The Gospel of Luke 15:17-19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” (Luke 15:17-19 KJV).

These passages show us a profound change of thinking, the prodigal son "comes to his senses," realizing that even his father's house servants live better than he does in this desolate place of rebellion and sin. He decides to return home, admit his sin, seek forgiveness and ask his father to take him as a hired servant. This shows the son’s journey from arrogance to desperation, on the brink of “perishing with hunger” causes him to realize his folly.

The son doesn't just want food; he is in anguish, shattered by his sin not just against his father, but against heaven. So, he humbles and deems himself unworthy to be called a son, showing true humility, he seeks his father to take him as one of his hired servants. This is a powerful picture of grace at work, where the son’s "repentance" is empowered by his realization of his father’s goodness. Repentance is not just an act of turning around and bear sorrow for sin, but coming to one’s senses to realize the Father’s heart, goodness, and grace.

Motivated by grace and hope abounding in his father’s house, the son realized that even his father's hired servants are well-fed with excess to spare. This reminds us that in God's house, we have access to abundance of provision by grace. The world is the “far country” of lack. Scriptures affirm, as the psalmist testifies: “They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” (Psalm 36:8-9 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 15:14-16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.” (Luke 15:14-16 KJV).

These passages follow the prodigal son to the foreign land he travelled, where he squanders all his wealth and faces famine, as a picture of the emptiness found in trying to live apart from God's grace. This represents worldly hunger for being separated from God that leads to spiritual and physical drought.

This forewarns that passion for worldly things only brings emptiness that would eventually drive the sinner back to the Father's unconditional love and unlimited provision. These passages show the futility of seeking satisfaction in worldly things that the "far country" represents. When people are controlled by material desires to "spend all", they inevitably hit the bottom of the pit.

The job of feeding pigs (unclean to a Jew) and desiring its food that no one offers to give, represents how the world enslaves us and fails to satisfy our hunger. Even pods for pigs! Yet "no one gave him anything". In essence, these passages contrast the scarcity of human effort with the abundant supply of God's unmerited favor and grace. For it is written: “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21 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 15:13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” (Luke 15:13 KJV).

Continuing on the parable of The Prodigal Son, this passage says that after the younger son was given the cash value of his inheritance left for a far country. There, he lived riotously. Yeah, the Prodigal Son is described of taking his inheritance to a distant land and squandering it through "riotous" or wasteful living. This represents a person's willful rebellion against God, seeking autonomy in flesh apart from God to live through selfish, immoral indulgence, leading to tragic loss.

The “far country” analogy is a state of humanity's carnal living that is far detached from God, focusing on instant self gratification over divine living in God’s grace. With ‘riotous living’ it means wasteful, reckless, or uncontrolled squander of resources, often associated with a lifestyle of debauchery. The act of taking the inheritance before its time, while the father is still living, manifests the desire for the "material benefits" from the father without the bond of relationship, a complete severance from family.

This is, therefore, our reminder to have genuine faith (2 Timothy 1:5). Without this kind of faith we are warned the risk of a life like this prodigal son. Hence, Apostle Paul draws us to genuine faith in Christ Jesus our Lord in the confines of grace with this exultation, as it is written: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:16-24 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 15:11-12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.” (Luke 15:11-12 KJV).

These are the opening passages of our Lord’s teaching using the famous 'Parable of the Prodigal Son’, which we’ll reflect deeply these several days. We are to ingest these words by the teaching of the Holy Spirit for us get a hold of the Lord’s intent to apply it in our daily walk. We see in these verses a man having two sons. Here, we watch the younger demanding his share of the inheritance early, effectively wishing his father dead against the norms of honoring one’s parents of taking the privilege to inherit only after they pass on. Inheritance is not a right. It’s a privilege that rests on the one giving who and when to pass on. This act represents humanity's rebellion against God. Yet, the father’s compliance shows God respecting man’s free will in the confines of His extravagant love.

In this analogy, the father represents God, the younger son represents the tax collectors and all of us who were once sinners. The older son represents the religious Pharisees (who were grumbling about the Lord’s association with sinners). By asking for his share of the estate before the father's death, the son is asking for the money, not the honor of legacy. In that culture, this was a massive disrespect and insult, equivalent to saying "I wish you were dead".

The father grants the request, highlighting God’s willingness to allow us to make our own choices and deal with the consequences. This story, set in context of the lost sheep and the lost coin, shows that God is set to restore those who fall, regardless of their sins, and rejoices in their anticipated return to His provision of grace. The focus is on the father's (God's) love and compassion, rather than just the son's rebellion - a choice of free will.

