The Gospel of Luke 22:54-55 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.” (Luke 22:54-55 KJV).

In these passages, we watch Apostle Peter who, while reclining during the Passover meal celebration, declared in hype "Lord I will go to prison and death with you!"(Luke 22:33). Now, as his Lord and Master, our Savior is seized and herded by the soldiers for cruel interrogation before the religious High Priest, we see him clandestinely shadowing behind the Lord and His captors. He managed to enter the hall where the Lord is taken warming himself among them by the fire. This moment illustrates human frailty, the danger of relying on self-effort and strength, in contrast with total dependence in the unfailing, proactive grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Earlier at super, before this moment of test, the Lord told Peter, "Satan has asked for you... But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail." Our Lord Jesus Christ interceded for Peter's faith before he made this waver. Yes, Peter falls short of his declaration. Yet, in spite of weakness and fear, grace brought Apostle Peter in the warm comfort of the fire near the Lord. Faith led him here in the Lord's proximity. The hype may have faded, but rest in the Lord's grace by faith keeps Peter in the presence of the Lord.

Choosing to remain in the Lord's presence in our failures, stumbles, even in our seeming successes, and in all circumstances is what matters. We are assured of comfort with these words, as it is written: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 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 Luke 22:52-53 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” (Luke 22:52-53 KJV).

This "pressing" and voluntary submission to bear humanity’s (yours and my) sins, choosing to pour out grace and the agony on the cross over avoiding the cup of suffering, mark as the beginning of our Lord’s agonizing journey. The "Pressing" in Gethsemane with sweat and blood is the start of the Lord’s heavy, emotional and spiritual crushing for our sake, mirroring the olive pressing process to extract oil (Luke 22:44).

The chief priests, temple captains and religious elders creep under the cover of darkness waving their swords and staves to arrest the Lord. They’re given this temporary window to do their dark scheme. This is ironic. They all have the Lord freely available to them as He teaches in the temple daily. But, they couldn’t lift a hand on Him. Our Lord Jesus acknowledges that the religious authorities operated under the quick permission of darkness because it’s the designated time for Him to take substitutionary judgment in our stead.

Our Lord invoking His choice to love, rather than calling down from heaven legions of angels to defend Himself, He willingly submitted to the work of darkness of that hour to secure eternal redemption and righteousness for us all who believe. Yes, that moment of our Lord crossing the line for His arrest over escape, secure us who hear Him and believe. We too now cross from death to life, as the Scriptures affirm: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 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 Luke 22:49-51 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.” (Luke 22:49-51 KJV).

This is an amazing display of our Lord’s divine grace. When a disciple cuts off the ear of high priest’s servant during the Lord’s arrest, He stops their violent reaction and heals the man. This is the ultimate picture of unearned grace that shows the Lord Jesus responds to hostility with immediate healing and mercy rather than judgment.

Grace reigns over retaliation. Our Lord Jesus does not punish His enemies or defend Himself with force in the physical realm. He heals the wounded servant instead, as He does to everyone in His presence. He tells the disciples "No more of this", showing that God's kingdom and salvation are not won by efforts of human flesh, anger, or striving with the sword.

Our Lord shows the heart of the Savior. Even in His final moments on the brink of suffering, our Lord Jesus supplies wholeness, revealing His nature as our complete healer and provider. Hence, for us in this time of our Lord’s post resurrection period, we are redeemed and restored as sheep in His flock by faith. We receive the blessings of His finished work at the cross. His wounds heal us. Scriptures declare: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”(1 Peter 2:24-25 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 Luke 22:47-48 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48 KJV).

This scene exposes the ultimate tragedy of fake devotion—using a symbol of deep love and friendship to commit an act of evil and betrayal. While the Lord is still speaking His warning to the sleepy disciples, Judas arrives with his throng of conspirators. He comes to plant a kiss of betrayal on his Master. A kiss is meant to show loyalty, love and warmth. But Judas perverts the value of a kiss, by twisting the sacred gesture into a tool for deceit, human rejection and suffering.

