Blessed Resurrection Day!

Dear Loved Ones, Brethren & Friends,

When God Says ...

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

The Resurrection Power is Our Paradigm Lift!

Our Lord Jesus Christ went through mock trials, swung between insults and tortures. He carried and dragged the cross, with His blood oozing, through the streets of Jerusalem. He climbed the cross on Calvary. He gave His life to die. No one takes it from Him! He gave it to give us life!

He entered the grave. On the third day He came out. Death and grave couldn't hold Him!

He did it because our great, great, grand father Adam had fallen! In the beginning, by grace we were designed to live in the garden, forever. But Adam messed it up. He surrendered the garden to the forces of darkness.

The second Adam, who is our Lord Jesus Christ, came. He defeated the forces of darkness and the grave by His finished work on the cross and rising from the dead. The garden is restored. He took it back! Now we are a new creation by faith in Him. We can live in the New Garden by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

The same power that raised our Lord Jesus Christ is in us!

This is indeed a Blessed Day of Resurrection for us all by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ!

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11 ESV).

And I Say, AMEN!

Lovingly,

The Friases and PFC Missions Families

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.

P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

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

The Gospel of John 4:25-26 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (John 4:25-26 KJV)

When the Lord Jesus Christ decided to take the road less travelled through Samaria, it looked at first that it was just a simple matter of going for a short-cut way. But, with the course His interaction with this woman took, we now can see that their convergence is divinely set from heaven. They started their exchange with varying points about water. Then the revelation of the woman's relationships and the state of it came up, she consciously evaded to bring up the controversy of religious worship between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Lord purposely overlooked her bait and revealed to her that the time has come to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23).

Now, as the woman shifted to open her knowledge of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus gives an extremely profound revelation, I AM! (John 1:26 NIV) He is the Messiah! I Am is come, sent by the Father. He is the same God, the I AM, who appeared to Abraham and said I AM God Almighty (Jehovah El Shaddai)! (Genesis 17:1). He is He who appeared to Moses at the burning bush, and, “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”” (Exodus 3:14 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 KJV)

This is the profound truth, "God is Spirit". He is not confined to space and time. The reality is, He is Omnipresent and Omniscient. God is infinite (1 Timothy 6:16) and He is invisible, manifest in the image of Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:15). We are called to commune with Him in our true nature that permeates every aspects of our lives - in the spirit, and not in the flesh.

Hypocritical religious worship is a sham, and their use of the name of Christ Jesus violates the essence of true worship to the One true God. It is not what God desires. It is a display for people to see and be mesmerized for the deception, a tool by the enemy of one's soul to be deprived from God's gift of life eternal. Our worship, grounded in the truth of God's Words, transcends to our living by faith, walking in the spirit not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

We are prompted by this passage to approach and worship God, not in our earthly nature. Here, we are reminded to get back to the beginning. We are to come and dwell in His presence, worshipping in our true being of who we are. Now in Christ Jesus by grace through faith, we are restored in our heavenly nature. In Him, we are in our image in the likeness of God that we've been created. In Christ Jesus, we come to worship Him in spirit. God desires us to come in our state when He formed us, as it is written: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:21-23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:21-23 KJV)

When the Lord said "believe me", He calls attention to the woman and us too, with what He is about to say. As she professed Him being a prophet, it is of importance to take seriously the Words He speaks. It is not a matter of dispute where and how to worship God. The truth is, worship is not confined to any place or time, as it was from the start. Religious worship under the law is not what God desires and is now in the past. Grace and truth has come in the person of Christ Jesus (John 1:17).

The Lord affirmed that Samaritans, as with other gentiles and pagans, worship totally out of ignorance from truth. Their worships are corrupted and far from truth. Their worships are abhorrent to the One true God. They are of no value, done out of ignorance from the truth. While the Jews in general who were the custodians of God's promises and Words, do worship the true God they claim to know, but as the Lord Jesus recognized, their worship too were futile. They corrupted it by doctrines of religion that they concocted and pursued zealously. They've fallen from grace and truth that God desires.

The Lord Jesus Christ declared that the time for true worship has come. Grace and truth is in her presence and us too, in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our worship is not anymore dictated by corrupted doctrines. It is not the worship by religion borrowed from pagans and human precepts, of rituals, customs, traditions and of self efforts made by men. Worship is not only at certain elaborate places and appointed time designed by religious enterprises to hold captive the souls of many led astray. Definitely not worship to images of dead men and women. We are to worship in spirit and truth, the Lord Jesus declared. We now have direct access to the Father as it has been from the beginning, through grace by faith in Christ Jesus.

