Illuminate

When Jesus came to this world He said He was the light of the world. If we are to follow Jesus our lives should reflect that light. Illuminate means brighten with light. If Jesus is to be the center point of your life...then your life should radiate bright light. You should be receiving bolts of lightning of the Holy Spirit that penetrate deep into your heart, mind, and spirit. Bolts that transform darkness into light, sin into righteousness, and despair into hope. When cockroaches are around and you turn on a light, they scatter because they are afraid of the the light. They are vulnerable because they are seen. Sin is afraid of light for that very same reason because when light shines upon sin...it is seen. A lot of people don't realize what there doing is a sin and that's why so many are lost. They don't see the light! We as Christians need to help people see the light. But we will never be able to show people the light, if we ourselves don't have the light living in us. We need to have the Light of God dwelling in us so much that we are ready to do anything for God.

What that means is we as Christians need to start being uncomfortable with ourselves and comfortable with God. The world has comfort zones they like staying in. It gives them peace and serenity. It's a little circle of happiness they build so they don't feel out of place. Some people go to Church on Sunday, read the Bible and pray occasionally. That is great but God calls us to a higher purpose. It seems like time is going by fast these days but Christians are maturing at a slow pace. What I'm trying to say is that if God calls you to preach in front of 100 people be comfortable with that. If God wants you to lead a Bible Study in your own home be comfortable with that. The point is that you will never be open to God's will until you Illuminate your life and your life will never Illuminate if you don't get rid of your comfort zone. Jesus died for us on a cross. He bled for us! I don't think He was comfortable doing that but He did it because it was God's will. Jesus allowed God's will to direct His life...His comfort zone was whatever God wanted. He was the perfect example of Illuminate. I pray God will Illuminate your life today, tomorrow, and forever.

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Thanks Given To God

Tomorrow everybody will be enjoying a nice big Turkey dinner. It will be a great time with family and friends and people you care about. I always enjoy the stuffing as well as the mashed potatoes. We have to remember though it's not the turkey we celebrate it's the Blood Of The Lamb that we give thanks for. It's the sacrifice that He made on that tree so we can be cleansed and made righteous. He gave up His throne to become a man. I never wanted to give up the remote control to my wife...I can't imagine giving up a throne to be crucified. Our lives are dedicated to Jesus because of what He did for us. We need to tell everyone we know what He did for them as well. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son. It's not like God had 3 or 4 Sons where He didn't mind losing one. But He sent the only one He had...That's major.

Remember be thankful for the food your going to eat, be thankful for the time spent with people you love, be thankful for the time spent with God always, be thankful that if you don't have anything, you probably still have more than others. Like my son once told me the man always complained about his shoes till he met a man with no feet. So if you don't have a job be thankful that you have freedom. If you don't have money, be thankful that you life. If you don't have food to eat, be thankful there are places you can go to help you. But especially if you don't have Jesus, be thankful that you can always accept Him and He will welcome you with open arms always. This thanksgiving be thankful because God loves you more than you'll ever know. It's not just one day but every day that THANKS GIVEN TO GOD!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Judged!

I had an appointment to see a judge today regarding a case I had. As I sat in the courtroom I saw more and more people stand in front of the judge. They were scared and nervous at first but as the Judge handed down fines and probation they seemed to be relieved that it wasn't more serious. When it was my turn to stand in front of the Judge I was nervous because here was a man who had the power to determine a mans fate. At any given moment as the people plead guilty to there charges, he had the power to take there freedom. As my case was presented, the Judge dismissed my case. I walked out of the courtroom saying to myself I do not want to ever be standing in front of a Judge again. Then I thought about God. He is the public defender, and also Judge. God does not want to see anyone perish. He strategically places His servants in places to help you on your path to Him. To help you believe, to help you understand, but most importantly to help you when you fall. Even when you don't want God the defender in your life. He loves you so much He is still willing to help you. He wants to defend you against all evil but you have to choose Him. Not only choose Him but trust Him so He can show you the glory. Mostly every body in this world lives by seeing is believing. There will come a day where every knee shall bow because they will see Jesus. For people who believe right now...seeing is not believing. Believing is knowing that God is with you. Knowing that God will never abandon you.

God is also the Judge. As in my case God will sit before the throne and view your life. He will go over your case details and make a decsion based on what you believe. Remember your reward is for how well you followed God but your entry into Heaven is based on what you believe. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking on how good they are or how much they give will get them into Heaven. Ehhhh! Wrong God doesn't care how much you give...He doesn't look at your wallet, He Judges your heart. Ephesians says that we are saved by grace. God gives us grace as a gift...not because of your good works. Of course we being servants our function as servants is to serve. Serve God and serve others. We don't serve to get on God's good side or to receive brownie points. We serve because of the joy of Christ that lives within us. One day everyone will be Judged by God but why wait till the end of your life to start making a difference. I don't want to stand in front of God and have any doubts. I want to stand in front of God and have Him say your case has been dismissed because of your faith in Me, because of your willingness to serve the Lord, and your undying love for my Word. I want God to look me in my eye and say WELCOME HOME GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Walk with Victory!

