The Gospel of John 8:13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.” (John 8:13 KJV)

Here we see the Pharisees, who view the Lord only as a man, made another judgment call over His audacious claim of being the light of the world. Of course their judgment was made through the lens of human perspective blinded by religious eye patches. The Lord's declaration of being the light of the world was made amidst the backdrop of a sea of lights from lamps made out of the garments of priests, a religious ritual part of the Feast of Booths. The Lord Jesus laid claim to absolute moral and spiritual truth - He being the true light from heaven. His claim echoes God's own words revealing to Moses "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). This sparks continued escalation of conflict with the religious Jews, enraging the Pharisees to attempt killing Him.

These religious people, who have been demanding proofs of His claims, continue to disregard the heavenly signs and testimonies laid before them. The Lord of course agreed that evidence is necessary and that many signs have already been manifest affirming who He truly is. But, this persistent accusatory demand by the religious Pharisees reveals a heart and understanding totally muddied by the ungodly things of the world, just like our present day world environment. With total disdain of the Lord, they exemplify what Apostle Paul describes in his letter to Timothy.

We, and all those who are born again children of God in Christ, are warned as it is written: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 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.)

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P. O. Box 773716
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Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.

The Gospel of John 8:12 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12 KJV)

This passage tells us that after those accusers of the woman caught in adultery left, the Lord addressed the crowd. The crowd, after all, watched the whole dramatic scene unfolded, which ended with the woman's climactic ordeal touched by grace. The Lord continued His teaching that was interrupted by the religious leaders, who shoved the woman in their midst. He affirmed as earlier revealed that He is the light of the world (John 1:5; John 3:19-21).

This powerful declaration of the Lord, as with many other times in this gospel of John, invoked for the second time the name of God revealed to Moses, "I AM"(Exodus 3:14). This, He revealed earlier during His preaching to the crowd in Capernaum (John 6:35). Yes, this revelation of the Lord affirms that He is the God who appeared to Moses and was written about by Moses pointing to His coming as the Messiah. This unveiling was already layered by the miracles He performed, by the testimony of John the Baptist and by the writings of Moses and the prophets about Him and His coming.

By the timely unfolding of this declaration in the midst of the feast, the Lord is using the rituals of the celebration as a metaphor to bring the message in. As part of this festival's religious rituals, lamps were lighted. The "light" for the religious Jews was the ultimate symbol for salvation they yearned in their physical suffering from the brutal rule of a foreign Roman power, coupled with zealot religious authorities. The Lord's proclamation "I AM the light of the world" was of eternal importance to all humanity.

This is a revelation of great implication then and for us, now. As we come to our Lord Jesus Christ, not by way of religion, but by faith in Him, we are born again and renewed. We'll never walk in darkness. The Psalmist saw it and declared: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 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 8:11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV)

When the Lord declared to the woman caught on the act of adultery, "Neither do I condemn you" affirming her response to His question, it gives an echoing message of assurance to all of us, sinners. Our Lord Jesus Christ saves! He did not come to condemn (John 3:17). He did not come to bring death. He came to give us life that leads to eternal life (John 3:16).

In this passage the Lord Jesus did not overlook the woman's sin. He recognized the seriousness of the sin she's accused of. The sin that demanded capital punishment, the Lord supplied His provision of grace. Mercy was given and a woman's soul was spared from eternal death. This all happened because this woman was brought into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the person of grace and truth. He who is God from the beginning. He who came down from heaven. He who put on flesh to be among us full of grace and truth (John 1:14). This woman was placed in the domain of grace.

Let us therefore come into His presence where we too can rest in His grace. No one that came in His presence by believing was ever disappointed. They were all blessed, healed and brought to life. And we too will be blessed, brought out of realm of sin into the realm of the living and life eternal, as we come. It is by our faith that we receive His abounding provision of grace. It is only in Him we can "go and sin no more." Apostle Paul exhorts us by these words: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 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 8:9-10 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”(John 8:9-10 KJV)

Hypocrisy is the hallmark of these religious Jews which the Lord frequently called out. That's the essence of the trap they just set up for the Lord by bringing a case into His presence to coax Him to call judgement on. They brought in a woman purportedly caught in adultery, alone, for an act that needs two people to commit, which raises the question: where's the jack? This is such a case of bias and misogyny, a staple menu in our present day discourse. As it was then, so it is in this degenerating world and in the presence of religious perpetuity. In essence, a religious case so weak in the face of human court, the more so in the eyes of grace and truth in Christ Jesus.

