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

No Other Gods

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

At the center of Christianity is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, not the practice of religion. Jesus, the Son of God, is the central figure. Many voices make other claims. Atheists say there is no God. Polytheism may allow that Jesus is one of many gods. When people are saved from sin by the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross, the heart must turn from all other gods and turn to the one true living God as revealed in the Scriptures. As believers in Jesus the Savior, we as ambassadors for Christ boldly echo the ringing conviction of the apostle Peter when he affirmed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The title Christ means “anointed one.” It is the term in the Greek language for the ancient Hebrew word Messiah—the anointed one whom God would send to save His people. As world leaders struggle with insurmountable problems, as storm clouds gather around the globe, they accentuate the brightness of the One who proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). He is the promised Messiah of ancient Israel. He is the hope of the hopeless, helpless Gentiles—which includes most of the population of the world. What a glorious Savior He is!

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 2025-08-05 16:09:19.

Anthony Diaz 8/7/25 Anthony Diaz 8/7/25

The Fruit Of The Spirit

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Proverbs 11:30.

Of all the passages in the Bible that sketch the character of Christ and the fruit that His Spirit brings to our lives, none is more compact than Galatians 5:22–23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” These nine words can be divided into three clusters. The first is love, joy, and peace—these speak of our Godward relationship. The second cluster is longsuffering (patience), kindness, and goodness—especially seen in our relationship with others. The third cluster of faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are especially seen in our inward relationship—the attitudes and actions of the inner self. These three “clusters” are all related to each other, and all will characterize our lives when we abide in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. No matter how else we bear our testimony for the Lord, the absence of love nullifies it all. There should be no more distinctive mark of the Christian than love. God’s greatest demonstration of love was at the cross where He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Since we are to love as God does, His children should demonstrate such love by sharing this good news that Jesus came to save the lost. Love is, therefore, an act of the will.

Anthony Diaz 8/6/25 Anthony Diaz 8/6/25

Spiritual Maturity

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10.

The greatest need in the world today is for spiritually mature Christians who are not only professing their faith in Christ but who are living it in their daily lives. The moment a person receives Jesus as Savior and Lord, the new life He promises begins. The ultimate goal is that the Christian be conformed to the image of Christ. Each new believer in Christ may immediately face complications, dilemmas, and problems never before encountered. A complete transformation has taken place inside, and adjusting to a new life is not always easy. But Christians do not make this adjustment alone. We are told in the Scriptures that God’s Spirit immediately takes up residence within us to help us. Still, some people have received Christ but have never matured. They may have gone to church but never grown in faith. They know very little of God’s Word, they have little desire to pray, and they bear few marks of a Christian in their daily lives. Jesus is the only Person who ever revealed absolute spiritual maturity. His attitude and approach in life were mature in every sense of the word. He looked with holy eyes upon a sinful world but was not discouraged or depressed by it. He said to a despairing world, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Anthony Diaz 8/5/25 Anthony Diaz 8/5/25

Living With Integrity

He who walks with integrity walks securely. Proverbs 10:9.

Many people, regardless of spirituality, tend to talk one way and live another, and it is something to guard against. Not too many years ago, honesty was the hallmark of a person’s character. But it seems it has been set aside for an “It’s all right if you don’t get caught” philosophy. But the Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). A manager told about a religious convention held in his hotel. When the people returned to their rooms, they turned on pay TV; 75 percent turned to the R-rated programming. What a difference there is sometimes between the way we talk and the way we live. One of the real tests of Christian character is revealed in the lives we live from day to day. Consistency is vital in having integrity, which means that if our private lives were suddenly exposed, we’d have no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed. It means that our outward lives are consistent with our inner convictions. What young people want to see in leaders is integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and faith. What they hate most of all is hypocrisy and phoniness. People of integrity can be trusted and are the same whether alone a thousand miles away or at home. The Bible tells us how to do this. “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1 NLT).

Anthony Diaz 8/4/25 Anthony Diaz 8/4/25

God’s Law

The LORD is our Lawgiver. ISAIAH 33:22.

The world has come to understand at exactly what temperature water boils and at what temperature it freezes. Since God is so precise about His natural laws, why should He be haphazard about His spiritual and moral laws? Many people say, “I believe there’s a Heaven and I hope I’ll go there when I die, because I’m a pretty good person.” Why do people hope to believe it when they can know for certain what their eternal destiny is? God’s law enables us to see ourselves as morally dirty and in need of cleansing. The cross that His Son, Jesus Christ, died upon shows the seriousness of our sin—it also shows us the immeasurable love of God. The cross is the only way to salvation, and what Jesus did on the cross gives us a new purpose to life. He opened Heaven’s door for us by His death and resurrection, pointing the way for our sins to be forgiven and offering eternity with Him in Heaven. Christianity is being compared with other religions as never before. Some even advocate the working out of a system of morals, ethics, and religion that would bring all the religions of the world together. It cannot be done. God desires that all people be saved. Believe in Jesus Christ and receive His sacrificial gift to have sins forgiven and know Him as Savior and Lord.

Anthony Diaz 8/3/25 Anthony Diaz 8/3/25

God Our Judge

Every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Psalm 119:160.

A Bible professor once said, “Never preach Hell without tears in your eyes.” Proclaiming the love of Christ cannot be fully preached without first establishing that God the Father will judge the human race for its disobedience to Him. Because God is righteous, He wants to spare us from the awful reality of Hell. He devised a way to rescue us and save us from His judgment, and so He sent His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our sin. He judged sin at the cross and extended His forgiveness to those who would accept His gift of salvation. For those who reject what Christ did at Calvary, He will judge the world. None of us deserves God’s love. All of us deserve His righteous judgment and wrath (John 3:18; Romans 3:9–12). It is easy to think of evil and depraved people deserving divine judgment, but the kind people that we know will also be judged if they refuse God’s offer of mercy and forgiveness. God judges mankind by the standard of the only God-man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, stands between our sin and the judgment of God the Father. The cross shows us the seriousness of the judgment of sin—but the cross also shows us the immeasurable love of God. Receive Him without delay.
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 16:33:32.

Anthony Diaz 8/2/25 Anthony Diaz 8/2/25

Sold Out For God

We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. Titus 2:12 NLT

The world appreciates and understands emotion and enthusiasm, unless it is religious; then immediately it is suspect. It’s strange that the world accepts enthusiasm in every realm except the spiritual. People can don political buttons, hats, and T-shirts and be accepted as “all in.” They can go crazy over the World Series or the Super Bowl. Young people can scream until they’re hoarse amid the hype of a rock concert. But bring the same excitement into living a life for Christ and the world thinks Christians have lost their minds. This is what people thought about the disciples after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, but they didn’t allow what others thought to deter them from what they believed, and they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Commitment to Christ means burning the bridges of sin and its influence. There’s a high price to commitment. Jesus expects His followers to clean up their lives, and that’s why He sent His Spirit to help. He gives power and encouragement to live for Him, “purify[ing] for Himself His own special people” (Titus 2:14). Christians should be so filled with righteous living that nothing could ever quench their passion. While most of the crowd will turn their backs on Christianity, there will be some who may be impacted by the strong testimony of another that brings conviction to their own souls.
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 16:31:51.

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.

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.”