Because our Lord Jesus experienced betrayal from a close friend and disciple, He sympathizes with our hurts and offers His peace to help us rise above them. Judas being one of the Lord’s chosen twelve, his betrayal cuts to the core. In His being in the physical state, our Lord Jesus Christ knows what it feels like to be hurt or let down by someone you love. He understands you and I, as He was tempted and hurt in every way like us, so He feels our grief.

This is a moment of warning to all that professed to believe. It proves that betrayal and sin can come from close quarters, even from those who walk alongside the truth. He faced the darkest acts of mankind so we could receive unmerited favor. Instead of bitterness, looking to our Lord Jesus gives us peace and the power to forgive and heal.

Hence, God reminds us not to be like Judas who may be physically with the Lord’s inner circle of disciples but not completely in spirit. His opportunity and time were wasted. He was walking with them physically, but not totally and wisely yielded to the Lord’s grace in mind, body, soul and spirit. God’s holy and written Words draw us to this reminder: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 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 Luke 22:45-46 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:45-46 KJV).

The reality of human weakness is evident in the disciples’ display of sleepiness. Yes, they’ve been in a very strenuous night of anxiety and worry for what transpired in their midst. One of their own betrayed their Master. Being fast asleep while their Master in prayerful agony, manifest the disciples’ human weakness and emotional overwhelm rather than mere laziness. The Lord’s call to “rise and pray” when He found them asleep points believers away from relying on self-effort and toward resting in His finished work of grace at the cross.

These verses reveal that the disciples were grief- stricken and stressed. It highlights human frailty. Human strength fails under intense spiritual pressure going through dark valleys. Our Lord knows more trials were coming, and He warns them that trying to face pressure through human effort leads to temptation and failure.

Prayer in the covenant of grace is not about working yourself in ritualistic religious chants or begging God, but shifting your inner vision to see His provision and receive it. Just as our Lord bled and sweated under stress in Gethsemane to redeem humanity from the curse of anxious toil, believers are told to rise out of passive defeat and anchor their hearts in His rest by prayer in communion with God.

With the Lord’s prompting to the disciples, we too are to rise up and pray unceasingly, as Scriptures remind: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 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 Luke 22:43-44 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44 KJV).

Continuing on the unfolding events in these last moments of our Lord’s communion with the Father in earnest prayers, these passages mark the Garden of Gethsemane as the beginning of our Lord’s intense physical and spiritual crushing for humanity’s sake. This is extremely and aptly painful, with Gethsemane as the spot which in Hebrew means "oil press." Just as olives are crushed to produce pure oil, our Lord Jesus underwent deep anguish and pressure. Here, He is experiencing hematidrosis—a rare medical condition where extreme stress causes capillaries to rupture, mixing sweat with blood as He perspires.

The Lord’s agony was driven by the anticipation of drinking the spiritual cup of suffering for all the sins, curses, and filth of the world. This meant Him experiencing temporary spiritual separation from His beloved Father.

When our Lord reached His breaking point and prayed in deep sorrow, God dispatched an angel from heaven to strengthen Him. The angel's appearance empowered Him with supernatural provision of grace, peace, and endurance from heaven to rise up and resolutely finish His assignment at the cross.

Hence, when you and I, as well as every believer, totally yield to grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we are confronted with overwhelming, dark hours of pressure and trials, we’re not alone. God similarly dispatches angels to help and pour out grace for grace to sustain us through all of our agonizing travails. This is assured by His words, as it is written: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 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 Luke 22:41-42 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42 KJV).

The scene is in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Mt of Olives with our Lord Jesus Christ kneeling in prayer to the Father about a hundred feet from the group of disciples. After telling the disciples to pray so they won’t give in to temptation, our Lord Jesus faced a profound human choice: to accept the cup of suffering at the cross or to walk away. Out of deep love for the Father and humanity, our Lord Jesus Christ willingly chose to do the Father’s redemptive will over His own physical comfort to save us.