I remember playing basketball and walking off the court sometimes we won and sometimes we lost. Every time we lost I would walk off the court with my head down wondering what I could of done to help win. I would hold my self responsible thinking if I could do more I would've changed the outcome. My coach would see me and tell me that I can't change the past so just let it go and focus on the next one. The next one would come and when we won. My attitude was totally different. My walk was different, I was proud of the team and would walk with a big smile and confidence knowing that if we played them again we would be able to win. In life a lot of people do the same thing. When hard times come people walk with there head down thinking what they could of done to change the outcome. We can't change the past, so there is no point in thinking that you could of done something different. In life there is no excuses, only solutions. When I played basketball I always made a reason to why we lost. But what I should of done is find ways to make things better. In basketball it's not how great of a player you are...it's how much confidence do you have in your ability to play the game. Same goes for us as Christians it's not whether we are great Christians or not. It's how much of Christ lives in us and our ability to have Him direct our life.

Anybody that believes is already in victory. Christ already won the game for us, so there is no need to be ashamed any longer. No need to walk with your head down. No need to stress about things that have no meaning. I know it's hard not to stress about bills and money but be thankful for what you do have. So we have bills...we also have life and the gift of air to breathe. We have no money...but we have the freedom of religion, we have the freedom to visit the park or beach and see the beauty of God. We have no jobs....but we have the ability to still help people in need. Like praying for the homeless or the sick. God will always take care of us. His promise says He will never give you more than you can bear. I remember seeing the movie the Wizard of Oz and wanting to go down that road. While Dorothy walked down the road they had hope. But my hope isn't found in Dorothy it's found in JESUS! My path isn't down a yellow brick road. My path leads to a ROAD PAVED WITH GOLD! Every body who believes has hope in the one true God so WALK WITH VICTORY!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Take His Place!

Lets say for instance that you were sound asleep and when you woke up. You were in God's presence. God looks at you and says you will have to go to Earth and suffer the world's sin. You will have to be tortured and punished in order for the world to be saved. The world will hate you and crucify you because they don't understand. Will you do that? Can you do that? Jesus suffered more than we can ever imagine and yet people don't fully comprehend what He did for us. He gave us a second chance to live. He is the Bridge into Heaven. Jesus main purpose was to bring sinful people to a Holy God. People hated Him because He was trying to bring light to a darkened world. People still hate Him today because He is still trying to bring light to this darkened world. When I was growing up and and saw Christians and they would preach to me. I would see them act a certain way and be a certain way. They would tell me they don't drink or go to clubs. They don't listen to certain music and they would say Jesus can set you free. So I thought about it and said you can't really do what you want...doesn't sound like freedom it actually sounds like your a slave to your religion. I never understood it till now. It's not that I'm a slave to Christianity, it's that I freely give up being part of this world to be a part of something greater.

Jesus said in order to follow me, you have to deny yourself daily and take up your cross. Our bodies are evil from head to toe. Our hands, our eyes, and our heads are evil. While we live in this world our bodies want us to give into temptation daily. The devil uses temptations for the flesh to take you from the light into darkness. We have to let our bodies die to get out of darkness...That's why it's call born again. To Deny yourself is to deny your flesh. Deny the desires of the flesh. Follow your heart, love with your heart. Guard your mind and let your body be crucified daily. Righteousness is the only way into God's heart. Though, the question still remains Can you Take His Place? We were predestined to Take His Place! God wants us to spread the Gospel and do what Jesus did. To bring a sinful man to a Holy God. I don't look at it though as our jobs as Christians. I look at it as a privilege and an honor to Take His place and tell everyone I know about the Gospel.

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Routine

Every morning I go through the same Routine. I pray, sit down at my desk, and write my blog. A Routine is defined as a habitual procedure. More simply put an habit of some sort. Every body has them and every body goes through Routines. If you eat dinner at a certain time or go to the gym at a certain time. Then those are Routines. I pick up the kids daily at the same time that is considered a Routine. What I'm trying to get at is that our lives are filled with Routines. Usually Routines are always the same. Really nothing changes but our encounters. Our encounter with what food we are having for dinner, our encounter with the closet choosing our clothes for that day, but especially our encounter with people and God. You see I don't care if I go to the same job, doing the same thing for the rest of my life, I don't care if i wear the same clothes till I die or if I eat the same food over and over again. But, what I do care about and what every body should care about is your encounters with people and God. First with people, I may run into the same people every day at work or somewhere else but my Routine shouldn't be the same. I shouldn't just say good morning and that's it. Every time I run into people is an opportunity to change somebodies life. To offer something they might not have. Joy and Happiness. To be a part of the greatest family on Earth. God's family. God desires us to get along that's why Jesus said love God and your neighbor. If He didn't want us to be in Unity he would've just said Love God. But God gave His Son to the world that whoever believe in Him shall not perish. I ask everyone let not your Routine with people be the same. Maybe the person your trying to save is not coming around because your doing it the same way always. Say something different, try something different, give a different Bible verse. Most important let them know they are loved in different ways.