So, when they heard the Lord's challenge, the religious accusers all turned away, starting from the oldest to the last. They all dropped their stones of condemnation and left. With her accusers gone, only the woman in the shame of sin was left in the presence of grace in the midst of the crowd. She is blessed to be in the right spot, where the Lord is. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

Sinners as we all are, for those who have not come to the presence of Christ Jesus to believe and be born again, don't wait to be dragged and shoved as this woman was. Time is of the essence. Scriptures call on everyone: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 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 8:7-8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says ...

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.” (John 8:7-8 KJV)

In these passages, those band of religious Jews that brought a woman they purportedly caught in the act of adultery, persisted on demanding for the Lord's action of judgement according to the law. Mosaic law demands that adultery be punished by stoning to death. But the Lord's reaction amazingly cuts through the trap, of course Him knowing that this is an elaborate set up to corner Him. In the minds of the Lord's religious enemies, this crucial case puts Him on a dilemma. Either way of judgment He makes on this woman would make Him a defier of Mosaic or Roman laws.

When the Lord said 'let him among you who have no sin cast the first stone', brought to light the undeniable truth. We are all sinners. None has the right to condemn anyone, as each one is guilty of sinning! So, the first person that turned away, was even perhaps the guy with whom this woman was caught with. It's just a thought. Who knows? His name could be whose name the Lord wrote on the dirt asking: where's the dude?, as the stooped again to continue writing on the pavement. 

It's not revealed anywhere in the scriptures what the Lord wrote. But, He being the person of grace and truth, grace is the conspicuous writing on the wall wherever His presence is. The supply of His grace is sufficient to satisfy the demands of the law. When we receive Him by faith, as He comes “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” (John 1:16 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 8:3-6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” (John 8:3-6 KJV)

While in the middle of His teaching session this early morning, a dark and ugly scene began to unfold. The scribes and the Pharisees came dragging behind a woman they purportedly caught in the act of adultery. They shoved her to the center of the crowd that the Lord Jesus taught, demanding His action whether He supports enforcement of capital punishment as mandated by the law of Moses for this woman's case. The accusation though is somehow hollow as there was only one party presented, knowing that adultery involves two sinners committing the act. Yes, it is made clear that this misogynistic scene was not meant for justice, but rather to trap and corner the Lord.

These Jews were certain they'd have the Lord in their trap. In their minds, they thought that if He agreed to their brutal enforcement of the death penalty the crowd would turn against him, and if he responded with mercy they could take him for violating the law. Either way they have him in the bag, so to speak! But, the Lord's response was so unexpected that they could not have thought of. He disregarded them. And, He stoop down to write with His finger on the stone pavement.

No one knows what the Lord wrote as it has not been revealed in any of the scripts. But one thing's sure, the law was engraved by the finger of God on tablets of stone (Exodus 20:14). Now the finger of the Son of God, who came full of grace and truth (John 1:14) is writing grace to fulfill the demands of that law on the pavement where the accused sinner lies. As it is written, the Lord Jesus Christ told Nicodemus: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 8:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.” (John 8:1-2 KJV)

These passages set the stage for the conflict and tension that's about to unfold. The Mount of Olives, with the Lord's presence, becomes a symbolic battleground between the forces of condemnation and mercy, where legalism and grace will clash heads on. Forgiveness will reign and none forsaken. This place becomes a setting of the Lord's illustration of the power of grace and the profound demonstration of His moral and spiritual teachings.

As His habit wherever He is, the Lord Jesus went to the temple, where people gather for prayer and teaching of the word. We see in this scene that all the people came to Him, and He taught. Such a very inspiring and touching action of people eager to be taught. This is nudging us today, to come and be taught. The risen Lord Jesus Christ is always ready every morning and available in His temple to teach. Let's keep in mind, that by faith in Him the risen Lord, we are His temple. Our body is the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16b).

Hence, we make it our habit every morning to have a regular appointment with our Lord Jesus Christ. As we come and show up, not in temples made by human hands (Acts 17:24) nor a specific mountain, wherever we are, as we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), He comes. He will teach us. We have this promise to look to, it is written that - “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”” (Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:50-53 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own house.” (John 7:50-53 KJV)

These Pharisees who are so rigid about their laws are after all don't abide by it, at their convenience these passages reveal. Just like our present day rampantly litigated society. It all depends who's in charge. Selective and trump up charges can just be easily manufactured, by whoever is in control, on anyone considered a treat to their positions and possessions. No difference from the hypocrite political and religious leaders during the time when our Lord Jesus Christ walked in human form in this world.