Our Lord Jesus had the complete freedom of choice and decision to leave and return to heaven. But He chose to stay and bear the cross for our redemption. He chose the cup that represents the agonizing fate, judgment, and punishment for sin that He did not commit. Sinless as He is, He willingly drank the cup of suffering in our behalf.

His decision is reminiscent of the Old Testament law governing the relationship of a servant and master. The law states that the loving servant could go free after six years but can chose to stay for love of his master and his master’s family. Where grace reigns, love reigns. The person of grace who is our Lord Jesus Christ is full of love, because He is love. Scriptures declare: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. And, He chose to love us! In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 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 4:8-10 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 Luke 22:39-40 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-40 KJV).

These passages, showing the Lord’s habit of going to the Mount of Olives, remind us on the importance of having a regular time with God. These teach us about prayer, spiritual rest, and reliance on God's grace instead of human effort. Valuable lessons to take from these verses include the regular routine of our Lord Jesus to go to a familiar and quiet place to talk to the Father.

It is giving us a pop up alert to be circumspect when He tells the disciples to pray to evade temptation. In times of gathering storm, prayer is our rampart to stay standing when strong winds of tests blow.

We must be in total awareness that as children of God in Christ Jesus by faith, we do not need to beg God or stress out to get His help. We come in our Lord’s presence in the posture of receiving. All the resources of heaven are already made available to us the moment we step into the realm of God’s grace by yielding our life to Christ Jesus in faith.

Our prayer declaration is power (Proverbs 18:21). It is not a ritualistic religious chore. It is our firm profession of faith to overcome trials, staying at rest by trusting our Lord’s finished work at the cross, rather than panicking and struggling during times of trials. Prayer is a calm, confident talk with our loving Father who already gives by His grace all that we need to live Godly life. It is written: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4 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 Luke 22:36-38 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.” (Luke 22:36-38 KJV).

In contrast to earlier instruction our Lord gave to the disciples when he sent them on a mission (Mark 6:7-10), here while on the brink of arrest by political and religious leaders, He instructed them to be prepared to take a money bag and to sell his clothes to him who has no sword to buy a sword. This is to fulfill the scriptures that He would be counted with the transgressors. Through the eyes of grace, this reflects the reality that our Lord Jesus Christ did not want a real violent fight. Though, He intentionally had the disciples bring two swords so He would look like a revolutionary, justifying His arrest to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 that He is numbered with the transgressors.

The two swords He told the disciples to bring were not for fighting. It was to provide just enough evidence to appear they were associated with lawbreakers or a rebel group, justifying His arrest by the armed religious guards. When the disciples produced two swords, declaring "It is enough” He was not referring for a real defense against the coming soldiers, rather enough to convince the authorities that are sent to apprehend Him. The moment was orchestrated strictly to allow His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and subsequent resurrection for our redemption.

Yes, He went through humiliating death in our behalf so, we - the lost sheep, can be restored with our Shepherd, as Scriptures affirmed: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25 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 Luke 22:35 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.” (Luke 22:35 KJV).

This is our Lord’s reminder to His disciples of His past supernatural provision, pointing out that when He sent them on a mission without money, provisions and extra supplies, they never lacked a single thing for they’re worth their keep (Matthew 10:9-10). His question was to make the disciples look back and remember how faithfully God took care of them. Viewing through the lens of our Lord’s grace, this passage gives the assurance for you and I, that lack is never God's design for His children who rely completely on Him. The testimony of the disciples saying “No, not a thing” when the Lord asks if they lacked a thing, affirms that traveling light with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ means experiencing abundant effortless provision.

The history of God’s faithfulness is our edifying assurance of His faithfulness in our future. This, David affirms firmly in his declaration as he sets to face and confront the defiant Philistine giant named Goliath. David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” (1 Samuel 17:32-37 NIV).

