Anthony Diaz 8/1/25 Anthony Diaz 8/1/25

The Greatest Document

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. Romans 15:4 NLT

The Bible’s message is straightforward. No writer changed the message to put himself or his friends in a better light. The sins of mankind are frankly admitted, and life is presented as it actually was. Critics claim the Bible’s full of forgery, fiction, and unfulfilled prophecy; but the findings of archaeology have corroborated rather than denied the biblical data. The Christian faith is not dependent upon human knowledge and scientific advancement. The inability to comprehend fully the mysteries of God doesn’t in any way curtail the Christian faith but enhances it. The Bible is the greatest document of the human race and remains a bulwark of national, personal, and spiritual freedom. A well-known quote by Yale educator William Lyon Phelps, once called the most beloved professor in America, stated, “I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women, but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than a college course without the Bible.” The world has a multitude of people who agree with the famed professor. The first requirement placed upon the critic is that he or she read every page of the Bible. The critic should also know something of the Bible’s history and the miracle of its writing. Biblical history is fascinating and makes us appreciate the Book, which has been preserved for us to this day.
Graham, Billy. Truth for Each Day : Daily Devotions to Renew Your Mind and Inspire Your Soul (a 365-Day Devotional), Thomas Nelson Incorporated, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=30516542.
Created from liberty on 2025-07-31 16:30:06.

Anthony Diaz 7/31/25 Anthony Diaz 7/31/25

The Unpardonable Sin

“Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 12:31 NLT

When people cannot explain the unpardonable sin, it is unlikely that they have committed it; their feelings of guilt seem to support this conclusion. The unpardonable sin involves the total and irrevocable rejection of Jesus Christ. It is void of guilt. Resisting the Holy Spirit of God is a sin committed by unbelievers that, when carried on long enough, leads to eternal doom. Only certain judgment remains for those who resist the Holy Spirit that is sent by God to draw us to Himself. It is not unusual for people to wonder if they have committed a deed that cannot be forgiven, such as murder, incest, abortion, or even something that may not seem quite so serious. Such people often develop obsessive guilt. It seems that no one has committed this sin who continues to be under the disturbing, convicting, and drawing power of the Holy Spirit. So long as the Spirit strives with a person, he or she has not committed the unpardonable sin. But when a person has so resisted the Spirit of God that He strives with him or her no more, then there is eternal danger. What is the answer, then, to this overwhelming guilt? Each of us must humble ourselves before God and admit our sin. Cry out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). God is in the business of forgiving sin.

Graham, Billy. Truth for Each Day : Daily Devotions to Renew Your Mind and Inspire Your Soul (a 365-Day Devotional), Thomas Nelson Incorporated, 2023. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=30516542.
Created from liberty on 2025-07-31 15:11:03.

Anthony Diaz 7/28/25 Anthony Diaz 7/28/25

The Greatest Friend

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. PSALM 25:16 ESV.

Loneliness often comes to the busiest people. Loneliness can also be self-inflicted through self-isolation. Some long for togetherness; others demand privacy and independence. The kind of society we live in today can contribute to loneliness. It is difficult for some to maintain strong relationships. Mobility and constant change tend to make some individuals feel rootless and disconnected. In spite of the multitudes that claim to have millions of friends, loneliness is the predominant attitude in our culture. A person can be lonely in the midst of a party; he can be lonely in a crowd. Loneliness may be experienced by the rich and famous or the poor and unknown. And surveys indicated that there are millions of very lonely faces peering into computer screens. Social media today has given people a way to search for total strangers as friends and gain listening ears. There is a listening ear that waits patiently to hear from us. His name is Jesus Christ. Some of the greatest Christians I know have led quiet yet full lives because they were in tune with God. When we pray to Him, we are in touch with the greatest Friend mankind will ever know. We must learn to set aside some of our busyness and make Christ the focus of life, and loneliness will be replaced by His compassionate love.

Anthony Diaz 7/27/25 Anthony Diaz 7/27/25

No Worries

“Do not worry about your life.” MATTHEW 6:25.