We are to worship Him in temples not made by human hands. He doesn't dwell in temples made by men no matter how massive and extravagant those are (Acts 7:48). We glorify and worship Him every moment of our lives and in our hearts. By His grace through faith in Christ Jesus, scriptures declare: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:19-20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” (John 4:19-20 KJV)

This statement seemed to show that this woman is no fool after all. Recognizing that the Lord is a prophet who comes from God, as she posed a question about worship and the place to worship, this woman could be seeking the truth. Sadly, religious circles created serious misconceptions about worship. On the surface, she sounds like dodging the Lord's probe into the depth of her soul, though. But, the Lord heard and entertained her with words of import that we must consider, as well. Yes, this is a broken woman and spiritually lost. She is an outcast in her community. Yet, she could be on her way to be an insider in God's Kingdom.

Listening to the tone of her questions and statements, she exudes yearning to know the truth about God and His Words. In a sense, her queries and responses to the Lord Jesus are also probing to draw close to God. She is seeking to worship God in the right place and in the right way, as one who truly rests in grace by faith in the One true God. She reveals that her forefathers say they worship 'on this mountain', which she may be pointing to Mount Gerizim. This is the mountain on which the Samaritans worship God in protest to the Jews who worship in Jerusalem.

But, this woman needs to know as we too, should. What matters is that we worship as one acceptable to God from and in our heart. It is written: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 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.

The Gospel of John 4:17-18 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.” (John 4:17-18 KJV)

It is amazing to watch this woman's life unravel. We are seeing new light of the plot for this encounter between the Lord Jesus Christ and this woman. Looking back how the Lord Jesus purposely 'had to go through Samaria' despite the established norm for Jews and Samaritans not seeing eye to eye, we are now made aware for His reason. It is not about taking a short cut, nor to rest at this well seeking for water to drink. It is about an empty parched soul of a woman's broken life.

At first glance of this unraveling, she can be easily viewed by many, then and now, as a person of shady morals based on the surface that one sees. She comes to the well when no people around, which we could surmise she's avoiding people that dislike her lifestyle. And, now she affirmed she was five times divorced and presently living with someone not even her husband. As it appears, people could easily make their prejudicial view. But, it must be remembered that on the same way in the Jewish culture, Samaritan women could be easily divorced and rejected at whim by their husbands for no reason. Just like these days' ungodly culture, where marriage is treated lightly. We watch marriages ended merely for reasons of "unreconcilable differences". Looking deeply, this woman could be a victim of being entangled with the wrong people. Most of all, she is a woman thirsty for things of God. And, the Lord knows. Hence, He intentionally meet her on this site - at the well!

Her candor positioned her right on the spot. The Lord Jesus came wanting to get to the heart of the issue so He could bring His "living water" to the barren and parched recesses of her soul. He comes to do the same for us today, too. The Best if heaven came seeking for the worst of the world. As we remain resting in grace by faith in Him, we have this promise from His holy and written Words: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3 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.

The Gospel of John 4:16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.” (John 4:16 KJV)

This response of the Lord Jesus Christ to the woman's ask for the water (that becomes a spring of water welling from within), is a shift out of the flow of their conversation. It brings up several revelations to reflect on. It hints that the woman's asking was insincere, as can be sensed by her tone, that bear signs of scoff and sneer. It also reveals the Lord's omniscience, testing to draw truthfulness and conviction from this woman to lay her life into the open. This command the Lord gave saying "go call your husband" was intended to strike the core of this woman's heart, to bring her out of the messed life she is in and be postured for restoration. This sets the woman to be brought out of the dark into the light and lay bare her parched soul.

Yes, that's the intent of God's every Word. It extracts us out of whatever mess we are in. His every Word is designed to bring us unto the truth. By His Word, He chose and called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9b). Being His children by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, we are blessed to have His Word speaking to us like the air we breathe. And, His Word is the air we breathe! And, it also gives light in our day to day walk. This woman is blessed, having the opportunity to hear the Lord's corrective Words. It gives light unto her path. It is the lamp unto her feet. Scriptures remind, as the psalmist affirmed: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” (John 4:15 KJV)

In this setting during Bible times, like in other remote and undeveloped parts of the world, it takes hard work and laboring through craggy paths under the hot sun to find and obtain literal water. It must be exciting for this woman to hear about the kind of water that keeps her from wanting to drink again and again and again! Hence, with her mind framed in the physical water that she fetch laboriously from the well, while trying to avoid the crowd, she must be excited to have this opportunity to ask "Sir, give me this water."

