The Gospel of Matthew 1:12-16 (b) When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” ;(Matthew 1:12-16 KJV).

This final segment of our Lord’s earthly genealogy is recorded by Matthew starting from the return from Babylonian exile through a chain of lesser-known ancestors of Joseph - the husband of Mary. It culminated in the prophesied birth of our Lord Jesus, who is called Christ. We remain looking this through the lens of God's unearned provision, love and new covenant of grace.

Magnifying Grace over Human Flaws, God deliberately weaves imperfect and unexpected people into the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ (such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) in earlier segment of this genealogy. It shows that God's grace is greater than human failures and pasts.

This emphasizes shift from Law to Grace. The reason that our Lord Jesus came is to lift the condemnation of the old covenant of the law—which demands perfection that humanity cannot fulfill—and institute the covenant of grace where believers are accepted and declared righteous by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord because of what He has done, not human effort.

In the light of the gospel of the grace of God, this points out that the genealogy through Joseph - the husband of Mary, establishes the legal/royal line to the throne of David, while underscoring that our Lord's birth bypassed normal human generation through the virgin birth—signaling that our salvation and identity come completely as a gift from God rather than human works or lineage. This is affirmed by the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary: “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:30-31, 34-35 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 Matthew 1:12-16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:12-16 KJV).

These verses continue to trace the royal, legal lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ after returning from Babylon exile through King Solomon to Jaconiah down to Joseph, while resolving a critical Old Testament curse. This return that happened during the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia in Babylon (Ezra 1 and 2; 2 Chronicles 36), marked the physical, religious, and political re-establishment of the Jewish people in Judea.

This list of royal lineage through King Jeconiah (Josiah begot Jeconiah), upon whom God placed a prophetic judgment that none of his physical descendants would prosper sitting on the throne of David (Jeremiah 22:24-30).

Because Joseph was a legal descendant of Jeconiah through Jacob (Matthew 1:16: "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born our Lord Jesus in flesh"), He could not inherit the throne through a biological father with Jeconiah’s seed. The virgin birth bypassed this bloodline curse completely.

In Matthew 1:16, a deliberate shift from "begat" (used for all previous generations) to identifying Joseph as "the husband of Mary, of whom was born our Lord Jesus". This shows Joseph as the legal or adopted father who conferred the legal right to David's throne, while Mary provided the physical lineage, with more details in Luke 3.

Matthew’s genealogy of our Lord connects to God's unmerited favor and grace, noting how God includes broken or flawed men (notably Jacob, Judah, King David and Solomon) and women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) to show that human failure or a troubled past never disqualifies someone from God’s redemptive plan. This is good news of Grace to you and I. This, the Scriptures affirm: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” (Romans 3:23-25 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 Matthew 1:7-11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:” (Matthew 1:7-11 KJV).

These passages trace the royal lineage of David from Solomon through the kings of Judah down to the Babylonian captivity. Solomon is the son of David with Bathsheba, with kings listed following - through Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah, and ended with the exile to Babylon.

These highlight that God works through imperfect people and messy pasts rather than human perfection, knowing that Solomon dubbed the richest and wisest king (1 Kings 10:23), himself had a thousand women in his harem (1 King 11:3). The royal physical lineage of our Lord Jesus includes monarchs with severe moral failures, idolater and womanizer. Yet God's redemptive plan to send forth His Son the Messiah - our Lord Jesus Christ, remains unbroken. God promised David, by grace through faith, a descendant through his seed whose kingship reigns forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

This reminds us that God is not looking to condemn people by the old legalistic requirements, but is a good Father who gives unmerited favor and good gifts to His children. First and foremost, He brings all that BELIEVE unto salvation. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17 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 Matthew 1:6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;” (Matthew 1:6 KJV).

In this passage, our attention is drawn to the inclusion of her who had been the wife of Uriah, which refers to Bathsheba. She is the fourth woman highlighted in Matthew’s genealogy of our Lord. This underscores God's grace and His will to redeem a broken past. We note that it is an unusual inclusion of four specific women in Matthew's genealogy of our Lord Jesus—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba all of whom either had controversial, scandalous, or gentile backgrounds.

Bathsheba’s allusion is not as a mark of shame to hide, but as “a story of royalty” borne out of a deeply broken situation. Despite the adultery with David and the murder of Uriah, God sovereignly worked through the lineage to bring forth Solomon and, ultimately, our Lord Jesus Christ through her. The highlighting of Uriah, one of the most loyal soldiers in King David’s army, reminds of the saddest case in Israel, when King David had Uriah killed to cover up his affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-17).