If we trust in our worry more than we trust God, we are sinning by our lack of faith in Him who has given us the richness of His constant abiding presence, for those who put their faith in Him. Counter your worry by thinking about the things you do not worry about. Perhaps you never worry about whether you will be able to get water out of the faucet in your kitchen, or maybe you do not worry about a tree falling on your house. You may be a worrier by nature, but even the worst worrier in the world doesn’t worry about some things! Ask yourself why you do not worry about some things. Is it because, in the case of running water, it has always been there when you wanted it? Or that a tree has never fallen on your house before? Certainty breeds trust, doesn’t it? We can be just as certain and worry-free about God’s love and protection. What is the evidence? It is the cross, where God fully expressed His love for us. Since Jesus overcame death, can He not help us overcome worry about things that will probably never happen? We should turn worry into gratitude for all the times He has seen us through difficulties. Worries flee before a spirit of gratitude, and the Lord is pleased when we trust Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Anthony Diaz 7/26/25 Anthony Diaz 7/26/25

Atoning Sacrifice

This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. HEBREWS 10:12.

When we look into God’s Word, we see what true righteousness is. The Ten Commandments describe the life that pleases God. If we are separated from God by sin, the law exposes our sin and shows us our true spiritual condition. Sin had to be paid for, so in the beginning God instituted the sacrificial system by which we finally could be brought into a right relationship with God. In Old Testament times, those who had sinned brought sacrifices of animals and offered them to God. This foreshadowed the Great Sacrifice yet to come. What is the significance? It was an atonement for mankind in regard to sin. The sacrifices were visual aids to show sinners that there was hope because the punishment for sin could be transferred to another. However, this symbolically demonstrated that God could forgive them in the light of what He would one day do at the cross. God did not initiate the sacrifices because He was bloodthirsty or unjust. He wanted us to zero in on two things: first, the loathsomeness of sin, and second, the cross on which God Himself would satisfy forever the demands of His justice.

Anthony Diaz 7/25/25 Anthony Diaz 7/25/25

God’s Unchanging Care

God is our refuge and strength. PSALM 46:1

Many changes have taken place in our world. In fact, it is no longer the same world; it is totally different. There are new generations—young people who have grown up in a new society and are challenged by new ideas. But it isn’t “entirely” new because every generation experiences change. But one thing is certain. God has not changed, for He said, “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6 ESV). This is an immeasurable comfort to the believer in times of change. John Bunyan tells us, “Afflictions are governed by God, both as to time, number, nature, and measure. Our times, and our conditions in these times, are in the hand of God, yea, and so are our souls and bodies, to be kept and preserved from the evil while the rod of God is upon us.” God is interested in, and concerned about, every aspect of our lives—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The Bible makes it clear that nothing that concerns us is beneath His concern. It would be impossible to list all the Bible’s promises. Some estimate there are anywhere from eight thousand to thirty thousand promises of God. Our God is in the arena of life. He goes with His people into the scene of difficulty and onto the platform of pain, not necessarily to deliver us from them but to sustain us in the midst of them.

Anthony Diaz 7/24/25 Anthony Diaz 7/24/25

Resentment Toward God

“My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9.

How does resentment develop? It develops within the climate of resistance to God’s will for our lives. Christians who are strong in faith grow as they accept whatever God allows to enter their lives. They bow to His good and perfect will and become more mature. In a true sense, Christian character is growth, not a gift. Alexander Maclaren, a distinguished preacher (1826–1910), wrote, “What disturbs us in this world is not trouble, but our opposition to trouble. The true source of all that frets and irritates and wears away our lives is not in external things but in the resistance of our wills to the will of God expressed by eternal things.” To resist God’s disciplining hand is to miss one of the greatest spiritual blessings we Christians can realize this side of Heaven. Whatever it is, we haven’t “learned Christ” until we have discovered that God’s grace is sufficient for every test. The attitude, which can overcome resentment, is expressed by the writer to the Hebrews—that no discipline seems pleasant at the time; it is painful. But later on, it produces a harvest of peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11). True Christian victory does not lie along the path of mere resignation. Instead, the growing Christian sees that though God may wound us (or allow us to be wounded), His hand also heals (Job 5:18).

Anthony Diaz 7/23/25 Anthony Diaz 7/23/25

The Secret Of Domestic Happiness

As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. JOSHUA 24:15 NLT.