Who wouldn't desire for this water? This woman, while she maybe in the natural mindset, said the right words for asking to have this water. We don't know her motives, as well as her body language as she interact with the Lord Jesus Christ. She may have said it with a smirk, or even scoffingly. But, she declared it by the spoken words from her mouth. There is power in the words that we speak (Proverbs 18:21), especially as we ask anything from God, in the name of Christ Jesus. And this woman is asking directly from Him. The Lord Jesus said in one of His teachings: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:13-14 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14 KJV)

In these passages the Lord Jesus presented to the woman, and to us, two choices of water she and us can choose to drink, a natural cistern water or a spiritual spring water. Firstly, He said to her that one who drinks of the water from a natural cistern will temporarily quench the thirst, but it will not eliminate the thirst totally. It only gives a temporary relief. But, secondly, He said that the spiritual spring water that He gives, by a single drink it becomes a spring of living water welling and springing from within her, and us too, to life eternal.

The Lord Jesus Christ is figuratively talking of the kind of water not locally sourced. It is one that is not from the natural realm but imported from the supernatural dimension of heaven. He is of course talking about the Holy Spirit, whom He promised that the Father in heaven will send to them who ask (Luke 9:11-13). We are given this assurance when, like the Samaritan woman, we ask, too. The Lord Jesus said in one of His teachings: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”” (Luke 11:13 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:11-12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?” (John 4:11-12 KJV)

It is amazing to note that this woman that the Lord Jesus Christ is talking to is totally in contrast to the well educated man, Nicodemus, whom He encountered earlier (John 3:1). He was a man of stature and viewed highly by his peers being in a position of power. He was looked up to, while this is a woman looked down by the community. In their culture, she is deemed an outcast due to her lifestyle of living. She is a lonely woman coming to fetch water in the heat of the day, which time seldom you see people at the well.

But watching the direction their interaction is going, she is a woman that expressed curiosity and wit. She showed a deeper grasp and discernment beyond the literal, about the water that the Lord Jesus was talking about. She revealed some sense of prying recognition of who she is talking to, that can give her the kind of water better than the water from the centuries-old well that her forefather Jacob dug. This is a well that satisfied the thirst of many generations before her, which sustained their livelihood. Yes, she is talking to Him who can fill her thirst with the living water. She is being prodded to be vigilant in guarding and maintaining the condition of her life. Especially, her heart (and ours too), which God reminds, as it is written: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” (John 4:10 KJV)

The Lord Jesus totally disregarded the woman's somewhat spiteful remark alluding to the ongoing rift between the Jews and the Samaritans. He lifted their interaction to a totally new level about the 'the living water that He could give her.' Knowing the woman's level of thirst that only God's gift of living water can satisfy, the Lord feeds it into her curiosity. He challenged her with the intriguing statement 'if only she knew the gift of God.' Yes, if only she knew that He, who asks her for a drink, actually has the living water that she needs in her present state of spiritual dehydration.

The water that the Lord is ready to give her, and to us too by believing in Him, is one that wells up as a spring from within to those who receive it. This water flows from the throne of God to those who receive the saving grace of Christ Jesus by believing in Him and be born again, as it is written, Apostle John the beloved testified: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:9 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” (John 4:9 KJV)

Profiling a person based on how they look, speak and dress is the only explanation how this Samaritan woman knew the person asking her for a drink is a Jew. Qualifying based on their outward appearance has always been in flagrant use from the beginning. And, this continues to be the tools by many to date, to identify people, sadly, for prejudicial purposes. That's always been the nature of a sinful humanity who refuse to be reborn and transformed by the exceeding love of God through grace and truth by faith in Christ Jesus. Jews and Samaritans being at odds, they must have an identifying mark on each other so to ensure they keep away from each other.

But, this woman was not encountering a typical Jew. She is in for a very special rendezvous of grace and truth in the person of Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God (John 1:17). She is blessed with a special visitation from heaven's BEST, to bring her the special gift of salvation. This woman being a half Jew from the ancestry of Joseph who inter-married with gentiles, hence she is a half gentile, like you and I, is the representation of the lost souls of the world. Her salvation by faith and those Samaritans who believe would be among the first beneficiaries of the Lord's rescue mission here on earth.