As we see in this account of John, those religious people who persecuted the Lord are quick to throw insults on their own kind, as well, when corrected according to their rules. They put themselves above the laws that they stiffly apply on others, but them. Here, in these texts, Nicodemus, who was one of them that went to see the Lord Jesus under the cloak of night, brought to light the follies of his fellow Pharisees. This seems to reveal that one of them believed after all! He basically poked them on the eyes with their own warped logic of their treatment of the Lord. Condemning the followers of the Lord baselessly, Nicodemus elbowed them right on spot using their own laws which say - every man must be given due process before being condemned. That's the principle of the law given through Moses to a rebellious people, that they obviously and conveniently fail to follow.

This made Nicodemus become the object of the same ridicule they did to the Lord. What can you expect? If these people reject God, it can be expected that those who believed in Him will be rejected too. Which is the same environment we have in this world these days. With the world becoming more godless, it can be expected that believers are hated more intensely by it. It is evident on the discourse in every form of fake media that dominated the world and its cyber space.

Hence, the Lord Jesus knowing of it to consume our present world, gave us His comforting assurance. As His chosen people and called children of the Most High God through His grace and born again by faith in Him, let us stay at home in the Lord and rest in Him. We have these promise: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 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 7:45-49 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.” (John 7:45-49 KJV)

These officers who were sent to arrest the Lord Jesus but could not, returned to their masters empty-handed and had to do a lot of explaining. Their defense for inaction is somehow very revealing and brought to light the deep-seated hypocrisies of the chief priests and the Pharisees. The officers' declaration: "No one ever spoke the way this man does" says it all. The judgmental statements of the chief priests and Pharisees asserting with arrogance that since none of them believed the Lord Jesus no one else must, as well. Especially, the crowds who in their judgement knew nothing of the law, they said - they are cursed for believing? Cursed by faith?! These are such profound display of the perils of religion. And sadly, it continues to hold many captive in this present age.

But, the truth of God's Words, stated that those who knew and observe the law carved on tablet of stones are the ones who are cursed! Not as these hypocrites assert. The Words of the risen Lord Jesus Christ revealed through Apostle Paul said: “But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.””(Galatians 3:10-11 NLT)

Apostle Paul's exhortation to the believers in Corinth, brought to light the hypocrisies of religion.  With Words directly revealed by the risen Lord Jesus Christ, he further said: “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-9 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 7:40-44 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.” (John 7:40-44 KJV)

How about you? Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the prophet, king, teacher, messiah, lord, master, impostor, pretender, fake, deceiver or religious figurehead? So often many people make their decisions about the Lord Jesus Christ based on heresy, second-hand or watered down information. Many think they know him because they heard about him in a "church" or read about him in a book, in a blog or have been told by someone, especially one claiming authority with special attire. The real issue, however, is whether or not each of us has personally gone on a quest to know Him as He is. That is knowing Him through His holy and written Words, like the Bereans who examined the Scriptures (Acts 17:21). The Scripture - the Word is the only authority, with guidance of the Holy Spirit, that can reveal to us the truth about the Lord. God Himself magnify His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2b).

As we continue to reflect on the Gospel of John, we must approach the whole Scriptures with an empty cup ready to receive the truth on the right context led by the Holy Spirit who is the only person that can teach us the truth. We must first ask God for wisdom. The most important question any of us will ever answer is this, which the Lord asked Apostle Peter: "Who do you say I AM?" (Matthew 16:15).

Many in the crowd show some knowledge of the prophesies and writings of the prophets about the Lord, and some were not. And, either or both were confused and lost. Some even intend to lay their hands to arrest the Lord, but of course the time for Him to give His life is not yet come. So, they could not. Certainly, some of these crowds were looking through the lens of worldly knowledge, rather than on the lens of heavenly wisdom. They have not been drawn by the Father as their motives were not right with God. It is the Father who will lead us to the truth as reflected in the Lord's affirmation to Apostle Peter's response to His question. It is written: “Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-17 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 7:37-39 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (John 7:37-39 KJV).

These passages used the last day of the Feast of Booth celebration, for such momentous message the Lord gave. It's the climax of the week long remembrance of God's intervention while the Israelites' wandered in the desert during the exodus journey from Egypt. The Lord Jesus gave His life-changing invitation to the crowd attending the feast, and to us too, today. Addressing our 'thirst', as we all do, the Lord provided us the source for quenching. Not as the world or religion does, but as what God has designed for our spiritual contentment.

Using this event as backdrop for His invitation, it points to God's provision of water that came out from the rock in the middle of the desert during the Israelites' thirst for water in the wilderness. That was a foreshadow of the Lord's eternal provision of water to drink that He is now drawing the crowd to come and drink in this final day of the feast. He is drawing us too, with this reflection, as we travail this spiritual draught in this world we are in. This water is available to all who believes in Him - our Lord Jesus Christ. Using the analogy of a spring, a living water which also the Lord mentioned to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10), the Lord is pointing to the coming of the promised Holy Spirit that all receives by faith in Him.