God designed marriage, family, and home as sacred institutions. These are falling away for one reason: God has been left out of the domestic picture. With the breakdown of discipline in the home, the home has been battered and scarred. Restoring these gifts God has given to mankind takes humbling ourselves before God and asking forgiveness for being reckless and distracted. Many homes today have become little more than dormitories, where the members of the family eat and sleep but otherwise have little communication or interaction with each other. Family life has disintegrated and children are growing up insecure, never knowing the stability of a happy family. The secret of domestic happiness is to set aside self-fulfillment and let God have His rightful place in the home. We cannot undo what has been done in the past, but we can change the things that lend to the breakdown. God can restore broken marriages, families, and homes. God ordained monogamous marriage and the sanctity of what is known as the traditional family. He has given clear instruction on making Him the center of home life: “Lay up these words of mine. . . . teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. . . . write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 11:18–20).

Anthony Diaz 7/22/25 Anthony Diaz 7/22/25

The Difference

You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Romans 8:9.

One Christian might say he is different from his non-Christian friends because he belongs to a church. Another might reply that she is different because she knows she has been forgiven of her sins and is going to Heaven. Someone else might say Christians are different because of what they believe: that the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus was the divine Son of God who died for our sins. Still others might suggest that what makes Christians different is the way they live. The complete answer is that the difference in Christians—followers of Jesus Christ—is that God Himself lives within them by His Holy Spirit, who does a transforming work in the life of every true believer. When we come to Christ and give our lives to Him, God actually takes up residence within us. We may not always feel different or be aware of His presence, but Jesus’ promise to His disciples was fulfilled; for He sent a Counselor to be with us forever, and that is God’s Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17). The Bible clearly tells us that if we have given our lives to Jesus Christ by receiving His forgiveness of sins and accepting His salvation, He now lives in us through His Spirit.

Anthony Diaz 7/21/25 Anthony Diaz 7/21/25

What Is A Disciple?

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” John 8:31.

People in Jesus’ day knew what the word disciple meant. John the Baptist had a band of disciples around him, and so did the Pharisees (a group of religious leaders). But Jesus expanded its meaning by saying that everyone who truly believes in Him is called to be a disciple. What is a disciple? First, a disciple is a learner or a student. The Twelve whom Jesus called to be His closest companions were with Him day and night. They had a personal relationship with Him, walking with Him, eating with Him, sharing in His conversation, observing the way He lived, listening to Him preach to the crowds. But they weren’t following Jesus just to enjoy His presence. They had a purpose: to learn from Him. And this was true for all His disciples, not just the Twelve. What keeps us from being the right kind of disciple? One factor may be laziness (or a lack of discipline). Or we may not realize how much we need to know and be guided by God’s truth. The psalmist was right when he wrote that the words of God give light and understanding (Psalm 119:130). Our journey through life is filled with all kinds of pitfalls and temptations, and unless we allow our minds and hearts to be shaped by Christ’s truth, we risk falling into all kinds of errors and dangers.

Anthony Diaz 7/20/25 Anthony Diaz 7/20/25

Created For Friendship

The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. Psalm 25:14 NLT.

God created us to have a personal relationship with Him. When Adam and Eve were first created, the purpose had its origin in the love of God. It was, however, a friendship with a difference. On a human level, we usually choose friends who are similar to us. But God and Adam were not equals. God is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the all-powerful Creator, who not only made everything but also controls and sustains it, from the largest galaxy to the smallest glimmer of light. God is also everywhere at the same time. He is the all-knowing Lord who sees everything that happens, including every detail of our lives. Adam was none of these. God was the Creator; Adam was the creature. God was limitless; Adam was limited. God was independent; Adam was dependent. But in spite of the vast difference between them, God still wanted Adam and Eve to be His friends. This was why they were created, and this was how they lived until sin entered the world and destroyed that perfect friendship. In the beginning, God was Adam’s perfect Friend, and Adam was God’s perfect friend. God’s plan for Adam and Eve is also true for us. God has not changed and neither has His purpose. But we must give ourselves completely to Him and accept His perfect gift of salvation.

Anthony Diaz 7/19/25 Anthony Diaz 7/19/25

God Has Revealed Himself To Us

He has put eternity in their hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Down inside, we all sense there is Someone greater than ourselves. We also sense that death is not the end, that there must be something beyond the grave. The Bible says that God has set eternity in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Some picture God as a kindly old grandfather with a long white beard and a vague smile. Others see Him as a stern policeman, always ready to punish us if we get out of line. Still others conclude that God must be like their own father might have been, indifferent or cold or never satisfied, because we always fall short of what He demands. And some believe God is only an impersonal force, or they conclude we can’t know anything for certain about Him. Your guess about God, they say, is just as good (or bad) as mine. And some people, of course, reject the whole idea of God. Some say that it is just too narrow to believe in only one God and one way. Sadly, most speculations about God miss one very important truth. God wants us to know Him. We don’t have to guess about who He is because He has revealed Himself to us. His footprints are everywhere. His very image is in our DNA. The Bible tells us that God has not left Himself without testimony.

