The Gospel of John 14:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-2 KJV).

After the Lord Jesus revealed the betrayal by Judas Iscariot and Peter's upcoming denial, fearful signs of trouble are building up in the minds of the disciples. And the Lord Jesus in the shadows of His imminent death, assures them not to be troubled. He calls on them to be brave to face up that which about to unfold. It is important for them and to us too, now reflecting on these passages, to believe in God and in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ, in the face of our troubles. The Psalmist declared: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1 NIV).

The Lord Jesus continues His comforting declaration, that as He goes to His Father's house of many mansions, He is going to prepare a place for them - His disciples, and for us, too, who now believe and are born again. This promise was affirmed by Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Thessalonians and to us who rest in the Lord's grace by faith in Christ Jesus. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 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 13:37-38 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” (John 13:37-38 KJV)

With emotional bravado getting the best of him, Apostle Peter - like many of us at times, overstepped his ability to deliver what he declared to do. The Lord Jesus, like what He did in earlier incident when Peter refused to have his feet washed, corrected him again. There's nothing hidden from the Lord, as He is Omniscient. He knows the secrets in our deepest being. Our life is laid bare in His eyes (Hebrews 4:13).

Hence, with absolute certainty the Lord declared Amen, Amen to Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Saying so, the Lord Jesus coveys the message that what He says is the absolute, personal and incontrovertible truth. This is a lesson for us not to boast of our ability and capability to do things on our own self effort. The truth is we can't! Lord Jesus says: "... for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5).

Hence, Apostle Paul exhorts us with these words of truth: it is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 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 13:36 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” (John 13:36 KJV).

One can't help but imagine Apostle Peter in deep thought after the Lord Jesus said: “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33 NIV). With these words churning in his mind, he may not have really heard the Lord's discourse about the new command He gives them. Well, that's how it looks. Considering his heartfelt yet somewhat off the flow query: "Lord, where are you going?" Apostle Peter is one true specimen for humanity. Real and authentic, Peter does not wear masks of pretenses. His questions and statements are unrehearsed out flows of what he has in his heart. He is human just like you and I, who believes and rests in the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord's response to Peter is a climactic revelation to us all who believes. The place of the cross, the Lord was headed to in that moment in time, was a place where only the Lord Jesus Christ was qualified to go. The cross required a spotless Lamb whose blood was unblemished by sin. The Lord Jesus was the only qualified Savior to pay our ransom by His blood on that rugged tree. They and all of us can't follow Him to the cross. But, after the cross the Lord Jesus gave us the assurance: 'thou shalt follow me afterwards.' We, too, can follow to go and come into His grace and rest! This, the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed after He has risen. The angel said to the women in the empty tomb: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”” (Mark 16:7 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 13:34-35 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV).

Reflecting on these passages through the lens of our Lord's true gospel of grace and truth, by being in the know that love is God and God is love, we'll know we are now under a new covenant with God. In the old covenant of the law, the command to love was based on man's self effort - "love your neighbor as yourself." Now, we are to love by His love: "That ye love one another; as I have loved you,". The Lord Jesus raised the bar of this command to the highest level that only He can fulfill. That, considering that the command of the law to love our neighbor as we love ourselves no one has ever done and will ever do, as scriptures say: all have sinned (Romans 3:23). No one was made righteous by the law (Galatians 2:16a NLT). The law was given to increase sin (Romans 5:20a).

Now, the Lord Jesus Christ gives a new command, raised to the highest standard - His love! How can we, you and I, ever do this? The answer is: we can't! We can only manifest this love by totally surrendering to our Lord's grace by believing on Him. We must rest in His grace! And as God is love, we are to let Him love us by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must let Him love us and declare "I am the beloved of Christ Jesus my Lord." It is all and only through abiding in Christ Jesus by our confession of faith, as the Scriptures say: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 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 4:15-17 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 13:33 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” (John 13:33 KJV).

The Lord Jesus in a pivotal moment sets a strong bond with His disciples, addressing them with endearment as 'little children'. He is giving His beloved young disciples a heads up that His time with them in the flesh is getting short. The hour is heading fast towards His impending arrest by the religious authorities orchestrated by Judas, the traitor. Literally, in few hours, He will be taken in front of their very eyes like a criminal, though He committed nothing to warrant as such.