When the Lord asked the Samaritan woman for a drink to break the 'ice' between them - so to speak, He is breaking the barrier with everyone too with these reflection blogs, that many - if not all, who stumble upon this reflections may come, believe and be saved by His grace. Yes, we were once lost (before we receive the Lord's saving grace). But, as with the Samaritans, now we're found. True salvation has now come to our house, as with Zacchaeous the tax collector. “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:9-10 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:7-8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)” (John 4:7-8 KJV)

This setting gives us a picture of:
A well, located at the outskirts of the city, away from the contamination of city traffic and human congestion. And this well is one of a historic value passed on by many generations over the centuries from the time it was dug by Jacob whose name God changed to Israel.

A Samaritan woman coming to fetch water, on the peak of noon! Usually, village people tend to converge at the well early in the day. They come, not only to gather water but to gather tidbits of news and current events in the community and perhaps, the world. This woman's choice of time coveys the message that she's avoiding social contact with her fellow villagers.

But, surprise! Surprise! There's one she could not avoid. And, guess who? A Jew! A thirsty one, Lord Jesus who sat by to rest, as His disciples went to the city to buy food to go.

Samaritans and Jews are in a rift. A chasm of divide lies between them. They hated each other and do their best to avoid having to do with each other. But, here we are in this scene where the Lord Jesus purposely set Himself to meet this woman in such a very meaningful location, at the well which Jacob, the patriarch of the Jews and Samaritans, dug centuries past.

And, when He asks for a drink, the Lord Jesus Christ said the best opening remark to break the ice of ethnic, social and gender divides between them. Those walls must be crushed. This request, as a metaphor, revealed God's thirst and longing to reestablish closeness with the souls of His masterpiece creation. This, He also profoundly declared on the cross, as it is written: “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”” (John 19:28 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:4-6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:4-6 KJV)

These passages reveal that the Lord, by heavenly wisdom, unflinching in the midst of malice by the religious and political leaders in Judaea, continues to move around and to Galilee through Samaria. This is where the Lord Jesus meet the first Gentile recipient of the gospel of grace - the Samaritan woman. The Samaritans are partly Jewish from the heirs of Joseph who married the pagan inhabitants of the land. Hence, they are partly Gentiles and hated by the Jews, who avoid having contact with them. By design, the Lord made the point of traveling through the region.

How Jacob acquired this piece of land is in Genesis 33:17-20. After reconciling with Esau, his estranged brother, Jacob looked for a plot of land to settle his family. He found and bought it from the sons of Hamor. It was here that Jacob was renamed "Israel" by God, and became the patriarch of both the Jewish and partly, the Samaritan people (Genesis 32:28). Later, in Genesis 48:21–22, Israel (Jacob) would give this piece of land to his son, Joseph (Joshua 24:32).

It was at Jacob's well that at about meal time hour the Lord Jesus rested, wearied from the journey. This reveals the fact that Jesus was fully, completely God, and yet fully, completely human as well. He experienced the same struggles as we do (Hebrews 4:15). He battled spiritual issues, as we do (Matthew 4:3–4). And, He had to put up with the limitations of a human body.

Hence, we are reminded as children of God by grace through faith to: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 4:1-3 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee.” (John 4:1-3 KJV)

The Lord Jesus, being conscious of the timetable of His mission, is so careful not to let outside forces to influence the fulfillment of it. As this passages reveal, now John the Baptist having accomplished his role to prepare the path of the Messiah, the focal purpose of the Lord's ministry has began to unfold. And, the religious machinery are also beginning to notice. More people who seek cleansing of their sins are coming to be baptized by the Lord's disciples. He has baptized more disciples than John the Baptist. And, this did not slip from the attention of the religious fanatics in Jerusalem.

Heaven's timing is what the Lord is committed to obey. He follows the will of the Father (John 6:38). So, as this is not the 'right time', He moves along to Galilee. Yes, He moves through cities and villages. So, in this time we have now of God's dispensation of grace, through the Lord's finished work on the cross, we are so blessed as He is now within us always in Spirit. Yet, during His time in the flesh, confined by limitation of the physical realm, we are assured as it is written: “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.” (Matthew 9:35 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:34-36 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:34-36 KJV)

These passages drive in the absolute truth that those who put their faith in Christ Jesus will be saved, but those who reject Him will face the wrath of God. Yes, that's by believing in the only begotten Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent to speak the pure Words of God, undefiled by the rigmaroles and rituals of religion and precepts of men. God has given Him the Spirit without measure. As we totally depend in His grace, we are saved! 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—” (Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)

As gentiles and once sinners, we - you and I, were separated from God. But, good news we have! Scriptures declare: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13 NIV). We are now postured by faith to receive the provisions of grace by the finished work of Jesus on the cross, because of the Father's love. Apostle Paul stressed this truth for us with these Words of exhortation: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:31-33 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” (John 3:31-33 KJV)

The Lord Jesus, in his conversation with Nicodemus, indicates that He is the only One who has come from heaven (John 3:13). His message is His own first-hand knowledge from above. This is why He is the only authentic and valid source of spiritual truth. There is none other, but Him alone! And, only those who believe His message can be saved (John 3:18).