This, He promised to everyone who believes. The moment the Lord Jesus was glorified by His rising from the grave, the Holy Spirit came and He is now available for us to receive by faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord gave this instruction to the disciples: “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”” (Acts 1:4-5 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 7:35-36 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?” (John 7:35-36 KJV)

Questions. Questions. Questions? Those come to mind of some who wouldn't want to understand and believe, like these religious Jews. “Where will He go, that we can't find Him?” This is confusing indeed to a religious mind, the more so with a worldly mind. These Jews claimed to know and to have read the Scripture, but just as many of us do, they fail to meditate on it nor let it speaks to them. Some only paid attention to what they wanted to see that jibes to their religion, out of context. Hence, they did not accept Jesus as Messiah. Therefore, they couldn't perceive His ascension back to the Father in heaven, which is what the Lord Jesus is pointing. So they asked: “Will he go, to the Israelites dispersed among the settlements of the Gentiles to teach them all? Their line of thought leads them to ask, how is it He thinks we would not be able to find Him? He says that wherever He’s going, we won’t be able to follow nor find Him. Is he a fool! He’s not going anywhere we can’t find or follow!”

In a sense, their statement was right that the Lord will bring the gospel to the Gentile nations. And, they're right too, that if they remain adamant in their unbelief they won't find Him. These leaders are so confident of their own perceived authority and power. They had no idea at all of the absolute power and authority of the Son of Man who they confronted with such scorn and unbelief. With the Lord's spiritually cyphered messages, they couldn't intercept it with their physical mind. The Lord is proclaiming His spiritually coded Words to those who are ready to receive Him and believe. He is talking about the place in His Father's house where He is going. Those who do not believe won't find Him. But for those who believe in Him and are born again (John 3.3), He gives this assurance: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 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. And you know the way to where I am going.”” (John 14:2-4 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:32-34 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.” (John 7:32-34 KJV)

Attempting to seize the Lord Jesus Christ, these passages reveal that the authorities in Jerusalem sent officers to arrest Him. The political and religious leaders were increasingly irked by the revelation of truth that the Lord preached, which some of the crowd have begun to get a grasp on and believed openly. Their whispers about the signs they saw that affirm what was written of the coming Messiah reached the watchful ears of the Pharisees. These threatened their claim to authority, hence they are starting to take steps to control. They intend to keep their blind followers to remain in the dark shadows of religion. This is a nudge to those many today who are held captive by the false hopes of established and institutionalized religious enterprises. Like the religious people then, the present perpetuation of religion and precepts of the world are keeping many in the stronghold of darkness.

As the Lord said to those who came to arrest Him, He is saying it too to everyone today in this time. As the Lord “Jesus rebuffed them: “I am with you only a short time. Then I go on to the One who sent me. You will look for me, but you won’t find me. Where I am, you can’t come.”” (John 7:33-34 MSG). We are warned! Dire time it is to be transformed by faith in Him who came to provide us (especially those who are lost) the path to be able to seek Him, find Him and receive Him, so we can come to where He is. It is time to get off the grip of the material world, the grip of religion and pagan beliefs. It is time to come to the Lord JesusChrist to receive His grace by faith in Him. Let Him come in our hearts, be born again and become a new creation. His finished work on the cross and His rise from the dead is enough for us. No rituals. No idols. No religious rigmaroles. No political correctness. It is only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, Scriptures declare: “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:5-6 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:30-31 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?” (John 7:30-31 KJV)

Yes, can anybody else do the miracles the Lord Jesus has done? Such a very accurate question to ask by many who believed among the crowd. With all the signs that had been manifest before their very eyes to see, only the Messiah - the Lord Jesus Christ, who already is in their midst, can do. Those who believed exhibited virtuous defiance against pressure by religious authorities, who are after the Lord to seize Him but couldn't lay their hands on Him. The Lord's time is not yet come. These true seekers of God, stood by faith on the grounds of grace and truth in Christ Jesus. They are examples for us all, specially for those that are held hostage by today's religious and worldly influences. Yes, the world is inundated with isms clogging the hearts and minds of many. But there is hope, when we truly come and listen. So, let's allow God's Words to speak to us! Then, we receive to eat and drink Him-the Lord Jesus who is the Word. He is our true bread from heaven. He brings us life in this finite dimension, and unto the infinite sphere of living.

