The Gospel of John 18:29-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.” (John 18:29-30 KJV).

This exchange between Pontius Pilate and the religious leaders of the Jews gives insight into the broader context of the Lord’s arduous sham trial. It started in the garden, where He was arrested and bound by a contingent of armed men. Then slapped on the face by an officer in the palace of Annas, before being taken, still bound, to His next stop for another phony inquiry before Caiaphas in early dawn. Now, in this morning scene, He is brought as a convicted person by the religious leaders for sentencing by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. He is the only authority who can impose capital punishment of death by crucifixion - the empire’s trademark method of execution.

Pilate’s question show some hint of skepticism. It underscores the political and religious tensions at play between the Roman authorities and the local religious leadership. It gives some sense for Pilate to call for just and fair trial. It also reveals travesty of justice and distortion of legal processes for the purpose of eliminating a perceived threat, as demonstrated by the actions of the Jewish religious leaders.

This verse serves as a point for us to reflect on the frailties of human judgement based on precepts of the world and religious doctrines, apart from the truth of God’s Words. Without God and His Words, dispensation of justice is imperfect and corrupt. This, we see in our present age’s handling of affairs where God and His Words are evicted from halls of justice and leadership. Decisions and judgements are done driven by ulterior motives. Just like these religious leaders of the Jews whose positions and possessions were threatened by the message of grace and truth of Christ Jesus our Lord.

We need grace and truth through faith in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:17b). Without Him, order and peace in our personal life and the affairs of the world will remain illusive and beyond reach. He is the only One who can give the kind of peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is written, the Lord Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:28 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.” (John 18:28 KJV).

Legalism and worldly ways, dressed with lies to gain favor of human eyes, vs truth for righteousness in the eyes of God, is what these religious priests were very concerned with. Hence, "His accusers didn't go inside (the judgement hall of a Gentile power) because it would defile them, ..." Fancy facade is what their warp religious doctrines dictate. Totally in contrast to those who depend on grace like the disciples, as well as you and I, when we received the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior and are made born again. We abide not by the precepts of men nor the doctrines of religion. We live by faith! (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

The Lord Jesus Christ addressed them sternly about their hypocrisy in one of His scathing discourse: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” (Matthew 23:25-33 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:26-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.” (John 18:26-27 KJV).

As the Lord Jesus Christ predicted earlier when Apostle Peter boasted he’s ready to follow Him to prison and even to death (Luke 22:33), here we are watching him deny of knowing the Lord for the third time, when asked by a relative of the soldier whose ear he injured in the garden. We should note that Apostle John witnessed this firsthand. It is amazing! Three times he lied in the presence of his fellow Apostle John, as affirmed by the rooster’s crow. If it was in baseball, it’s a strike out! Thankfully, for Apostle Peter, it’s not a strike out! 

It is true with God's grace and mercy. Regardless of what you've done or how many times you've missed it, you are not too broken to be restored. The Lord Jesus will confront Peter about these failures. However, each time the Lord will affirm his value and call him back to fruitful service. He restored Apostle Peter when he privately saw the Lord Jesus after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4-5). Failure in our most crucial commitment of self-effort before God is horrible. While in this world, we'll experience missteps. It brings all sorts of issues into our lives, if we keep on trying hard to do with our self-effort. But, sin does not have the final word. God's grace does. The Lord Jesus Christ died for sinners like you and I! Our sin does not disqualify us from being used by God if we will just come to Him believing and totally dependent on His grace. Not by self-effort observance of the law. That’s what Apostle Peter did. He run to the risen Lord Jesus, who is the person of grace (John 1:17b). So, don't give up if you have struck out repeatedly in your walk of faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ reclaimed Peter, and he can reclaim you and I, as we come before Him in our private appointment with Him.

Truth is, we are reclaimed and restored by our faith in Christ Jesus, as Apostle Paul reminded us in his letter to the Colossians. He said to them and to us: “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:21-23 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:25 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.” (John 18:25 KJV).

This is Apostle Peter who brags of his devotion and loyalty to his Master and Teacher. Yes, he is one disciple who did his best effort to follow the master in order to be like Him. Clearly, Peter hasn't gotten the Lord’s way, yet. He is trying hard to be like the Lord Jesus in his own effort. However, the only way to be like the Lord, the one thing that the Lord explained that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life, he couldn’t get a grasp on. Hearing it, Peter took the Lord aside and began to rebuke Him, “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” (Matthew 16:21-22 NIV). He rebuked the Lord! With that failing, the Lord Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”” (Matthew 16:23 NIV). That's who Peter was. He was a man of frailty, looking to his self effort. He was like we are. But, he believed.