These passages reveal that those who refuse to listen and receive the common and earthly things that the Lord Jesus teaches have no hope of comprehending the spiritual things He came to speak to us (John 3:12). He came to speak to us of life eternal by grace through faith in Him (John 10:25-28).

Hence, these passages serve us our wake up call! And, let's be reminded that:“Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:10-12 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:29-30 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30 KJV)

Why people were flocking to Jesus (v. 26), John the Baptist explained that it is a natural reaction for the bridegroom to receive the bride. He likened himself to the best man of the bridegroom, appointed to arrange the wedding, to overview it, and preside at the feast. When the friend of the bridegroom finished his job, he had to get out of the way. His joy is the culmination of his role which is the arrival of the bridegroom. John was content of his mission as the “voice in the wilderness."

John the Baptist asserted that the Lord Jesus Christ had to take the center stage. Jesus had to increase and be lifted high. He had to decrease and withdraw to the background. Jesus is divine. He is not (vv. 31). The Lord's teaching is divine (vv. 32–34). And, His heavenly authority is divine (vv. 35, 36). Hence, John the Baptist willfully encouraged his disciples to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

We, too, are to look upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith, the way John the Baptist did. He alone is worthy of our worship. Apostle Paul affirms in his exhortation to the Philippians: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:27-28 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.” (John 3:27-28 KJV)

Responding to the Jews' incitement of jealousy, John frustrated them with a very inspiring response they did not expect. These people are really not up for the truth. They are hapless minions used by the devil to thwart God's plan of salvation for mankind. But, conscious of his mission, John the Baptist dropped the naked truth before them as the course of his assignment unfolds to its completion. All through the tenure of his mission, John the Baptist has always openly and repeatedly declared that he is the voice in the wilderness preparing the path of the coming Messiah. 'He was sent as a witness to testify concerning the Light' who is greater than him. And, the Light is Christ Jesus, who is already come!

Taking the attitude of John the Baptist as lesson, we too by faith in Christ Jesus are to stay in our lane rooted in grace on the rock of God's promises. We are reminded not to be swayed by every schemes presented before us. Apostle Paul reminds: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14). We have His Words and the Holy Spirit to guide and help us. We receive everything from heaven what we need to finish our course like John the Baptist. What God starts in us, He finishes! (Philippians 1:6). We have to be rooted in faith, and not held captive by religion.

Apostle Paul edifies us with these exhortations to the believers in Corinth: “Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.” (1 Corinthians 1:7-9 MSG)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:25-26 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him." (John 3:25-26 KJV)

These passages reveal that the enemy of our soul, the devil, was and always at work from the time Eve gave in to its deceit. He works through the outfit of religion, along with every other forms of confusion, then and now. In this scene, using the religious Jews, he tried to drive a wedge between the Lord's and John the Baptist's disciples, by trying to sow conflict, so to establish the supremacy of their religion over the lives of many. They attempted to incite competition between the Lord and John the Baptist. They do not know that what they watched was the Father's plan unfolding. The religious Jews were minions of the prince of darkness, used to keep many from the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Their religious enterprises, their hold to power and their fame were threatened. Hence, they became subservient pawns of the enemy, the devil.

As we too watch in this day and age, many religions are deceiving many from the truth and drawing them to follow pagan based creed of customs and rituals. They even use the name of Jesus, but do not honor His Words. They promote doctrines made by men to enrich their institutions and pursuits to gain elaborate material possessions at the expense of the souls of many. The Lord Jesus warned of the religious Pharisees' yeast then, and us of the present day religions, as well..

The Lord Jesus gave this warning to us through His disciples: “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” (Luke 12:1 NIV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:22-24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.” (John 3:22-24 KJV)

These passages give us one very comforting truth of our relationship with the Lord: He always gives us quality time of fellowship with Him, as we can picture Him spending time with His disciples alone amidst the quietness of nature among those who were seeking for comfort. He was communing with them in the beauty of a country setting, listening to the melody of birds tweeting, crickets chirping and the murmur of rushing spring water. He tarried with them, around the area near Salim (which means peaceful) where John the Baptist and his disciples were also baptizing! This is for our reflection that He tarries with us too, as we rest in grace by faith in Him in our appointment of solitude with Him. He immerses us, as in baptism, in the overflowing comfort of His grace and love.

While they were in Judaea the Lord Jesus Christ administered baptism through His disciples to those who came to receive cleansing of their sins. John the Baptist was also doing baptism in the same area before he was thrown into prison. For the Lord and John the Baptist to converge in this area performing baptism, reveal that much water are available. Water, which represents God's Words (Ephesians 5:26) and the Holy Spirit (John 4:13-14), points to what the Lord declared to Nicodemus to be born of, which is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God.

It is written: “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:19-21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:19-21 KJV)

These passages give clarity to a person's condemned state. It's neither God, nor anybody else in heaven and on earth who condemn any person. Condemnation and the power to choose death or life are in the hands of you and I. It is in our power to choose darkness or light. Be it known to all that Light came into this world in the person of Christ Jesus. But many opted for darkness, instead of Light in Christ Jesus, as many in the world are choosing in droves, to self-condemn theirselves.

Many chose darkness because they don't want their evil deeds exposed for correction, as revealed in these passages. They hated the light, as they hated themselves - their very being, and they hated God - their Creator. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke these words about the unbelieving Israelites and to all who hated the Light: “But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”” (Matthew 8:12 NLT)

On the other hand, for those who choose light over darkness by believing in Christ Jesus (John 3:18a), especially for us in this post-resurrection-end-times generation who received the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again (John 3:3), Apostle Peter gives these reassuring exhortations: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:17-18 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:17-18 KJV)

These are such very serious passages of truth that the God we worship, as a born again child of The Lord Most High, is not a condemning God. Condemnation is not of God. It is of a person's self-act of choice not to believe in Christ Jesus. Our God is the God who saves! And, He saves by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Father's only begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

The Father sent Jesus on a mission to rescue us. He came to take our place to die on the cross as ransom for our sins past, present and future - all our sins (Colossians 2:13-14). He was our executional substitute! So now, we are free and sustained forever by His saving grace through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:4-8).

Apostle Paul exhorts and reminds us with these words: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 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 2:1-7 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:16 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

Yes, our Heavenly Father unconditionally gave His only Son! As Apostle Paul affirmed with these words: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV). He further stressed: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

We just have to believe, and receive His Lordship in our lives, and be born again, as the Lord declared to Nicodemus. We need salvation from imminent destruction. The way the world is heading is enough warning for us. We need Him, here in this fleeting life right now. And, the more so, beyond unto eternity. In Christ Jesus by faith, we are saved by grace. Definitely none of those religious rituals and efforts for indulgence. Not by good works, those are filthy rags in God's eyes (Isaiah 66:4). Yes, truly, we are saved by grace through faith! (Ephesians 2:8). The Lord Jesus Christ is our only Savior! Apostle Peter reminds those unbelieving religious Jews. “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 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 4:11-12 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:13-15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:13-15 KJV)

The only person in flesh who has stepped into the grounds of this earth who came from heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ. And, He is the only One who has ascended back to heaven from earth (Acts 1:11). He now sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Hebrews 1:3). Hence, He is the only One able to guide, lead and bring us to God. He is the only Way to the Father who is in heaven (John 14:6).

In these passages, the reference to the serpent "lifted up" was a cast and shadow that points to the crucifixion, a vile way of execution, to rescue humanity from curse inflicted by the serpent's deception in the garden. "Son of Man" refers to the Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah. These are hints given to Nicodemus to recognize who He is. The Book of Numbers in the Old Testament records the incident that the Lord recalled. In this incident a vivid picture of how salvation would be brought to mankind through Christ was demonstrated. The people of Israel were attacked and bitten by poisonous snakes due to their disobedience. They went to Moses for help, and as Moses consulted with God, he was instructed to make an image of a snake and mount it on a pole. Anyone who looked at the snake was cured from their bite, and lived (Numbers 21:8-9).