Our Routine with God has to be different daily. I talk to God every chance I get. I love talking to Him and know that He is there for me. But I can't get up and pray every day and just say hey God thanks for everything...Amen. The only way God becomes real is if you treat Him as real. When God created Adam and Eve...The Bible says that He walked with them. That's what God wants with each and every one of us to walk with us. We are His greatest joy and love. Over and over again the Bible shows His great love for us. I don't understand how people can just ignore Him or treat Him like a lucky rabbits foot. So when things are going wrong you bring Him out and hope He fixes everything. That's not what God is! God is Lord and King. He deserves everything from us and nothing less. We must humble ourselves before Him. Remember you stand tallest on your knees!! Let every chance with get to talk to God be different. Every day we may go through the same Routines but let our encounters be different. Let our encounters with people always be different. Let us not fall into the Routine of just saying hi and going on about our day. That's not what God intended us to be like. Let our Routine with God be different and let God know how much you love Him. Once your encounters change, your Routines will soon turn into Rewards!!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Fairy Tale!

Being here in California I have the chance to go to the Happiest Place On Earth or so it's called. A place where you can see all the characters from your favorite Disney movie. A place where you pay roughly $80 dollars just to visit this land of make believe. The more I thought about this place, the more I thought they should change the name to the most expensive place on Earth. Although, the purpose of this article though is not to compare prices at a theme park. It's to tell you that there is another place you can go to that is not make believe. There is a place where you can have the best time of your life and it's all free. Church is open everyone, not only those who can afford it. At Church you can go as many times as you like. Disneyland is a great place to go I'll admit. My girls when they go there they have a great time. We have annual passes to go there. I'm not saying don't ever go to Disneyland but what I am saying though is Church is the happiest place on Earth. You can go to Church and it has all your favorite characters from the Bible. I may on occasion be upset about something unrelated to Church and when I come out of Church I'm carefree. My spirit and heart are free. I am ready to face any challenges and know that I'm going to win. Every day thousands of people visit Disneyland so they can go back to when they were kids and have no worries or problems. For one day they can forget about the problems of the world.

The reason Disneyland is so successful is because they sell you a Fairy Tale. They want you to think that in there world every thing is so amazing and drama free. But in reality there are people committing crimes every day. Some really petty and some really disturbing. There is no Fairy Tale in the world we live in, there is only The Truth. The Church is where you need to be. Having Jesus in your heart is where you need to be. Being focused and in tune into God's plan is where you need to be. The Bible says that this world will end but it's going to get worse before it's gets better. A Fairy Tale is a story that is suppose to bring you comfort and hope. Keep Jesus in your heart and you'll have all the comfort you'll ever need. Tightly grasp your faith and remember God's promise and you'll always have hope. In a world where murders are climbing at an alarming rate, where the economy doesn't seem to be getting better, and it seems the end of world is getting nearer and nearer. We as Christians need to stand together and show everyone that the Church is better than make believe, Heaven is free to anyone, and that THE TRUTH is better than any Fairy Tale!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Ticket To Ride!

Anywhere you want to go if you take a plane, train, or bus you will need a Ticket To Ride. Of course you can always drive yourself but it's not always the best way. This past summer when I went to Ethiopia every plane we went on they asked for a Ticket. So in order for me to get to my destination I need a Ticket To Ride. Our lives has the same set up because when we die God will ask for your Ticket To Ride! While were here on Earth this is not our final destination. Just like me going to Ethiopia I was just visiting. We are all visitors here on Earth until we get called home. Only difference is which home are you going to? Is it paradise or fiery pit! With God there is always hope...there is always joy in knowing that paradise is available to everyone. You just need a Ticket To Ride! To obtain the Ticket is the easy part, holding on to your Ticket is the hard part. All you have to do is ask God for the Ticket...But here is the hard part. You see you are unable to use the Ticket until you die. So if you asked God for the Ticket when you are 20 and you live to be 100 then that means, you have to hold on to the ticket for 80 years. Believe me when I say that there is someone out there that would love for you to miss your Ride. The devil will do everything in his power to make sure your Ticket does not get used.

So what is your Ticket and how do you stop the devil from trying to take your Ticket from you. Your Ticket To Ride is our savior Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He is the only way to the Father. That no one will be able to go to the Father unless through Him. God is the destination but Jesus is the Ticket To Ride! The devil doesn't like Christians very much. He would rather have you in a fiery pit then in paradise. He doesn't sound like much of a friend but yet, people rather hang out with the devil then with God. People rather continue to live in sin then in glory. People rather give up there Ticket To Ride then stand up for God. The way you hold on to your Ticket is to fight. Fight your flesh, fight your desires and fight the devil. But how do you fight if you have no weapons? God's Word is the best weapon you need to fight. Read it, learn it and live it. As long as you follow the Word...You will always have your Ticket! It's okay to back slide but remember why are you sliding back? It's only because the devil is trying to take away your Ticket! Every day you hold that Ticket in your hand is a day, your going to have to fight to keep it. Jesus said it Himself if you want to follow Me then you will have to pick up your cross daily. It doesn't say weekly like every Sunday. It says EVERY DAY. If I live to be a 100 or not...My Ticket is clutched in my hands and I'm not letting anybody take that from me. I will stand up for God. I will fight for my Ticket and for my brothers and sisters Ticket as well. Fight for Jesus! Let the world know that they just need a Ticket To Ride to be in paradise!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Goals for God!

