TICKETS
Some of you in the US had additional questions about the advance ticket program, so we have added a "Common Ticket Questions" section to our website. That can be found here:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/tickets2.html
CAN I SEND MEL GIBSON A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGMENT?
Yes! Many of you had asked and even sent us messages of encouragment for Mel Gibson. There is now a web page setup specifically for you to send him a message of support. We encourage you to show your support this way as well. Click here for more details:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/thanks_MEL.html
GIBSON TO APPEAR ON US's ABC PRIMETIME
For those in the US, you now have a chance to see Mel Gibson interviewed about "The Passion of the Christ." Gibson has done very little, if any, interviews regarding the film, so this should be very insightful. Diane Sawyer will interview Mel Gibson and it will air on a special edition of "Primetime," in which Mel Gibson will address the controversy surrounding the film. The interview will air on Monday, February 16 from 10:00-11:00pm ET (9:00 p.m. CT.) on the ABC Television Network. This will air only 9 days before the film is released!
MORE NEWS AND FAQ's!
The film has received its official rating in the US and it will be rated R. Many of you have asked why it would be rated R inquiring if the film contained nudity or foul language. Please visit our FAQ section for all the details. Is the Anti-Defamation League (the grouping leading the anti-semitism claims) actually helping "The Passion of The Christ"? Did Jewish groups in Australia give an "OK" to the film? Did Mel Gibson cut a scene from the film to appease the anti-defamation claims? Is it true that some prints of the film with have Spanish sub-titles for select theaters in the US? For the answers to these questions and many more, please visit our NEWS and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
NEWS - http://www.passion-movie.com/english/news.asp
FAQ - http://www.passion-movie.com/english/faq.html
HOW CAN I SUPPORT "The Passion of The Christ"
Many of you ask us, "What else can I do to help promote Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"?" We have even more tools available to you now. To start, please check out our "Promote Passion" section of our website for the latest:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/support.html
WANT TO SPONSOR A PASSION TV TRAILER COMMERCIAL?
A POWERFUL way to help promote the film and your church or business is by sponsoring a "The Passion of The Christ" TV trailer. (If you live in the US, this service is available to you.) The commercials are designed for churches, Christian businesses and individuals who want to partner with this movie event. It is designed to build a bridge from the theater to the local church or Christian business and to drive viewers to the theater to see the film. For more information, please visit:
http://www.passioncommercial.com/
FREE POSTERS, POSTCARDS, DOOR HANGERS AND MORE!
FREE Posters, Door Hangers, Buck Slips, Postcards and more! Yes, these latest materials are FREE - you only pay for shipping and handling. They are not only powerful, but they are also great in helping to promote awareness of the film. (US only)
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/store2.html
WEB LINKS AND FLYERS
You can help promote awareness about the film and the availability advance ticket sales. We now have new and updated web banners. We also have flyers that you can print out on your own printer for promotional purposes as well. Also, check out our new "Flash Countdown Banner". It counts down the days, hours, and seconds until the release date on February 25, 2004!
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/banner2.html
MOVIE SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE
John Debney was chosen to compose the music for this amazing and moving soundtrack. John Debney has lengthy portfolio of soundtracks including Bruce Almighty (ironic?), Elf, The Tuxedo, Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, End of Days, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and many many more. The soundtrack is now available for pre-order. We have more information about the soundtrack and even have samples of it for you to hear. It is truly inspiring and is the perfect compliment to Mel Gibson's stunning visuals. Click the below link for more details, hear samples, and to pre-order your copy today:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/soundtrack.html
WHAT BOOK INSPIRED MEL GIBSON?