Reflecting through this very informative detail of our Lord’s genealogy should shift a believer's perspective from "earthwards" (self-effort, human failure, and shame) to "heavenwards" (God's grace, the finished work on the cross and the Lord's unmerited favor). The central takeaway from this verse is that God is never limited by a messy history. Just as David - described as a man after God’s own heart, was embroiled in a complicated sinful act, by faith God can turn anyone’s captivity, criminal mistakes, and destructive histories into blessings and new beginnings under the New Covenant of Grace.

Being a man after God's own heart does not mean David leads a perfect life. He commits serious wrongs, including adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah. Yet, by God’s abounding grace, after removing Saul - the first King of Israel, God declared these words: “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’” (Acts 13:22 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 Matthew 1:4-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;” (Matthew 1:4-5 KJV).

Continuing on the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ, in these passages Apostle Matthew highlights two gentile (non-Jew) women of extraordinary and contrasting backgrounds. This continues to demonstrate the unmerited grace of God. Rahab is a former Canaanite prostitute from Jericho who trusted in God's people and helped the spies sent by Joshua to the city of Jericho (Joshua 2). Ancient genealogies rarely listed women at all—let alone women with marginalized or sinful backgrounds. Her inclusion signals that our Lord Jesus came to identify with and redeem broken, shamed and sinful people. Her presence in the messianic line demonstrates that God's plan of salvation was never meant exclusively for the Israelites, but extended to all nations on earth.

Ruth is a Moabite widow who left her homeland and gods to take refuge under the God of Israel to be her God (Ruth 1). Instead of returning to her pagan gods after her husband died, Ruth pledged unshakeable loyalty (Hesed-in Hebrew, or steadfast love) to her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi, and to the God of Israel. Boaz declares this prayer for Ruth: “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”” (Ruth 2:12 NIV).

This emphasizes that No Life Past-Downers Disqualify You. God intentionally weaves imperfect and marginalized individuals into the family tree of our Lord Jesus to show that grace reaches over human failure, mistakes, and backgrounds. Now, by the grace of God, Rahab and Ruth are greatly favored, indeed!

Ruth was blessed by the elders and all the people at the gate (Ruth 4:11). She was favored by God with a son! (Ruth 4:13). And, in the “Hall of Faith”, Rahab is honored as our example: “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (Hebrews 11:31 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 Matthew 1:3 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;” (Matthew 1:3 KJV).

In this passage, we mark the inclusion of a woman who was flawed and marginalized in the person of Thamar with whom Judah fathered twin sons. She is highlighted to refresh us of the mechanics of their relationship. The twins were born out of scandalous way as we trace back to Judah’s sexual solicitation escapade revealed in Genesis 38. While Tamar was originally Judah’s daughter-in-law having been the wife: first, of Judah’s first son Er; And then when Er died early due to his behavior described as wicked, she was given by Judah as wife to his second son Onan so she could bear a child for Er and Judah’s family as a whole. Onan also died due to a wicked act, as well. Hence, there no more grown up son to give her, Judah returned Thamar to live as a widow with her own family.

The circumstance that transpired between Judah and Thamar was one of a bizarre nature. Judah, who sometime later also just got widowed, went to a place called Timnah to shear his sheep. As he entered the town he came upon a woman dressed with covered face who he thought was a prostitute. Judah negotiated to sleep with her with a promise to pay her a goat which he secured with his signet ring and shepherd’s rod. In short, that encounter bore them the twins Pharez and Zara or Perez and Zerah. And Perez is now in the physical lineage of the Lord!

This demonstrates God’s Sovereign Grace, pure redemption, and pattern of working through the broken and the flawed. Hence, for you and I in our flaws - by faith in Christ Jesus who came through a lineage of imperfect people, the Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “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 5:7-8 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 Matthew 1:2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;” (Matthew 1:2 KJV).

We now continue in our walk through the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, that shows it is not a sterile or "perfect" list of flawless people. Instead, it highlights God's unmerited favor by weaving in ordinary, broken, and flawed individuals that form generations of dysfunctional families to show that no past disqualifies anyone from God’s redemptive plan. The mention of Jacob brings forth a man of flaws, who cheated his older twin brother Esau out of his birthright and his father’s first born son’s prayer. He is the son of Isaac who - like his father Abraham lied by declaring his wife as his sister. In Abraham’s case, he allowed his wife Sarai to be taken by the Egyptian Pharaoh to be his wife (Genesis 12:19).