Nothing of essence for this life and the hereafter, than the Words that the Lord Jesus Christ speaks. It is not about ritualistic "church stuffs". That leads to nowhere and can't bring you close to God. Truth is, this "churchiness" is not of God. It's only a deceptive tool that sounds good but leads people away from the truth and intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. So, we have to listen to His Words, not religious creeds and political correctness. His Words will last forever to sustain us. It will never pass away! It is written, the Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:28-29 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.” (John 7:28-29 KJV)

The Lord Jesus Christ was sent on assignment only He can accomplish. It was an assignment not of his own initiative. He wasn't looking for honor for himself. He was sent to do the Father's work, to do the Father's mission, and to bring glory to the Father by accomplishing it. The mission's cost was heavy: His life must be given in the process to execute it. The goal was to reveal the Father to us, as well as reconcile us to Himself through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18). And, when the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave us the same mission: "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you (John 20:21)!" Hence, we are called to live in Him and He in us each day, following the cue of His Spirit in us. Living in grace, fully committed by faith in our Savior, we live for and in the one who sent us and reveal his glory and grace through us (Roman 8:8-21).

In these passages, the Lord Jesus raised His voice high to declare for all in the temple to hear. He revealed the plain truth that they who heard Him knew Him after all. The Jews, who read the writings of Moses and the prophets, knew Him! For reasons only them and God know, as these texts reveal, they are just plainly pretentious and rebellious, as their reactions to Him and His messages show!

Hence, the Lord Jesus said this of them: “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Matthew 13:13-15 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 7:25-27 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.” (John 7:25-27 KJV)

The local residents of Jerusalem who are under the strong influence and fear of the religious authorities of the city wondered why they have not arrested the Lord Jesus Christ with all the bold statements He just made. Unlike the pilgrims attending the feast, these people are fully aware of the goings on around the city. They witnessed the wondrous signs the Lord Jesus Christ has already performed. Yet, many are totally dismissive and unbelieving. While some are in doubt, and perhaps a few are convinced and already believed in secret, but for fear of their religious authorities, they kept silent.

Many, though, are so adamant in following the cue from their religious leaders despite the obvious that what their leaders are teaching them does not come from God and His Words. Many are brought up by those pagan based teachings of their religion that it becomes difficult for the truth of God's word to affect a change within them. That's the great danger of being exposed to lies for so long in our religious and social discourse. A person will settle to believe on lies as truths and reject the truths, for lies. Just like what's happening in this present age. Many people of the world have been honed with worldly precepts and religious creeds totally ungodly that many has embraced a distorted view of God. Most just "naturally" reject God, having the dominant nature of pure humanity and worldliness. It is borne out of having only one focus, loving the world, instead of the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who sent His only begotten Son. 

Hence, the Scriptures warned us all, believers and unbelievers alike, as we are all still in the world. To the unbelievers, it is time to believe. It is written: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:21-24 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:21-24 KJV)

The Lord Jesus, responds to their accusatory and judgmental statement of Him being a demon-possessed by referring them back to the one miracle He did at the pool of Bethesda. It was a great sign He had shown healing a man who was lame for Thirty Eight years. And, it caused quite a stir for He healed the man on a Sabbath. It created hostility on the religious Jews which led them to hatch a plan to kill Him.

He also brought up the covenant sign of circumcision between God and Abraham, which Moses required the Israelites to perform on the eighth day from birth of a male child even if it falls on the Sabbath. This is a ceremony to cut off a piece of a child's body to ensure blood is shed to be a partaker in the blessings promised by God to Abraham. The religious Jews continue doing this even on the Sabbath, and the Lord affirms its importance to bring light over the healing He performed to make whole a person's body on a Sabbath. He said Sabbath is made for man (Mark 2:27).

With the inconsistency on the part of the Jews, the Lord reminded them, and us all in this age who truly receive Him our Savior and are born again by faith, through His grace. If ever we judge, we must judge righteously not on appearance, but by the content of the heart. And, we can't see the content of the heart! Only God can see the heart. Hence, we are called upon, as it is written: ““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2 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 7:20 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?” (John 7:20 KJV)

Here we go again! These people, controlled and influenced by religion and fearful of the powerful zealot Pharisees, priests and Sadducees, just casually accused the Lord as devil-possessed. When truth is on the verge of cracking the stony hearts of men and women, like what's happening in this scene at the feast - as many were awed by His teachings, the enemy of our soul uses every tool in his kit to stump it off. He uses the ones who are right there on our proximity. He used the ordinary people in the crowd. The religious leaders (then and now), and even the closest of our family are used to blur our spiritual vision. The half-siblings of the Lord were used to push Him off-track His timing, with their taunting. As with many others, anyone can be a handy tool right on the spot, easy to use specially on those held captive by pagan doctrines and worldly ways. Their lies give false and deadly hope. Followers of religion are being detached from the truth that the gospel of Christ Jesus gives.