Mel Gibson was inspired to make the film because of a book that he accidentally stumbled upon. The book is called "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." To find out more about the book and to order it, please visit our website. We even have an audio quote of him talking about the book and how he first came to think about making the film over 10 years ago:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/book.html
NEW OFFICIAL "THE PASSION" BOOK
"THE PASSION" BOOK is 160 pages long and is FILLED with pictures from Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". The book is a visual portrayal of the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus using gripping photos. This will be the public's first chance to get a glimpse at the film! This book has arrived and may ship as early as the week of February 9th to 13th. The book contains a lengthy and insightful foreword by Mel Gibson. Click here to see some of the photos, and you can even read an excerpt from Mel Gibson's foreword. These already going fast so reserve your copy today! (US only)
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/passion_book.html
100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - A GUIDE TO THE PASSION BOOK
There is no doubt that many questions will be raised by Mel Gibson's powerful film by believers and non-believers. This new book provides an insightful scene-by-scene analysis of the film using 100 questions and answers that will enrich the movie going experience and lead seekers to a deeper faith in Christ. For more information, click the link below:
http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/passion_guide.html
a boat on the bay
chocolatte on my nose
a dance under stars
extraordinary desserts
a view of crashing waves
and an old friend
made new again
oh yeah... & a strawberry
milkshake for breakfast
the *link* is back
but this time with
Jesus in the center ><>
hrm...i think either someone stole my cd case
or it is lost for good. all...my worship cd's!!!
ahh i miss my lifehouse, SWITCHFOOT, jason upton =(
but i wont let the devil steal my JOY... I will give thanks
in all circumstances!! THANK YOU LORD THAT MY CD'S ARE GONE!!!!
okay..heading down south tomorrow morning for bizness:D
then sum fun! woohoo the weekend is here!!!!
My Hong Kong Missionary report below...man
thank You for all your prayer support!!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Four years ago I went on my first missions trip to Hong Kong with a teen missions organization. During our trip, I woke up early each morning and prayed on top of the Bible college dorm for revival. The morning-prayer times were a very difficult task because of the heavy spiritual darkness over the city. Yet, morning after morning I would cry out for God to revive the youth in the city state of Hong Kong. The enemy made it seem like it was virtually impossible for Hong Kong to become a place of revival and city transformation because of the cultural pride, materialism and division between many churches. It was not until this last trip to Hong Kong I realized the fruit of my prayers.
The night before I left to Hong Kong I was impressed to quickly search the Internet for information regarding churches and revival in Hong Kong. To my surprise I stumbled upon a web site entitled “City Renewal.” On this site a vision was shared for the churches of Hong Kong to unite as one church in the city to pray for revival. Intrigued by this vision I sent a random email to the coordinator who inspired this vision “Linda Ma.”
Arriving in Hong Kong I was picked up miraculously by Pastor Nathaniel Ngai of International Christian Assembly. This is the largest English speaking church in Hong Kong. He wasn’t sure if I was coming, but decided to check just in case. Good thing he came to the airport or I would have had nowhere to sleep!
As we were on the MTR train going back from the airport to the city I asked him how was the spiritual climate of Hong Kong currently. He replied with a smile, “You know Jason it’s been amazing but literally in the last 24 months we have experienced more unity and prayer among churches than ever before!” Pastor Nathanial began to tell me how recently there was an event called “City Renewal” which gathered 7,000 Christians to worship, pray and declare together Hong Kong for Jesus Christ. This was the single largest event since Billy Graham visited a few decades back! He also explained how a new youth movement has begun to take place among the English and the Cantonese youth in the city. For a little more than a year now they have had “Youth on Fire” events that have drawn youth from different churches together to worship and intercede for youth revival in the city. A similar movement called “Arise” has also been gaining momentum among the Cantonese speaking youth. Not only has God been touching the youth, but he explained the Holy Spirit has been moving upon many local pastors hearts to work together. As a result of this a number of pastor networks have started with a goal to pastor Hong Kong together.
Listening to these reports I could not help but become excited. I have been a student of city and nationwide revival movements around the world. Anytime churches in a city begin to come together in unity, prayer and holiness; transformation is very possibly on the brink. In the last decade the Holy Spirit has transformed entire cities and nations such as Guatamala, Argentina, Uganda, Columbia, Singapore, South Korea etc. because churches decided to lay down differences and work together to pastor their city and nation together.