Now, we observe him here following the Lord, trying again to prove his brag by self-effort to go with the Lord wherever He goes, even "to die." As the Lord is being dragged to His next questioning, here he stands warming up in the courtyard. When asked if he is one of the Lord’s disciples, he lied. So he failed, again. Not just once, but now a second time, he denies his Lord — the very Lord he seeks to emulate and to follow, even to die with.

Yes, Apostle Peter failed. But history, including his later epistles after the Lord's resurrection, will show that Peter did become more like his Master. It is very reassuring that our Lord Jesus Christ didn't give up on Apostle Peter when he failed ... even though he did so repeatedly! The Lord does not give up on us either! --- "for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."" (Hebrew 13:5b). The Psalmist attests and testifies: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.” (John 18:24 KJV).

This passage gives us the picture of the Lord Jesus Christ bound and restrained, as if He is resisting and fighting off His arrest. But, He’s not. He meekly surrendered to be taken (John 18:8). Yet, here we are watching in this account of Apostle John, the Lord put on display in a position of humiliation. This show is for the ulterior purpose of making their abuse on the Lord looks justified, in the view of the crowds and onlookers, for being arrested and accused on the charge of blasphemy as per their warp religious law.

Now, Annas is starting to parade Him on the long rigorous hours of sham trials as he send Him tied and shackled to His next baseless interrogations. The Lord’s next stop is Caiaphas, Annas’ son-in-law, who is the acting religious chief priest appointed by the Romans. It can be expected that Caiaphas is set ready, in this wee hours past midnight, to confront the Lord with fabricated and malicious accusations. Their intent is to stop the Lord whatever it takes. They are determined, no matter what, to give their evil efforts some semblance of success. That’s how evils’ work unravel. They paint illusions of success and victory to deceive people. Here, their goal is to bring the Lord Jesus to a place of mock trial in order to justify killing Him.

Putting the Lord Jesus Christ to death is what the scheme of the religious authorities is leading to. His fate was already decided when Caiaphas the chief priest made a declaration, which unbeknownst to him was a prophetic confirmation of the Lord’s plan of salvation. His death on the cross will be for the salvation of many who believe. Caiaphas’ motive was selfish and self serving when he addressed the religious Jews. It is written: “But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”” (John 11:49-50 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:22-23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” (John 18:22-23 KJV).

The forces of darkness has its way of exposing their ways and their nature. True to their nature, they always resort to casting fear and inflicting pain and shame to force you to submit to their intent. They don’t abide in their own process of questions to get honest answers. Answers layered on truth are rewarded with humiliation and torture. Truth has no bearing in the face of evil.

In this interaction between the Lord and the cohorts of evil - the officers and the former ‘high priest’ Annas, we see the works of darkness on display. Using these band of people as instrument for his scheme, the devil tries to stop the Lord Jesus to accomplish His mission. Satan wants to keep his stranglehold on every human being in this world. Now, his days are numbered. His judgement is imminent. So, whatever it takes, he will use every card under his sleeves to prevent his ultimate defeat. He uses anyone and anything he could, either to prevent his judgement or to take as many as he could with him to destruction and hell.

Here, unbeknownst to them - the officers and the religious authorities are used by the enemy to shame and belittle the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to save the world. Them, included. An officer slapped the face of God who so loved the world, not knowing he is the object of God’s love. He hit the Lord Jesus for speaking the truth. That’s basically the sad reality for many in this present age, as well. Like these band of thugs questioning the Lord, many in this present age are caught in the trappings of the world and doctrines of their religions. They refuse to hear and see the truth. Many are blinded by worldly lies inculcated in them that they brush off the truth that comes from the mouth of God in His holy and written Words. Many prohibit God’s Words to be part in their private and public discourse. They limit their interaction to the matters of the world. They shy away from the true and eternal issues of heaven. Yes, many are reading the Holy Bible but not all are after the truth. Some just use it to gather bits and pieces to garnish their religious doctrines or propagate their religious enterprises.

God’s holy and written Words are not intended for starting a religion. His Words are for our food (Matthew 4:4). His Word of Truth sets us free. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:19-21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.” (John 18:19-21 KJV).