He warned them, like He said to the religious leadership of the Jews, that where He is going, they (too) can't come. He is referring to his imminent crucifixion, death, burial and rise from the grave. This is a mission He is sent for, that no one else can do. There is none among humans who's spotless to shed their blood to cleanse us and restore our life to the place of oneness with our Creator and heavenly Father. Yes, it is only - “The precious blood of Christ, being the Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12 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 13:31-32 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” (John 13:31-32 KJV).

These passages reveal that when Judas was gone to accomplish his betrayal on his Master, the stage for the Lord our Savior to be glorified was set. The cross was fixed to bring glory both to God the Father and God the Son. It calls on us to bring God glory through our faith and total dependence on His grace resting on the finished work on the cross.

Apostle Paul, whom the risen Lord Jesus chose to reveal the fulness of His gospel of grace, exhorts with these words his fellow Jews and us too, the gentile nations, to reflect on: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15-16 NIV).

It is amazing how the denominational religions of this present age cling to their doctrines of trying hard in self effort to observe the law. Consider this, the resurrected Lord, further declared through Apostle Paul saying: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”” (Galatians 2:21 NIV).

Our hope of glory is, therefore, by glorifying our Father through our believing in our Lord Jesus Christ, totally dependent on Him through His grace. Yes, not by works of religion or by any human efforts, but by faith. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 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 13:28-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” (John 13:28-30 KJV)

When the Lord Jesus Christ tells the devil-possessed Judas Iscariot to hurry and do what he needs to do to accomplish his treachery (John 13:27), none of the other men put the pieces together. They just assumed the Lord sent him on an errand. Judas's role in the Lord's inner circle of disciples was that of treasurer. In fact, some of the other disciples were somehow in the know that he was embezzling money for his own use (John 12:4–6).

As these passages reveal, the other disciples were entirely unsure what task the Lord sent Judas for. But, they assumed it was legitimate. With all these background of confusion, it is reflective of the state of humanity under the influence of darkness. Being in the know that it is the nature of the world, with its distractions and noise, these passages nudge us to hone in and strain on God's holy and written Words. Lest we'd miss it too.

Yes, sadly, Judas hurriedly went out into the night to do his work in the dark. He is a lesson for us, to instead step into the light, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by faith. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 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 13:25-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:25-27 KJV).

The scene shows the closeness of John the beloved to the Lord, like a son leaning on his father's chest, when he asked probably in whisper, Lord who is the betrayer? And, the Lord's answer may not have been audible to all around the supper table. Their customary table setting in that era, when gathered for special meal like this one, each one sits leaning on their side enjoying their meal. It is very likely that they all didn't hear clearly when the Lord revealed Judas as the traitor. Hence, they all missed the cue when the Lord instructed Judas to do quickly what he needs to do.

In Matthew's account, he indicates that Judas directly asks the Lord if the prediction is about him. Matthew also records that the Lord gives Judas a direct answer (Matthew 26:25). And, no one seems to realize. Here, John fills in what Matthew leaves out. In the buzz and commotion of the moment, this exchange between the Lord and Judas is partly lost. Different disciples hear different things, but no one gets enough information to clearly understand, especially when the Lord shared food with Judas which in the culture of that time, carried the meaning of friendship and peace.

Mark's account of that event, tells of a poignant moment of sorrow among the disciples. Which, we should mirror on to see the importance of total dependence in His grace by faith in Christ Jesus. Turning away from the Lord carries a very serious life ramification. Scriptures say: “And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”” (Mark 14:17-21 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 13:22-24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” (John 13:22-24 KJV).

In the midst of such troubling news, the disciples who were confused, in doubt and taken by surprise, were relieved to have an elder brother in their midst like Peter who's authentic and real. They were all taken aback searching each other's eyes, perhaps asking in their minds: who'd that be? With Peter present who is such a man just like many of us, if not all, is quite handy. He is imperfect, frailty and just at times by impulse jump in the fray. He is one who always boasts his love for the Lord, yet distant. But, the good aspect of him is that he can easily let it go, like a child one moment dismayed, then recovers in an instant. He easily accepts correction and rebuke for missteps he does.