As I got off the MTR train and began to walk the streets I could even sense a spiritual difference in the atmosphere of Hong Kong. The spirit of oppression and heaviness was not as evident as it was my last trip four years before. In my mind I could only think there must be some major concerted intercession going on in this city, but where? Well, I would soon find out.
On Thursday I was invited to meet a major prayer leader in the city named Dr. Agatha Chan. I learned from my host pastor this lady Agatha two years ago started a “Watchmen Wall” where over 750 prayer warriors have been battling the forces of darkness over Hong Kong with twenty four seven prayer around the clock. This chain of prayer has at least four dedicated intercessors praying specific warfare prayers each hour over Hong Kong asking God to break spiritual strongholds for the purpose of revival. It began to make sense why the spiritual atmosphere of the city had changed.
Interestingly, the same day I was invited to meet Dr. Agatha Chan at her weekly citywide prayer meeting, I received a revelation in my morning devotions regarding intercessory prayer. Around 6am the Holy Spirit began to inspire me with a message, but I didn’t know whom the message was for. I kept hearing in my spirit Isaiah 62 and the anointing of Mary and Anna. As I turned to Isaiah 62 I was reminded of the interpretation of this end time prophetic picture of God’s glorious church. In verse 6 it states, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise on earth.” This verse prophetically spoke of God’s end time church being restored into night and day prayer through the release of watchmen or “intercessors.” While in prayer, I saw this verses connection with the widow Anna in Luke 2:36 who interceded night and day in the temple courts. Through her intercession the Holy Spirit gave her divine insight and revelation to prophetically declare the birth of Christ before His coming. This picture was foreshadowing dedicated night and day intercession through God’s people before the coming return of the Lord.
Yet this anointing for night and day prayer cannot be fulfilled without another anointing, the anointing for intimacy with Christ. In my understanding of Isaiah 62:6 the key to fulfilling night and day intercession is found in the preceding two verses. Isaiah 62:4-6, “You shall no longer be termed forsaken, Nor shall your land anymore be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Verses 4-6 reveals the Bridal paradigm, where God calls His people Hephzibah meaning “My delight is in you” and the land Beulah meaning “Married.” These two verses paint a picture of God’s delight in His bride (the Church) and His intense burning desire for intimacy as in a marriage. The reason why these two verses precede the verses of night and day intercession is because without intimacy the watchmen will burn out. In other words, the Great commandment must always come before the Great Commission. Lovers will always outwork workers. This is why in Luke 10:42 Jesus tells Martha her sister Mary has chosen the good part which will not be taken away from her. This good part is the “one thing” King David spoke of in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask this is what I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To seek Him in his temple and to gaze at His beauty.”
As I connected these two intercessors Mary and Anna I realized, Mary represented intimacy with Christ and Anna represented night and day prayer and fasting. Isaiah 62 began to make sense and the pieces of the puzzle began to come together. Intimacy with Christ must come before dedicated intercession for Christ. Because I have seen intercessors burn out and become frustrated in prayer because their success is dependent upon the breakthrough of their supplications. Yet, in the Isaiah 62 Bridal paradigm, the intercessor makes their relationship or intimacy with Christ their success and not the breakthrough. Therefore, the presence of God becomes their great reward, not whether or not God answers their prayers with revival. It is through this intimacy with Jesus the intercessory watchmen can intercede for the long run and not burn out. This is because a heart full of fascination of God’s beauty and not just a heart praying through human dedication fuels the intercessors prayers. Yes, this is the fulfillment of Revelations 5:8 “each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Mary who sat at Jesus feet listening signifies the harp, which is a life of worship and simple devotional prayer. Anna who interceded night and day in the temple signifies the bowl, which is dedicated intercession for revival and God’s judgment upon the earth. The two must go together in order for effective and sustained spiritual warfare prayer.