The sham interrogation is now started by Annas the former high priest and most influential member of the Sanhedrin. True to the nature of this process that they subjected the Lord, they asked Him questions that they already know of, just probably to find ways they can twist to justify their shallow and devious reason for His arrest. This first line of questioning is akin to gangsterism and debrief tactics in counter-intelligence circles.

The Lord Jesus Christ taught openly. He spoke in full view to the crowds that followed Him in the countryside. He taught publicly in their Synagogues (Luke 4:15) and in the Temple courts while in Jerusalem (Mark 12:41; Luke 21:37). He did not start a secret society built on deception or clandestine meetings. In contrast, these religious authorities and leaders of the Jews arrested Him under the cover of darkness. They illegally question the Light of the world in the middle of the night, hiding from the people. Now, they are asking Him what He taught and who He is with? They heard and watched Him!

They ask the Lord Jesus about His disciples who were with Him always in broad daylight and about His doctrine which He taught in the open for people to accept or reject. He healed the sick and showed signs for everyone to witness. Which is the kind of living we are to live as His redeemed, being born again by faith. The truth we received freely, need to be shared freely to others in our proximity, especially those we care and love. Our life is not meant to be hidden or kept tucked away (Matthew 5:14-16). Our life is intended to be openly demonstrated before others so that the Holy Spirit's fruit of the righteousness of God by faith will lead many to grace in Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:22-25). The Lord Jesus declares this about His disciples and us: “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:20 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:18 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.” (John 18:18 KJV).

Here, we watch Apostle Peter trying to prove his boast. Earlier, at supper, “Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”” (John 13:37 NIV). Fighting against extreme fear and pressure, here he is following his Master who’s looking helpless, tied up and surrounded by contingent of armed men and angry religious priests. He is in the enemy camp. It is a moment of cold test of faith and loyalty. That is for Apostle Peter specially to prove his brag trying to stand un-wavered. He needed warm comfort of coal fire among the officers and servants in the enemy ground.

The analogy of the coal fire’s warm comfort on a cold night in the enemy’s hostile ground conveys a message that in our cold moment of spiritual winter of faith we needed warm comfort from God’s love. We are in a frigid and dark world. While here, we must consciously boast by faith that our Creator and Redeemer, Christ Jesus our Lord, loves us. Nothing can separate us from the warmth of His love. Apostle Paul, the once worst unbeliever who persecuted the church (Acts 8:1-3), when he came to grace by faith in Christ Jesus, he testified: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:17 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.” (John 18:17 KJV).

Reflecting on this verse hoodwinks us to make judgement upon Apostle Peter. We ought not. Rather, we should learn from the lessons this provides, by using it as a mirror of our own weakness. We should note that this is a critical start of the Lord’s series of farcical interrogation. Apostles Peter and John just witnessed earlier the show of force that took their Master away. And, Peter earned the Lord’s rebuke for his impulsive action to fight with a sword which chipped an ear of the high priest’s servant. Now, he is in the high priest’s domain. So, when asked by the girl watching the gate with a question of affirmation, reigned by fear, Peter caved in and lied. In such a moment of uncertainty, anyone’s courage to stand could be drained.

What’s amazing in this whole scene is that the other disciple, who is Apostle John, was known to the people in this palace. He was the one who instructed the girl, who watched the gate, to let Peter in. It seems that the damsel knew that John himself is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the question “Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?” that Peter was asked, was just to affirm the known fact that being with John he too must be a disciple of the Lord. This really is a lesson for us to learn from, considering that Apostle Peter lied right in the face of his fellow Apostle John.

This highlights the clear contrast between Apostle John - who recognized and boasted of being the beloved of the Lord Jesus Christ (See John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20), and Apostle Peter - who boasted of his love for the Lord (Matthew 26:33; Luke 22:33). Peter’s and our love fails. But, God’s love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). For - “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:15-16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.” (John 18:15-16 KJV).

These passages give us insight into the unfolding drama, started by the high profile arrest of the Lord Jesus in the garden. Now, bound, He is being dragged to the palace of the high priest of the religious Jews of the time. We see Peter and another disciple who was John, referring himself on the Third person, following the mob. These passages tell us that He - the Apostle John, was an acquaintance to the high priest with no clear details as to how. There are only conjectures that it may be by family affiliation. Hence, he was able to freely enter the palace gate, but needed to go back out to ask the gatekeeper to let Peter in.

