When God Says …
“He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” (John 14:24 KJV).
This passage brings a subtle reminder with a very serious warning. Those who do not love God in the person of Christ Jesus who came in the flesh for us to see, do not really keep His Words. He further revealed plainly that keeping His Words and/or commands is by believing in Him (John 6:29). Yes, it is by believing that the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us to lead and guide us (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit tenderly leads us to surrender totally and depend on His grace, giving Him the sovereignty of our lives. Then, we can give Him our consent to love us, like the lost sheep in the Lord's parable in Luke 15:3-7.
We must realize the truth: only God can work in us to love. We must let Him love us first! God is love (1 John 4:8). It is not by our self effort to work it out. It is by resting in His grace.
He warned us that the Words He speaks are not His. These are from the Father who sent Him. Not believing His Words has eternal ramification for us. These must always be rooted in our hearts, as His redeemed - born again by believing, we are called children of The Most High God - The Father. The Scriptures warned, as it is written: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23 KJV).
In answer to Judas' question: “....“Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?””(John 14:22b MSG), the Lord Jesus gave him a highlight of the essential link of loving Him and keeping His Words. Obeying His commands is the very important work we need to do. And, in the Lord's response to the religious crowd who asked Him "what work God requires?" “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” (John 6:29 NIV). To believe is what's expected of us!
The moment we believe and consent ourselves to be loved by Him, through His grace we enter into the realm of His love. Not our love. No one can love God unless we first recognize that He loved us. Apostle John, the only disciple that profess of the Lord's love for him, reminds us of this: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:10-13 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.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23 KJV).
In answer to Judas' question: “....“Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?””(John 14:22b MSG), the Lord Jesus gave him a highlight of the essential link of loving Him and keeping His Words. Obeying His commands is the very important work we need to do. And, in the Lord's response to the religious crowd who asked Him "what work God requires?" “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” (John 6:29 NIV). To believe is what's expected of us!
The moment we believe and consent ourselves to be loved by Him, through His grace we enter into the realm of His love. Not our love. No one can love God unless we first recognize that He loved us. Apostle John, the only disciple that profess of the Lord's love for him, reminds us of this: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:10-13 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.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:22 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” (John 14:22 KJV).
In this chapter of Apostle John's gospel account we witnessed quite a lot of confusion amongst the disciples. It's, therefore, for this reason that the Lord Jesus early on assured them with caution not to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1 KJV). We can see in hindsight what caused the confusion. But in their vantage view, right in the midst of what's going on real time in their state of mind, it is understandable. Apostle Judas, whose name means thanksgiving or praise in Hebrew (unfortunately now had been tainted by the treachery of Judas Iscariot), manifest his bewilderment to the Lord with a question, why? That, considering the Lord Jesus has often declared to them and to the crowd who were tailing Him that only those who believe shall see Him, as who He is. The miracles and signs He displayed before everyone is the Lord Jesus Christ manifest to the world!
The origin of the name Judas is a Hebrew rendering of the name Judah the tribe of Israel from whom the human genealogy of Lord Jesus came through by the ancestry of Joseph and Mary. And, it is amazing that the traitor would also be a man whose name means praised. Apostle Judas or Jude is asking the Lord, why? The answer to this question, he already is supposed to know. As for him and to all of us now who know, recognize and see the Lord Jesus Christ that the world do not, the answer is our belief in Him. Believing is the key to see! This, the Lord declared to Martha: “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”” (John 11:40 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.
“Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” (John 14:22 KJV).
In this chapter of Apostle John's gospel account we witnessed quite a lot of confusion amongst the disciples. It's, therefore, for this reason that the Lord Jesus early on assured them with caution not to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1 KJV). We can see in hindsight what caused the confusion. But in their vantage view, right in the midst of what's going on real time in their state of mind, it is understandable. Apostle Judas, whose name means thanksgiving or praise in Hebrew (unfortunately now had been tainted by the treachery of Judas Iscariot), manifest his bewilderment to the Lord with a question, why? That, considering the Lord Jesus has often declared to them and to the crowd who were tailing Him that only those who believe shall see Him, as who He is. The miracles and signs He displayed before everyone is the Lord Jesus Christ manifest to the world!
The origin of the name Judas is a Hebrew rendering of the name Judah the tribe of Israel from whom the human genealogy of Lord Jesus came through by the ancestry of Joseph and Mary. And, it is amazing that the traitor would also be a man whose name means praised. Apostle Judas or Jude is asking the Lord, why? The answer to this question, he already is supposed to know. As for him and to all of us now who know, recognize and see the Lord Jesus Christ that the world do not, the answer is our belief in Him. Believing is the key to see! This, the Lord declared to Martha: “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”” (John 11:40 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.
Monday, November 18, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21 KJV).
The "manifestation," as it applies to one who truly believes and rests in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is seen through a spectrum in the light of His love. It is all about His love!
Apostle John in his epistle puts it very profoundly. It is written: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:9-17 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.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21 KJV).
The "manifestation," as it applies to one who truly believes and rests in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is seen through a spectrum in the light of His love. It is all about His love!
Apostle John in his epistle puts it very profoundly. It is written: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:9-17 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.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:18-20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:18-20 KJV)
These passages point us to the Lord's resurrection from the grave at which time we will know our heavenly position in Him. Yes, He left for a little while to die for us. But, He came fort for us to be in us and we in Him. We’re now living in “that day” that He spoke of. In short, we’re now in our heavenly place. We’re now seated with Him by grace through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:6).
Being in the know that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the presence of Father, seated at His right hand (Romans 8:34), we are therefore seated with Him in the throne room of the majesty in heaven where he is. We’re sitting in the presence of our Almighty Father. We may not feel like we are, being still in the flesh. But, we must recognize that all things physical that we feel and see came from the spirit realm. The physical is temporary. It flashes swiftly like a vapor (James 4:14). The true reality is in the spirit that lives forever with God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Being born again by faith in Christ Jesus, scriptures assure, and "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Yes, as Children of God, born again by faith, our position with our Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father is more real than anything we can see and touch. When He says we are in Him and He in us, we must believe, 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, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:18-20 KJV)
These passages point us to the Lord's resurrection from the grave at which time we will know our heavenly position in Him. Yes, He left for a little while to die for us. But, He came fort for us to be in us and we in Him. We’re now living in “that day” that He spoke of. In short, we’re now in our heavenly place. We’re now seated with Him by grace through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:6).
Being in the know that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the presence of Father, seated at His right hand (Romans 8:34), we are therefore seated with Him in the throne room of the majesty in heaven where he is. We’re sitting in the presence of our Almighty Father. We may not feel like we are, being still in the flesh. But, we must recognize that all things physical that we feel and see came from the spirit realm. The physical is temporary. It flashes swiftly like a vapor (James 4:14). The true reality is in the spirit that lives forever with God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Being born again by faith in Christ Jesus, scriptures assure, and "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Yes, as Children of God, born again by faith, our position with our Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father is more real than anything we can see and touch. When He says we are in Him and He in us, we must believe, 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, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:16-17 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17 KJV).
Continuing to address His remaining Eleven Apostles in this last moments of being with them in the flesh, the Lord Jesus promised to send them another comforter. Having reminded them to keep His commands out of their love for Him, they're given the assurance that He will ask the Father to send them the Holy Spirit. He is just like Him - the Spirit of truth. He dwells with them and with us and be in us who believes, resting in His grace. As scriptures revealed to us: He came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He will be with us always! And, we'll never be without help and we'll never be in want!
We, therefore, must remain in His love and not be enamored by the things of the world. His Words remind: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). We'll always be provided, as He supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Hence, now being heirs of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus, we have the Lord's vow given to Israel. We are now restored through Christ Jesus by faith in the domain of His grace, as was declared to Jacob: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”” (Genesis 28:15 ESV). And the risen Lord Jesus, He who is in you and I, give this promise as revealed through Apostle Paul: "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." (Philippian 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.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17 KJV).
Continuing to address His remaining Eleven Apostles in this last moments of being with them in the flesh, the Lord Jesus promised to send them another comforter. Having reminded them to keep His commands out of their love for Him, they're given the assurance that He will ask the Father to send them the Holy Spirit. He is just like Him - the Spirit of truth. He dwells with them and with us and be in us who believes, resting in His grace. As scriptures revealed to us: He came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He will be with us always! And, we'll never be without help and we'll never be in want!
We, therefore, must remain in His love and not be enamored by the things of the world. His Words remind: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). We'll always be provided, as He supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Hence, now being heirs of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus, we have the Lord's vow given to Israel. We are now restored through Christ Jesus by faith in the domain of His grace, as was declared to Jacob: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”” (Genesis 28:15 ESV). And the risen Lord Jesus, He who is in you and I, give this promise as revealed through Apostle Paul: "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." (Philippian 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.