This is echoed by the promise of God’s words in Apostle Paul’s epistle, as it is written: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 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 Luke 22:33-34 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” (Luke 22:33-34 KJV).

Interwoven in these verses, we see Apostle Peter's overconfidence, the end of human self-reliance, and the unfailing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Peter boasts with his readiness to go to prison and to die for and with our Lord Jesus relying on his own human resolve rather than total dependence in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should note that God often allows us to reach the end of our own supposed goodness or "flesh effort” so we can stop trusting ourselves and choose to lean wholly on the Lord’s grace.

With all of Apostle Peter’s boasting our Lord gently replied that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crows (Luke 22:34). Our Lord spoke without condemnation or rejection. Rather, even before Peter sinned, our Lord Jesus Christ had already interceded for him, declaring in verse 32, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail". These teach us that our Lord uses our failures to bring ourselves to realize we needed a savior, swapping our weak "flesh" for His sustaining grace and ultimate restoration.

Hence our Lord Jesus Christ, by His grace fulfilled the great exchange on the cross, imputes on us His righteousness in exchange of our sins, by faith in Him. Scriptures affirm: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 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 Luke 22:31-32 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32 KJV).

These passages show a reassuring picture of our Lord Jesus Christ interceding for us, as He does to Apostle Pater. These highlight that our Lord does not condemn Peter for his self-confidence, as we too act the same, but instead prays for his faith ahead of time and guarantees his eventual restoration and purpose. Our Lord knowing of Peter’s attitude of relying on his own human strength-as we too do, these serve as alert to Peter for his upcoming test of faith. This alerts us too! We also note that God allows us to come to the "end of ourselves" through trials so we stop trusting our own fleshly “good work” of self- effort.

Our Lord knows that Peter would fail, by the enemy’s sifting. Yet He did not say, "If you fail." Rather He assured him positively "When you have returned...” edifying Peter to not ran away from grace. We have to keep returning back by faith to grace in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, His prayer wasn't that Peter wouldn't stumble, but that his faith would not ultimately fail. This emphasizes that because our Lord Jesus is our intercessor at the Father's right hand (1 John 2:1), His prayers are always answered.

Our Lord Jesus tells Peter and us to "strengthen your brethren" after we have turned around. He puts us in the know that our failures and subsequent recovery by grace qualify us not for guilt, but to comfort and lift up others who struggle, as well. Through Christ Jesus, Scriptures assure us with these words: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11 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 Luke 22:27-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:27-30 KJV).

These passages stress the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ as the ultimate Servant-King who values steadfast fellowship during trials and rendered royal grace on believers. Laying aside heavenly majesty, our Lord Jesus notes, "Yet I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:27). This emphasizes that despite holding all power, He humbly draws close to you and I to minister, to cleanse, and love as His redeemed rather than demanding status recognition in return.

Spoken right in the midst of His supper during the Passover celebration (Luke 22:19–20), our Lord models the heart that gives and nourishes. He honors loyalty as He tells the disciples, "But you are those who have continued with me in my trials" (Luke 22:28). This points out how tenderly He praises His imperfect disciples for sticking by Him, resting in His grace rather than trying to impress Him by their efforts of good deeds.

When He says: "And I appoint unto you a kingdom..." (Luke 22:29), He proclaims this as a picture of absolute security and unearned royal favor—where you and I are welcomed not as servants working for scraps, but as honored royalty eating at His Kingdom's table. And, He will seat us on thrones to judge His chosen people, as He promises: “that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:30 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 Luke 22:24-26 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke 22:24-26 KJV).

In these passages, we catch posturing for grandeur builds among the disciples. It opens the opportunity for our Lord Jesus Christ to redefine true greatness in the context of grace as servanthood rather than mastering over. The Lord contrasts worldly rulers with His disciples by emphasizing that the greatest among them must become like the youngest and the leader like the one who serves.