Anthony Diaz 7/18/25 Anthony Diaz 7/18/25

Three Great Truths

In the way of righteousness is life. Proverbs 12:28.

There are three great truths about our journey through life. First, God put us on the journey of life. We were not put on Earth by chance or by accident. Second, God wants to be with us on our journey through life. We must never assume that God is not interested in us. Third, God calls us to a new journey—the path of faith and trust in Him. Imagine we hike a path never traveled and come to a fork in the trail. Which path is right? Both lead somewhere—but which one will lead to the right destination? One path appears wider and easier to travel and apparently is used by more people, who conclude it must be the right way. Then another hiker approaches and we may ask, which road would he or she take? Without hesitation the hiker points to the lesser path traveled and waves us onward. “I’ll lead you to your destination.” Then we ask: “How do you know this is right?” The hiker answers: “Because I cut this pathway from start to finish. In fact, I’m headed that way myself, and I’ll walk with you so you won’t get lost.” Which path would we choose? We would likely follow the one who had created that path. This is what Christ says: “Follow Me. I will lead you along the path of righteousness.”

Anthony Diaz 7/17/25 Anthony Diaz 7/17/25

The Transforming Work Of God

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3

People cannot change their past. But with God’s help, they can change the future. This should bring comfort to every hopeless heart. The future doesn’t need to be a copy of the past, nor does God want it to be. No matter what life has been like so far, God wants to set our feet on a new path—His path. His path holds promises far beyond anything imaginable. But this doesn’t just happen. An architect draws up plans for a new building—but it still has to be built. A composer writes a new piece of music—but it still has to be played. A chef devises a new recipe—but the ingredients still have to be cooked. In the same way, God has given us a blueprint for living—but we must know what it is and then put it into action, and God does not leave us to do it alone. He wants to be with us every step of the way, guiding and helping us (and even correcting us when necessary) to keep us walking right. No matter what age a person may be, it is never too late to turn to God. When we come before Him with a humble spirit and in truth, admitting our sin and our willingness to turn from sin with His help, He will do a transforming work in our lives.

Anthony Diaz 7/16/25 Anthony Diaz 7/16/25

Idol Worship

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14.

The apostle Paul stood before the people of the city of Athens and directed their attention to the unknown God. He had been walking through the city, observing the customs of the people. This pagan society had a niche for every god in the world, yet their moral corruption was revealed by the hundreds of idols at a place called Mars Hill in ancient Greece. Paul spoke with power before this congregation and acknowledged all their gods and even the unknown God, who is none other than God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was . . . considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22–23). Our culture is saturated with the worship of sports, sex, and pleasure. While we are busy humanizing God, we are deifying man. Our idols are not statues of gold and marble; our idols come from the things we love the most: celebrities, behaviors, etc. One who truly follows Him will have a hunger to worship Him and His Word. Life does not have to be filled with such emptiness, but we can fill our minds and hearts with the things that bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anthony Diaz 7/14/25 Anthony Diaz 7/14/25

The Gift Of Animals

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6.

God’s creation story is the first miraculous account in the Bible, which includes His creation of animals. While the Bible does not specifically answer the question of animals in Heaven, no one can miss God’s creative work in the animal kingdom. His written Word provides us with a snapshot of His original handiwork: “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle. . . . and everything . . . on the earth. . . . And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:24–25). Animals are fascinating creatures, and the variety seems endless. We know that God gave them to us for a purpose, because in the days of Noah, before the great flood, God preserved every species—male and female—on the ark so they would inhabit the land again. Animals are among God’s many diverse gifts to man. Who doesn’t smile while watching chimpanzees mimic one another, or marvel at the monstrous whales in the ocean, or be inspired to watch swans gracefully move through the waters? Scripture speaks of the future messianic kingdom that captivates our imaginations: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 NIV). One day perfect peace will reign, and everything that has breath, including animals, will praise the Lord.

