"The living God cannot be used, manipulated or managed. Spiritual power isn't a matter of getting our hands on the right method or technology. The personal God cannot be reduced to an impersonal power."
"pagan worship was grounded in the belief that human actions provide the critical element for what happens in life, that the gods can be bribed to prosper humans. Viewed this way, Canaanite culture is hardly distinguishable from contemporary culture. A great deal of contemporary religion is little more than trying to manipulate God in order to get something from him."
This is a worldly way of thinking about God and relationships with others. If I do this, He owes me. If I do this, they will do _____. You see this in certain children. Children who are not normally "sweet" might start getting all sweet and cute in order to get something from their parents. When we indulge this behavior we reward manipulation and not honesty and real connections.
God will not be manipulated. He wants to have real relationships with us. If He would bow down to our manipulation, it just indulges us and encourages and fosters dishonesty and more manipulation. He doesn't want spoiled children. He wants children who are close to Him. Children who want to spend time with Him. Children who lean on Him and find their strength in Him and who enjoy is presence. Why? No, it isn't for selfish reasons. God is not selfish. It is because He loves us and knows in this is where we will find true joy and contentment -- being in a loving relationship with Him.
Doing things God's way is the best way to do things. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
In John 13:34 Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
Doing life God's way means loving Him and loving others -- doing what is best for others. Imagine if everyone in the world lived this way. That would be heaven. And actually, that will be heaven. We want you there! So, talk to the Father. He is very very good. And He loves you. Talk to Him.