This passage also mentions Judas or Judah, who’s one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Judah and his brothers—the twelve tribes of Israel, highlights how the lineage leads directly to our Lord the true King who comes to reconcile and restore, shifting the focus from human performance to God’s sovereign grace. This lineage, rooted in imperfect people in the persons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, establishes our Lord’s legal right to the promise and the throne, proving that God keeps His covenant commitments across generations.

This reassures us with the qualification for salvation. We just have to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ who came through the lineage of people like us. No denying, but recognizing we were lost but now we are found as we believe in Him. He declared to Zacchaeus, as it is written: “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:9-10 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 Matthew 1:1 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1 KJV).

We open, The Gospel of Matthew - who is himself one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by God’s grace from the tax collector‘s booth, by starting the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ through the lineage of David from Abraham. God called Abraham purely by grace to leave his family to go to the land He would show him. He responded without hesitation. That’s the same way our Lord Jesus Christ sent from heaven to earth and came without hesitance driven by love (John 3:16). In essence, Matthew starts the New Testament straight with our Lord Jesus Christ, showing that God's plan initiates from heaven down to us, rather than from us up to God.

King David was chosen by the grace of God to be the Second King of Israel. The genealogy of the Lord Jesus ties directly to the royal kingly line of David and the covenant promises given to Abraham - who himself was promised by God for kings to come from his descendants (Genesis 17:6), and who himself was looked up to as prince by the people he lived among within the land given by God for his inheritance (Genesis 23:5).

Our Lord’s birth in human form fulfilled God’s prophetic declaration to King David, as it is written:
“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 24:52-53 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” (Luke 24:52-53 KJV).

As we close these reflections of the Gospel of Luke, we remain looking these final two passages through the lens of God's radical grace, the finished work of the cross, and the power of continuous praise. In the preceding verses, our Lord Jesus lifts His hands and blesses His disciples. While He is actively blessing them, He is taken up into heaven.

Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended with His hands lifted in blessing. And, as He is now seated at the right hand of God in that exact posture, we the church, His redeemed by grace through faith in Him are now under the perpetual flow of His blessing.

When we truly understand that our Lord Jesus has entirely removed our sins and left us with nothing but His favor, our natural, unforced response is adoration and honor and glory and praise.

Before encountering and recognizing the resurrected Christ, the disciples were hiding, downcast, and consumed by grief as shown by those on the road to Emmaus. Now, we’re given the knowledge that they returned to Jerusalem with "great joy." This joy comes from looking outward at our Lord Jesus and seeing Him unveiled in the Scriptures. When the disciples realized that Christ had conquered death and secured their righteousness, fear was completely driven away, giving way to overflowing joy.

The disciples’ constant state of praise and thanksgiving, beautifully positioned them for the coming Pentecost. That’s when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. Their tongues naturally erupted into fluent languages of worship (Acts 2:4). This, therefore, reminds all believers that a heart established in grace is a heart full of praise. When you stop trying to earn God's favor and simply rest in Christ's finished work, your life becomes a continual temple of thanksgiving—which opens the floodgates for God’s gifts through the Holy Spirit to manifest power, healing, and peace in your everyday life.

Hence, Scriptures remind us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 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 24:50-51 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51 KJV).

In these passages, we see our Lord Jesus chose ascending to heaven from Bethany, a place with its roots meaning "house of sorrows" or "house of depression". But historically, it is known as a place of rest and intimacy as our Lord Jesus often stayed here with His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ meets us right in our places of sorrow or downcast state of being, bringing supernatural elevation and transformation of our heavy hearts into a place of comfort and rest.

These highlight that our Lord did not leave His disciples out of anger, disappointment, or frustration over their failures or lack of faith. Instead, His final posture with them was one of deep affirmation and love, ensuring that the last image the disciples had of Him was His hands lifted high in blessing with its nail scars itched in their minds and hearts. His nail-pierced hands reminds of the finished work of the cross. The blessing is not earned by human efforts. Rather, it flows entirely through Him by the full ransom payment He made for our sins, securing our peace, righteousness, and wholeness.

He ensures that, “while He was parted from them, He was blessing them." Our Lord Jesus Christ our permanent High Priest after the order of Melchizedek—ascended into heaven while actively blessing His disciples. This signifies an eternal, continuous, and uninterrupted stream of blessing over all of us believers, then and now. For we have a High Priest forever, as it is written: “So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”” (Hebrews 5:5-6 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 24:48-49 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:48-49 ESV).

