Identity

     When asked how I would identify myself, I would probably say, I am approximately five foot six  with blonde hair, fair skinned and have green eyes.  Yet, if  I wanted to identify my spiritual nature, what would I say?  How would others describe me?  This may seem frivolous to some, but to me, it is very important. 
     1 Corinthians 15:50-52 tells me, "...an earthly body made of flesh and blood cannot get into God's kingdom.  These perishable bodies of ours are not the right kind to live forever.  But I tell you this strange and wonderful secret we shall not all die, but we shall all be given new bodies.  It will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown."
    Therefore, my first consideration is to prepare and be ready, not with my physical body, but with my spiritual one.  To do that, I need to work on changing my identity spiritually. 

I - imitate the life of Jesus -- 1 Corinthians 4:16  Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
D- do good and love others-- Romans 12:21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
E- extend charity to everyone-- 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.
N-nightly talk with God--  Psalm 42:8  By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—   a prayer to the God of my life.

T- tithe time and money--Malachi 3:8  Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.

I - incorporate the Word of God into my life daily-- Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
T- testify about the trust of God-- Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Y- yield my life and my will to God-- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Made in USA

      The label, “Made in USA”, indicates the product is made in the United States. As an American, I am proud to buy American because it helps our failing economy. Sadly, many manufacturing companies have long since moved out of the United States in order to produce goods and products with cost effectiveness and profitability in mind.

     Thinking further, I began to wonder when the first manufacturing products began and where it all started. Playing with this thought, there is no doubt about it. It all started “in the beginning.” God started it when He created the heavens and the earth and when He created man. God is the owner of the first manufacturing industry and remains, actually, the owner of them all today allowing those inspired to open their own companies to run them as they see fit. The only difference between God’s and man-made ones are that His are for the whole world. It is nation-wide, and God is not stationed in any one area. As owner and CEO, God travels the world daily. God oversees his plan and his designs. He creates His products for everyone and provides well-written, never changing instructions. He gave us Jesus, grace, and salvation. These are not taxed to us, but are given freely to anyone and everyone who will claim them. God designed and fashioned peace, love, and good-will all around the globe. If there are any flaws in His products, they are man-made by our own sin and neglect in not looking to His guidance and direction and by not inviting Him into our lives.    
     I believe if we will custom our products by the example of the One true manufacturer, lives will  be different. If we would package our products by the Word and its advice, the world would prosper universally.  We are told about love, it "suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itslf unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Charity never faileth...And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."  Wouldn't it be great if all manufacturing companies and their workers would add a touch of love into each and every product.     
     Regardless, whether products are “Made in USA,” or “Made in China,” or made anywhere else in the world the first label and the last label belong to God. In the end, there will be a new earth and a new heaven, God will be the manufacturer of that, as well. He is omnipotent, all knowing, and all power; He is omnipresent.

 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighy.” Revelation 1:8

 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.”  Revelation 21:1