This was a foreshadow of Christ's sacrifice on a cross. The people in Numbers 21 were suffering due to their own failings, which resulted in death. Their only hope was to trust in something beyond themselves. The idea of being healed simply by looking at the bronze snake left no doubt that it was God's power, not their own, that brought healing. This is not about pagan worship of an image. It is about responding to God's direct command.  In the same way, all people suffer as a result of sin (Romans 5:12), and the end result is death (Romans 6:23). Our only hope is trust on someone beyond ourselves (Romans 5:6). The fact that salvation comes entirely by faith leaves no doubt: we can't earn our redemption (Titus 3:5). Faith in Christ Jesus is not a "work," or something we do, any more than look at the serpent on the pole was. Looking to Christ Jesus is for everyone. Only those who refuse are going to miss out on being rescued.

Our salvation is totally by grace through faith. It is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:9-12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” (John 3:9-12 KJV)

Posing such a question, Nicodemus is obviously confused over the Lord's revelation of the necessity to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. It shows his lack of understanding in spite of being a religious scholar that he was. This truth made no sense to his doubtful mind. Oftentimes, our ignorance blinds us to the Truth – and ignorance to the Truth is no excuse. The Lord tells us that we fall into error when we do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. We find in the Book of Matthew: "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God" (Matt 22:29 NIV). We must never forget that all Scripture is God breathed and is therefore profitable for Godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Sadly with Nicodemus, in spite of being Israel's master teacher, he failed to grasp this life-changing reveal. No wonder many in this present day and age are on the same state as with Nicodemus, blinded by the deception of religious and worldly doctrines and dogmas. They failed to see earthly displays of God's beautiful expressions of grace and truth. These, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ manifested to testify and witness for us to believe, but many choose not to believe. The more so for things heavenly, this passage disappointingly says that many choose to reject heavenly things of God.

Even with warnings, many opted to go in droves the wrong gate. Let's not go along with them. One sign we should watch is, where only a few are going. Let's swim against the tide of religion and the world. Yes, many stubbornly go their way against the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ that clearly says, as it is written: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:7-8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8 KJV)

The Lord Jesus, using the analogy of the wind as illustration, allays Nicodemus from being overwhelmed in awe of His statement "you must be born again." Flesh needs to be transformed. It is a suit designed only for earthly living. As already stated by Nicodemus, definitely it can't enter a mother's womb to be born again. It is born once, then dies. Scriptures say, people are destined to die once, then judgement (Hebrews 9:27).

But the Lord is talking of being born of the Spirit. He likened it to the wind. The invisible, unpredictable movement of the wind can only be seen by the swishing of the grass, by the swaying of trees, the shaking of its leaves or by the eerie howl from the rafters of a house. You can only feel its gentle brush on your skin. It is like the indiscernible and unfathomable Spirit of God. The Spirit of the Lord can only be observed in the life of a believer by the lifestyle change, the godly attitude, the graciousness of manner and care rooted in love.

Our new life in Christ Jesus is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our very heart, through His grace by faith. And in Him, having begun in the Spirit, we are to continue living in the Spirit by total dependence in the Holy Spirit and God's holy and written Words. We are to live in spirit and truth, to walk in the spirit, and to pray in the spirit as guided by Him. It is written: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Galatians 5:16-17 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6 KJV)

Using the term "flesh" as a description of our human nature, the Lord Jesus drives His point to Nicodemus in poetic metaphor to emphasize the sin-prone quality of our physical being. Our flesh is naturally weak and hostile to God (Romans 8:7). It is the exact opposite to our true being in spirit. Our spirit is from God. He breathed it in us. It is who we are as a man made in the likeness of God (Genesis 2:6). Our flesh is merely a shell made out of the dust, which was cursed by Adam's fall (Genesis 3:27).

This phrase "born again" has been defiled by many. They relegate it to a mere 'cliche'. But, for those who truly value their life now and for eternity, this is a process of existential ramifications. As the Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus, without this rebirth 'no one' can enter into the Kingdom of God. Hence, restoration by rebirth in the spirit is important for us to be put right before God. That rebirth is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Not by self effort of doing good, nor by religious rituals based on pagan customs and traditions, but by believing in Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.

Apostle Paul reminds in his exhortation the need to be born again in the spirit. It is written: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Romans 8:13-16 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:4-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:4-5 KJV)

Nicodemus, baffled by what the Lord said, asked a very natural logical question his carnal mind can grasp on. But the Lord was speaking in the spiritual realm. Hence, the Lord's response is some kind of red-flag warning to Nicodemus and us, too. “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5 NIV). Nicodemus in his religious mindset missed the point. Tainted beliefs breed corrupted thinking, and vice versa. Thus, we have to stand on faith in Christ and be born again. Yes, that's faith in Christ Jesus! Apostle Paul reminds us: "For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Cor 15:21-22 (NIV)

The Lord emphasized to Nicodemus the need of regeneration for one to enter the kingdom of God. To be born again is to be born from above, not through our human way or will, rather from God's gift of grace. It is a rebirth manifested by fully immersing in water through baptism and rising out into a new life in spirit. Declaring to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit", the Lord Jesus points to Nicodemus the power of believing in His death, entering the grave and rising from it in three days. 

