self re-evaluation...

Having very little right now with the unemployment rate in our area being 15% I have had to do some self re-evaluation.
I didn't like what I saw. :(
Does life really revolve around more material possessions? Are we only happy if we have money to spend? What are our lives truly built upon? What is the foundation? Am I relying on man for my happiness? And what am I teaching my children? That our happiness comes from how much money we have or how much stuff we can buy??

It can be so discouraging as you look around this sad world because sadly the answer to the questions I asked myself for most of the people in this world is yes..:(
Yes, their happiness is measured by how much money they have, by how many "toys" they can acquire. We are judged in this world by how much money we make and how many "toys" we have. We are judged by the cars we drive and the homes we live in.. Our success is measured by our careers and how much education we have..

Scripture says this:
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.~ Matthew 6:18-20

The L-rd judges man not by how much stuff he has or how many years of college he has finished. Father judges men by their hearts and their desire to serve Him and obey His commands..

7But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Isaiah 66:2 (Amplified Bible)

2For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.

1 John 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

3For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).

John 14:21 (Amplified Bible)

21The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

I feel the L-rd asking me to keep my eyes upon Him and not on the things of this world..
G-d is the G-d of hope. He is our refuge and ever present help in times of trouble.

So while the world is gaining more things I will be sitting at the feet of my Saviour and L-rd where I am gaining those precious valuables that nothing can destroy! You can take everything from me, my clothes, home and material goods but no one can take my L-rd from me! It is all counted as dung....