God is righteous and just. He can’t take back the Free Will He’s given in the beginning when He commanded Adam, as it is written: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”” (Genesis 2:16-17 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 Luke 15:8-10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:8-10 KJV).

With this parable, our Lord Jesus Christ continues to give a picture of His passionate grace in seeking lost sinners, emphasizing His relentless love as opposed to enmity of sin. The woman represents God, the light is Christ Jesus-the Son, and the search highlights His active pursuit to find and restore people, bringing forth heavenly joy instead of dejection.

Just as the woman searches her whole house for a coin that was lost, this tells us that God is not passively waiting for sinners to find Him. He is actively searching for them. That's you and I before He found and restored us. He pursued us! The lost coin represents the lost people in this darkened world who are valuable to God, even in their worst state of being.

This analogy shows that God’s grace supplies and restores, unlike the law which demands and condemns. It illustrates that repentance is not a terrifying demand by force, but a joyful party of being found by God. The lost coin's value does not diminish because it is lost. Rather, its loss raised its worth for the woman to go to great lengths to find it. We are precious to God. He does the utmost to pursue each and every person in this world, because of His love. It is written: ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 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 15:7 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7 KJV).

God expresses His ecstatic delight in rescuing the lost, which emphasizes the encompassing power of grace over the law. It shows that repentance is not arduous penance of religion but total submission to be loved, saved, and carried on the shoulders of our Good Shepherd. The focus is on the lost sheep-the authentic sinner, and the Good Shepherd - representing our Lord Jesus Christ, seeking for and then carrying the lost sheep. Amazingly, by grace it is not the lost sheep finding its own, rather it is the shepherd seeking to bring it back home.

Repentance under the grace of God is shown as stopping to resist with meekness as a sheep, then surrender to allow the Lord Jesus to save you. He will lift and carry you on His shoulders. In divine joy, heaven celebrates because He delights in restoration, not in condemnation.

The parable’s message highlights that every single soul is very precious in the sight of God, regardless of how far they have strayed and wandered. He never neglects any one. This directly collides with the ironic perception of the "ninety-nine", who represents the self-righteous Pharisees. They think they do not need repentance. Hence, God is actively pursuing the un-presumptive "sinner".

This passage, therefore, manifests heavenly celebration in God’s grace that supplies all our needs, and His lavish love on the lost without condemnation. This, Paul and Silas affirm in their response to the "lost" jailer. It is written: "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 16:30-31 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 Luke 15:5-6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” (Luke 15:5-6 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus Christ continues in these passages His parable of the lost sheep that the owner pursues to seek. These reveal that when he found it “he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing”. This imagery illustrates God's tender, proactive, and relieving love in redeeming lost people. Instead of punishing the strayed sheep, the shepherd bears its weight on his shoulder, representing the gentle, restorative action of our Lord Jesus carrying our burdens, weariness, and sin which He, once and for all, nailed it to the cross with Him. This, we remember this season for the enormous price He paid taking our place on the cross.

The shepherd - who is representing our Lord, does not scold or drag the sheep, as many would likely do, but gently picks it up, symbolizing God's grace in executing the rescue of every lost soul. With the shepherd bearing the sheep on his shoulders represent our Lord Jesus's mandate to protect, to do His role as the High Priest, and His advocacy to carry His people’s burdens. And, the shepherd’s joyful celebration with his friends and neighbors highlights the Lord’s delight in rescuing lost souls, bringing all sinners back with the faithful flock in the kingdom of God for eternal celebration.

The lost sheep is brought home by the shepherd's strength and loving care, not on its own ability to return, highlighting that salvation is entirely our Lord’s work. Neither by observance of the law, nor following religious rituals, certainly not earned! It is entirely by grace. It is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 15:3-4 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” (Luke 15:3-4 KJV).

In these two opening verses from the Lord's parable of the lost sheep, we see the owner "Leaving the ninety nine to find one that was lost". This is symbolizing God's intense, personal love for every lost person which the lost sheep represents. It gives the reassuring revelation that leaving the ninety nine of his flock which represent the faithful group is safe and secure in the wilderness under the canopy of his grace. With the owner, representing God, going with trust that the faithful ninety nine are preserved, He pursues to unconditionally rescue and restore one person who has wandered away needing salvation, no matter the cost it takes.