Friday, November 15, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 KJV)
This succinct passage encompasses the whole message of the Lord's holy and written Words when He says "keep my commandments." He is referring to the fullness of His covenant with us all - from the Old Covenant, which was the New Covenant concealed, to the New Covenant, which is the Old Covenant revealed. Keeping His commandments-His Words, hinges in our loving Him, this passage says. But, His Words reveal to us that no one can. All fall short of God's glory (Romans 3.23). No man can love God unless he loves his brother (1 John 4:10). And only God can truly love because He is love. Hence, this text puts man who relies on his self effort in a dilemma. This is an impossible command to observe in the posture of humanity. This should lead us to realize, we needed the One and only way to fulfill it (John 14:6). We need our Lord Jesus Christ by believing in Him (John 6:29), recognizing that He first loved us (1John 4:19).
We need love to keep His Words. But, we are not equipped to love by our own effort. We need to rest in His grace by faith, let Him love us and allow His Spirit to work in and through us, to manifest His love from within. As it is written: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:10-13 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.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 KJV)
This succinct passage encompasses the whole message of the Lord's holy and written Words when He says "keep my commandments." He is referring to the fullness of His covenant with us all - from the Old Covenant, which was the New Covenant concealed, to the New Covenant, which is the Old Covenant revealed. Keeping His commandments-His Words, hinges in our loving Him, this passage says. But, His Words reveal to us that no one can. All fall short of God's glory (Romans 3.23). No man can love God unless he loves his brother (1 John 4:10). And only God can truly love because He is love. Hence, this text puts man who relies on his self effort in a dilemma. This is an impossible command to observe in the posture of humanity. This should lead us to realize, we needed the One and only way to fulfill it (John 14:6). We need our Lord Jesus Christ by believing in Him (John 6:29), recognizing that He first loved us (1John 4:19).
We need love to keep His Words. But, we are not equipped to love by our own effort. We need to rest in His grace by faith, let Him love us and allow His Spirit to work in and through us, to manifest His love from within. As it is written: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:10-13 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.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:13-14 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 KJV).
These passages convey to us the power of asking our One true God for anything in our prayers in Jesus' name. Unfortunately, this form of intimate link with the Father has been corrupted by religion. They brought in human and pagan ideas to keep many out of the confines of His grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of those religions, even claim to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but deceptively teach many to just call on and pray to their 'god' which on the tenor of their unbiblical chants is not looking on to Jesus whose name is above all names. Some pray to dead men and women for help, and even to images crafted by human hands and blabber litanies not of, not for and not in the name of Christ Jesus. They do not glorify the Father who sent His Son to die for all. They look to idols they should flee from (1 Corinthians 10:14). Yes, prayer has been used for, and by the enemy to deceive many.
In these passages, the Lord Jesus is reminding us to just come to Him and ask in His name, the same way a son and a daughter come to their fathers. Just ask plainly, not with many words, as He said: “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7 NIV). We just simply approach His holy throne of grace, ask with thanksgiving in the posture of receiving for everything we need is already given and made available to those who believe in Him. It is written: “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).
So, as children of God by grace through faith in Christ Jesus we cry "Abba Father" and come to Him (Romans 8:15). And we have the assurance that: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:32-34 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.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 KJV).
These passages convey to us the power of asking our One true God for anything in our prayers in Jesus' name. Unfortunately, this form of intimate link with the Father has been corrupted by religion. They brought in human and pagan ideas to keep many out of the confines of His grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of those religions, even claim to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but deceptively teach many to just call on and pray to their 'god' which on the tenor of their unbiblical chants is not looking on to Jesus whose name is above all names. Some pray to dead men and women for help, and even to images crafted by human hands and blabber litanies not of, not for and not in the name of Christ Jesus. They do not glorify the Father who sent His Son to die for all. They look to idols they should flee from (1 Corinthians 10:14). Yes, prayer has been used for, and by the enemy to deceive many.
In these passages, the Lord Jesus is reminding us to just come to Him and ask in His name, the same way a son and a daughter come to their fathers. Just ask plainly, not with many words, as He said: “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7 NIV). We just simply approach His holy throne of grace, ask with thanksgiving in the posture of receiving for everything we need is already given and made available to those who believe in Him. It is written: “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).
So, as children of God by grace through faith in Christ Jesus we cry "Abba Father" and come to Him (Romans 8:15). And we have the assurance that: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:32-34 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.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12 KJV)
All the works that Lord Jesus came down here on earth to accomplish were to bring us into reconciliation with God and with Himself. The miracles and signs - the healing, the raising of the dead to life, the walking on water, the calming of the stormy seas, the compression of time to ferment water to wine and many other supernatural works of heavenly origins were meant to bring us back into the realm of His grace in complete fellowship with Him and the Father.
The same works that we are expected to do while we are still in this world, to bring our fellow men and women into oneness with Him and the Father. We are here as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are well provided with the resources of heaven to accomplish more than what the Lord was limited to accomplish during His walk in the flesh. We have His Words (Hebrews 4:12). He sends the Holy Spirit to give us power to witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). Yes, the Holy Spirit resides in us the moment we believe and are born again. He equips us to be the vessel of His Words of truth from within our proximity to all the web-wide world, in this hi-tech generation. The Lord Jesus in the flesh walked on foot. Now, we let our finger tips do the walking. In a single click, we reach the four corners of the earth. By His grace through faith in Him, in this world, as the risen Lord Jesus is, so are we (1 John 4:17).
The Lord Jesus when asked by a crowd of religious Jews what they must do to do the works of God, “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” (John 6:29 NIV). Hence with emphasis, in this passage, with all the resources of heaven backing us being His ambassador in this hi-tech world we are now in, He gives us the pronouncement of mandate: ““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12 KJV)
All the works that Lord Jesus came down here on earth to accomplish were to bring us into reconciliation with God and with Himself. The miracles and signs - the healing, the raising of the dead to life, the walking on water, the calming of the stormy seas, the compression of time to ferment water to wine and many other supernatural works of heavenly origins were meant to bring us back into the realm of His grace in complete fellowship with Him and the Father.
The same works that we are expected to do while we are still in this world, to bring our fellow men and women into oneness with Him and the Father. We are here as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are well provided with the resources of heaven to accomplish more than what the Lord was limited to accomplish during His walk in the flesh. We have His Words (Hebrews 4:12). He sends the Holy Spirit to give us power to witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). Yes, the Holy Spirit resides in us the moment we believe and are born again. He equips us to be the vessel of His Words of truth from within our proximity to all the web-wide world, in this hi-tech generation. The Lord Jesus in the flesh walked on foot. Now, we let our finger tips do the walking. In a single click, we reach the four corners of the earth. By His grace through faith in Him, in this world, as the risen Lord Jesus is, so are we (1 John 4:17).
The Lord Jesus when asked by a crowd of religious Jews what they must do to do the works of God, “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” (John 6:29 NIV). Hence with emphasis, in this passage, with all the resources of heaven backing us being His ambassador in this hi-tech world we are now in, He gives us the pronouncement of mandate: ““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (John 14:11 NIV).
This passage incapsulate the significance of the Lord's miraculous works to serve as proofs and signs of His divinity. It is a vital truth to stand on for us to believe, that the Lord Jesus Christ is God incarnate in the midst of His creation. This, not only reassures us, who believe in His divine authority, but also challenges any doubts of His identity. It provokes every seeker of truth to reflect on their understanding of the Lord Jesus as the foundation of their faith. This reminds us that knowing the Lord and accepting His nature and mission is crucial for us to experience true spiritual assurance. We can rest in His grace by faith, in our life's journey to eternity. By embracing the truth of Christ's oneness with the Father, as born again believers by His grace, we find peace and purpose in our spiritual lives.
The revelation of our risen Lord Jesus Christ through Apostle Paul plainly declares: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form," (Colossians 2:9 NIV). Hence, it is of utmost seriousness for us to respond His call to believe. It is by believing, that we are spared from damnation, as it is written: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (John 14:11 NIV).
This passage incapsulate the significance of the Lord's miraculous works to serve as proofs and signs of His divinity. It is a vital truth to stand on for us to believe, that the Lord Jesus Christ is God incarnate in the midst of His creation. This, not only reassures us, who believe in His divine authority, but also challenges any doubts of His identity. It provokes every seeker of truth to reflect on their understanding of the Lord Jesus as the foundation of their faith. This reminds us that knowing the Lord and accepting His nature and mission is crucial for us to experience true spiritual assurance. We can rest in His grace by faith, in our life's journey to eternity. By embracing the truth of Christ's oneness with the Father, as born again believers by His grace, we find peace and purpose in our spiritual lives.