I really had no clue why the Holy Spirit gave me this message that morning. I thought it may have been for the youth I would speak to. Later when I met with Dr. Agatha Chan I found out the Holy Spirit had given me this message to preach to the leading intercessors of Hong Kong that very night. Every other Thursday night Dr. Agatha holds a citywide prayer meeting for Hong Kong. My pastor friend and I decided to participate only to find out an hour before the meeting Agatha asked if I could share briefly about The Call. Not expecting this, I shared with my pastor friend what the Holy Spirit had spoken to me in the morning regarding Mary and Anna. He said, “This is a timely message, I know of many intercessors in the city who are feeling tired, frustrated and ready to quit, you got to share this message.” When we got to the meeting place Pastor Nathaniel takes Agatha aside and he tells her she should let me share this message. A few minutes later she comes out and tells me I have half of the night to speak to the intercessors the message God has laid on my heart. It was amazing. As I shared this message and asked those who wanted to receive the anointing of Mary (the anointing of intimacy to wait and linger in God’s presence) many stood up and began to tremble. The Holy Spirit was doing a healing work and restoring to these tired intercessors their first love. For you must first love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and then you may be empowered to love your neighbor as yourself in fulfilling the Great Commission.
To my surprise after I spoke and ministered Dr. Agatha got up on the stage and said something along these lines, “This is a message from God because Jason did not know much about us, nor did he know our ministry was founded upon Isaiah 62 as our theme verse. Yet we had a different interpretation believing we must pray night and day in order for God to make Hong Kong His delight and Bride. But tonight we understand we must first become brides ourselves and make our relationship with God our great reward first and the breakthrough of our prayers second so we intercessors will be protected from burning out!” Praise the Lord! God sent me half way across the world to give a message of His bridal love and encouragement to the intercessors of Hong Kong!
After the meeting I met with Dr. Agatha Chan and she told me of their latest city revival event that took place on January 1st in the middle of the city. The event itself was a miracle. They gathered nearly 10,000 Christ followers in less than 3 weeks for over 6 hours of worship and prayer in the heart of Hong Kong. The civic center plaza where they held the meeting was directly in front of the government courthouse, financial business centers, and city hall. She showed me the actual footage of pastors declaring from the stage God’s kingdom has come to Hong Kong through the proclamation of scripture and praise! I was getting Holy Spirit goose bumps just watching the footage! It was amazing to see thousands of Christ followers worshipping God in the middle of the city, repenting corporately for the cities sins and declaring God’s peace and blessing over Hong Kong. Truly, this was a testimony not only to the people of Hong Kong but a spiritual sign to the prince of darkness over the air of God’s people united to see Jesus lifted up over the city.
The next day God began opening up other doors for ministry. I had received two prophetic words before I went to Hong Kong from my sister and a pastor from Hawaii. Two days before I left my sister Joyce prophesied I would pray for a women with stomach problems (particularly the kidneys and intestine track). She also prayed I would have a important meeting with 5 specific pastors in Hong Kong. It all came to pass. On Thursday I was invited to a quarterly youth pastors network meeting. These were all youth pastors of the largest most influential English speaking churches in Hong Kong. It just so happened at the meeting there were 5 youth pastors at the meeting. I was able to connect with them on citywide youth revival strategies and introduce The Call. They were an incredibly humble group of youth pastors.
The very next morning my aunt took me to visit my uncle who lived in Kowloon. I went to minister deliverance because evil spirits were attacking him at night. Recently, he became open to Christ because of his fear of these evil presences. When we get to his home he easily complies and lets me do a spiritual house cleaning by throwing away all the Buddhist idols inside his apartment. Then as I begin to pray for him my aunt asks me if I can pray for his wife. I asked why? She started to point to her stomach and explained she has had a long chronic kidney and intestine problem since the birth of her first son. Immediately, I remembered my sister’s prophetic word and asked if I could pray for her. She agreed and I laid hands and prayed for her healing. Praise God! She then told me how she was baptized as a Christian as a young teen. Truly, God’s kingdom was coming into my own relatives home that day!