Goals are defined as the end toward which effort is directed. In life you set goals for which you live by and once those goals are accomplished then you try to set new goals. In the picture is Bob Elliff. Bob was diagnosed with cancer and is very close to be heading home to be with God. I'm a little jealous because he gets to see God and hang out with Jesus. But I know my work here is not done. I never got to get personal with Bob but every time we spoke he would always make me laugh. He reminded me a lot of my grandfather in that aspect that he had the power to make me smile with a quick remark. I may have not known Bob like his relatives or his close friends. But the chances I had to meet him he showed me his love for life. He showed me God's heart where he was always willing to give a hand. My wife told me something that I believe is true and I hope that It helps people cope with this transition. My wife told me that maybe BOB'S GOALS FOR GOD HAVE BEEN MET AND HE GETS TO GO HOME NOW. I saw this and was like wow! You know what maybe your right. Every single one of us have Goals For God. Bob who had a life that God would be so proud of, maybe accomplished his goals here on Earth and Our Lord said okay it's time for your reward. Only God knows when those Goals are finished but His Word tells us how to get there.

We has Christians have to encourage and lift up each other. We have to encourage others to live out there Goals For God! We have help people get on the right path. What saddens my heart is that non believers can out live guys like Bob. Bob who has a heart to serve, and wants to continue to save people are taken back home. While non believers keep denying God. I believe that's because God is still hoping that they will also accomplish there Goals. God is full of mercy and grace. God would like to see everyone saved. I believe that's why I haven't gone yet because my purpose, my Goals for God have not been fulfilled. To people reading this please life is to short to let your Goals be put aside. Make your Goals for God your top priority and do everything you can for fulfill them. You might be sitting there thinking what are my Goals for God...Read the Word and your life will have purpose. It will have meaning! Your Goals will come before you and when they do. Be prepared to do what God has you do. Whether you try to save your family member...or if your praying for a whole community. Don't wait till somebody needs your help because there are people that always need somebody. Be that SOMEBODY!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

P.S. This blog is dedicated to Bob Elliff. Your life is a great example of Goals For God!!

Pretend!

This past Halloween I put on a costume from movie that my kids like watching. My 1 year old didn't know it was me underneath the mask. So I took off the mask to show her but, She was scared when I put the mask on even though she knew it was her daddy. There are a lot of times that Christians pretend to be something else. They go to Church wearing masks and put on a costume. They look like Christians, worship like Christians, but when they leave Church, they forget all about Christ. Believe me I'm been there! When I was younger I would go to Church every week and I would be worshipping and saying Amen. But as soon as Church was over I would remove my tie and put my Bible away till next week. Church was a chore for me instead of being a blessing. You know that there are places where they don't allow you to praise God and worship Him. Here in America we have the freedom to choose when and where to worship God. The Bible says blessed are those who seek God with there whole heart. Be like Jesus! The non believers who are in constant sin have more hope than you as a Christian if you pretend. The reason is because the Non Believer who sin really don't realize that they live in sin. They don't have Godly eyes to see what there doing is wrong...So there is hope for them if they accept God and be transformed. But PRETENDERS! already know the difference and still choose to live the way they want. It's sad to say but God really dislikes those people a lot. They are called hypocrites and have no place in the Kingdom.

I understand that this article might be a little harsh but I can't ignore this very important subject. PRETENDING is not the same as making a mistakes. Christians make mistakes all the time. That's what helps us grow. I am talking about going to Church every Sunday but yet, still living your BC lifestyle. Before Christ lifestyle! Be true to God and to yourself. Like our Pastor said when you write your book and present it to God. You want to be sure that God is going to open it and say WELCOME HOME GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. A sin is a sin no matter what kind it is...but the worse kind of sin is knowing that it's wrong but you still do it anyways. That just shows that Jesus doesn't live in your heart and your only pretending to be Christian. Again it's okay to make a mistake or falter from time to time. But it's not okay to falter every time! God is great but He's not dumb. He knows who PRETENDS and who seeks him earnestly. Life is full of smiles and second chances. Don't miss out to be real for God! Don't give up your spot in Heaven and just be yourself...remember take off your mask! DON'T BE A PRETENDER...BE A CONTENDER FOR THE KING!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Can you Walk the Walk?

