"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:12, John 6:35, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16, Matthew 9:15, and Colossians 2:20-23

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

This continue my inductive study on prayer and fasting based on John Piper's book A Hunger for God - Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer.  For today, I focus on the introduction pages 22-24 and dig deeper on the following verses highlighted in the pages - 1 Corinthians 6:12, John 6:35, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16, Matthew 9:15, and Colossians 2:20-23. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: John 6:35: Fasting reminds us that God is more important than food and that He satisfies us more so than any food, drink, or any other earthly pursuit can. Romans 11:36 and Colossians 1:16 remind us that God created food, eating and any other earthly pursuit for His glory. Matthew 9:15 speaks to how fasting is ordained by God as a spiritual discipline - the apostles did not fast while Jesus was with them but they were called to after He was crucified. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: 1 Corinthians 6:12: God created all things, including food and various other enjoyments in life.  However, these things can become an idol and take us away from God. In the text, Paul refers to how Christ fulfilled the law so there is no need to perform those acts of the ceremonial law God's people were formerly called to do in the Old Testament.  We have a new and better covenant based on Christ's shed blood and His grace - not our actions. This freedom should not be used a license to be, however, enslaved or dominated by anything such as food that takes us away from God.  Colossians 2:20-23 calls us to avoid extra biblical (not in the Bible) commands/actions that do not glorify God nor do they protect us from sin - only our pursuit of God through spiritual disciplines will accomplish this.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid pursuit of any created thing or activity (such as eating) such that it "dominates us." Claim the promise that God is the Bread of Life and will satisfy us like nothing else and if we believe in Him we will never thirst.  Treasure God above all other pursuits.   

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, and for Your Word and how it satisfies me such that I will never thirst as long as I have You.  You are my treasure and my hope and prayer that I treasure You above all.  Yet often I do not.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.