Here in these passages, we see that on display. Seeing his younger brethren in an uneasy state, bewildered and unsure what to do, he stepped in to break the ice of bewilderment. Observing John, the youngest, who in contrast with Peter, often declares of himself as the disciple that the Lord loves, reclining closely on the Lord's bosom , Peter motioned him to ask the Lord, who? They're anxious to know: who'll betray Him? This scene is the ambience we have when we rest in grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We can come to Him as we are. We need not wear fancy attires of pretenses and make-overs. No matter what state we are, He loves us. We can can come broken and filthy. We can come to Him in our deepest need. Scriptures say: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 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 13:21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” (John 13:21 KJV).

This announcement by the Lord Jesus Christ of a betrayal, by one of His chosen apostles, brought in a very poignant moment of complex emotions during the last meal that He celebrated and shared with His young disciples. We can feel the stirring impact of the confusing reality of convergence between human choice and divine foreknowledge. The colliding paradox of joy and sorrow, the magnitude of which was beyond to grasp as it transpired, reminds us of the friction between divine sovereignty and human frailty. By this, the Lord Jesus illustrates that God's plan of salvation encompasses man's every decision. Though Judas's free will to choose was essential to the fulfillment of the prophesied climax of the Lord's mission to rescue us, He was saddened by the fall of one of His beloved disciples. The sins of His followers, including Judas - as well as you and I who believe in Him, affect Him deeply, as He carried them to the cross.

Hence, as His redeemed by grace, when we fall and we will - being still in the world, we must therefore honor His finished work on the cross by resting in His grace, rise and draw unto Him for our restoration, as Peter did (John 21:15-17) after denying Him (Matthew 26:59-75). The Lord's death was the ransom for the sins of many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). This, the risen Lord Jesus Christ affirmed through Apostle Paul's epistle, as it is written: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 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 13:20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (John 13:20 KJV).

This passage emphasizes the Lord's reaffirmation that we, who received the gospel of the grace of God by faith (Acts 20:24), are the vehicles used to proclaim this good news to many. That's you and I, who are born again by faith through the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not by rituals of religion! We are, therefore, sent to the world at large to deliver this gospel of great joy, which was first proclaimed by the angel to the shepherds in the fields, as it is written: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 NIV).

Hence, this gives us a very profound revelation how important the assignment we are entrusted with. We are sent in His name! He who receives us and whomever He sent, receives Him and the Father, who sent our Lord Jesus Christ. Its implication reverberates in heaven. Those who receive us, receive the loving and sovereign God who we represent. “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

We, who are born again - saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, are His ambassadors delivering the message of reconciliation to the world. This, the risen Lord Jesus revealed through Apostle Paul. “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 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 13:18-19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” (John 13:18-19 KJV).

Here in these passages, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealing another sign of who He is to the disciples and to us now reflecting on these verses. Alluding to His earlier statement of them, and us all, that knowing the value of humility and service will be blessed, He clarifies that it is not all who have knowledge are blessed. In the case of the disciples whom He has chosen, He knew from the start that one of them will betray Him. Being chosen does not revoke man's free will of choice for the decisions and actions he takes forward. God is just and righteous. He honors man's freedom and liberty, like the Lord Jesus recognize with sadness the direction that Judas has taken to "lift his heel against him" to fulfill what has been prophesied.

Blasphemy against the Spirit, words spoken against the Son of God in unbelief, is the only sin unforgivable (Matthew 12:30-32; Hebrews 3:19). If Judas had chosen to believe, God's grace is more than enough to embrace him by His love. The Lord Jesus died for Judas' sin, as He died for the sins of the world. It is by believing and coming to the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved and set free from the chain of sin - past, present and future.

With this teaching of the Lord, Judas was present. Unfortunately, like many today who are present and heard God's Words of assurance being shared, Judas chose not to hear. If he did, he would heard the same words spoken to a Roman jailer of Paul & Silas. It is written: “And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”” (Acts 16:29-31 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 13:16-17 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:16-17 KJV).

In these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ pointedly gives us the promise that obedience to our knowledge of the Truth will “always” be blessed. Knowledge can be a very powerful tool if used right. The Bible tells us that head knowledge alone hypes up yet it is love which edifies. Love manifest is the amplification of knowledge revealed and received. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV).

Emphasizing His Lordship to the disciples and to us all, the Lord Jesus in His example is eliminating any excuse for us to shirk humility and service (John 13:14–15). We are expected to serve by the unction of the Holy Spirit resting in His grace, through faith in Him. With this knowledge, we must be rooted in total dependence in Him. We must totally rely in the finished work He did on the cross. Now, in this post resurrection period, we are blessed to do what we know that, we being the righteousness of God shall serve well by faith. We look to what the Lord Jesus did, and believe in Him. Not on what we do by works of the law (Galatians 2:16) - we can't! No one is justified by works of the law, through it comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Scriptures authoritatively declare: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17 NIV).

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 13:12-15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15 KJV).

These passages give us a very deep demonstration of our Lord Jesus Christ serving His disciples the lowliest task a servant does. The Lord and Master washed the feet of His students. These passages drive home a very strong lesson that we, being brothers and sisters, and members of the body of Christ Jesus, are equal servants to one another. No one is above the other and no one is closer to God than the other. The Lord is as close to you as to me, as we put our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:17-21).

The risen Lord Jesus is in us, as we in Him, the moment we believe (Galatians 2:20). But, while we are still in the flesh in this filthy world and will always be smeared by its mud, symbolic for our spiritual well being, our feet need regular washing, which the Lord deeply urged us to render one to another. This, the Lord reminds using physical example of service, for us to do by the washing through His Words - in the manner of correcting each other by the exhortation of His Words. This, we do in our interactive reflections and sharing of His holy and written Words, knowing that: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).

Through Apostle Paul, the Lord further reminds: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21 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 13:9-11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” (John 13:9-11 KJV)

The Lord Jesus Christ gave Peter somewhat an ultimatum remark, that if he remained stubborn not to have his feet washed by Him, saying "if you don't want me to do this then you will not have part of me." Peter being as he is, reneged. Then burst out asking the Lord to give him a full bath. And the Lord Jesus, with intent to make this an illustration of great significance, emphasized to Peter and to us too who read and reflect on these now that having had a full bath already (referring to our salvation by grace through faith, once and for all), we don't need to have full bath again and again. We only need washing of our feet from the dirt gathered trudging in the world. We are to wash each other's feet from the mud of the world, as the Lord is showing.

The Lord Jesus uses this to remind us that we do the same spiritually in faith being part of Him and members of His body as Children of God. Like the apostles, except one named Judas the betrayer, we all too by faith in Christ Jesus have been fully bathed, spiritually. That is, we are saved once and forever by faith in Him. But we need washing from the filth of the world regularly by the Word and by the Holy Spirit, which the water represents. The same water that the Lord offered to the Samaritan woman. One welling from within us springing unto eternal life the moment we drink it (John 4:13-15). Judas whose feet the Lord washed would have been fully washed had he came back to the Lord believing. Like Peter who denied the Lord and the criminal on the cross by the Lord's side who changed his mind and believed, he would have gotten the Lord's declaration: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:43 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 13:8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13:8 KJV).

With noble intent, we see in this passage, Apostle Peter resisting to the Lord's offer to perform a menial task of a servant: to wash his feet. Yes, it's an admirable gesture of humility for Peter to do. But, it's not divine. For this, he did in spite of being reassured by the Lord Jesus Christ that they'd understand this action better later (John 13:6-7). Not allowing the Lord Jesus to do the work He came to do for us precludes us from being part of Him.

This action of the Lord, which He demonstrated on His closest disciples, is opening the door of grace for them and to all of us now, who put our full trust in Him by believing. As we consent to be washed by Him, postures us to part with Him and He with us. It is our tacit agreement to fellowship with Him and makes us His temple. He'll live in us! This, we fully grasp by the risen Lord's revelation later (which He alluded in John 13:6-7) through Apostle Paul saying: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 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 13:6-7 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” (John 13:6-7 KJV).