Perhaps, some of these people in the crowd are foreigners attending the feast. Hence, they are unaware that the political and religious leaders in Jerusalem are in pursuit to kill the Lord. The goings on in the religious circles and the city streets may not be known to them. They're still unaware that those local leaders are on the prowl to nab and kill the Lord Jesus Christ. As with the Lord, we too, who are believers in Christ Jesus, are hunted by the enemies of our soul, who are wearing vestiges of religion and humanism. Hence, the Lord Jesus warned us: ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 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 7:16-19 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” (John 7:16-19 KJV)

As the crowd was amazed with wonder of His wisdom, with the Words that He taught, the Lord Jesus was quick to reveal that what He conveyed were truths not by and of Himself, but given to Him directly by the Father. And, He said, generally we will discern if His teachings are from the Father or from His own when we come to God with the will to do His will. This calls for surrender to God's sovereignty. Which is the act of using our will to choose total dependence on Him, come what may.

He further revealed a worldly reality that when one comes on his own authority, apart from God, has the tendency to seek his own glory and become susceptible to falsehood and flattery. But, in God - fully surrendered to His will by faith in Christ and been born again, truth is in him. There is no deceit in his nature. He is made the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Addressing directly the unbelieving religious Jews, the Lord confronted them for priding themselves as leaders of Israel and for boasting of their belief on Moses. They bragged as being disciples of Moses and yet they manifest unbelief on his writings. If only they did, they would have recognized and received the Lord Jesus Christ and His messages. And, none of them had even kept the law given through Moses, which would have made them realize they needed a Savior in Christ Jesus. Instead, due to their religion, they sought to kill the One and only Son of God who can save them.

Hence, the Lord Jesus said this of them: “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”” (John 5:46-47 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:14-15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (John 7:14-15 KJV)

The Lord Jesus Christ succeeded to sneak in the feast unnoticed and was able to sense the pulse of the crowd. As expected, He saw their conflicting views about Him, His ministry and the heavenly signs He manifest for their benefit. Hence, middle through the seven days of feast, He went to the temple. That's where the religious leaders and the religious crowd gather for their religious rituals. Just like today's religious festivities, where people converge at their elaborate structures of worship to perform un biblical rituals and hear their religious designed messaging to keep them in the comfort of their blindfold of lies.

As the Lord teaches, His teachings are definitely not of this world. Neither religious, nor aligned with the creed of priests and Pharisees, whom He rebuked and called upon to turn around and believe. He talked in the language of heaven, with words of grace and truth. His teachings are loaded with wisdom that many are amazed considering that He was not mentored by any of their renowned rabbinic teachers of the time, nor trained in any of their 'Ivy League' places and seminaries of learning. Many knew Him as only a child of a poor carpenter growing up in a backward village called Nazareth.

When the Lord Jesus Christ was twelve years old growing in our human form, an account was recorded in the Book of Luke, He declared that He must be about His Father's business, which we should too, as children of God. It is written: “Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”” (Luke 2:46-49 NKJV)

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 7:12-13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.” (John 7:12-13 KJV)

These verses gave us a picture of a hostile - religion and pagan dominated, society. These religious Jewish leaderships claim to be believers in God and observers of the law given through Moses, but failed to follow the truth of God's Words in favor of their man-made doctrines that blinded them to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ who was sent by the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And the pagan authorities are so powerful, backed by Roman rule. Hence, it is expected that the people attending the feast, both locals and visitors, have conflicting opinions about the Lord. But none voiced their opinion publicly, specially those who hold favorable views of the Lord Jesus Christ. They fear the ire of zealot unbelieving religious and political leaderships.

When established powerful religions and atheistic authorities wield strong influence and power, like in many societies of our age, people are held captive and shackled. They are fearful. But, thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ, for by faith in Him, He gives us the truth that sets us free. His Words declare: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 7:9-11 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?” (John 7:9-11 KJV)

The Lord Jesus, undefiled by the taunting interaction with His half-siblings remained in Galilee, as He told them to go to the feast. Contrary to their assumption, the Lord was not interested for attention. When they left for the feast, He too, of course taking His promptings from the Father, proceeded to Jerusalem for the feast in secret. He moved around incognito careful not to draw prematurely the ire of the religious Jews who were bent to kill Him.

His quiet entry to attend the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles in Jerusalem gave the Lord the liberty to hear and see first-hand the rumors swirling around the city. Many were curious what He would do during this festival. Being already marked by religious leaders as a 'blasphemer', He was careful not to be trapped into their hands before His heaven-ordained timing.