A second prophecy I received was from Pastor Cal Chinen from Hawaii. The night before I left to Hong Kong he ministered to me at a church. He prayed, “The Lord is going to give you a sword to cut the curse of the dragon over a fatherless generation of youth in Hong Kong!” He began to describe many inner healings that would take place as he saw me ministering to a crowd of youth. On Thursday of my trip I was spontaneously invited to speak to three youth gatherings Friday and Saturday night. It was an amazing time. I didn’t realize how “fatherless” the youth of Hong Kong were. Many of the youth in Hong Kong have parents who work long hours, two jobs, etc. Parent’s barley have anytime at all for their children. Also, because of the Asian culture many of the youth lack intimacy and affection from the parents verbally and physically.
At two of the youth gatherings I preached a message of “Intimacy with Christ” and “The Father Heart of God.” It was powerful as the Holy Spirit began to minister healing and deliverance to so many youth from broken families. All over the place young people were pouring out tears of pain and at the same time tears of joy from God’s healing presence. I spent a good portion ministering prophetically to individual youth and encouraging them in their identity & purpose in Christ.
So much more happened, but I will end with the last speaking engagement at a local youth church. Immediately, after the second youth rally I had to go speak at this other church. This was a young church full of Cantonese youth. God put on my heart to share on the “Power of prayer and fasting” and I challenged the youth to a 40 day fast for the youth of China/Hong Kong. The reason was because on my flight to Hong Kong I stopped at the airport in Japan and picked up an Asia Time Magazine titled "China's Youth-Finally Rebelling." The whole article talked about how the youth generation in China are rebelling against traditional culture and going the way of MTV. Millions of "ling leis" they call them are searching for independence and finding fulfillment in materialism, sex and rock n' roll. Many of them (the ones profiled in the article) are ending up empty and dissatisfied, even suicidal. Reading this article, my heart already began to break for the youth of China. Because I realized these bright minds would be in 10 years the future leaders shaping the economic and societal fabric of our world’s society. We either reach them now w/ the Gospel or try to reach them later and be too late.
This youth church took up the challenge and literally the whole congregation came up to the altar on their knees and began to cry out for the youth of China! It was like a miniature Call event as we prayed prayers of repentance, reconciliation and revival. It was inspiring as different youth began to cry out in their native Cantonese language one by one passing around the microphone. My desire was that they would catch God’s burden for the future generation of youth in China. They most definitely did!
At the end of the night I had a nice surprise. Dr. Agatha Chan came and introduced me to a special person. It was “Linda Ma” the coordinator of “City Renewal” I had emailed before my trip. I couldn’t believe it. Agatha told me the morning after I spoke to her intercessors she had a breakfast meeting with Linda Ma. She had no clue I had tried to get a hold of her, but told her she needed to meet with this young minister Jaeson Ma. In fact, her breakfast with Linda was for an earlier day, but was postponed till the very morning after I spoke! It was divine! Linda had received my email but was too busy to respond. The moment Agatha mentioned my name she recognized it from the email!
Linda and I connected with a team of her young adult ministers and decided to stay in close contact for further city reaching events in Hong Kong. Her heart is also for the youth and city transformation. I was amazed and blessed to connect with these movers and shakers in the city. I don’t know, but I got a sense I’ll be back in Hong Kong soon for something. It could be The Call China 2005, to witness citywide revival or the privilege to minister to the future of Asia’s youth. Praise the Lord!
In summary, I was more than blessed to see my own people worshipping together and praying together as one. Praise God my prayers from four years ago are beginning to be answered. It is time for Hong Kong! Let revival come in power to the youth, to the city, to China!