I remember my coach saying when I was younger "Anybody can talk, but you need to Walk the Walk" This expression is known by everyone and there are many forms you can say it that mean the same thing. Like don't write a check that your butt can't cash. What this expression tells us is that anybody can say there millionaires but not everyone is. If you say you want to buy a new car, then you need to put the work in to get that new car. As Christians the expression also applies to our lives. God set the perfect example. God talked the talk...and then He send Jesus to Walk the Walk. Every time God said something He backed it up. That's why it's so great to serve Him because you know when He makes a promise. He intends on keeping it. It's one thing for us to say that were Christian but it's something different to lead a Christian life. If your talking to someone about Jesus but yet your actions are not Jesus like. Meaning you don't live or act like a Christian. Nobody is going to believe you and credibility is what makes you walk the walk. Jesus said to follow me...imagine if Jesus would hang out at a bar or lie about things. Nobody would want to follow Him. But, Jesus lived a perfect life He was able to walk the walk. Now I'm not saying live a perfect life but I am saying Live like Jesus. There was an expression that helps rather nicely here. What would Jesus do? Live your life always asking that question at every crossroad and I believe you'll be fine.

There is a Bible verse that scares me a little though. Jesus says not everyone that says Lord Lord will enter the Kingdom. Jesus, Himself is saying you can't just talk the talk, you have to Walk the Walk. See I can go up to someone and say God loves you but if I don't really believe it or model my life after that...then it's all for nothing. You see you have to know that God love you and that God loves everyone. You have to see what God has done in your life and the blessings you have received. So then you can show everyone else what God can do in there lives and the rewards they can receive. Everyone can I say I love you, but the real work is proving to them that you love them. Showing them how much you really care. Jesus said you have to confess with you mouth that He is Lord. Everyone can do that right! Jesus knew this and that is why He also said and believe in your Heart that I am Lord and you will be saved. It's very easy to say Jesus is Lord...I can walk up to any random person and ask them to say Jesus is Lord and they have no problem saying it. But to stop them from looking at porn, getting drunk, doing drugs, lying, sleeping around, and things like that is something else. See people need a reason to continue to live the way they do. Without any guilt or shame. If God isn't real, they have no reason to stop living that way. Jesus said if you want to follow me then take up your cross daily!! God doesn't expect you to go out and save the world like Jesus. But He does expect you to live like Jesus. Everyone can talk the talk...BUT CAN YOU WALK THE WALK?

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Stand Out

Back when I was in High School there was a word that was used to describe people who excelled at academics or sports. In a class that had 30 students if 1 person was able to do really well on a certain subject they were a Stand out! Same thing in sports if one person was faster, stronger, or more agile then that person was a Stand Out! Colleges love people who stand out because then that means the school will stand out. It's the reason athletes make so much. Because they are able to excel at the sport better than most people. Same word applies to God's children. We as Christians are chosen because we have the potential to Stand Out! Now your thinking but how do I have the power to excel at being Christian? The key word is found in the word Christian. Christ gives you the power to excel. There are a lot of people that need healing not just there bodies but there spirits also. Christ came to heal the world...We as Christians have that same power. We are able to heal and bless but some of us lack the faith or the courage to do that. How many of us have seen a homeless man that looks down on is luck and instead of praying with him. We just give him some money and walk away. I know because I have done that. By doing that am I not doing what everybody else does. To Stand Out is to really try to impact this persons life. Tell them about God, pray for them, and give them encouragement.

In the movie Troy with Brad Pitt. A young boy tells Brad Pitts character I wouldn't want to fight the man they want you to face. Brad Pitt looks at the boy and says that's why nobody will remember your name. Two things jump out at me from this one line. One is Fight for God! With all this talk about Darwin and evolution. Fight for God, Fight for what you believe in, Fight the devil and all his ways, but especially Fight for the people that don't know God. Fight for there salvation. The more we can Stand Out the more people we can save. Number 2 is do something so God remembers your name. It's great to get recognition here on Earth but it's so much better to know that God loves you to Stand Out for Him. Jesus Stood Out but yet people rather believe in evolution then the one living God. Now I don't want anybody thinking that they have to stand on street corners and preach in order to Stand Out. Not at all! One of my favorite quotes is Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words. What does that mean is just LOVE. Love God, Love yourself, Love your neighbor, and Love people. Love is showing not saying. Stand Out today by doing something nice for someone you don't know. The world is not getting any easier for Christians so if you can STAND UP for God then you'll definitely STAND OUT!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Sow My Lips!

Yesterday I started thinking how awesome our God is. When God created us, He did it with a purpose. We were created so perfectly or were we? I heard a story yesterday about someone using something God gave them in a wrong way and I started thinking. I stood in front of a mirror and I was looking at God's creation and I said wait a minute. Something seems out of place. Something doesn't seem right and I wondered why God would do that. As I looked, I saw everything I had came in pairs. I had two ears, two eyes, one nose but with two nostrils, two arms, two hands, two legs, and many more. I then realized why then do I only have one mouth. Did my super powerful God...The one that gives light to the world make a mistake. Did He just get so tired from creating that He was like oh well the people look fine with just one mouth? From my walk with the Lord everything that I've come to know is that God doesn't make mistakes. He gave us one mouth on purpose. As I looked in the mirror some more and saw all the pairs...I wondered why God gave us one mouth on purpose.