The scene displays a dispute breaking out among the disciples during the Last Supper as to who should be considered the greatest. Our Lord intervening, points out that earthly kings, "lord it over" their subjects, but His kingdom operates on an entirely different standard. He positions Himself as the ultimate example, noting that even though He is Master and Lord, He is among them as the one who serves.

Our Lord’s New Covenant of Grace does not demand that we exhaust ourselves climbing a ladder of worldly status or power or religious pride. We rest in the presence of Christ Jesus our Lord. True service for sons and daughters of God flows naturally from allowing our Lord Jesus to minister to and supply our emptiness first. God’s children don’t earn greatness through self-driven effort. We receive His grace by faith so we can be the vessel for grace unto others in the posture of serving.

The greatest in the kingdom of God serves and ministers humbly to proclaim heaven’s reign and pass on its blessings to all. We freely receive. We freely give! Totally in contrast to religion where serving is made a professional material resource. It is written, the Lord’s command declares: “And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” (Matthew 10:7-8 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 Luke 22:21-23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.” (Luke 22:21-23 KJV).

As they are celebrating their Last Supper together, our Lord Jesus Christ exposes His coming betrayal, prompting the disciples to question who is it among them would do it.

This comes as a highlight moment of grace even at the Lord’s Table of Remembrance, His love reigns, remains unbroken despite flaws and hidden agenda of someone among His chosen. All of us are flawed, even in our best times of demeanor. Grace is not an artificial environment free of pain. Our Lord Jesus shared the Passover meal knowing the traitor is among those around the table. Instead of restraining, holding the bread and the cup, He respects human free will to run its course. Such is a penultimate expression of our Lord’s unconditional love and intentional sacrifice.

Just as He knew about the betrayal and denials ahead, our Lord Jesus looked past human failure to secure redemption and provide His unfailing peace. He declares: ““These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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 14:25-27 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 Luke 22:20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20 KJV).

In this passage, we watch the Lord take the cup representing the New Covenant to be sealed by His blood that He will shed on the cross. His blood brings total forgiveness of sins, divine health, and freedom from every curse. The New Covenant through His blood replaces the old system of the law with a free gift of grace and righteousness imputed through faith in Him.

The blood He shed for you and I, manifests a personal and finished sacrifice of love, rather than an ongoing religious ritual. The “remission of sins” is affirmed through the cup that we, who believe, are completely cleansed, forgiven and restored. Drinking the cup is an expression and active way to receive newness in life, strength, and immunity from sickness - sustaining our Health and Wholeness.

As the Lord’s redeemed, saved by grace through faith, partaking the cup of His blood often—not just in ritualistic formal congregational setting—keeps us refreshed and nourished by His grace. Remembering our Lord, as Scriptures instructed the Twelve on the night before He was betrayed, and which we are also reminded through the Epistles of Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:24-25), keep us blessed and strengthened until we celebrate and drink with Him in heaven. This, He promised, as it is written: “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”” (Matthew 26:29 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 Luke 22:19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 KJV).

The Passover Meal Celebration or The Lord’s Super is a powerful instrument of grace, healing, peace and covenant security. It is not merely a religious ritual as many religious organizations are doing. When the Lord Jesus says, "This is my body which is given for you," He authorizes a physical exchange. On the cross, our Lord instituted a divine exchange - His body was broken so that as we believe in Him, our body is made whole.

Every time we eat the bread, we are actively participating in the "stripes and lashes" our Lord Jesus took. This act spiritually releases healing to your body, wiping out symptoms, physical sickness, and untimely death. When the Lord said - "do this in remembrance of me" we are commanded to actively enforce New Covenant realities, not just think about it. In remembering, our Lord declares the power of His finished work upon us. It is made available to you and I. In Him, we are justified, set free and dwell in prosperity. “In remembrance” we testify of our Lord’s victory that disarms the enemy and forces him to flee. This shifts us from the Old Covenant of the Law to the New Covenant of Grace. No more rituals!