The metaphor highlights yours and my worth to God. He overlooks no one person. No one is insignificant to Him. Every single soul matters. God is an active, relentless seeker of the lost, sinful, or marginalized, rather than wait for them to find their way back to return on their own. Those who are not saved yet, especially those trapped by wrong beliefs in religion and world offerings, the Lord is seeking you. By your reflection of these passages now, He is on the brink of finding you. Don't run! Don't hide! Stay put and get out of the bushes of religious and worldly devotions. Let Him see and pick you up by yielding to His grace in faith! He loves you! In Christ Jesus we all are loved. This, Apostle Paul testifies: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 15:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” (Luke 15:1-2 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus, with these passages set the stage for the parables of lost things by highlighting the contrast between our Lord’s welcoming attitude toward sinners amidst the religious leaders' grumbling. Tax collectors, who were called publicans, and outcasts or sinners were drawn to the Lord Jesus, while the Pharisees and Sadducees criticized Him for associating with them, prompting the Lord to reveal God's heart for the lost.

This is such a profound picture of grace, where our Lord Jesus Christ welcomes sinners, while the self-righteous, religious Pharisees and lawyers murmur with judgments. It stresses that while the Law, as it is observed, demands work to be righteous, Grace supplies it in faith. Revealing our Lord as the Friend of sinners, this scene introduces parables showcasing God's joy in seeking the lost. He welcomes sinners not to condone their sin, but to bestow grace.

The Pharisees, the priests and the Sadducees represent the law and religion (demanding and proud), while the sinners who draw near the Lord represent those who know they need grace, coming to hear Him, as their Savior. This therefore, calls all mankind to believe and leave the  "world" of legalism, of performance and of religion to enter God's kingdom of extravagant grace. This, Apostle Paul testifies, as it is written: “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:14 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 14:34-35 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14:34-35 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus shows the multitude, with these illustrative passages, that if they rely on their own strength to follow Him, rather than receiving His grace, they become like flavorless salt—ineffective and unable to abide in their life of discipleship. We should note that when the Lord Jesus spoke of "giving up everything" (vv. 26-33), He was addressing a large, self-righteous crowd (vv. 25) who thought they could follow Him in their own effort and volition.

When men and women attempt to live for our Lord Jesus based on their own rules and abilities, they lose their saltiness—the "flavor" of grace, this analogy says. We are called to rest in the Lord’s grace so as to avoid becoming "flavorless". Our posture is not trying harder, but to recognize and yield that discipleship in our Lord Jesus is impossible without the supply of His grace by faith in Him.

As the Lord’s true disciples, we are thus seasoned as we hear to be nourished by the Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). He is the Word (John 1:1; 14) and the bread of life that we take - like the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. In one of His teachings to the crowd that follow Him, it is written the Lord “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 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 14:33 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33 KJV).

The Lord Jesus is pronouncing the core foundation of following Him, that unless one leaves everything and turn around to go follow Him, he can't be His disciple. He says that none can follow Him with worldly luggages towed behind. He directs with profundity to "give up everything," as He addressed the pompous and religious crowd who thought they can gain righteousness through their own works.

This passage gives the message aimed at making people realize they cannot follow our Lord Jesus by their own strength. He draws them to rely on His grace rather than their own abilities. This, therefore, is our call, to listen and respond to come before the Lord Jesus Christ as we are, freed from the shackles of the world, along with its myriad of merchandise and scheme.

As the Lord did to the crowd that followed Him wherever He went during His time in flesh on the earth, He is calling us too. Especially those who are behaving like the religious and worldly crowd, the moment is ripe to listen. It is written: “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36 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 14:31-32 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace for.” (Luke 14:31-32 KJV).

These passages present the analogy of a king assessing his military strength before battle, teaching that discipleship requires calculating the serious costs of following our Lord Jesus Christ. It emphasizes total spiritual preparedness, and evaluating one's commitment against the challenges ahead to avoid "unfinished excursion" in wavering faith.

In calculating the cost, our Lord Jesus uses this analogy urging followers to consider if they are truly willing to give up everything—worldly possessions, family, and self—to follow Him. The king with ten thousand men represents the believer facing superior spiritual opposition represented by twice the strength of his warriors, highlighting the need to rely on God’s power rather than own strength. Following our Lord Jesus is not a casual decision for a hope of a spectacular moment. It is a long-term living commitment of trust that requires wisdom, likened to planning on building a tower or preparing for a war.

The king in the parable with inferior army, sending an emissary before battle to find ways and conditions for peace, represents realizing our need for peace with God, which Christ Jesus provides freely. It is a matter of accepting His "shalom"- that's peace being in Him. And, the ultimate "cost" is simply believing in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, letting Him handle the battle, as we rest in His grace. For our assurance, let us lean on the slingshot-equip young David’s vow to Goliath. It is written, he declared: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”” (1 Samuel 17:46-47 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 14:28-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” (Luke 14:28-30 KJV).

Our Lord Jesus Christ, continuing on His message of the heavy cost on being His disciples, uses the analogy of careful budget planning before building a tower. These passages within the context of grace and true discipleship, give contrast with "law" observance. It highlights that while the Lord asks followers to count the cost, the focus is to rely on God’s grace to finish the work, rather than self-effort. One needs to be detached (hate) reliance on family and self. Then, look to Christ Jesus and totally rest on His grace.

The Lord Jesus while talking about the cost, His ultimate message is about understanding that His grace supplies what is needed. In “counting the cost”, He calls us to be wise, not to operate on our own in fear, but to "sit down" and surrender to Him the planning, whether in life itself or every aspects of endeavors in life. That is our walk in this journey of living. The "cost" is not about struggling in our own strength to meet a standard or to succeed on something, but by trusting in Him to "finish" the work in us. Always conscious, by faith, that He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5).

In essence, with these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that while we should count the cost, we should rely on God to supply all that's needed, the strength to complete the "tower" of our lives. As children of God in Christ Jesus by faith, we are assured by His promise, as revealed through the Apostle Paul, it is written: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 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 Luke 14:25-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27 KJV).

With these verses, the Lord Jesus speaks of hating family and taking up the cross as a message directed at self-righteous, legalistic and religious great multitudes traveling with Him to show them their inability to truly follow Him through human effort. He contrasts this with "grace" messages meant for sinners that recognize their need for a savior and come to rest in His grace by faith. Truly trusting the Lord Jesus is displayed by totally yielding our life to Him above and over everything even our life. True faith is manifest by choosing to follow Him in spite the threat of consequential death. We are reminded: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25 NIV).

We note that our Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to the large, self-righteous multitudes, challenging their superficial commitment. Yes, they go along following Him in His journey towards Jerusalem, but not all for believing. Rather, mostly, they follow Him for curiosity and for finding ways to trap Him.

Speaking of the cost in following Him, the Lord positions these verses within a larger context between "demands" vs. "supply" arguing that these hard sayings were meant to break down self-reliance. In the view of grace over works, this contends against "strenuous effort" approach to following our Lord Jesus Christ, promoting that true discipleship comes from resting in the supply of His grace rather than trying to pay a high cost through working hard in the flesh.

In essence, these verses are meant to show that salvation is by grace and that "taking up the cross" is not about self-mortification, but about relying on the Lord's completed work. This, Apostle Paul affirmed by his testimony, as it is written: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Galatians 2:20-21 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 14:22-24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” (Luke 14:22-24 KJV).

These passages provide the core of the Parable of the Great Banquet, illustrating that because the primary invited guests (representing the descendants of Israel who have become captive by religion) rejected God's invitation, the doors are opened to the marginalized, the poor, and the Gentiles. God’s grace is universal, yet the final warning highlights that those who reject His invitation will miss the kingdom. Yes, the Master declares: “I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” (Luke 14:24 NIV).

The Master’s order to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” is pointing to God’s mandate of the universality of His grace. This is directing to go to the uncivilized gentiles, the pagan worshippers, the heathen and all those hidden in dark alleys of the gentile world, announcing their invitation to come to the table of God’s grace. Seats are set for them at the banquet of salvation by grace. They just need to look on the Son - our Lord Jesus Christ, come, believe and take the seats! This is unmerited favor of grace compelling them to come! This, the Lord Jesus affirms: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”” (John 6:40 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 14:21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“So that servant came, and shewed his Lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” (Luke 14:21 KJV).

This passage shows a pivotal shift in the Parable of the Great Banquet, where the master (representing God), disappointed by the invited guests' (the religious Israelites) no-show excuses, orders his servant (the Lord Jesus and all who are saved by His grace) to urgently invite the marginalized—the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame—to His feast. This signifies God’s dismay on those who reject Him and the swift expansion of salvation to welcome the undeserving, the unreligious who recognize their inability to earn salvation, the broken and the whole gentile world.

The master’s charge to go "quickly" gives the message of urgency. It signals that the window of opportunity to accept God's invite to salvation is time-sensitive. The time frame is notably set by the brevity of one’s appointed moment on this planet or the Lord’s imminent return. For such reason, readiness is of the essence, for by then - after this realm, there’s only eternity in either heaven for those who came to recline, or in hell for those who reject the offered seat at the banquet table of God’s grace.

This passage, therefore, emphasizes that God’s love is unconditional and that everyone, regardless of their past or state of being, is welcome at the table of grace. For those who have not come, NOW is the moment. Come! The Lord loves you, as you are. He chose to die for you and I. It is written, Scriptures declare: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8 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 14:19-20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” (Luke 14:19-20 KJV).