God knows what He is doing. He leaves nothing left to doubt. In His word there are many verses letting us know why we have only one mouth like in Psalms and Proverbs. I'm going to break it down why God did this. It's actually pretty simple. I have never met anyone who always said the right things. Everyone at some point in time or another has hurt someone using their mouth or has hurt themselves. With one mouth it's so easy to lie, imagine if we had two. Lies would be everywhere. With our mouths we have the power to destroy with words of discouragement, criticism, and gossip. But God knew this and in so He gave you one mouth. God knows everything, so He also gave you something else that does not come in a pair. Your heart! If you put your heart and your mouth together you can create beauty. God knew that one heart meant one love and one mouth meant one voice. Use your love and your voice to help others. We have two ears so we can hear heartache. We have two eyes so we can see right and wrong. We have two arms so we can embrace unity. We have two legs to stomp on injustice. Yet, we have but one heart to love the world and one voice to try and save it. There are times where I need God to Sow My Lips but I know that God gave me one mouth for a reason. To anybody reading this, LET GOD USE YOUR VOICE TO SAVE THE WORLD!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

To Clean or not to Clean

Every day in America people clean there houses. Usually Monday through Thursday you'll find me cleaning my house. Since my wife goes to school at night during this time It's my duty to keep our house clean. There are times where I just get really exhausted and I don't feel like cleaning. There are times where I clean really good but the kids make a mess all over again. But my favorite is there are times were I just don't want to clean and my house looks like it was hit by a hurricane. The reason I am bringing up cleaning is because that is essentially what we must do as Christians. In order to stay on the path of righteousness we have to be constantly cleaning our mind, body, and spirit. There are times in our lives we should be praying more or reading the Bible more and we don't. You see if I don't pick up my house daily, My kids will make a mess not purposely but it will get messy. In our lives if we don't ask God to cleanse us daily, the devil will start to come in and make a mess...but he does do it purposely. Just like cleaning our house, it's a duty that needs to get done. So we as Christians cleaning our lives daily is something that needs to be done. I remember when I accepted Jesus, I thought to myself cool I don't have to worry about my life anymore. Meaning I thought I was completely healed of my addiction. I thought because I accepted I would be transformed never to worry about it again. How wrong I was. You see when you accept Jesus, He does transform you BUT you have to do your part. You have to be dedicated and make a commitment to clean every day.

Sometimes I look at my house and be like not again when is the cleaning part ever going to end. I look at myself and I say the same thing. When am I going to be sin free? The truth is our flesh is weak. It will always need to be cleaned and there are times were we will get exhausted and not want to clean today. Remember everyday that you don't clean your heart and spirit. Is a day the devil has the chance to attack. Everyday you get tired and worn out to be in prayer, spend time with God and cleanse your spirit. Your inviting the devil into your life. The devil has been around since the very beginning. He knows everything about humans. He knows our weakness better than we do. He knows how to get us dirty and keep us dirty. He knows how to put dirt in our lives and he also knows that sometimes we will falter in cleaning it up. This is what I love though and what gives me strength and hope. When I clean my house I love the feeling of everything being clean. I take pride in knowing that my house looks nice. I can relaxing knowing that everything is taken care of. The same works with God. When you spend time with Him and He is able to help you clean. You will love the feeling of being free. You love the feeling of not being ashamed. You can relax knowing that God is in control and the devil with all his tricks will never dirty you. God promises that with the blood of Jesus you will be clean! Everyday I get faced with the decsion to Clean or not to Clean? The answer is simple give me my God, His Word, the broom, and the vacuum and I will always choose to stay clean and righteous.

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

People Mover

I remember when I was a kid a ride at Disneyland called the People Mover. It was simple all it did was move people around. In a sense that is what God requires of us to be, people movers. Every one of us has the ability to change somebody's path. God wants us to change people from self to God, if He didn't then we would all be isolated. Like my Pastor said we all have divine appointments. I had one yesterday that I honestly didn't meet. I went to get food last night and the guy taking my order had a disability. It seemed that he had trouble walking and I felt a tug on my heart to tell this guy Jesus can heal his disability. I felt that if I just put hands on him and pray that God would fix him. But I didn't! My heart was ready to just do it...but the more I thought about it...the more my mind came into play. I started telling myself do I have that much faith that I can heal this person with God's help. What if the guy really believed and nothing happens...he's going to get mad at me. Also there were a lot of people around. I missed it. I missed my chance to be a good Samaritan. When I was leaving and got in my car I felt so guilty that I had the chance to be a People Mover and yet I didn't even move. Imagine if this guy was completley healed and could now walk properly or better yet run. His life would've have been changed and I believe he would've been a great witness.