Partaking of the bread brings us to absolute oneness bound by love with our Lord Jesus Christ. By consuming the bread representing His flesh in faith, "Whatever He is, we are. Whatever He has, we have." It interrupts generational curses, poverty, and mental oppression by cementing your identity in Christ. Scriptures affirm: “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 Luke 22:17-18 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.” (Luke 22:17-18 KJV).

This scene captures our Lord Jesus Christ setting up the Passover meal celebration, taking the cup with instruction to divide among them. He will be sharing the cup of wine with His Twelve apostles for kindred partaking to emphasize relational communion, joyful partnership, and the anticipation of His physical familial kingdom. We note the Last Supper follows the Passover Seder, where multiple cups of wine or juice are shared. In Luke 22:17, our Lord Jesus tells the disciples to take the cup and "divide it among yourselves," pointing to the deep fellowship and unity for those who believe, share in and through Him.

When our Lord Jesus states in verse 18 that He will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes, this points to the future fulfillment of His reign and the ultimate joyous reunion, with all of us that believe, in the Father’s kingdom. In our today’s living as God’s children through faith in our risen Lord, the elements of the cup (the wine from fruit of the vine) is meant to be received as unhindered displays of God's grace and love. Through His shed blood we receive sustaining health, and cleansing from the curse of this world. It is not for legalistic and religious rituals. It is for our purification.

Hence, in this life as we walk in the light by His grace through faith in Him, sharing often the cup of the wine in remembrance, Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 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 Luke 22:14-16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14-16 KJV).

In these intense moments, our Lord Jesus Christ expresses His deep, passionate longing to institute the New Covenant of Grace and the Partaking of Bread and Wine. This highlights our Lord’s heartfelt desire saying: "with fervent desire I have desired" to share the final Passover meal before facing His suffering on the cross with His core redeemed disciples.

In His deep longing, our Lord Jesus looked forward to this meal because it immediately preceded His finished work on the cross at Calvary, which transitions those who believe out of judgment into the realm of grace. This marks His intent to share the final moment of deep intimacy with His disciples to institute the New Covenant through His upcoming sacrifice, and fulfill His ultimate mission of redemption on His way to suffer on the cross.

When He says He will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God, it points forward to the ultimate victory and eternal communion, we-His redeemed, share with Him. Immediately following this intense expression of desire, our Lord Jesus transitions the Passover symbols of His Body and Blood into the bread and the wine, establishing the regular rhythm of grace, health, and remembrance for us - the body of believers. By this, we are made the household of the Lord held together, as it is written: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19-21 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 Luke 22:13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.” (Luke 22:13 KJV).

This passage affirms that Peter and John obeyed the Lord’s instruction fully as they were told. They found the upper room exactly as the Lord directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. Peter and John were sent into the city of Jerusalem on a special mission with specific instructions to find a man carrying a water pitcher. This was meant for a very conspicuous sign for them to follow to the house he enters.

In those times, carrying a water jar was typically a task for women, making the man doing so stand out in a crowd. The disciples followed the man, spoke to the homeowner of the house he entered, and shown the furnished upper room ready, proving the Lord’s word was completely accurate and true, which affirms the Lord’s full control of the unfolding events. This reveals that our Lord Jesus knew everything that would happen and was guiding the events leading up to His final hours.

Apostles Peter and John, marked as our perfect example to follow, trusted and obeyed our Lord’s instructions without hesitation or doubt, allowing the Last Supper to take place. This is such a vivid picture of how God’s Grace work in our living. Without the rigmaroles and rituals of religion, we just have to hear and listen to God’s pure and living Word and follow it.

His instruction is simple. We have to execute the work required of us by believing in Him. Not by membership of religious organization nor following doctrines and rituals, but purely by ingesting His pure Words resting in His grace by believing in Christ Jesus. When the crowd said to the Lord ‘what must we do?’, 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.