Peter and John, two of the Lord’s closest Apostles, were in to witness firsthand this dramatic and unprecedented start of the fakest religious trial in history. This is the kind of trial that we too are warned could be charged, as believers of our Master and Savior Christ Jesus. Like Him, who was arrested with no wrongdoing, but because of the truth He revealed and the Good News He declared that He came from the Father wrapped in human flesh, we too are targets. Yes, as we believe in Him who moved in our neighborhood driven by love, so He can be with and in us, and we with and in Him. We, who received Him and are born again by faith, are warned but must not worry, as He assured: “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”” (Luke 12:11-12 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:12-14 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” (John 18:12-14 KJV).

It is amazing to imagine the show of force revealed in these passages to arrest someone who did no wrong. It is reminiscent of present-day politically charged society. We watched innocent people’s home swarmed in the middle of the night with excessive show of force by so-called law enforcers, because of their politics. Then subjected to fake trials, wasting resources that would have been used to solve real crimes for the good of the society as a whole, not self-vested interests.

On the same religiously and politically charged scheme, this was what happened in this scene described in these passages. The religious authorities of the time led by Caiaphas, the high priest and his father-in-law Annas, a very powerful member of the political Sanhedrin, used their influence over the feared enforcers of the Roman law. They swarmed the peaceful garden with a large contingent of armed men led by a captain to arrest the Lord Jesus in the middle of His prayer. Treated like a criminal, He was bound as if He was resisting and a danger to their fully armed band. Though in truth, if He did resist, there’s nothing they could have done. The power of His holy name I AM, spoken, was enough to pin them fallen down to the ground (John 18:6). Legions of angels are readily available to help Him (Matthew 26:52). But no, He was ready to submit, and let the cup of suffering He came for to pass. The events that the religious people, who were corrupted by doctrines of men, have planned must unfold as it should.

The Lord Jesus yielded Himself to be arrested, in order to die for you and I, as commanded of Him by the Father. He said: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”” (John 10:17-18 NIV).

This He did for us all. So that by believing in Him, “Caiaphas’ counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people”, comes to pass. It is by the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross that we are made righteous by faith. It is written: “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11 KJV).

When the Lord Jesus Christ commanded Apostle Peter to put the sword back in its sheath, He is reminding him (and us) that the battles believers face are not in the flesh. Yes, we are in the world. And here, physical armory for warfare are available for everyone's disposal. But, we do not belong here. We are sojourners passing through. We are citizens of heaven. As such, we are provided with heavenly resources for our battles in this world. We are fighting against supernatural forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Apostle Peter’s action, unbeknownst to him, was used by the Devil to stop the Lord Jesus Christ from drinking of the cup of suffering the Father gave Him. The cup was the Lord’s sole reason to come down from heaven into this world He so loved (John 3:16). The cup was the lot He was appointed to be born in order to die, so we can live a new life in Him. Scriptures remind: “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.” (John 18:10 KJV).

This passage is a very intriguing statement of fact of one very amazing incident during the Lord's dramatic arrest. An ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant, was chipped by Peter's sword. What’s up with a fisherman having a sword? … And, a disciple for that matter? Maybe this was just the usual impulsive Peter trying to prove and show off by his own effort to impress the Lord. Or, this was Peter half asleep after a grueling night of confusion and tension with their Master betrayed by one of their own. Caught in the middle of the fracas, he was probably awakened from sleep while waiting on the Lord deep in prayer, so half asleep brandishing wildly his sword caught an ear by chance. This opens for the Lord Jesus to perform His last healing miracle before being crucified.

With this action contrary to the Lord’s mission plan to pay for the sins of the world that the Father sent Him for, Peter got his rebuke from the Lord (Matthew 26:52). The Lord Jesus Christ displaying the power of grace, reattached and healed Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:51). Apostle Peter’s human concerns and earthly perspective are understandably logical. With exhaustion and fear, his judgement was clouded. Which reminds us to rest in the Lord (Psalm 37:7). And, as the redeemed of the Lord, Apostle Paul further reminds us: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:7-9 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.” (John 18:7-9 KJV).

When these heavily armed men came with the traitor Judas Iscariot, the Lord Jesus overtly displayed His divine power by declaring His sacred name I AM. By the mention of His name, affirming that He is Jesus who they’re seeking to apprehend, great power was released. The soldiers were sent falling pinned to the ground. This sends the message that they can only arrest Him when He chooses to allow it. This instance marks the turning point of the Lord’s carnal rendezvous on this earth. Henceforth, He’d voluntarily step out to pay our every debt.