My heart felt so sad because I didn't do anything but when I got home the Lord spoke to me through my 9 year old son. I explained what had happened to my wife and my son. Then my son said something that 9 year old don't usually say. He said maybe God was showing you how blessed you are. I said what do you mean, my son said well there is that story about the guy who always complained about his shoes until he met a man that had no feet. My son said maybe God wanted you to see how blessed you are. It was so great to know that even if you miss a divine appointment God still shows you how blessed you are. Yes I didn't help that man at that moment but that doesn't mean I can't pray for him. It doesn't mean that I will never see him again or have another chance to help someone else. With this story I want to make 3 points. Number 1 is that don't be afraid when you have divine appointment. Don't lack the faith or strength to help you do what is right. Remember the Bible says the Holy Spirit will always direct in what to say and what to do. Just have trust. Number 2 if you do miss an appointment don't feel guilty or put your head down. God still loves you and He knows your heart. Everyone falters just don't give up and know that you are blessed. Number 3 is let God make you a People Mover...Let God move in your life and then you'll be able to move in others. Remember it's okay to miss an appointment but don't miss your chance to make up for it. Be a People Mover not a Slow Poke!!

Yeus Gitano,

Carlos

Artificial

In a world where everything seems to be more and more fake. Where you can visit a surgeon and alter your appearance. A world where men can alter animals, plants and food. God is the most realest thing around. God who is an invisible God but yet you can feel. People deny God because they don't believe He exists. Since they can't see him they chose to believe He is not there. Which really confuses me because there are people that lie about who they are and what they do. But yet people believe them right. I mean I can tell people about God and they would be like well where is He? I don't see him. But yet I can tell the same people that I graduated from this college and they would believe me. Even though I never even been or seen that college. These people have never seen me go to college so what is the difference of them believing that, then believing in God. Not that I've ever told anyone that I graduated from college but still God shows proof of His existence. He performs miracles daily...He shows you He was there in the beginning and He'll be there in the end.

One thing that I really dislike is when people say Thank God without really thanking God from there hearts. They say it like an expression they heard when they were younger. An expression that there parents or grandparents used to say. An example of this is someone who is on the phone for a long time and just wants to end the call and finally when they hang up they say Thank God. It bothers me because it has nothing to do with God and they believe in God but they don't believe in Jesus. It seems fake to me because instead of thanking God for what you have in your life...your thanking Him because a phone call ended. It's frustrating to me because people just don't understand. They don't get it! In an Artificial world we live in. People need to realize how important having God in your life really is. We as Christians need to let everyone know how real God and Jesus are. Especially since we are coming close to the end of days it's imperative that we spread the gospel. Artificial also means man made which has me thinking people praise Artificial things especially if they benefit man kind...which is okay but people really need to praise the Creator of Man!! I thank God everyday not for a phone call that ended but because I have life. I get to wake up today and see the beauty of His creations. I get to spend time with His people. I get the chance to praise Him and Worship Him and there is nothing ARTIFICIAL ABOUT THAT!!

Yesus Gitano

Carlos

Crossroads

There are times where we end up at a Crossroad in our life and a decision needs to be made. Sometimes the decisions are easy and other times they are very hard which brings along stress. This morning God spoke to me about this and He told that even if I'm wrong He'll be with me. These past couple of months I have been wrong a lot. I have been making the wrong decisions. I have been standing at the Crossroad and not letting God help me decide which way to go. The dictionary defines Crossroad as a crucial point where a decision needs to be made. As for me missing Church, not praying enough, not reading enough, not spending enough time with my kids. These are all crucial things that I have missed because I made the wrong decision. God told me this morning that even if I'm wrong, He'll stand by me. It was a song on the radio but it spoke true to my heart. I have been wrong and missing my daily meetings with my Heavenly Father but yet, He loves me still and if you listen closely He still says I'm here! What a great God we have. To everybody reading this I want to encourage you when you are stuck at a Crossroad...and believe me I know every single person has them. Let God be God. Trust Him to do His thing. There is a word that I have learned over the years that applies nicely to when your stuck at a Crossroad. The word is Wishy Washy!! Well it's two words...and they might not be words after all...Oh and yes it took me years to learn these words. Lol! So these words mean that you can't have doubt. If you come to a crossroad and God tells you to go down this path. Even though at that time the path doesn't look right. You can't have doubt. You need to trust the Lord with all your heart.

There is a story of a lady who became the head of a non profit organization to help the homeless. She is also the CEO of two other organizations one to help feed the homeless and the other to help get there lives back on track. Before she had all these titles she herself was homeless. At that moment she could of cursed God for becoming homeless. Here is a person that is now living on the streets not knowing what's going to happen...but she came to a Crossroad where she decided to trust God. You see the path you take might not look enticing or right but in God's eyes everything He does is with purpose. God opened doors for her and because she wasn't Wishy Washy her life was turned around and now she is able to help others that are homeless. I just want people to know whether your at the top or the bottom life will give you difficult decisions to make. Make sure that God is involved...Make sure that not only is God involved let Him lead. Remember life is not a sprint it's a marathon. So while your running you may not see the finish line but believe me when I say that when you reach it. It will be worth it. Crossroads are put in our lives because that is what life is, Choice!! We all have the chance to chose which path to take. Remember it's okay if you chose the wrong way...God is always with you to help you find your way back. Don't be afraid to ask for His help if you get lost. God will always STAND BY YOU!