These passages reveal through the lens of the New Covenant of Grace that witnessing breakthrough cannot be accomplished by human effort, but only through divine empowerment. The risen Lord Jesus commands the disciples to “tarry” in Jerusalem with expectation. He sets them up for heavenly empowerment. This contrasts the Law (which relies on human strength) with Grace (which emphasizes dependence on God). Tarrying means ceasing your own striving, and then - wait on the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that waiting on God is never passive nor in vain. It is an act of faith, resting in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ while expecting the promise of the Father to manifest.

They will be clothed by the Holy Spirit with power. This is about the Holy Spirit's anointing that clothes your natural weaknesses with His supernatural power. When you are clothed with this power, you transition from ordinary to extraordinary setting, allowing you to walk in health, wisdom, and victory without heavy labor. The power is given freely as a promise of Grace, not earned through legalistic rules nor religious indulgence.

Our Lord Jesus having revealed to the disciples to behold Him in His glorified state, declared: "You are witnesses of these things.” This refers to them and to all of us who beheld His glory as our risen Lord and Savior by the revelation of His Word, not by physically seeing Him through their physical eyes and touch. This is our Lord’s affirmation to give equal playing field for all that believes. Our Lord Jesus Christ declares to Apostle Thomas: “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” (John 20:29ESV).

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 24:45-47 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:45-47 KJV).

We continue to reflect on these passages through the lens of the New Covenant of Grace, and the Finished Work of Christ Jesus our Lord on the cross. As we unpack these verses, we are made aware that our Lord Jesus intentionally restrained the physical eyes of two disciples as they walked on the Road to Emmaus. He wanted them to see Him in the Scriptures first. Seeing Him unveiled in the Word, produces true lasting faith, rather than relying on outward, physical sign.

For our mind to be truly "opened" to the Scriptures, we are to look for our Lord Jesus on every page. He uses this passage to establish a primary New Covenant key: all of the Old Testament (the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms) we must unveil in light of our Lord of grace and His finished work.

We must recognize that the entire Bible points toward the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s suffering was the ultimate sacrifice required to pay for humanity's sins. Because the Lord Jesus rose on the third day, believers are made alive righteously justified and given a permanent status of right-standing before God, by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

This GOOD NEWS, we must proclaim to all nations starting in our own Jerusalem. That’s in our proximity and to all within our reach both physically and all through the cyber world. For those who believe the Good News, Scriptures declare: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 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 24:43-44 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (Luke 24:43-44 KJV).

These passages bring us to the ultimate juncture of fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation. Our Lord Jesus took the step to let the disciples see the reality of His resurrection in the glorified state of His body of flesh and bones. He took and ate the food offered by the disciples. Then, He opened the words of the Old Testament scriptures of the Law and the Prophets. This the Lord prioritized to unveil instead of showing His nail pierced hands and feet - the physical proof of His resurrection. Lest they believe because they see. He purposely draw them to believe by the Word.

Our Lord Jesus draws us to recognize that the entire Holy Bible is the full portrait of Him. He said that the writings of Moses, of the Prophets and the Psalms: “were written concerning me.” And the New Testament is all about Him. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. When we see our Lord Jesus correctly unveiled in the Scriptures, our heart burns with love. Fear is cast out, and His resurrection life is infused into our physical body, bringing health, peace, and wholeness to our whole being.

Our Lord Jesus wants the disciples to see Him through the revelation of the Word to correctly establish their faith. Not by physical sight. If faith depended on physically seeing Him, today’s believers would be at a massive disadvantage. By pointing to the Scriptures, our Lord Jesus placed all believers on an equal field of play. True, life-transforming faith is birthed not by physical signs, but by "hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

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 24:40-42 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.” (Luke 24:40-42 KJV).

These passages show us that the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ appears to His disciples. He shows them His hands and feet, and eats with them their broiled fish and honeycomb to prove He is physically alive. Unpacking these verses through the lens of our Lord’s finished work of grace on the cross reveal vital truths for our post-resurrection life as children of God.

Our Lord arose from the dead with physical flesh and bones. This truth matters to us who believe in Him as His wholeness of being flows to give us strength and vigor. Every time we partake of the bread and the cup in remembrance of Him, we are infused with the overflowing power of His vibrant resurrection life. We are continuously revitalized.

As the disciples still struggled to believe despite seeing the nail scarred hands and feet, our Lord dined with their usual food of fish to fellowship with them. This reminds them and us today that He desires closeness and intimacy with us by His grace.

