"And Samuel said, does YHVH have interest in our burnt offerings and sacrifices?  Rather, He delights when we obey His voice. For to obey Him is more pleasing to Him than when we bring Him sacrifices."   I Sam 15:22

"My little children, These things I write unto you, That you sin not."   I John 2:1

These admonitions come to us directly from YHVH's heart and are profitable to us! (II Tim. 3:16-17)

We are ever learning to "live and move and have our being in Him." When things go well with us, we have no problem being "good" and "pleasing," but when we are tempted to sin, that's all together another story. Therefore, even before we are tempted to sin, let us remember His Words of instruction, His Words of wisdom and life.

Instead of the "sin and sacrifice cycle" and repeatedly saying "I'm so sorry, Dear Lord," we must learn to please Him by obeying His voice and doing what He asks of us.  I John 5:2-3 tells us, "His commandments are not grievous." We already know what is right or wrong because His laws are written in our hearts. It's not the lack of knowledge that's killing us.  Could it be a lack of love, or, to say it bluntly, rebellion?  That word hurts!  It's supposed to hurt! It hurt the poor innocent animals whom we brought as sacrifice. They taught us about pain and sin and death as we killed them and watched them bleed to death for us. And then came our Savior who suffered and bled to death for us! That hurt Him a lot! And each time we sin, it still hurts Him just as much! Do we care about His pain?  I know we are not perfect. We are not supposed to be perfect. Only He is perfect. But we are supposed to be obedient! He said so. This I know, 'cause the Bible tells me so.

Thanks be to YHVH! Because of Him we are able to conduct our lives in the way that will be pleasing unto Him! His Way is the "painless" way. His Way is the right way. His Way brings us to that Pleasant Place called Heaven!  Eternal Life!

His Way is the Way of obedience, even obedience unto death. Yashua walked down that way before us, preparing the way for all those who would dare to walk in His footsteps!

He never asked us to do anything that is not possible. Taking our burnt offerings to the altar and saying, "Sorry, YHVH, I won't do it again," might make us feel good again. However, constantly repeating this cycle of sin and sacrifice could not possibly be pleasing to our Savior. That's not why He died on the cross. That's not the message of the cross. That's not the "Power in the Blood."  That's not victory over sin.

Hebrews 6:1 says, "Let us grow into perfection."  Job 11:14 instructs us, "If we find that there be iniquity in our hand, let us put it far away, and let not evil (sin) dwell in our tabernacles." Then will YHVH proudly say about us, "Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee." (Song 4:7) It is time to "possess our souls" with patience, through simple obedience, as good children, to heed His Words and have no need to bring sin offerings any longer. Abba is looking for more than just words and promises from us. He wants our love to be expressed through obedience to His Voice, because it is the better way!

Yes, love IS the more excellent way, (I Cor. 12:31)

And that's what delights our Father's heart, and pleases Him the most.

"Hear, O Israel..."

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Ex. 20:6, Deut. 10:12-13, John 14:15, I John 2:1- 5