The Lord Jesus bears the responsibility of our sins fully laid upon Him and suffered the penalty/“punishment” for it in our behalf (Isaiah 53:6), so we and all those who put their faith in Him, are let go. He is who they came for, and ought not touch all those He saved by grace, fulfilling His earlier pronouncement: “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”” (John 6:39-40 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:4-6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” (John 18:4-6 KJV).

These passages just demonstrated the power of the name of the Lord when He declared His name I AM, those who came to purportedly ‘arrest’ Him were thrown down to the ground. He went forth! And, did not step back an inch. They could not arrest Him if He did not volunteer Himself. The Lord Jesus said this: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”” (Matthew 26:53-54 NIV). None, can force Him. He gave Himself up, for His love of the world and those who wanted Him killed. The need for blood to be shed could not be stopped. It must happen so we, who believe in Him, are washed white as snow from the stain of sin (1 John 1:7b).

Hence, ransomed by His unblemished blood, Apostle Peter reminds us with this exhortation: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:13-19 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:2-3 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.” (John 18:2-3 KJV).

Before this clandestinely swoop happened, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to betray the Lord to them. They were delighted and promised to give him money (Mark 13:10-11). He casually went to them: “and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15 NIV). This was a well organized sellout plan duly mapped out with the chief priests and temple officers (Luke 22:4-5). In both Matthew’s and Mark’s account, Judas Iscariot has been watching his Master for the right opportunity to hand Him to the religious authorities (Matthew 26:16; Mark 14:11). Familiar with the usual meeting place where they gather, Judas came with a band of men and officers with lanterns. He even set a sign of kiss to identify who the Lord Jesus Christ is (Luke 22:47-48).

We must recognize though that this betrayal is not a Judas Iscariot issue. Judas is us. He’s just like us or we like him, a person in a flesh of weakness. His sin is no greater than anyone’s sin. He sinned and we too sin as we are still in our flesh walking in a cursed world under the influence of darkness. The issue at hand is the enemy - the Devil. He is in the world roaming like a roaring lion looking who he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). The reason we must always wear the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). And, we must always come to the Lord Jesus by faith, like Apostle Peter, in times of failure. He will restore!

If only Judas waited for the risen Lord Jesus, he could have run to Grace. We, as well, like Peter who sinned, must run to Grace! Peter along with John ran to enter the empty tomb where Grace was laid (John 20:3-7). When Peter saw the Lord Jesus at the shore in Galilee he jump off the boat into the water (John 21:7). Here in this encounter with the Lord, he was restored by the risen Lord Jesus Christ. “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17 ESV). And Scriptures promised us this: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 18:1 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.” (John 18:1 KJV).

This passage shows us that the Lord and His disciples moved across the valley over the brook Cedron to a garden in the Mount of Olives, apostle Matthew identified as the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). The Lord Jesus, in choosing this location, coveys the depth of anguish He experienced in this last crucial moments towards His arrest. Gethsemane means "oil press” in Hebrew. Which imparts the anguish the Lord Jesus went through, likened to extraction of oil from Olives pits, in these few moments. The gospel of Luke graphically shows Him in state of pressure. “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44 NIV). In this instance the Lord Jesus is cleansing the ground from the curse of Adam's sin by His sinless blood mixed with sweat. Now, by faith in Him, the curse of sweat due to need for hard work (Genesis 3:19) is lifted. In Christ Jesus, we are now resting in grace, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). 

The depth of the Lord’s angst, One unblemished by sin, and now in the brink of adsorbing the sins of the world upon Him, is very evident. The weight of it is manifest in the Words He spoke to the three apostles with Him - Peter, James and John. “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” (Matthew 26:38 NIV). And, it showed in His very deep intense private prayer - “Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matthew 26:39 NIV).

Yes, the Lord Jesus being in human flesh, struggled to face the burden of sin He did not commit. Yet, He readily submit to the Father’s will for our sakes. He did not have to. But, He chose to. He did not just take the cup of suffering willingly. But because of His love for us, with eagerness, He rushes on and goes for it! He calls on the Three apostles with Him: “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”” (Matthew 26:46 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:25-26 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:25-26 KJV).