Anthony Diaz 7/13/25 Anthony Diaz 7/13/25

Learning Patience

The fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control. GALATIANS 5:22–23.

Learning patience is not easy for most. The Bible calls patience an attribute of God, and we are to pray for it and practice it with the strength that God gives us. While it is important to consider the needs and thoughts of others, it doesn’t mean that people should let others take advantage of them. But we must also guard against selfishness. Patience is not simply “teeth-clenched” endurance. It is an attitude of expectation. The Bible says, “Be patient. . . . See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth. . . . You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7–8). The farmer patiently watches his barren ground because he knows there will be results. As we strive to live for the Lord, we must exhibit patience, knowing that our obedience to Him will result in good fruits that He will accept in eternity. Patience also speaks of a person’s steadfastness when irritated or experiencing conflict. Enduring ill treatment without anger or retaliation is a fruit of the Spirit, referred to in Scripture as self-control. Our lives are to be characterized by patience, for it is important in developing stable character and integrity. This is why God allows difficulties, inconveniences, trials, and even suffering to come our way: they help develop the right attitude for the growth of patience in our lives.

Anthony Diaz 7/12/25 Anthony Diaz 7/12/25

A Better Way

With my whole heart I have sought You. Psalm 119:10

Attaining success in life is not wrong, but if we go about it without obedience to God’s Word, it can lead us down the wrong path. The Bible tells us that God’s thoughts are different from our thoughts. The psalmist’s pen presents a view of life that is the exact opposite of what the world around us promotes. “Live for yourself,” the world proclaims. “Have a good time; indulge your senses; pursue every pleasure; strive for success. And if you do,” these voices add, “then you’ll be happy and blessed.” But God calls us to another way—His way. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who keep [the Lord’s] testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Psalm 119:2). Blessing, He says, comes only from following Him. Every other way promises what it cannot deliver—and delivers exactly the opposite of what it promised. Some of the most miserable people are those who are highly successful in the eyes of the world. Don’t fall into the world’s trap. It can happen without you even being aware of it. Our job in life is not to be successful but to be faithful. Regardless of our cleverness, our achievements, and our gadgets and devices, we are spiritual paupers without God. Make sure Christ is first in your life, and make it your goal to live according to His Word. For then you will know true contentment.

Anthony Diaz 7/11/25 Anthony Diaz 7/11/25

The Church

Know how . . . to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. 1 Timothy 3:15

. Going to church doesn’t make one a Christian, nor does every church building represent Jesus Christ. Satan often invades Sunday school and Bible classes, and even the pulpit. Many people sit in some churches week after week without hearing the whole gospel and learning what it is to be born again. The true church on Earth is made up of individuals who have repented of sin. Jesus established the church for the purpose of fellowship and instruction on how to live in obedience to God and His Word. The Lord didn’t design the church to cater to people’s needs, establish community programs, or blend into the community by embracing what the world enjoys. When this happens, the world’s ideas and interests infiltrate the church. The Bible warns of this: “For certain [people] have crept in unnoticed . . . who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). The Lord breathed life into the church to proclaim His truths. The church is a storehouse of spiritual food whereby the inner man is fed, nourished, and developed into maturity. If it fails in this, it is not fulfilling its purpose. We must pray that the Lord will lead every believer into fellowship with others who desire to glorify God in everything we do.

Anthony Diaz 7/10/25 Anthony Diaz 7/10/25

Humanism

[They] worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Romans 1:25.

Humanism is the worship of man. It has taken on the form of religion, glorifying self and taking God out of His rightful place. This has always been prevalent in the world and is called by many different names. Humanism has become for many a polite name for a vocal and aggressive movement against God’s truth to advance its own brand of social influence. Humanism is not new; it emerged in the Garden of Eden. It is the yielding to Satan’s first temptation of Adam and Eve. He told them they could be gods (Genesis 3:5). Mankind continually rejects the revelation of the Bible concerning the true and living God, substituting gods of its own making. Many intellectuals have come to believe that the human mind can understand everything eventually. This is nothing but total rebellion toward God, and Satan is behind it all. The underlying principle of all the devil’s tactics is deception. The Bible warns, “The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him” (1 Peter 5:8–9). The Lord will help us stand strong in the face of deception if we will stay in the Word of God and pray that He will give us discerning minds. The important thing for all of Christ’s followers is to live “in Christ” as the Bible teaches (2 Timothy 1:1).