Yesus Gitano

Carlos

The Fallen!

How many people have fallen? How many times have I fallen? It's hard for me to grasp the reality we live in. Our nature is sin...our very being has evil in it. Evil runs through our veins and the devil is always trying to pump more darkness into you. I never met a person who was not angry in there lives. People love sin! My pastor once told me that sin is pleasurable other wise nobody would fall to it. My heart requires goodness yet my life sometimes has anger and selfishness. Why? The one reason that I came up with is because I fail. We all fail!! No one person in this world can conquer sin by themselves. Here in America we walk around like facades...to everybody we know life is so great. But behind the scenes there are battles within ourselves. Battles that make us warriors or cowards. Our hearts desire peace and yet houses across America are filled with domestic warfare. There are more than 6 billion people in the world today. I have to wonder how many of those are fallen. I have to think that not all 6 billion plus will be saved and it breaks my heart. What's worse than that is for the people that are going to be saved or trying to be saved. That's where the devil attacks the most. When you are part of the world...you are part of the devil's alliance. So there is no need for him to bother you. But when you become Christian as soon as you say yes to Jesus. Your name just went up on the devils most wanted list and the more you glorify God. The more your name gets hated by the devil.

I fail over and over because I try to beat sin on my own. I prostitute God's love because I choose to say when I need him and when I don't. I am unworthy because I use God. This is why the world fails and why so many have fallen. They build them selves up so much that they can't be humble. You can have everything yet still have nothing. Because you don't see the value of God and you don't see what your worth. God values each and everyone of us so much that He is willing to offer you grace. What I come to love about God is that He is your friend for life. He wants only the best for you. He doesn't care that you fail...He cares that you learn. He understands the devils ways and He does everything He can to equip you for the battles. Believe me nowhere does God say you will never fight. I believe you fight only to build up the courage to better resist the devil. We are labeled The Fallen only because we were born into sin and sin is what continues to keep us from God.

The word redeem means to buy back or repurchase. We were once God's people before sin...then we changed ownership because the devil likes that we sin against God. Walk with your head held high because God has redeemed His people. He loved you and I so much that He was willing to buy us back. Live with God in your heart and walk with Him and you will no longer be fallen but LIFTED UP!

Yesus Gitano!

Carlos

Is God Listening?

I thought about this last night and I just had to ask. Is God Listening? I mean it is an honest question especially when the world is the way it is. People losing jobs, losing finances, people even losing there lives. Did you know that 153,000 people die a day. That is roughly 6,300 per hour or even 105 per minute more or less. Still that is a lot of people dying every day. So the question still remains Is God Listening? God is who all powerful and mighty. The one that in an instant can snap His finger and the world can be made better. As I thought about this question and about all the tragedy and things happening in the world. In what I know about God in the short period I've been learning. I came to this answer that is also a question. The answer was Are We Listening? Are We Listening? The way to better explain this is to think of our lives like a movie. God is the director, the producer, and the writer. We as actors need to do our part in the movie. God as the writer gives us a script...we'll call the script The Bible. In the script it explains to us what are our parts in the movie. It tells us our lines, it tell us how to be, and it actually tells us everything we need to know. So we have our script. Now God the producer creates the scenery for us and also creates the scenarios. But He says whenever you come to a part in the movie where the scene changes right away or things are getting a bit crazy...stick to the script. Now God the director says all you have to do is listen to me, whatever I instruct you to do in the movie do it and you'll be rewarded. God the director gives us instructions to follow and that's it. Simple right! There you have it. You have your script, your scene, and you have the director helping all the way. So Are We Listening? I mean you have everything you need to make your movie great but yet we as actors decide we want to do things our way.

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 It's one of the most poplar verses in your script but so hard to read. There are two kind of people in the world from my point of view. People that live there lives right and people that live there lives right now. People that live there lives right are the people reading off there script. They are the ones trying to follow the director's instructions. They want there movie to mean something, have a purpose. The people that live for right now. They don't read off there script, they don't follow God's ways, and there only care is I Don't Care!! They don't care about security for the future. They don't see past the trials and tribulations. They only live for right now. Out of the statistics I gave you for the amount of people dying every day. The people that live by the script. There hard work, there sacrifice will be rewarded. For the people that don't care they have no reward and for lack of a better word there movies tank. But here is the great news until you die your movie is not yet finished. So I encourage everyone...read your script, live your movie, but above all Listen to God. For those that know of people that don't care...don't give up. Keep trying...and Is God Listening? God is doing more than listening, He's helping you create your movie. The real question is ARE YOU LISTENING?

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos