Training children to see God's handiwork

Hello There!
   This morning I was challenged to think about God's creation.  "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2
   Thinking back to raising our children, I sorry that we didn't spend even more time in God's creation, marveling at His handiwork and thanking Him for it.  There was the occasional camp where we all went to look at the stars or those days when you saw a particularly beautiful sunset or rainbow but there could have been more days or nights enjoying God's handiwork and enjoying the glory of God.
   It is interesting to note that at the time of creation the complete God head was at work creating.  "in the beginning God created."  Genesis 1:1   The word for God here is:  Elohim: a plural word for the God-head.  Plural- more than one.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit working together in creation.
   Do you take the time to really look at Elohim's handiwork?  When I was younger people would say, "take time to smell the roses."  You would think this wouldn't take effort but it does.  It would be stopping, focusing on something and enjoying it or taking it all in.  His creation is amazing but do we take the time, those few precious moments to really enjoy it?
   In our fast paced world you rarely see someone taking the time to stop, examine and acknowledge the great Creator and His creation.  Can you think of something in God's creation that you enjoyed and then did you take the time to thank Him for it?
   Let's put down our smart phones and other electronic devices today or tonight and look at God's creation.  Then if we are responsible for children or others, let's turn their eyes to look upon God's handiwork as well.   They may be able to point out something you didn't notice.  Then be sure and take time to thank Him for what you saw.
   You will be training someone else to declare the glory of God in a world that forgets God.

Good morning!
    Today's reading of the Bible led me to the verse:  "You shall have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:3   God was giving the 10 commandments to Moses to deliver to the children of Israel.  When Moses arrived back at the camp where he had left them, they were worshiping an idol they had made from their gold jewelry.  They had come from Egypt where idol worship prevailed and they had taken the idols and these idols supposed abilities with them in their hearts.
     What does the New Testament say about idol worship?  I found two corresponding verses in the New Testament when Jesus was teaching the people:  Matthew 4:4 "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."  Matthew 6:24  "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money."
    We live in a world very much like the Egypt of the O.T.  It is full of idols and not necessarily the statue type that one might bow down to.  We are so very wealthy in this nation that we've made all sorts of things idols, clothing, cars, houses, movie stars, computers, I pods, kindles, books, etc. etc.   The list goes on and on.  I've heard it said that an idol is anything you put ahead of the Lord God in your life.  For each one of us it couldn't be a different item.
    This is a challenge for me today and perhaps for you as well?  What are the idols in my life?  What am I bowing down to and serving?  What am I putting ahead of the Lord Jesus in my heart and soul?  What does my mind dwell on rather than on His love and my service for Him?  What am I going to do about these idols?
     How far reaching of an effect do idols have in my life?  Do my children and others younger in the faith, look on and learn from me? Am I causing them to stumble?   How will I help them deal with the idols in their lives?
     Blessed are those who put the Lord first in their lives.  Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."   When we are chasing after or bowing down before some "god" in our life could it be that we aren't satisfied.  If we really want to be satisfied, to have true satisfaction, we must put the Lord first, and we do what is right.