How To Turn Off God

[S] Isaiah 1:13-15 --
¹³"Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
Incense is an abomination to Me
New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies--
I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
¹⁴"I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵"So when you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
I will not listen
Your hands are covered with blood.

[O] This passage reminded me of the fact that God sees our hearts more than our actions. He cares about obedience more than sacrifices themselves (1 Samuel 15:22). In fact, He considers our actions without proper heart abomination and He will avoid even looking or hearing us. God is love, but He is also just and so we shouldn't try to fool Him by simply putting on an act because He will not even "go there." The flip side is also true where even though our actions may be totally "unprofessional," when we apporach Him with the right attitude of understanding that only by His Grace that I am who I am now will please Him and He will consider me good (enough).

[A] Search my own heart for any intentions of putting on an act and expunge them forever.

[P] Heavenly Father, may I please You by bringing my whole heart dedicated for Your purposes while I live here on earth. May I not focus too much on my achievements but how much of my heart I desire to dedicate to You. Especially in light of the small group initiative under way, please accept my and my family's wholehearted desire to be used in the fullest capacity by You to care, nurture, and bless others. In Jesus' name. Amen.