The revelation of our risen Lord Jesus Christ through Apostle Paul plainly declares: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form," (Colossians 2:9 NIV). Hence, it is of utmost seriousness for us to respond His call to believe. It is by believing, that we are spared from damnation, as it is written: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Monday, November 11, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:9-10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:9-10 KJV).
Apostle Phillip, as with his fellow disciples, walked and talked with the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh for three years. They saw the miracles and signs He performed. They heard Him teach the message that the Father sent Him to reveal to them and to us. But, it seems that the truth of the Lord Jesus being God incarnate has not sunk yet in Phillip's being. And, sadly, the same reality with many in the world in this present age. The disciples listened to the Lord's heavenly message and saw the proofs of His divinity. The invisible eternal God, who is spirit, the person of grace and truth, was manifest in the flesh in the person of Christ Jesus. But Phillip's myopic mind was still spiritually blinded to the truth, in the absence of the Holy Spirit who is still to come, sought some more physical proof that's already revealed. We ought to grab hold of this truth, NOW! We have the benefit of hindsight and the Scriptures written for us. The Lord Jesus Christ is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3a). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15).
The Lord Jesus lived His life demonstrating to us, we being sons and daughters of God by faith in Christ Jesus, how we should live - indwelt, led, and guided by the Holy Spirit who is now in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). We are to abide in unbroken fellowship with our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus, totally dependent on His grace by faith - every moment of the day, while we are still under the sun.
Hence, Apostle John exhorts and reminds us with these words: “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:28-29 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:9-10 KJV).
Apostle Phillip, as with his fellow disciples, walked and talked with the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh for three years. They saw the miracles and signs He performed. They heard Him teach the message that the Father sent Him to reveal to them and to us. But, it seems that the truth of the Lord Jesus being God incarnate has not sunk yet in Phillip's being. And, sadly, the same reality with many in the world in this present age. The disciples listened to the Lord's heavenly message and saw the proofs of His divinity. The invisible eternal God, who is spirit, the person of grace and truth, was manifest in the flesh in the person of Christ Jesus. But Phillip's myopic mind was still spiritually blinded to the truth, in the absence of the Holy Spirit who is still to come, sought some more physical proof that's already revealed. We ought to grab hold of this truth, NOW! We have the benefit of hindsight and the Scriptures written for us. The Lord Jesus Christ is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3a). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15).
The Lord Jesus lived His life demonstrating to us, we being sons and daughters of God by faith in Christ Jesus, how we should live - indwelt, led, and guided by the Holy Spirit who is now in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). We are to abide in unbroken fellowship with our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus, totally dependent on His grace by faith - every moment of the day, while we are still under the sun.
Hence, Apostle John exhorts and reminds us with these words: “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:28-29 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” (John 14:8 KJV).
With the Lord's declaration that those who have seen Him have seen the Father, Apostle Phillip's instant follow up question seemed unthought of and dense. Perhaps he was not listening, or maybe distracted? He is just actually acting like us in the way we behave, at times. We often fail to see profound truth laid right in front of us. By nature, we always look beyond and wander to the peripheral of the world and see instead the smokescreen of the visual and audible displays of the physical realm. Hence, often like Apostle Phillip, we either don't hear and/or see, then ask so many questions layered with unbelief. If not careful, the smokescreen of the world may become our truth which sadly lead to an eternally and spiritually fatal end.
Apostle Phillip's behavior and question should therefore be used as a lesson for us not to tread the same path. We now have the benefit of hindsight, which is the purpose these words are written for us to reflect on, giving us light to believe and see. Apostle Phillip was privileged to have walked with the Lord in the flesh to learn from Him in the Lord's physical proximity. But He was susceptible to distractions and could not be in the physical presence with the Lord always. Hence, there have been teaching sessions of the Lord Jesus that he was not present. Like when in one instance during the transfiguration where only Peter, John and James were present (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–13, Luke 9:28–36). In the flesh, the Lord's presence was limited by space and time.
For us now, in this post resurrection period of our Lord's victory over the grave, the Lord Jesus can now be present in us always by the presence of the Holy Spirit. He used Apostle Phillip to reveal the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch and preach the gospel to all the towns around Gaza to Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40). He is not closer to anyone than another. He is in each and every one of us the moment we believe in Him and be born again. Apostle Paul, by the revelation of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, declared: “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 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.
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” (John 14:8 KJV).
With the Lord's declaration that those who have seen Him have seen the Father, Apostle Phillip's instant follow up question seemed unthought of and dense. Perhaps he was not listening, or maybe distracted? He is just actually acting like us in the way we behave, at times. We often fail to see profound truth laid right in front of us. By nature, we always look beyond and wander to the peripheral of the world and see instead the smokescreen of the visual and audible displays of the physical realm. Hence, often like Apostle Phillip, we either don't hear and/or see, then ask so many questions layered with unbelief. If not careful, the smokescreen of the world may become our truth which sadly lead to an eternally and spiritually fatal end.
Apostle Phillip's behavior and question should therefore be used as a lesson for us not to tread the same path. We now have the benefit of hindsight, which is the purpose these words are written for us to reflect on, giving us light to believe and see. Apostle Phillip was privileged to have walked with the Lord in the flesh to learn from Him in the Lord's physical proximity. But He was susceptible to distractions and could not be in the physical presence with the Lord always. Hence, there have been teaching sessions of the Lord Jesus that he was not present. Like when in one instance during the transfiguration where only Peter, John and James were present (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–13, Luke 9:28–36). In the flesh, the Lord's presence was limited by space and time.
For us now, in this post resurrection period of our Lord's victory over the grave, the Lord Jesus can now be present in us always by the presence of the Holy Spirit. He used Apostle Phillip to reveal the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch and preach the gospel to all the towns around Gaza to Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40). He is not closer to anyone than another. He is in each and every one of us the moment we believe in Him and be born again. Apostle Paul, by the revelation of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, declared: “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 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.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:6-7 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:6-7 KJV).
The Lord Jesus, in these passages - addressing His inner core disciples, is not anymore speaking in metaphors and parables but plainly reveals that He is God the Father Himself in the flesh. He is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). It is therefore existentially and consequentially serious not to disregard this truth. When you turn away from Him, the consequences are eternal and unchangeable the moment one is out of this realm to realize it.
This truth revealed here, in our present realm in the physical, is the game-changer for the life we live and gain in eternity. We only need to respond by believing in Him who is the only begotten Son of God (John 6:29) and the only way to the Father. He, whom the disciples have seen and knew. He is the way, the truth and the life! It is not the rigmaroles of religion, customs, rituals, traditions, not of indulgences and patronages of persons living and dead - serving and worshipping the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). It is not by observance of the law, which is the ministry of death (2 Corinthians 3:7).
It is only by grace through faith in Christ Jesus that we truly know Him to receive the gift of righteousness (Romans 1.17). The scripture reveals through Apostle John that:“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:35-36 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.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:6-7 KJV).
The Lord Jesus, in these passages - addressing His inner core disciples, is not anymore speaking in metaphors and parables but plainly reveals that He is God the Father Himself in the flesh. He is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). It is therefore existentially and consequentially serious not to disregard this truth. When you turn away from Him, the consequences are eternal and unchangeable the moment one is out of this realm to realize it.
This truth revealed here, in our present realm in the physical, is the game-changer for the life we live and gain in eternity. We only need to respond by believing in Him who is the only begotten Son of God (John 6:29) and the only way to the Father. He, whom the disciples have seen and knew. He is the way, the truth and the life! It is not the rigmaroles of religion, customs, rituals, traditions, not of indulgences and patronages of persons living and dead - serving and worshipping the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). It is not by observance of the law, which is the ministry of death (2 Corinthians 3:7).
It is only by grace through faith in Christ Jesus that we truly know Him to receive the gift of righteousness (Romans 1.17). The scripture reveals through Apostle John that:“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:35-36 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.
Friday, November 8, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:4-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5 KJV)
Confusion mixed with distress and fear always trigger the tongue to wag thoughtlessly foolish. Apostle Thomas being one of the Lord's inner circle of disciples should already be primed to understand what's imminently coming and the core of what the Lord has been preparing these last crucial moments of their being together. They've been given a heads up by the Lord many times of the unfolding climax of His mission here on earth. His imminent departure is fast coming.
They knew that He is the Messiah as Apostle Peter declared in behalf of all of them, who've been with Him all this time (Matthew 16:16). Yet, at a time as this, when the rubber meets the road - so to speak, and the reality of friction is felt, all those preparations fly out of the window and doubt peeks in. Apostle Thomas seemed to have missed that the Lord Jesus specifically said He would be the one to return and bring them to a prepared place (John 14:3). He indicates that they should know "the way to" their destination, for they know the destination itself. That's the message for us too. The Lord Jesus warned those who reject Him that they cannot expect to be where He is going (John 8:21).
We should be in the know too, and always keep this rooted in our being that in Christ Jesus by faith we are secure in the only way to the place where He is going. When the Lord asked the disciples if they would turn away, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”” (John 6:68-69 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5 KJV)
Confusion mixed with distress and fear always trigger the tongue to wag thoughtlessly foolish. Apostle Thomas being one of the Lord's inner circle of disciples should already be primed to understand what's imminently coming and the core of what the Lord has been preparing these last crucial moments of their being together. They've been given a heads up by the Lord many times of the unfolding climax of His mission here on earth. His imminent departure is fast coming.
They knew that He is the Messiah as Apostle Peter declared in behalf of all of them, who've been with Him all this time (Matthew 16:16). Yet, at a time as this, when the rubber meets the road - so to speak, and the reality of friction is felt, all those preparations fly out of the window and doubt peeks in. Apostle Thomas seemed to have missed that the Lord Jesus specifically said He would be the one to return and bring them to a prepared place (John 14:3). He indicates that they should know "the way to" their destination, for they know the destination itself. That's the message for us too. The Lord Jesus warned those who reject Him that they cannot expect to be where He is going (John 8:21).
We should be in the know too, and always keep this rooted in our being that in Christ Jesus by faith we are secure in the only way to the place where He is going. When the Lord asked the disciples if they would turn away, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”” (John 6:68-69 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:3 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3 KJV).
The Lord Jesus Christ gives His comforting promise to the disciples and for us now who believes and rest in His grace in our times of confusion and intense struggles. He is giving us light in this passage in our dark moments, when we feel He is distant and absent, that He is actually preparing a better place for us. Yes, we are assured that even in such grim moments, in this physical realm, we're never alone and never without help. He promised that He is with us always even unto the end of age (Matthew 28:20b).
In this verse, we are given the promise that when we cross into the spiritual heavenly realm in a glorified body forever, established in our faith in God and in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ, we have a better place to settle in for eternity. We have a mansion in the Father's house. Yes, it's a place the Lord Jesus Christ is preparing for us. Being one in Him and Him in us by grace through faith, He says we know the way. It's not by religion. It's not by rituals of remorse, confessions of being a sinner, trying hard to do good and other rigmaroles of human ideas for men to see. Rather, it is by faith resting in His finished work on the cross and by receiving His gift of righteousness. We are to honor His death by receiving His gift, in His grace and by His righteousness we are made righteous in the eyes of God. It is not by ourselves, but by our Lord's finished work on the cross.
We must, therefore, keep it rooted in our hearts, the Lord Jesus will come again as He promised: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3 KJV).
The Lord Jesus Christ gives His comforting promise to the disciples and for us now who believes and rest in His grace in our times of confusion and intense struggles. He is giving us light in this passage in our dark moments, when we feel He is distant and absent, that He is actually preparing a better place for us. Yes, we are assured that even in such grim moments, in this physical realm, we're never alone and never without help. He promised that He is with us always even unto the end of age (Matthew 28:20b).
In this verse, we are given the promise that when we cross into the spiritual heavenly realm in a glorified body forever, established in our faith in God and in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ, we have a better place to settle in for eternity. We have a mansion in the Father's house. Yes, it's a place the Lord Jesus Christ is preparing for us. Being one in Him and Him in us by grace through faith, He says we know the way. It's not by religion. It's not by rituals of remorse, confessions of being a sinner, trying hard to do good and other rigmaroles of human ideas for men to see. Rather, it is by faith resting in His finished work on the cross and by receiving His gift of righteousness. We are to honor His death by receiving His gift, in His grace and by His righteousness we are made righteous in the eyes of God. It is not by ourselves, but by our Lord's finished work on the cross.
We must, therefore, keep it rooted in our hearts, the Lord Jesus will come again as He promised: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3 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.
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.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The Gospel of John 14:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-2 KJV).
After the Lord Jesus revealed the betrayal by Judas Iscariot and Peter's upcoming denial, fearful signs of trouble are building up in the minds of the disciples. And the Lord Jesus in the shadows of His imminent death, assures them not to be troubled. He calls on them to be brave to face up that which about to unfold. It is important for them and to us too, now reflecting on these passages, to believe in God and in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ, in the face of our troubles. The Psalmist declared: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1 NIV).
The Lord Jesus continues His comforting declaration, that as He goes to His Father's house of many mansions, He is going to prepare a place for them - His disciples, and for us, too, who now believe and are born again. This promise was affirmed by Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Thessalonians and to us who rest in the Lord's grace by faith in Christ Jesus. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-2 KJV).
After the Lord Jesus revealed the betrayal by Judas Iscariot and Peter's upcoming denial, fearful signs of trouble are building up in the minds of the disciples. And the Lord Jesus in the shadows of His imminent death, assures them not to be troubled. He calls on them to be brave to face up that which about to unfold. It is important for them and to us too, now reflecting on these passages, to believe in God and in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ, in the face of our troubles. The Psalmist declared: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1 NIV).
The Lord Jesus continues His comforting declaration, that as He goes to His Father's house of many mansions, He is going to prepare a place for them - His disciples, and for us, too, who now believe and are born again. This promise was affirmed by Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Thessalonians and to us who rest in the Lord's grace by faith in Christ Jesus. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:37-38 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” (John 13:37-38 KJV)
With emotional bravado getting the best of him, Apostle Peter - like many of us at times, overstepped his ability to deliver what he declared to do. The Lord Jesus, like what He did in earlier incident when Peter refused to have his feet washed, corrected him again. There's nothing hidden from the Lord, as He is Omniscient. He knows the secrets in our deepest being. Our life is laid bare in His eyes (Hebrews 4:13).
Hence, with absolute certainty the Lord declared Amen, Amen to Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Saying so, the Lord Jesus coveys the message that what He says is the absolute, personal and incontrovertible truth. This is a lesson for us not to boast of our ability and capability to do things on our own self effort. The truth is we can't! Lord Jesus says: "... for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5).
Hence, Apostle Paul exhorts us with these words of truth: it is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
“Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” (John 13:37-38 KJV)
With emotional bravado getting the best of him, Apostle Peter - like many of us at times, overstepped his ability to deliver what he declared to do. The Lord Jesus, like what He did in earlier incident when Peter refused to have his feet washed, corrected him again. There's nothing hidden from the Lord, as He is Omniscient. He knows the secrets in our deepest being. Our life is laid bare in His eyes (Hebrews 4:13).
Hence, with absolute certainty the Lord declared Amen, Amen to Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Saying so, the Lord Jesus coveys the message that what He says is the absolute, personal and incontrovertible truth. This is a lesson for us not to boast of our ability and capability to do things on our own self effort. The truth is we can't! Lord Jesus says: "... for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5).
Hence, Apostle Paul exhorts us with these words of truth: it is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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.
Monday, November 4, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:36 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” (John 13:36 KJV).
One can't help but imagine Apostle Peter in deep thought after the Lord Jesus said: “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33 NIV). With these words churning in his mind, he may not have really heard the Lord's discourse about the new command He gives them. Well, that's how it looks. Considering his heartfelt yet somewhat off the flow query: "Lord, where are you going?" Apostle Peter is one true specimen for humanity. Real and authentic, Peter does not wear masks of pretenses. His questions and statements are unrehearsed out flows of what he has in his heart. He is human just like you and I, who believes and rests in the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord's response to Peter is a climactic revelation to us all who believes. The place of the cross, the Lord was headed to in that moment in time, was a place where only the Lord Jesus Christ was qualified to go. The cross required a spotless Lamb whose blood was unblemished by sin. The Lord Jesus was the only qualified Savior to pay our ransom by His blood on that rugged tree. They and all of us can't follow Him to the cross. But, after the cross the Lord Jesus gave us the assurance: 'thou shalt follow me afterwards.' We, too, can follow to go and come into His grace and rest! This, the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed after He has risen. The angel said to the women in the empty tomb: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”” (Mark 16:7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” (John 13:36 KJV).
One can't help but imagine Apostle Peter in deep thought after the Lord Jesus said: “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33 NIV). With these words churning in his mind, he may not have really heard the Lord's discourse about the new command He gives them. Well, that's how it looks. Considering his heartfelt yet somewhat off the flow query: "Lord, where are you going?" Apostle Peter is one true specimen for humanity. Real and authentic, Peter does not wear masks of pretenses. His questions and statements are unrehearsed out flows of what he has in his heart. He is human just like you and I, who believes and rests in the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord's response to Peter is a climactic revelation to us all who believes. The place of the cross, the Lord was headed to in that moment in time, was a place where only the Lord Jesus Christ was qualified to go. The cross required a spotless Lamb whose blood was unblemished by sin. The Lord Jesus was the only qualified Savior to pay our ransom by His blood on that rugged tree. They and all of us can't follow Him to the cross. But, after the cross the Lord Jesus gave us the assurance: 'thou shalt follow me afterwards.' We, too, can follow to go and come into His grace and rest! This, the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed after He has risen. The angel said to the women in the empty tomb: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”” (Mark 16:7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:34-35 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV).
Reflecting on these passages through the lens of our Lord's true gospel of grace and truth, by being in the know that love is God and God is love, we'll know we are now under a new covenant with God. In the old covenant of the law, the command to love was based on man's self effort - "love your neighbor as yourself." Now, we are to love by His love: "That ye love one another; as I have loved you,". The Lord Jesus raised the bar of this command to the highest level that only He can fulfill. That, considering that the command of the law to love our neighbor as we love ourselves no one has ever done and will ever do, as scriptures say: all have sinned (Romans 3:23). No one was made righteous by the law (Galatians 2:16a NLT). The law was given to increase sin (Romans 5:20a).
Now, the Lord Jesus Christ gives a new command, raised to the highest standard - His love! How can we, you and I, ever do this? The answer is: we can't! We can only manifest this love by totally surrendering to our Lord's grace by believing on Him. We must rest in His grace! And as God is love, we are to let Him love us by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must let Him love us and declare "I am the beloved of Christ Jesus my Lord." It is all and only through abiding in Christ Jesus by our confession of faith, as the Scriptures say: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:15-17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV).
Reflecting on these passages through the lens of our Lord's true gospel of grace and truth, by being in the know that love is God and God is love, we'll know we are now under a new covenant with God. In the old covenant of the law, the command to love was based on man's self effort - "love your neighbor as yourself." Now, we are to love by His love: "That ye love one another; as I have loved you,". The Lord Jesus raised the bar of this command to the highest level that only He can fulfill. That, considering that the command of the law to love our neighbor as we love ourselves no one has ever done and will ever do, as scriptures say: all have sinned (Romans 3:23). No one was made righteous by the law (Galatians 2:16a NLT). The law was given to increase sin (Romans 5:20a).
Now, the Lord Jesus Christ gives a new command, raised to the highest standard - His love! How can we, you and I, ever do this? The answer is: we can't! We can only manifest this love by totally surrendering to our Lord's grace by believing on Him. We must rest in His grace! And as God is love, we are to let Him love us by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must let Him love us and declare "I am the beloved of Christ Jesus my Lord." It is all and only through abiding in Christ Jesus by our confession of faith, as the Scriptures say: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:15-17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:33 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” (John 13:33 KJV).
The Lord Jesus in a pivotal moment sets a strong bond with His disciples, addressing them with endearment as 'little children'. He is giving His beloved young disciples a heads up that His time with them in the flesh is getting short. The hour is heading fast towards His impending arrest by the religious authorities orchestrated by Judas, the traitor. Literally, in few hours, He will be taken in front of their very eyes like a criminal, though He committed nothing to warrant as such.
He warned them, like He said to the religious leadership of the Jews, that where He is going, they (too) can't come. He is referring to his imminent crucifixion, death, burial and rise from the grave. This is a mission He is sent for, that no one else can do. There is none among humans who's spotless to shed their blood to cleanse us and restore our life to the place of oneness with our Creator and heavenly Father. Yes, it is only - “The precious blood of Christ, being the Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” (John 13:33 KJV).
The Lord Jesus in a pivotal moment sets a strong bond with His disciples, addressing them with endearment as 'little children'. He is giving His beloved young disciples a heads up that His time with them in the flesh is getting short. The hour is heading fast towards His impending arrest by the religious authorities orchestrated by Judas, the traitor. Literally, in few hours, He will be taken in front of their very eyes like a criminal, though He committed nothing to warrant as such.
He warned them, like He said to the religious leadership of the Jews, that where He is going, they (too) can't come. He is referring to his imminent crucifixion, death, burial and rise from the grave. This is a mission He is sent for, that no one else can do. There is none among humans who's spotless to shed their blood to cleanse us and restore our life to the place of oneness with our Creator and heavenly Father. Yes, it is only - “The precious blood of Christ, being the Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Friday, November 1, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:31-32 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” (John 13:31-32 KJV).
These passages reveal that when Judas was gone to accomplish his betrayal on his Master, the stage for the Lord our Savior to be glorified was set. The cross was fixed to bring glory both to God the Father and God the Son. It calls on us to bring God glory through our faith and total dependence on His grace resting on the finished work on the cross.
Apostle Paul, whom the risen Lord Jesus chose to reveal the fulness of His gospel of grace, exhorts with these words his fellow Jews and us too, the gentile nations, to reflect on: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15-16 NIV).
It is amazing how the denominational religions of this present age cling to their doctrines of trying hard in self effort to observe the law. Consider this, the resurrected Lord, further declared through Apostle Paul saying: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”” (Galatians 2:21 NIV).
Our hope of glory is, therefore, by glorifying our Father through our believing in our Lord Jesus Christ, totally dependent on Him through His grace. Yes, not by works of religion or by any human efforts, but by faith. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” (John 13:31-32 KJV).
These passages reveal that when Judas was gone to accomplish his betrayal on his Master, the stage for the Lord our Savior to be glorified was set. The cross was fixed to bring glory both to God the Father and God the Son. It calls on us to bring God glory through our faith and total dependence on His grace resting on the finished work on the cross.
Apostle Paul, whom the risen Lord Jesus chose to reveal the fulness of His gospel of grace, exhorts with these words his fellow Jews and us too, the gentile nations, to reflect on: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15-16 NIV).
It is amazing how the denominational religions of this present age cling to their doctrines of trying hard in self effort to observe the law. Consider this, the resurrected Lord, further declared through Apostle Paul saying: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”” (Galatians 2:21 NIV).
Our hope of glory is, therefore, by glorifying our Father through our believing in our Lord Jesus Christ, totally dependent on Him through His grace. Yes, not by works of religion or by any human efforts, but by faith. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:28-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” (John 13:28-30 KJV)
When the Lord Jesus Christ tells the devil-possessed Judas Iscariot to hurry and do what he needs to do to accomplish his treachery (John 13:27), none of the other men put the pieces together. They just assumed the Lord sent him on an errand. Judas's role in the Lord's inner circle of disciples was that of treasurer. In fact, some of the other disciples were somehow in the know that he was embezzling money for his own use (John 12:4–6).
As these passages reveal, the other disciples were entirely unsure what task the Lord sent Judas for. But, they assumed it was legitimate. With all these background of confusion, it is reflective of the state of humanity under the influence of darkness. Being in the know that it is the nature of the world, with its distractions and noise, these passages nudge us to hone in and strain on God's holy and written Words. Lest we'd miss it too.
Yes, sadly, Judas hurriedly went out into the night to do his work in the dark. He is a lesson for us, to instead step into the light, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by faith. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” (John 13:28-30 KJV)
When the Lord Jesus Christ tells the devil-possessed Judas Iscariot to hurry and do what he needs to do to accomplish his treachery (John 13:27), none of the other men put the pieces together. They just assumed the Lord sent him on an errand. Judas's role in the Lord's inner circle of disciples was that of treasurer. In fact, some of the other disciples were somehow in the know that he was embezzling money for his own use (John 12:4–6).
As these passages reveal, the other disciples were entirely unsure what task the Lord sent Judas for. But, they assumed it was legitimate. With all these background of confusion, it is reflective of the state of humanity under the influence of darkness. Being in the know that it is the nature of the world, with its distractions and noise, these passages nudge us to hone in and strain on God's holy and written Words. Lest we'd miss it too.
Yes, sadly, Judas hurriedly went out into the night to do his work in the dark. He is a lesson for us, to instead step into the light, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by faith. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:25-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:25-27 KJV).
The scene shows the closeness of John the beloved to the Lord, like a son leaning on his father's chest, when he asked probably in whisper, Lord who is the betrayer? And, the Lord's answer may not have been audible to all around the supper table. Their customary table setting in that era, when gathered for special meal like this one, each one sits leaning on their side enjoying their meal. It is very likely that they all didn't hear clearly when the Lord revealed Judas as the traitor. Hence, they all missed the cue when the Lord instructed Judas to do quickly what he needs to do.
In Matthew's account, he indicates that Judas directly asks the Lord if the prediction is about him. Matthew also records that the Lord gives Judas a direct answer (Matthew 26:25). And, no one seems to realize. Here, John fills in what Matthew leaves out. In the buzz and commotion of the moment, this exchange between the Lord and Judas is partly lost. Different disciples hear different things, but no one gets enough information to clearly understand, especially when the Lord shared food with Judas which in the culture of that time, carried the meaning of friendship and peace.
Mark's account of that event, tells of a poignant moment of sorrow among the disciples. Which, we should mirror on to see the importance of total dependence in His grace by faith in Christ Jesus. Turning away from the Lord carries a very serious life ramification. Scriptures say: “And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”” (Mark 14:17-21 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
“He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:25-27 KJV).
The scene shows the closeness of John the beloved to the Lord, like a son leaning on his father's chest, when he asked probably in whisper, Lord who is the betrayer? And, the Lord's answer may not have been audible to all around the supper table. Their customary table setting in that era, when gathered for special meal like this one, each one sits leaning on their side enjoying their meal. It is very likely that they all didn't hear clearly when the Lord revealed Judas as the traitor. Hence, they all missed the cue when the Lord instructed Judas to do quickly what he needs to do.
In Matthew's account, he indicates that Judas directly asks the Lord if the prediction is about him. Matthew also records that the Lord gives Judas a direct answer (Matthew 26:25). And, no one seems to realize. Here, John fills in what Matthew leaves out. In the buzz and commotion of the moment, this exchange between the Lord and Judas is partly lost. Different disciples hear different things, but no one gets enough information to clearly understand, especially when the Lord shared food with Judas which in the culture of that time, carried the meaning of friendship and peace.
Mark's account of that event, tells of a poignant moment of sorrow among the disciples. Which, we should mirror on to see the importance of total dependence in His grace by faith in Christ Jesus. Turning away from the Lord carries a very serious life ramification. Scriptures say: “And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”” (Mark 14:17-21 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:22-24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” (John 13:22-24 KJV).
In the midst of such troubling news, the disciples who were confused, in doubt and taken by surprise, were relieved to have an elder brother in their midst like Peter who's authentic and real. They were all taken aback searching each other's eyes, perhaps asking in their minds: who'd that be? With Peter present who is such a man just like many of us, if not all, is quite handy. He is imperfect, frailty and just at times by impulse jump in the fray. He is one who always boasts his love for the Lord, yet distant. But, the good aspect of him is that he can easily let it go, like a child one moment dismayed, then recovers in an instant. He easily accepts correction and rebuke for missteps he does.
Here in these passages, we see that on display. Seeing his younger brethren in an uneasy state, bewildered and unsure what to do, he stepped in to break the ice of bewilderment. Observing John, the youngest, who in contrast with Peter, often declares of himself as the disciple that the Lord loves, reclining closely on the Lord's bosom , Peter motioned him to ask the Lord, who? They're anxious to know: who'll betray Him? This scene is the ambience we have when we rest in grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We can come to Him as we are. We need not wear fancy attires of pretenses and make-overs. No matter what state we are, He loves us. We can can come broken and filthy. We can come to Him in our deepest need. Scriptures say: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.” (John 13:22-24 KJV).
In the midst of such troubling news, the disciples who were confused, in doubt and taken by surprise, were relieved to have an elder brother in their midst like Peter who's authentic and real. They were all taken aback searching each other's eyes, perhaps asking in their minds: who'd that be? With Peter present who is such a man just like many of us, if not all, is quite handy. He is imperfect, frailty and just at times by impulse jump in the fray. He is one who always boasts his love for the Lord, yet distant. But, the good aspect of him is that he can easily let it go, like a child one moment dismayed, then recovers in an instant. He easily accepts correction and rebuke for missteps he does.
Here in these passages, we see that on display. Seeing his younger brethren in an uneasy state, bewildered and unsure what to do, he stepped in to break the ice of bewilderment. Observing John, the youngest, who in contrast with Peter, often declares of himself as the disciple that the Lord loves, reclining closely on the Lord's bosom , Peter motioned him to ask the Lord, who? They're anxious to know: who'll betray Him? This scene is the ambience we have when we rest in grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We can come to Him as we are. We need not wear fancy attires of pretenses and make-overs. No matter what state we are, He loves us. We can can come broken and filthy. We can come to Him in our deepest need. Scriptures say: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Monday, October 28, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” (John 13:21 KJV).
This announcement by the Lord Jesus Christ of a betrayal, by one of His chosen apostles, brought in a very poignant moment of complex emotions during the last meal that He celebrated and shared with His young disciples. We can feel the stirring impact of the confusing reality of convergence between human choice and divine foreknowledge. The colliding paradox of joy and sorrow, the magnitude of which was beyond to grasp as it transpired, reminds us of the friction between divine sovereignty and human frailty. By this, the Lord Jesus illustrates that God's plan of salvation encompasses man's every decision. Though Judas's free will to choose was essential to the fulfillment of the prophesied climax of the Lord's mission to rescue us, He was saddened by the fall of one of His beloved disciples. The sins of His followers, including Judas - as well as you and I who believe in Him, affect Him deeply, as He carried them to the cross.
Hence, as His redeemed by grace, when we fall and we will - being still in the world, we must therefore honor His finished work on the cross by resting in His grace, rise and draw unto Him for our restoration, as Peter did (John 21:15-17) after denying Him (Matthew 26:59-75). The Lord's death was the ransom for the sins of many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). This, the risen Lord Jesus Christ affirmed through Apostle Paul's epistle, as it is written: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” (John 13:21 KJV).
This announcement by the Lord Jesus Christ of a betrayal, by one of His chosen apostles, brought in a very poignant moment of complex emotions during the last meal that He celebrated and shared with His young disciples. We can feel the stirring impact of the confusing reality of convergence between human choice and divine foreknowledge. The colliding paradox of joy and sorrow, the magnitude of which was beyond to grasp as it transpired, reminds us of the friction between divine sovereignty and human frailty. By this, the Lord Jesus illustrates that God's plan of salvation encompasses man's every decision. Though Judas's free will to choose was essential to the fulfillment of the prophesied climax of the Lord's mission to rescue us, He was saddened by the fall of one of His beloved disciples. The sins of His followers, including Judas - as well as you and I who believe in Him, affect Him deeply, as He carried them to the cross.
Hence, as His redeemed by grace, when we fall and we will - being still in the world, we must therefore honor His finished work on the cross by resting in His grace, rise and draw unto Him for our restoration, as Peter did (John 21:15-17) after denying Him (Matthew 26:59-75). The Lord's death was the ransom for the sins of many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). This, the risen Lord Jesus Christ affirmed through Apostle Paul's epistle, as it is written: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (John 13:20 KJV).
This passage emphasizes the Lord's reaffirmation that we, who received the gospel of the grace of God by faith (Acts 20:24), are the vehicles used to proclaim this good news to many. That's you and I, who are born again by faith through the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not by rituals of religion! We are, therefore, sent to the world at large to deliver this gospel of great joy, which was first proclaimed by the angel to the shepherds in the fields, as it is written: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 NIV).
Hence, this gives us a very profound revelation how important the assignment we are entrusted with. We are sent in His name! He who receives us and whomever He sent, receives Him and the Father, who sent our Lord Jesus Christ. Its implication reverberates in heaven. Those who receive us, receive the loving and sovereign God who we represent. “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
We, who are born again - saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, are His ambassadors delivering the message of reconciliation to the world. This, the risen Lord Jesus revealed through Apostle Paul. “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (John 13:20 KJV).
This passage emphasizes the Lord's reaffirmation that we, who received the gospel of the grace of God by faith (Acts 20:24), are the vehicles used to proclaim this good news to many. That's you and I, who are born again by faith through the abounding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not by rituals of religion! We are, therefore, sent to the world at large to deliver this gospel of great joy, which was first proclaimed by the angel to the shepherds in the fields, as it is written: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 NIV).
Hence, this gives us a very profound revelation how important the assignment we are entrusted with. We are sent in His name! He who receives us and whomever He sent, receives Him and the Father, who sent our Lord Jesus Christ. Its implication reverberates in heaven. Those who receive us, receive the loving and sovereign God who we represent. “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
We, who are born again - saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, are His ambassadors delivering the message of reconciliation to the world. This, the risen Lord Jesus revealed through Apostle Paul. “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:18-19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” (John 13:18-19 KJV).
Here in these passages, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealing another sign of who He is to the disciples and to us now reflecting on these verses. Alluding to His earlier statement of them, and us all, that knowing the value of humility and service will be blessed, He clarifies that it is not all who have knowledge are blessed. In the case of the disciples whom He has chosen, He knew from the start that one of them will betray Him. Being chosen does not revoke man's free will of choice for the decisions and actions he takes forward. God is just and righteous. He honors man's freedom and liberty, like the Lord Jesus recognize with sadness the direction that Judas has taken to "lift his heel against him" to fulfill what has been prophesied.
Blasphemy against the Spirit, words spoken against the Son of God in unbelief, is the only sin unforgivable (Matthew 12:30-32; Hebrews 3:19). If Judas had chosen to believe, God's grace is more than enough to embrace him by His love. The Lord Jesus died for Judas' sin, as He died for the sins of the world. It is by believing and coming to the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved and set free from the chain of sin - past, present and future.
With this teaching of the Lord, Judas was present. Unfortunately, like many today who are present and heard God's Words of assurance being shared, Judas chose not to hear. If he did, he would heard the same words spoken to a Roman jailer of Paul & Silas. It is written: “And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”” (Acts 16:29-31 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” (John 13:18-19 KJV).
Here in these passages, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealing another sign of who He is to the disciples and to us now reflecting on these verses. Alluding to His earlier statement of them, and us all, that knowing the value of humility and service will be blessed, He clarifies that it is not all who have knowledge are blessed. In the case of the disciples whom He has chosen, He knew from the start that one of them will betray Him. Being chosen does not revoke man's free will of choice for the decisions and actions he takes forward. God is just and righteous. He honors man's freedom and liberty, like the Lord Jesus recognize with sadness the direction that Judas has taken to "lift his heel against him" to fulfill what has been prophesied.
Blasphemy against the Spirit, words spoken against the Son of God in unbelief, is the only sin unforgivable (Matthew 12:30-32; Hebrews 3:19). If Judas had chosen to believe, God's grace is more than enough to embrace him by His love. The Lord Jesus died for Judas' sin, as He died for the sins of the world. It is by believing and coming to the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved and set free from the chain of sin - past, present and future.
With this teaching of the Lord, Judas was present. Unfortunately, like many today who are present and heard God's Words of assurance being shared, Judas chose not to hear. If he did, he would heard the same words spoken to a Roman jailer of Paul & Silas. It is written: “And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”” (Acts 16:29-31 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Friday, October 25, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:16-17 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:16-17 KJV).
In these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ pointedly gives us the promise that obedience to our knowledge of the Truth will “always” be blessed. Knowledge can be a very powerful tool if used right. The Bible tells us that head knowledge alone hypes up yet it is love which edifies. Love manifest is the amplification of knowledge revealed and received. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV).
Emphasizing His Lordship to the disciples and to us all, the Lord Jesus in His example is eliminating any excuse for us to shirk humility and service (John 13:14–15). We are expected to serve by the unction of the Holy Spirit resting in His grace, through faith in Him. With this knowledge, we must be rooted in total dependence in Him. We must totally rely in the finished work He did on the cross. Now, in this post resurrection period, we are blessed to do what we know that, we being the righteousness of God shall serve well by faith. We look to what the Lord Jesus did, and believe in Him. Not on what we do by works of the law (Galatians 2:16) - we can't! No one is justified by works of the law, through it comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Scriptures authoritatively declare: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17 NIV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:16-17 KJV).
In these passages, our Lord Jesus Christ pointedly gives us the promise that obedience to our knowledge of the Truth will “always” be blessed. Knowledge can be a very powerful tool if used right. The Bible tells us that head knowledge alone hypes up yet it is love which edifies. Love manifest is the amplification of knowledge revealed and received. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV).
Emphasizing His Lordship to the disciples and to us all, the Lord Jesus in His example is eliminating any excuse for us to shirk humility and service (John 13:14–15). We are expected to serve by the unction of the Holy Spirit resting in His grace, through faith in Him. With this knowledge, we must be rooted in total dependence in Him. We must totally rely in the finished work He did on the cross. Now, in this post resurrection period, we are blessed to do what we know that, we being the righteousness of God shall serve well by faith. We look to what the Lord Jesus did, and believe in Him. Not on what we do by works of the law (Galatians 2:16) - we can't! No one is justified by works of the law, through it comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Scriptures authoritatively declare: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17 NIV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:12-15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15 KJV).
These passages give us a very deep demonstration of our Lord Jesus Christ serving His disciples the lowliest task a servant does. The Lord and Master washed the feet of His students. These passages drive home a very strong lesson that we, being brothers and sisters, and members of the body of Christ Jesus, are equal servants to one another. No one is above the other and no one is closer to God than the other. The Lord is as close to you as to me, as we put our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:17-21).
The risen Lord Jesus is in us, as we in Him, the moment we believe (Galatians 2:20). But, while we are still in the flesh in this filthy world and will always be smeared by its mud, symbolic for our spiritual well being, our feet need regular washing, which the Lord deeply urged us to render one to another. This, the Lord reminds using physical example of service, for us to do by the washing through His Words - in the manner of correcting each other by the exhortation of His Words. This, we do in our interactive reflections and sharing of His holy and written Words, knowing that: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).
Through Apostle Paul, the Lord further reminds: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15 KJV).
These passages give us a very deep demonstration of our Lord Jesus Christ serving His disciples the lowliest task a servant does. The Lord and Master washed the feet of His students. These passages drive home a very strong lesson that we, being brothers and sisters, and members of the body of Christ Jesus, are equal servants to one another. No one is above the other and no one is closer to God than the other. The Lord is as close to you as to me, as we put our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:17-21).
The risen Lord Jesus is in us, as we in Him, the moment we believe (Galatians 2:20). But, while we are still in the flesh in this filthy world and will always be smeared by its mud, symbolic for our spiritual well being, our feet need regular washing, which the Lord deeply urged us to render one to another. This, the Lord reminds using physical example of service, for us to do by the washing through His Words - in the manner of correcting each other by the exhortation of His Words. This, we do in our interactive reflections and sharing of His holy and written Words, knowing that: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).
Through Apostle Paul, the Lord further reminds: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:9-11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” (John 13:9-11 KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ gave Peter somewhat an ultimatum remark, that if he remained stubborn not to have his feet washed by Him, saying "if you don't want me to do this then you will not have part of me." Peter being as he is, reneged. Then burst out asking the Lord to give him a full bath. And the Lord Jesus, with intent to make this an illustration of great significance, emphasized to Peter and to us too who read and reflect on these now that having had a full bath already (referring to our salvation by grace through faith, once and for all), we don't need to have full bath again and again. We only need washing of our feet from the dirt gathered trudging in the world. We are to wash each other's feet from the mud of the world, as the Lord is showing.
The Lord Jesus uses this to remind us that we do the same spiritually in faith being part of Him and members of His body as Children of God. Like the apostles, except one named Judas the betrayer, we all too by faith in Christ Jesus have been fully bathed, spiritually. That is, we are saved once and forever by faith in Him. But we need washing from the filth of the world regularly by the Word and by the Holy Spirit, which the water represents. The same water that the Lord offered to the Samaritan woman. One welling from within us springing unto eternal life the moment we drink it (John 4:13-15). Judas whose feet the Lord washed would have been fully washed had he came back to the Lord believing. Like Peter who denied the Lord and the criminal on the cross by the Lord's side who changed his mind and believed, he would have gotten the Lord's declaration: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:43 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” (John 13:9-11 KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ gave Peter somewhat an ultimatum remark, that if he remained stubborn not to have his feet washed by Him, saying "if you don't want me to do this then you will not have part of me." Peter being as he is, reneged. Then burst out asking the Lord to give him a full bath. And the Lord Jesus, with intent to make this an illustration of great significance, emphasized to Peter and to us too who read and reflect on these now that having had a full bath already (referring to our salvation by grace through faith, once and for all), we don't need to have full bath again and again. We only need washing of our feet from the dirt gathered trudging in the world. We are to wash each other's feet from the mud of the world, as the Lord is showing.
The Lord Jesus uses this to remind us that we do the same spiritually in faith being part of Him and members of His body as Children of God. Like the apostles, except one named Judas the betrayer, we all too by faith in Christ Jesus have been fully bathed, spiritually. That is, we are saved once and forever by faith in Him. But we need washing from the filth of the world regularly by the Word and by the Holy Spirit, which the water represents. The same water that the Lord offered to the Samaritan woman. One welling from within us springing unto eternal life the moment we drink it (John 4:13-15). Judas whose feet the Lord washed would have been fully washed had he came back to the Lord believing. Like Peter who denied the Lord and the criminal on the cross by the Lord's side who changed his mind and believed, he would have gotten the Lord's declaration: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:43 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13:8 KJV).
With noble intent, we see in this passage, Apostle Peter resisting to the Lord's offer to perform a menial task of a servant: to wash his feet. Yes, it's an admirable gesture of humility for Peter to do. But, it's not divine. For this, he did in spite of being reassured by the Lord Jesus Christ that they'd understand this action better later (John 13:6-7). Not allowing the Lord Jesus to do the work He came to do for us precludes us from being part of Him.
This action of the Lord, which He demonstrated on His closest disciples, is opening the door of grace for them and to all of us now, who put our full trust in Him by believing. As we consent to be washed by Him, postures us to part with Him and He with us. It is our tacit agreement to fellowship with Him and makes us His temple. He'll live in us! This, we fully grasp by the risen Lord's revelation later (which He alluded in John 13:6-7) through Apostle Paul saying: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13:8 KJV).
With noble intent, we see in this passage, Apostle Peter resisting to the Lord's offer to perform a menial task of a servant: to wash his feet. Yes, it's an admirable gesture of humility for Peter to do. But, it's not divine. For this, he did in spite of being reassured by the Lord Jesus Christ that they'd understand this action better later (John 13:6-7). Not allowing the Lord Jesus to do the work He came to do for us precludes us from being part of Him.
This action of the Lord, which He demonstrated on His closest disciples, is opening the door of grace for them and to all of us now, who put our full trust in Him by believing. As we consent to be washed by Him, postures us to part with Him and He with us. It is our tacit agreement to fellowship with Him and makes us His temple. He'll live in us! This, we fully grasp by the risen Lord's revelation later (which He alluded in John 13:6-7) through Apostle Paul saying: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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.
Monday, October 21, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:6-7 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” (John 13:6-7 KJV).Watching again this usual unrehearsed reaction of Apostle Peter, looking back at his vantage view of not seeing yet the fullness of the Lord's mission here on earth, is certainly the candid thing anyone would do. Without hindsight, you and I would react the same to one in a position of authority, most especially the Lord, that offers to render us with such an act of service considered demeaning by the usual standards of society. In their relationship as Teacher and disciple, Peter's refusal to be served was an act of prudence by a subservient student. The task of washing one's feet is only done by servants and slaves—never by a master for his own subjects. Hence, Peter reacts with surprise and disbelief.
But, this act of the Master was meant to accomplish a vital element of His mission to bring us into oneness with Him. He came driven by love and to serve. He did not come to be served (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). As His beloved creation who were separated from His love due to Adam's decision to disobey, He came to restore us in His love. So, these lessons and tests the Lord are doing is not for His own benefit, but for ours. Peter's and our act of consent to be served by Him is the key for us to be wrapped by His love. Let's, therefore, submit to be loved by Him. Let's let Him be God! We must have it rooted in us that our purpose in this life is to allow God to love us. That is the only way we can experience His presence and fullness in our life's journey to eternity, “... because God is love.” (1 John 4:8b ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Sunday, October 20, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:3-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:3-5 KJV).Our Lord Jesus Christ, well aware of who He is, tells us, His disciples, the religious people and the crowds who strained to do things for men and constantly sought the high places of honor, to flee from these kind of pursuits of empty glory. We find in one of the His teachings that He said: "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV).
Apostle Paul also exhorts us to have the mind of a servant as the Lord Jesus demonstrated in these passages. We must be ready to roll our sleeves up to render service, girded with towel and water in hand do the lowliest yet honorable work for others. Wash some feet! It is written: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 NLT).
And in another setting, our Lord Jesus Christ taught the disciples: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” (Luke 14:8-11 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;” (John 13:2 KJV).
This passage should provoke us to keep in mind that the setting of the cross was an evil plot of the devil which the Lord Jesus and the Father has the foreknowledge even from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). From Judas' scheme of betrayal, to the religious opposition and abusive Sanhedrin's trials, to the mocking crowds, to the devil's possession of Judas, Satan seemed and looked set to win. The devil capitalized these events to spark hatred, jealousy, mockery, injustice, brutality, cruelty, betrayal, treachery, and death that follow. These are the things that he also desires for those among us who seek God, His Kingdom and His righteousness. When we choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we set ourselves in a battle. But, for us now in the Lord's grace by faith, we are blessed for the Lord Jesus already faced the enemy and won the victory for us. His finished work on the cross took all the evil works of Satan and transformed it for our salvation and triumph!
This case with Judas is a blaring warning signal that the enemies' deception has no bounds. Even a chosen could fall due to the power of free-will of choice given to all. God's gift of free-will given to man is so powerful that not even God Himself could override. God, being just, always honors man's decision, action and to bear the consequence of it. Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave this reminder of the ploy that Satan uses, which he employed on Judas - one of the Lord's chosen twelve. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;” (John 13:2 KJV).
This passage should provoke us to keep in mind that the setting of the cross was an evil plot of the devil which the Lord Jesus and the Father has the foreknowledge even from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). From Judas' scheme of betrayal, to the religious opposition and abusive Sanhedrin's trials, to the mocking crowds, to the devil's possession of Judas, Satan seemed and looked set to win. The devil capitalized these events to spark hatred, jealousy, mockery, injustice, brutality, cruelty, betrayal, treachery, and death that follow. These are the things that he also desires for those among us who seek God, His Kingdom and His righteousness. When we choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we set ourselves in a battle. But, for us now in the Lord's grace by faith, we are blessed for the Lord Jesus already faced the enemy and won the victory for us. His finished work on the cross took all the evil works of Satan and transformed it for our salvation and triumph!
This case with Judas is a blaring warning signal that the enemies' deception has no bounds. Even a chosen could fall due to the power of free-will of choice given to all. God's gift of free-will given to man is so powerful that not even God Himself could override. God, being just, always honors man's decision, action and to bear the consequence of it. Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave this reminder of the ploy that Satan uses, which he employed on Judas - one of the Lord's chosen twelve. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Friday, October 18, 2024
The Gospel of John 13:1 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1 KJV).
This passage ushers in a revelation of great value, noting that the celebration of the Passover feast is the remembrance of the time when the firstborns of Egypt were slaughtered to soften the hardened heart of Pharaoh. While, on the other hand, the firstborns of Israel were spared, as the agent of death passed over them seeing the blood of the lamb on their door frames (Exodus 12:1-13). Now, on the last moments of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth, who is the sacrificial Lamb of God whose blood will be spilled as the fulfillment of His mission, He spends His final hours with them whom He loved to the end. Such a very reassuring expression of love by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who give their permission to be loved by Him. If we do the same and permit the Lord Jesus Christ to love us, His love for us is forever.
He came to give us His love (John 3:16). Our part is to accept His love by giving Him our consent to love us. This, the Lord demonstrated how we should respond through His parable of the lost sheep. In His parable, we are the lost sheep and He is the man who sought the one that was lost. Now He's found us in our believing. Let's allow Him to carry us on His shoulder. “So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” (Luke 15:3-6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1 KJV).
This passage ushers in a revelation of great value, noting that the celebration of the Passover feast is the remembrance of the time when the firstborns of Egypt were slaughtered to soften the hardened heart of Pharaoh. While, on the other hand, the firstborns of Israel were spared, as the agent of death passed over them seeing the blood of the lamb on their door frames (Exodus 12:1-13). Now, on the last moments of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth, who is the sacrificial Lamb of God whose blood will be spilled as the fulfillment of His mission, He spends His final hours with them whom He loved to the end. Such a very reassuring expression of love by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who give their permission to be loved by Him. If we do the same and permit the Lord Jesus Christ to love us, His love for us is forever.
He came to give us His love (John 3:16). Our part is to accept His love by giving Him our consent to love us. This, the Lord demonstrated how we should respond through His parable of the lost sheep. In His parable, we are the lost sheep and He is the man who sought the one that was lost. Now He's found us in our believing. Let's allow Him to carry us on His shoulder. “So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” (Luke 15:3-6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
The Gospel of John 12:48-50 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!
When God Says …
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:48-50 KJV).
These passages are the last statements of the Lord's public discourse to summarize His mission, that the Father sent Him for, here on earth. If we followed closely with serious intent, we are put in the know that He is the only way to salvation. We know that He is God in flesh who lived amongst His beloved creation. His living and dying as a man—was established as our means of salvation (John 3:16–17 ).
Every Word He's spoken is of and from the Father, and everything He did were commanded of Him by the Father. He and the Father are one. Sounds a mystery to human level of thinking. Especially with those brainwashed by religion, they claim to know God and to await the Messiah. Yet, they rejected Him, despite the miracles and signs they've been privileged to witness in their midst. Hence, the Words the Lord Jesus spoke judged them in the last day. They missed the saving "work" of grace God intended man to perform, as it is written: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”” (John 6:27-29 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:48-50 KJV).
These passages are the last statements of the Lord's public discourse to summarize His mission, that the Father sent Him for, here on earth. If we followed closely with serious intent, we are put in the know that He is the only way to salvation. We know that He is God in flesh who lived amongst His beloved creation. His living and dying as a man—was established as our means of salvation (John 3:16–17 ).
Every Word He's spoken is of and from the Father, and everything He did were commanded of Him by the Father. He and the Father are one. Sounds a mystery to human level of thinking. Especially with those brainwashed by religion, they claim to know God and to await the Messiah. Yet, they rejected Him, despite the miracles and signs they've been privileged to witness in their midst. Hence, the Words the Lord Jesus spoke judged them in the last day. They missed the saving "work" of grace God intended man to perform, as it is written: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”” (John 6:27-29 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