Now, in the finished work of our risen Lord on the cross, in Him by grace through faith, we enter a new life in the kingdom of God. Scriptures assure us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:3 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 KJV)

Continuing the interaction with Nicodemus, a high profile religious teacher and member of the ruling council of the Jews, the Lord Jesus Christ declared these life-changing words: "Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This man was one of the teachers and caretakers of the law. He was one of those held captive by doctrines of religion trying hard to please God through work of self-effort. Just like the pagan based 'Christian' religions and every other non biblical beliefs of these days.

This is the Lord's first statement for the need to be born again to see the Kingdom of God. This conveys the message that our transformation from the sinful nature to a renewed being is akin to the process of physical birth. First, the seed of the Word of God has to be sown in our hearts by believing in Christ Jesus. Then by faith, the Word sprouts to quicken us to be born again in spirit. As we continue in our intake of His Words by regular reflections, we grow from infancy of faith (like a baby growing to adulthood) to maturity in oneness with the Spirit of the Lord unto eternal life. The process is fully by faith in Christ Jesus through His grace. It is not by observance of the law, and certainly not by religious rituals nor by self-effort of good works trying to please God.

The way of religion using the name of Jesus, dependent on effort to get to God through good works, is the enemy's worst deception. Trying hard to do things to please God, demean the death and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is tacitly saying, His death on the cross is worthless. Those who take this hopeless route are opting for condemnation (John 3:18).

God's way is by being born again through faith, as salvation is a free and irreversible gift by grace (Ephesians 2:8). To please God the Scriptures declare: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 3:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” (John 3:1-2 KJV)

Here's a man molded in the dark shadow of religion who I see did the right thing to do as the Lord expects of us to do. Many though, grilled this man for coming to see the Lord 'under the cover of the dark.' Yes, he may had perhaps tried to keep himself from the ire of his fellow religious rulers of the Jews, by having this clandestine meeting with the Lord. But I see him doing exactly what we are supposed to do if truly we seek for the light. Whether in the light of day or in the shadow of the night, (apart from the Lord, we are all spiritually in the dark) let us come. We need not flaunt about coming to the Lord. But, we need to come out into the Light declared in Genesis 1:1, who is Christ Jesus, lest, we remain groping in the dark.

By the small step he's taken, Nicodemus leapt into seeing a whole new light. As we, too, do the same by coming to the Lord Jesus Christ, be it in our darkest hour or in the brightest light of day, we will see things beyond the amazing signs and wonders of the work of His mighty hands that our naked eyes can see. When we come to Him by faith, in His grace, we are reborn. And, we'll see and learn new things by and in the light - who is Christ Jesus. He assures us with these words, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 2:23-25 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” (John 2:23-25 KJV).

Did you get that? This is such a timely moment, in this feast of remembrance of the first Passover in Egypt, which points to the ultimate Passover Lamb in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing the signs He did, many believed in His name! But for the wrong reasons, for sure. The Lord Jesus did not trust them for He knew what was in them. This conveys the message that not all beliefs can lead to relationship that the Lord desires to have with anyone. There are false believing. Besides, He needed no man to testify for Him. James 2:19 warns that demons and devils believe in God. They tremble before Him, but they have no relationship with Him. They disdain God. They are the enemies of God.

I grew up in a religion that profess knowing Jesus but did things not pertaining to what the Lord taught in the Scriptures. There was never a mention to have a relationship with Jesus. Rather, there was always a reminder to be scared of their god for he was watching in order to punish those who do not behave like they should. But, thanks be to the depth of God's love and the power of His gospel of grace and truth. It's never late to see the light. These reflections of His Words, gave light to the truth. God does not dwell in religion, even if they flagrantly use His name. All through the gospel books we see the Lord Jesus constantly rebuke the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the priests and other religious personages. Religion blinded them, like it is now. Religion is not of God. It is a tool of the enemy of our soul to keep us from having an intimate relationship with the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So, let's be true to ourselves, let Him love us and let Him be our Savior, be born again and rest in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul exhorts and prays, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” (Ephesians 3:14-17 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.