Watching again this usual unrehearsed reaction of Apostle Peter, looking back at his vantage view of not seeing yet the fullness of the Lord's mission here on earth, is certainly the candid thing anyone would do. Without hindsight, you and I would react the same to one in a position of authority, most especially the Lord, that offers to render us with such an act of service considered demeaning by the usual standards of society. In their relationship as Teacher and disciple, Peter's refusal to be served was an act of prudence by a subservient student. The task of washing one's feet is only done by servants and slaves—never by a master for his own subjects. Hence, Peter reacts with surprise and disbelief.

But, this act of the Master was meant to accomplish a vital element of His mission to bring us into oneness with Him. He came driven by love and to serve. He did not come to be served (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). As His beloved creation who were separated from His love due to Adam's decision to disobey, He came to restore us in His love. So, these lessons and tests the Lord are doing is not for His own benefit, but for ours. Peter's and our act of consent to be served by Him is the key for us to be wrapped by His love. Let's, therefore, submit to be loved by Him. Let's let Him be God! We must have it rooted in us that our purpose in this life is to allow God to love us. That is the only way we can experience His presence and fullness in our life's journey to eternity, “... because God is love.” (1 John 4:8b 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 13:3-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:3-5 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus Christ, well aware of who He is, tells us, His disciples, the religious people and the crowds who strained to do things for men and constantly sought the high places of honor, to flee from these kind of pursuits of empty glory. We find in one of the His teachings that He said: "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV).

Apostle Paul also exhorts us to have the mind of a servant as the Lord Jesus demonstrated in these passages. We must be ready to roll our sleeves up to render service, girded with towel and water in hand do the lowliest yet honorable work for others. Wash some feet! It is written: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 NLT).

And in another setting, our Lord Jesus Christ taught the disciples: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” (Luke 14:8-11 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 13:2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;” (John 13:2 KJV).

This passage should provoke us to keep in mind that the setting of the cross was an evil plot of the devil which the Lord Jesus and the Father has the foreknowledge even from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). From Judas' scheme of betrayal, to the religious opposition and abusive Sanhedrin's trials, to the mocking crowds, to the devil's possession of Judas, Satan seemed and looked set to win. The devil capitalized these events to spark hatred, jealousy, mockery, injustice, brutality, cruelty, betrayal, treachery, and death that follow. These are the things that he also desires for those among us who seek God, His Kingdom and His righteousness. When we choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we set ourselves in a battle. But, for us now in the Lord's grace by faith, we are blessed for the Lord Jesus already faced the enemy and won the victory for us. His finished work on the cross took all the evil works of Satan and transformed it for our salvation and triumph!

This case with Judas is a blaring warning signal that the enemies' deception has no bounds. Even a chosen could fall due to the power of free-will of choice given to all. God's gift of free-will given to man is so powerful that not even God Himself could override. God, being just, always honors man's decision, action and to bear the consequence of it. Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave this reminder of the ploy that Satan uses, which he employed on Judas - one of the Lord's chosen twelve. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24 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 13:1 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1 KJV).

This passage ushers in a revelation of great value, noting that the celebration of the Passover feast is the remembrance of the time when the firstborns of Egypt were slaughtered to soften the hardened heart of Pharaoh. While, on the other hand, the firstborns of Israel were spared, as the agent of death passed over them seeing the blood of the lamb on their door frames (Exodus 12:1-13). Now, on the last moments of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth, who is the sacrificial Lamb of God whose blood will be spilled as the fulfillment of His mission, He spends His final hours with them whom He loved to the end. Such a very reassuring expression of love by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who give their permission to be loved by Him. If we do the same and permit the Lord Jesus Christ to love us, His love for us is forever.

He came to give us His love (John 3:16). Our part is to accept His love by giving Him our consent to love us. This, the Lord demonstrated how we should respond through His parable of the lost sheep. In His parable, we are the lost sheep and He is the man who sought the one that was lost. Now He's found us in our believing. Let's allow Him to carry us on His shoulder. “So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” (Luke 15:3-6 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.