On the other hand, those angry religious leaders were on the prowl looking for Him during this whole week of celebration. They were anticipating Him to appear with the wrong assumption, as the Lord's brethren, that He's after for show and fame. Slipping privately without fanfare, He arrived to find the people debating His character and mission. Just like the present day religious dominations arguing on the non- biblical bases of their doctrines, they refuse to budge to change for truth according to the truth of God's holy and written Words. They cling on to their religious influence and power aligned to the material world-with their customs, traditions and rituals, instead of being transformed through the renewing spirit of God's Words by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

As children of God, being born again by faith in Christ Jesus, we are reminded to be careful not to be caught up with those religious vestiges patterned after pagan and world precepts, by this exhortation through Apostle Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 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 7:6-8 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.” (John 7:6-8 KJV)

The Lord's response to His half-siblings' mocking suggestions reveal few very important aspects of His ministry.

Firstly, contrary to their teasing presumption, that He was merely doing a show to gain attention, truth is - the Lord Jesus was passionately revealing the truth to the crowd. This is the truth that leads them to the light to be set free and be brought out of darkness.

Secondly, with the Lord's brethren (unbeknownst to them) being used by the forces of darkness to push Him to deepen conflict with the Jews before His time, He remained steadfast in following the Father's will. Hence, He told them that they can go themselves to the feast. Their time is already come. This is a statement aimed to nudge them and today's unbelievers from their unbelief. The time is now for them to go to the feast and celebrate, for God's provision from heaven in His person is already come. Now is their time to be saved (2 Corinthians 6:2), but somehow, they, as with many in this age, seemed to miss it!

Thirdly, these also reveal another truth. When in the world and you behave like the world, the world loves you. Like these brethren of the Lord, who acted like the religious Jews, taunting Him and His ministry. Unlike the Lord, they and those disciples who turned away are the darlings of the Jews and the world. The Lord Jesus and we, who are borne again by believing in Him, are hated by the world (John 15:18-19).

Fourthly, the timing of the Lord's mission here on earth is set from above. He follows what the Father tells Him to do (John 14:31). On the same manner, we must follow what He tells us too, through His Words, guided by the Holy Spirit who is in us (Galatians 5:16), and not by religion's cue, nor by the promptings of the world.

Apostle Paul, gives us these caution and exhortation: “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!”” (Romans 8:13-15 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 7:3-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.” (John 7:3-5 KJV)

These passages refer to men called "His brethren" who were the Lord's physical half siblings by His mother Mary with Joseph, her husband. This Bible truth brings to light the doctrine of a religious group that worships Mary and her image as being a 'perpetual virgin'. Let alone worshipping an idol of God's creation which is emphatically forbidden by God (Exodus 20:4-6). Mary, as with any human being and other created things, is not to be worshipped. The Bible declares that only God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great I AM deserve our worship (Luke 4:8). Apostle Peter, also worshipped by many including his image, when he was still alive said to Cornelius who attempted to worship him: “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”” (Acts 10:26b NIV)

These members of the family of Jesus urged Him with sarcasm and taunting to go and put on a show in Jerusalem. “His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.” His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him either.” (John 7:3-5 MSG)

This was when many disciples abandoned the Lord Jesus after His preaching in Capernaum (John 6:66). This kind of attitude reflects a mindset molded by a belief system based on religious and worldly precepts of men. Not of God.

Thankfully, two of these brethren were confirmed to have seen the truth and received the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ later on. James the writer of the Book of James in the New Testament is believed to be the Lord's half brother. So as Jude, who wrote the short Epistle of Jude. God's grace is always available when we believe. It's never late for a turn around. In fact, as exemplified by Judas Iscariot (one of the first disciples but later turned away) and with the criminal that was crucified with the Lord Jesus on Calvary (whom the Lord promised to see in paradise), the Lord Jesus said in one of His parables: “So the last will be first, and the first last.”” (Matthew 20:16 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 7:1-2 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.” (John 7:1-2 KJV).

After a long winnowing dance of the Lord's revelation of truths and misconceptions among the crowd and ultimately turning away of many of the Lord's disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ stayed in Galilee. He bides time, as He says at other times, "My hour has not yet come." (John 2:4). He avoids the religious Jews who sought to kill Him out of the time set by the Father. Besides, His mission to come into this world is to give His life to die in our stead, as ransom for our sin. He did not come so His life be taken from Him. By His love - “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..” (1 John 3:16a NIV). No one takes His life!

He abode in Galilee for few months until the time of the Jews' feast of tabernacle celebration. This is the Jews' day of remembrance of how God provided the Israelites during their journey out of Egypt through the wilderness. God provided them with everything. They were sheltered with pillars of clouds during the day and pillars of fire during the night. For forty years God fed them. By God's grace they had everything they needed.

When we rest in the grace of our Lord, in His time He tarries for us. No forces can change His plan. He bides time, like He did staying in Galilee away from the Jews who sought to kill Him. And, as we depend on Him by faith, through grace we have supernatural provisions like the Israelites in the wilderness. It is written, God said through Moses: “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet. You have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 29:5-6 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 6:70-71 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” (John 6:70-71 KJV)

The amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is truly abounding grace for grace. He, being Omniscient, All knowing as He is, knows our beginning and our end, and every content of our heart and being. Nothing of us is hidden from Him. He knows our thoughts and intents before we even thought of it. He knows every twists and turns of our walk in this life. He has the minute and detailed map of our life. He knows who will reject or accept Him. He knows who will betray Him. He knew of Judas's betrayal before even Judas knew the act he would take. Yet, He gave Judas the fair shake and access to make the choice to choose believing and remain in Him.

But, as with every person, God gave us the power of freedom to decide. It's all in our hands. And, Judas availed of it for the wrong choice. He betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ for Thirty Two pieces of silver. And, seeing the Lord condemned was filled with remorse. Instead of coming to the Lord's grace and mercy, he chose to run away. He hanged himself to die (Matthew 27:3-5). Unfortunately, he wasn't listening to the Lord's message. Yes, he was with Him, being chosen as one of the twelve disciples, but he did not get it. Which remind us to take the Lord's living Words of grace and truth seriously and receive it. His grace is more than enough (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We are to have it settled in our hearts that by faith in Christ Jesus, grace is superior than anything. Apostle Paul exhorts with these words: “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

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

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

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

The Gospel of John 6:66-69 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-69 KJV)

When people are drilled with doctrines and precepts of religion and of the world, it's incredible to watch how they react to truths God speaks. When offered with challenging truths (John 6:60), they are quick to completely reject it. They're calloused for spiritual change and redirection. For them, turning away from the light of truth is just a natural instinct. They developed some kind of 'Stockholm Syndrome' after being held captive for a long period by the forces of darkness. They allow shackles of religion and other wrong beliefs to keep them from seeing who the Lord Jesus Christ is and His love. Without second thought, they abandon Him and return to their habitat in the world with all its offerings of fictive satisfaction and joy.

Knowing this to happen with those half-hearted followers, the Lord turned to asked affirmation from His chosen twelve disciples if they too would turn away. Peter's reply is a very compelling statement for us, who are truly born again, to take hold on to. In this time of ever increasing pressure from the forces of evil to nail us down into wrong beliefs, it is a timely reminder. The enemy enjoys watching the majority of the world's population take comfort in its ways. The devil does not anymore need to focus his resources on them. They're his, as they remain in their ways.

The devil's minions are also making sure that those who are claiming to be followers of Jesus who belong to a religion called "Christianity" but are with unbiblical beliefs, are safely tucked in. The devil is doing his best to keep them in their rituals and traditions of doctrines made by men. They are ensuring those so-called 'Christians' are kept away from reflecting God's holy and written Words, the Holy Bible. His goons block them away from the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to keep from seeing the truth. Their so-called 'Church Leaders' dissuade them access to scriptures without their guidance so to keep them tied to their declared religious creed and precepts, instead of God's true revelation leading to the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven.

Apostle Peter's declaration of the Lord's sovereign power is so profound. This we must get hold on to and declare day by day: “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”” (John 6:68-69 NLT)

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 6:65 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (John 6:65 KJV).

Authentic and true seeking is the key. That's the revealing message of this passage. When we seek truly, we will find (Matthew 7:6), as the Father will send us to find the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeking with the pure intent to hear and to believe (Romans 10:17) is the most gainful and consequential action we can take while we are still in this otherwise cursory non consequential realm of living in the flesh. Yes sadly, this life is superficial lived apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. This life is inconsequential without God, as the flesh is fleeting and like dew it just banishes in a flash. Then, nothingness comes! Dust returns to dust! (Genesis 3:19).

Hence, not truly seeking God, doing nothing heavenly by merely going through the motion of the world; or behaving as the pagans and even religious world do, is devoid of life. Rejecting the true God who sent the Lord Jesus Christ or perhaps like many religions do that use His name for their ulterior motives, pose a very costly and tragic consequence of eternal ramification, not just to the flesh, but to one's soul and spirit.

God is neither partial nor respecter of persons. We are all on the same proximity to Him. No one is closer than anyone to God. But, when purity to seek Him first and belief kicks in, that's the game changer. When we use our freedom of choice to choose Him, pursue Him and believe in Him, we are set apart from the world and the Father will send us to Christ Jesus. He will be in us and we in Him! (Revelation 3:20).

Scriptures assure us that as we seek and believe in Him, as with Apostle Paul, we can affirm: “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.