The Lord Jesus, continuing on His parable of the Great Banquet, highlights two excuses of those who were invited in these passages. These represent prioritizing worldly affairs over the Lord’s urgent spiritual invitation, resulting in their absence at the feast. One of the lame excuses is of his newly acquired five yoke of oxen that needed to be tested. Not of an urgent nature, this should have not kept this man from the banquet. Yet, it did, not solely because of the oxen, but due to a blinded and hardened heart. This excuse symbolizes prioritizing material wealth and worldly affairs over spiritual matters. Testing five yoke (ten oxen) implies a significant business investment that the man places above the invitation. It highlights that worldly possessions can become idols that hinder one's response to God.

The other excuse of just having been married, represents prioritizing lateral relationships with family over God’s invite for a vertical relationship with Him. While not inherently evil, these excuses are used as pretexts to reject the invitation of God. It is an alert that earthly concerns unrestrained can hinder humanity's total commitment to enter the kingdom of God.

These, therefore, remind us that being children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, we are directed, as Scriptures say - “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4 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 14:16-18 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.” (Luke 14:16-18 KJV)

In these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ tells the Pharisees, Priests and religious leaders the parable of the Great Dinner Banquet, where a man (representing God) prepares a feast (pointing to heaven and salvation) but is rejected by the invited guests (initially, the chosen people Israel and those who heard the message of the grace of God) who prioritize religious and worldly concerns of land (material) and other possessions, over God’s invitation.

The "great banquet" is the abundance of God’s kingdom and the gift of salvation offered to humanity. It is a feast celebration of grace. The Master’s hail to "Come, for everything is now ready" is the invite to salvation which is already prepared and provided by God through the finished work on the cross of Christ Jesus our Lord.

The invitees’ excuse, to check a field (prioritizing real estate work) displays humanity’s common tendency for temporal and carnal preferences. These highlight that superficial, daily, and material concerns keep people from accepting God's offer of eternal salvation. The excuse, while seemed casual and mundane, is in fact a grave rejection of the host. They show a lack of awareness in the importance of the spiritual feast, and rather prefer worldly, carnal, or temporary possession. This parable shows that many, who claim to desire the kingdom of God, will reject it due to their enthrallment of the world.

This, therefore, is our prompt to be alert, being children of God that the Scriptures instruct with a warning, as it is written: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 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 Luke 14:15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15 KJV).

Hearing the Lord’s teaching to invite for banquet those who could not reciprocate, a guest at the party proclaims, "Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God!" This statement reflects a religious Jew’s presumptuous belief that all physical Israelites were guaranteed with seats at the Messianic banquet table. The Lord Jesus uses this to relate the parable of the Great Banquet to challenge the man’s presumption. These religious leaders are focused on their social status and self-righteousness. The man’s comment was likely a pious, but superficial exclamation, meant to imply he was among the worthy to sit at heaven’s celebration banquet.

Acceptance of the invitation of the Gospel of the Grace of God is the key. Indifference or rejection of the gospel has dire consequences. Hence, we are therefore reminded in this passage to be steadfast in faith, being children of God in Christ Jesus. Not by our merit for being religious nor by our efforts to observe the law. In Christ Jesus by faith in His finished work on the cross, we are blessed to eat bread in the kingdom of God. Eating bread signifies we are in a very close fellowship with the Lord. Scriptures declare, as it is written: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4-6 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 Luke 14:12-14 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14 KJV).

In these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ, now talking to the host of the party, continues to give the message of contrast between the "law of demand" and the “supply of grace”. This highlights that by grace we are to bless those who cannot repay, such as the physically disabled, the poor and the unprivileged. This selfless act reflects God’s heart, and assures rewards at the day of resurrection, in contrast to acts that aims to seek earthly appreciation and reciprocity.

Outlining the limits of human effort to observe the law, points toward the need for the grace of God that can be found by totally yielding through faith in the Lord’s finished work on the cross. In Him, true gracious giving is done without expecting anything in return. This mirrors how God loves and provides. Our focus is on those who are socially overlooked (the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind). They are those have no means to reciprocate. They can’t lavish you with indulgences and paybacks. This sets you in the posture for eternal promise of repayment "at the resurrection of the just," shifting focus away from the posture of instant gratification for temporary gain to eternal, divine reward.

In essence, this is our cue to live by grace, allowing the Holy Spirit to reflect through us God’s unconditional, generous nature, rather than transactional, worldly religious and social exchange. We aim to lavish with our generosity the unprivileged and the poor who can’t repay. Scriptures affirm that: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17 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.