Choosing to believe in Christ Jesus sets us apart. When we’re filled with Him, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—He’s the most important force in our life. Our longings are satisfied in a different way because of His presence in our heart, mind and being.

The things that were important to us, before we gave our life completely to God, have now taken a different meaning to us. We appreciate in a new way some of the things we used to be interested in like the world does, but we don’t have the same carnal passions now, as then. Yes, these closing passages of the Lord’s High Priestly prayer to our righteous Father sealed the completion of the mission of love that the Father sent Him for. Through grace, by faith in Him, we’ll be spiritually transformed by the Father’s love.

Apostle Paul puts this in a compelling testimonial perspective in his exhortation to the believers in Philippi. He said for our reflection: “though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:4, 7-11 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24 KJV).

In this passage of the Lord’s High Priestly prayer, we see Him pleads with the Father. He asks the Father to give the disciples, and by extension us-who would believe in their words of testimony about Him, the ability to fully understand and appreciate His glory. That’s His divine nature and power; essentially to experience the Son and the Father’s greatness firsthand. These reveal a profound pronouncement for us to know that He prayed so the disciples and we, who believe, can be with Him where He is and see the glory that the Father gave Him, out of His love, even before the foundation of the world.

As recipients of His grace, being born again by faith in the risen Christ Jesus, He wants us to be with Him. And, we are. Not because of us, but because Him. We are the Father’s love gift to the Son. This prayer was fulfilled by the Lord’s finished work on the cross. It is written: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-" (Ephesians 2:6-8 NIV). It is because of His love, as apostle John affirmed: “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:22-23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:22-23 KJV).

Unity is not a commodity of this world. On a grand scale, this world is divided, fractured and segmented. All we can see around are walls of divide built between countries, cultures, opinions, politics, social ranks, religions and every other issues and things. People always find something to fight. They always find issues to quarrel on. In this instant a war is raging, a home is in turmoil and a heart is troubled. It is always like this without the reign of Christ Jesus.

It is only in Christ Jesus do we find the barriers brought down and all of us made into one family. As we put our faith in Him by His grace and love we have oneness with Him and the Father. That’s what this world needs. Only by allowing the love of Christ to reign can the world be as one. That, we receive by faith in Him, and not by walls of religion, especially those carrying the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not come to establish enterprises of religion. He came to have a personal intimate relationship with us, so that we can be one in Him and He in us.

As the Lord’s redeemed, that’s why we’re here being His children by grace, born again through faith in Christ Jesus. We are given His glory that may we be the catalyst for unity in the bond of peace in this world (Romans 12:5). Apostle Paul reminds us, who receive His grace, with his testimony. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:3-5 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:20-21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:20-21 KJV).

In these passages the Lord Jesus Christ shifted the emphasis of His prayer to the well-being of the disciples and us-the present day believers in Him and the Father through the disciples’ testimonies. The Lord Jesus looked beyond the disciples' time. We’re in the Lord’s mind. He saw us and others who would believe the truth that the disciples would reveal to us. His prayer for them, and for us, is that we would be unified so that the world around us will believe that God sent the Lord Jesus to be the Savior of the world. So let's get together by coming to Christ Jesus and seek His life, His love, His will, and His Spirit to help us be what He has called us to be.

In Christ Jesus by faith, we become members in one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). And, as we consent to Him to love us, we are secure to the one call of hope that we belong. We and the first disciples become one in the Son and the Father. Apostle Paul declared profoundly to the believers in Ephesus for our reminder: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:18-19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:18-19 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus Christ was sent full of grace and truth from the Father to us, so we could be restored as His beloved children by grace. Now the Lord Jesus sends his disciples (and us who believes and are born again) into the world to make a difference for those we meet and show them how they can be different from the world. The Lord Jesus Christ submits himself totally to the Father’s will so that our mission and our future and our lives can belong to the Father, as well. Our mission is God-led, God-inspired, and God-willed. We are His, and our mission is His. Why? Because all who follow Jesus, all who call him Lord, belong to God! We are His children and co-heirs with Christ! (Romans 8:17).

Apostle Paul affirms in his exhortations to the believers in Ephesus, and to us being the Lord’s redeemed in these last days: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:16-17 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:16-17 KJV).

In these utterances of the Lord's supplications to the Father, He beseeched for our sanctification (this is for us to be set apart or be made holy for God’s special use or purpose) through His truth which is His Word. His Word is the fullness of the Scripture. And, His Word - the Holy Bible, is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1).

The Father’s Word is the person of Truth who came in bodily form. His goal in giving us His Word - His Truth, is not to limit us or restrict us, but to make us pure and holy. Through His Word of Truth we are transformed to live in the center of the Father’s attention and intention. It is not by doctrines of religion. It is not watered down scriptures being knit-picked for use as doctrines of religion. This is God's pure untainted Words that we must partake through our reflections and meditations, every moment of our lives. We must open our hearts to His Word of truth and apply it in our lives through faith. God's Spirit is at work to transform us from within into people who are pure and holy. Through the process of regeneration, we become more and more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In time that God set for our sanctification, as we receive the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior and are born again, scriptures declare: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!


Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15 KJV).

This passage of the Lord’s poignant prayers to the Father for our sakes, highlight our active engagement with the world along with the apostles, as children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Rooted in faith, being born again the moment we believed in our Savior, we are sealed for our call to witness and serve as ambassadors for Christ. We have the authority, power and resources of heaven supporting us. That’s the affirmation of the Lord’s intercessory prayers for us to the Father. He entrusted us in the Father’s care. We can rely on His Words of truth for our sanctification amidst confrontation with the world. The passage shows the reality that to be sent into the world involves both the risk of suffering and the assurance of God's protective presence. The Lord Jesus has modeled us how to navigate by faith in the complexities of a fallen world.

In this moving moment of the Lord’s intercessory prayer, He expresses heartfelt concern for His disciples who would remain in a hostile world. Recognizing the unique challenges they would face, He ensured their need for divine protection is provided, rather than retreat from it. The Lord Jesus does not request the apostle’s and our removal from the world, but rather that they/we be sustained and kept safe. We shall overcome. We have the Lord’s assurance, as He declared in His parting discourse. It is written: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:14 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14 KJV).

In this passage, the Lord Jesus continues His final prayers for His disciples and by extension to us who followed their steps of faith. He declared that being children of God - born again in Him, as He is, so we are in the world (1 John 4:17). Yes, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are set apart the moment the Lord Jesus gave us His Word and we received it by faith. Then, we are hated by the world being not of its own. Hence, the Lord Jesus, preparing to physically depart from the world, entrusted us in the mighty protection of our Father.

We are God's chosen to be His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)! He plucked us out of the world to do His Kingdom works which the Lord Jesus proclaimed with warning, and with words of reassurance so we shall endure. It is written: “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:4-14 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13 KJV).

In this prayer declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is revealed that He is our source of joy! It’s no wonder, that the apostle Paul in his exhortation said, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5 NIV). Yes, He is close to us. He came down from heaven, wrapped Himself in human flesh and move in our neighborhood (John 1:14), so that His joy is fulfilled in us.

From the Lord’s birth to his resurrection and to his coming again to take us home to be with Him, while in this world, His is our source of joy. He came to bring the Father’s great love. He came full of grace so we can live victoriously in a hostile world. He’s never forsaken us and will never leave us. He ensured that death cannot separate us from His love. He will return to bring us home. He is our everlasting joy.

Hence, the prophet Nehemiah proclaims that this day we have now in Christ Jesus is holy to our Lord. The joy of the Lord is our strength. So, let us celebrate! “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”” (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” (John 17:12 NIV).

The Lord Jesus continues on His priestly prayers for the protection of His core disciples and to keep them in their faith and courage to stand strong. He affirms that while He was with them they were kept safe under the Father’s authority, power and protection in the name that the Father gave. In His name, all of those who remain in their faith were never lost, and will never be. Yes, they may have fallen short at times in their walk, like Peter. We too may have some missteps while in this world. But, like the Eleven apostles, we must never lost sight of the truth that the person of grace who is the Master - Christ Jesus, is faithful and merciful. In His missteps Apostle Peter always finds his way back to the warm embrace of the arms of grace of Christ Jesus our Lord. Not like Judas Iscariot who failed to see the power of grace and used his power of free will to go his own way. He sadly was lost. His choice to follow the trappings of world under the cue of the prince of darkness led him to the road of perdition, in fulfillment of the prophecy of his betrayal (Psalm 31:9).

This passage is therefore reminding us, being the Lord’s and the Father’s own, that we have heavenly protection by faith in Christ Jesus. We have the Lord’s absolute promise to believe and stand on. As we put our faith in Him and rest in His grace by believing, and look to Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, He assures us with this declaration: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11 KJV).

This passage is one of the Lord’s most profound parting prayer pleas of love for His beloved disciples. These young apostles sought the Lord, and the Father has given them to be His own. Earlier, the Lord warned them out of love, being pioneer pillars of faith, that they will face intense trials. That’s on account of their relationship with Him and the Father while still in the world. The Lord promised that He will not leave them orphans, as He will send the Holy Spirit to be with and in them. Ensuring they are well-covered, now the Lord Jesus prays for the Father’s divine protection to keep them secured with the authority and power of His name. We, when we follow the road of faith they have travelled, being the now disciples of Christ Jesus, have these promises, as well. We are born again into the kingdom of God by grace through faith in Him. We are now co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17) as children of our Heavenly Father (Galatians 3:26).

This prayer of the Lord to the Father beseeching Him to be mindful of them our early examples of faith and by extension to us now who are born again by faith in Christ Jesus, echoes the psalmist’s hymns of praise. It is written: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:3-5 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:9-10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10 KJV).

Reflecting on these passages, lead us back to remember all the things the disciples did off the mark. We can recall all the confusion and the things they misunderstood. The instances they blew the opportunity to do the right thing or say the right word. During the Lord’s walk with them, His disciples often came up lacking and short of what’s expected. Yet the Lord Jesus did not give up on them. He loved them. He even called them His friends (John 15:15). In these passages, He declared them, and us now who believe, as His and the Father’s own.

Well, what did they do with that trust, that unflagging confidence that they would be His glory? Through the work of the Spirit, they changed the world, helped create an enduring movement, and brought the Lord’s' message of salvation by grace to untold millions over the centuries because of their ongoing legacy of obedience. They are His glory. And as we live totally dependent on His grace by faith and in His finished work on the cross, so are we!

Not because of us, but because of Him who loves us. As we rest in His grace by faith, the Lord Jesus affirms these in His very reassuring declaration: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:8-11 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:6-8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” (John 17:6-8 KJV).

In these passages from the Lord's prayer to the Father, we discover glorious truths that must not be neglected but embraced. The only begotten Son of God came on a mission to reveal the Father to all humanity. Knowing and seeing God the Father through the light of the Words the Lord Jesus spoke and the signs He manifested was the foremost matter He sought to teach and show to His disciples and us. He has chosen them and us out of the world. We were given to Him by the Father (John 17:6). He gave us all Words of revelation provided directly from the Father. Those Words are for us to mirror on and obey. Our obedience, as the Lord Jesus affirmed, is by believing in Him (John 6:29). Now, in Christ Jesus, we belong to the Father. We are sons and daughters of God, in Christ.

These prayers of declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ, put in heartfelt perspective Apostle Peter’s statement of faith when in one instance they were asked if they want to go away. It is written: “So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”” (John 6:67-69 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 17:4-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:4-5 KJV).

In these passages, the Lord Jesus in prayer to the Father teaches us by His Word and by His perfect model of obedience to completely fulfill the works the Father called us to do that which will bring Him glory. The Lord Jesus Christ left nothing undone for which the Father sent Him to earth to accomplish - always glorifying the Father by His perfect holiness. He supplied the demands of the law (Matthew 5:17) so we can be made righteous by faith in Him (Romans 3:22). When the Lord Jesus approached John the Baptist to be baptized by him of which John the Baptist objected to, He gives this as a reason, as it is written: “Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented” (Matt 3:15 NIV).

For us to give glory to the Father and that we may be glorified in Him, we are called to fulfill the work of God. The work of God we are called to do is to believe in Him whom the Father glorified before the foundation of the world. He, whom the Father is well pleased with - His only begotten Son, is who we must listen to, to give Him and the Father glory. The Father declared this from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”” (Matthew 17:5b NIV). Yes, let’s listen to Him, as it is written: “Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”” (John 6:28-29 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

Blessed New Year 2025!

Dear Family, Loved Ones and Friends,

Morning has broken of a new dawn for hope in America! …and the world!

The horizon is ready to burst its morning twilight of prosperity for you and I. God is charting a new beginning of seed time that brings us to a great season of harvest. Let us enter into this promise through grace by faith in Christ Jesus. Made alive in Him, we have the assurance, as the Psalmist declared: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬).

Joyful and bountiful New Year 2025 to you all!

Lovingly, in Christ Jesus!

The Frias/es and PFC Family

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC

P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477