When our Lord Jesus showed them His hands and feet, He draws their focus to the scars. Those scars of grace are eternal proof of His "Finished Work" on the cross. Those scars are crowns of His victory over sin and judgment. For us believers today, looking at those marks are reminders that our debt has been fully paid, and we stand before God with zero condemnation. This, the Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 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 24:37-39 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Luke 24:37-39 KJV).

In these passages we see the disciples’ reactions when the Lord showed up in their midst declaring “peace be with you”. Looking through the lens of the New Covenant of Grace, these verses provide us with several takeaways. This strongly highlights that our Lord Jesus did not arise as a mere spiritual entity or ghost. He rose bodily. When our Lord tells them to look at His "flesh and bones," He is demonstrating the physical reality of His resurrected body. This dovetails with the ultimate hope of every believer. At the Rapture, we will not become formless spirits. We will receive a real, physical, and glorified body just like our Lord Jesus’—one that is completely free from sickness, aging, stress, and dying.

When our Lord says, "Behold My hands and My feet," He is directing them to touch His nail scars. He intentionally kept His scars in His glorified body as an eternal receipt of the payment for our forgiveness. The nail marks wipe our fears just as the disciples' fears were turned to joy when they recognized Him. The scars remove every believer's fear of judgment.

The scars affirm "It is paid". It proves that the full punishment for your sins, sicknesses, and failures was completely absorbed by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, leaving no condemnation for those who are in Him today. He asked them: “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise...?" This notes that doubts creep in when we shift our sight away from the Lord to dwell in our own situations. When we look at Him like seeing a ghost, He draws us to His words to see Him by faith. Then, we’ll see His real being in glorified flesh and bones with nail scars on His hands and feet.

But, for us, no need to wait seeing the scars. Let’s believe the words so we need not wait for the Lord to say as He said to Apostle Thomas. It is written: “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” (John 20:27-28 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 24:35-36 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (Luke 24:35-36 KJV).

These passages highlight how our Lord Jesus Christ prioritizes the Word of God over physical sight, and how His sudden presence brings Shalom - perfect peace to us who believe.

The Centrality of breaking the bread in our relationship with our Lord is displayed on the very day He rose from the dead, as He chose to spend hours walking incognito with two discouraged disciples and ultimately revealed Himself by breaking bread during a meal. Remembering the Lord through the sharing of bread and wine is not a rigid ritual or a mere "means to an end" for physical healing, but a divine invitation to intimacy and oneness with our Savior.

Spiritual Sight Over Physical Sight is emphasized as our Lord intentionally restrained the disciples' physical eyes on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:16). He did this to teach them—and us who believe—to see Him in the Scriptures first and foremost. When the two disciples finally saw and recognized Him in the breaking of the bread, He immediately vanished. This puts us on equal ground today. We do not need to physically touch His nail-pierced hands to have robust, heart-burning faith. We have His presence unveiled in the Word and at His Table of Remembrance.

When the disciples shifted their focus from their own lapse in weakness to sharing how our Lord Jesus was revealed, “Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them.” When you stop looking at your own failures, symptoms, or worries, and instead occupy your mind with the person of our Lord, He becomes central in your situation.

The first words out of the resurrected Savior's mouth to His frightened, hiding disciples were, "Peace to you." This underscores that under the Gospel of Grace, our Lord does not arrive with a list of rules, demands, or condemnation. Instead, His presence powerfully drives out fear and replaces it with Shalom (Peace)—which in Hebrew signifies wholeness, wellness, safety, and a mind fully shielded by grace.

The Scriptures assure us with these words: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 24:33-34 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:33-34KJV).

These passages reveal a beautiful demonstration of divine restoration and physical rejuvenation flowing directly from the grace of God through remembrance by the breaking of bread. We reckon two disciples who walked the Road to Emmaus have just recognized our Lord Jesus Christ during the breaking of bread. The Lord vanished quickly and they immediately rise up, travel back to Jerusalem. And they find the eleven disciples declaring that the Lord has risen and has appeared specifically to Simon Peter.

It is amazing to note the two disciples "rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem". They had already spent the entire day walking seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus in deep state of mourning and depression. Their eyes were opened as they partook the renewing power of remembrance through the breaking of bread. Their physical bodies were energized and infused with the resurrection life of Christ Jesus our Lord. Supernatural heavenly sustenance enabled them to walk back another seven miles from Emmaus to Jerusalem which they travelled from for the day. This, we experience too as we remember our Lord in partaking of the bread and wine.

"The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" The Scriptures completely kept the details of what transpired during this specific encounter between our Lord Jesus and Peter. Apostle Peter failed terribly with his triple denials. Hence, our Lord purposefully sought Peter out individually and privately before showing Himself publicly to the rest of the disciples. Perhaps, our Lord Jesus did not want to correct or restore Peter in front of many, publicly with the rest of the disciples. For what reason? We do not know.

However, made aware that before our Lord publicly commissioned Peter to "feed My sheep" by the Sea of Galilee, He used this unrecorded, private meeting to quietly wash away Peter's guilt, remove his fear, and restore his broken heart. This, our Lord Jesus affirmed when He meet Peter together with the rest of the apostles at beach in Galilee. It is written: “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17 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 24:32 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32 KJV).

This reveals the profound inner transformation that happens when people see Grace who is our Lord Jesus Christ unveiled through the Word of God rather than viewing the Scriptures as a list of rules. When the Lord walked with the two disciples incognito on the road to Emmaus, He began opening the Scriptures with Moses and the prophets to explain things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27) that set the disciples’ heart burning. Their burning heart comes from discovering Christ's grace and personal love, not from legalistic regulations or intellectual knowledge.

The disciples’ state of heart was sad and confused after they left Jerusalem having witnessed the crucifixion. Hence, a heart "burning within" is the Lord's antidote to depression, fear, and mourning. With their knowing that our Lord Jesus is near and listening, resting in His grace brings peace and joy.

It is, therefore, important that believers should chase after our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (the "Healer" and "Blesser") rather than just seeking His gifts, healing, or answers to problems. When Christ is placed at the center of your life, everything else falls into its right place. This Apostle Paul testifies in his epistle, 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.”(Galatians 2:20).

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 24:28-31 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” (Luke 24:28-31 KJV).

In this scene, following the resurrected Lord Jesus walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we see Him makes indication He would be going further, but is constrained by them to stay. When He breaks bread with them, their eyes are instantly opened, and He vanishes from their sight. This brings focus on divine hospitality, the importance of Holy Communion, and total restoration.

It highlights the gift of free will given to all, showing our Lord not forcing Himself to enter in our life uninvited even in His deep desire to fellowship with them. He acted continuing in His walk. He waits for their choice to invite Him to stay. He loves to be invited and be able to respond to honor our desire for intimacy with Him.

The two disciples from the time of their traumatic witness of the crucifixion and leaving Jerusalem toward Emmaus have been walking with wonder. They relied on their intellectual knowledge, churning in their mind the events that unfolded. As the Lord talks about the Scriptures, their hearts caused to burn.

Many wondered, why did our Lord Jesus restrain their eyes as they walked on the road in the first place? In these passages we are made aware that the Lord purposefully wanted them to see Him in the Scriptures before seeing Him in the flesh. True faith does not come from looking at His physical nail-pierced hands, but from hearing Him unveiled by the Word. Hence, He vanishes away at once after them knowing and seeing Him. Because our Lord Jesus did this, today's believers are on the same ground with the disciples; we can experience the exact same life-transforming faith by seeing Him revealed in the scriptures today. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of Luke 24:25-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27 KJV).

These passages reveal the ultimate divine antidote for dejection and disillusionment: seeing our Lord Jesus unveiled in the Scriptures. Our Lord continues His walk and discussion incognito with these downcast disciples who left Jerusalem with trauma over watching the crucifixion, and hearing the news of the Lord's empty tomb. We are provided with several takeaways from these verses...

Addressing these disciples "fools" reveals their lack of knowledge or revelation regarding what God's Word actually promises.

Being "Slow of heart to believe" shows one who is merely having head-knowledge of the truth by way of religion and self-effort, hence are numb to trust wondrous works or are callous to let it settle into their heart.

The core message of the Bible is Christ Jesus our Lord - the person of Grace, not Rules. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, our Lord expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Our Lord Jesus is concealed in the Old Testament - represented by Moses and the prophets, and revealed in the New Testament by grace. Our Lord Jesus is Eden's promised seed (Genesis 22:18).

Our Lord Jesus Christ intentionally restrained these two disciples' physical eyes to see Him because seeing Him in the Word is more powerful and produces truer faith than seeing Him physically. Physical sight is temporary, but seeing His love and grace in His Words creates an internal reality that cannot be shaken and lasts forever. Our Lord declares it clearly: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”(Matthew 24:35 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.