[K]now the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God....Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Matthew 9:14-17, Ephesians 3:19, and 1 Peter 2:2–3

[K]now the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God....Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ephesians 3:19, 1 Peter 2:2-3

I continue my deductive 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 36-42 where John Piper presses on to examine scripture looking at the question "is fasting Christian."  To answer this question fully, Piper primarily use Matthew 9:14-17 and using the text he asks:

• Why didn't Jesus' disciples fast? The disciples did not fast because the time with Jesus was one of celebration - as long as Jesus was with the disciples they were to celebrate, not mourn.  
• When will the disciples fast?  Jesus use analogies of new patching of old clothing and new wine in old wine skins to answer this question. 
• Is fasting the old wine skin that must end based on Christ being the new wine?  Piper uses Luke 18:11-12 to describe how Old Testament fasting represents a works-based practice that does not glorify God but instead attempts to draw attention to self - and Piper than says based on Matthew 9:15 that "Jesus’ disciples [and believers to come] will fast; but the fasting they have known is not suitable for the new reality of his presence and the inbreaking kingdom of God." 
• Is there a call for a new type of fasting vs that of what was practiced in the Old Testament? Piper starts his affirmative response by describing the "newness" of fasting based on Christ: "[w]hat’s new about Christian fasting is that it rests on all this finished work of the Bridegroom. It assumes that. It believes that. It enjoys that. The aching and yearning and longing for Christ and his power that drive us to fasting are not the expression of emptiness [vs fasting in the OT which focused on mourning]. Need, yes. Pain, yes. Hunger for God, yes. But not emptiness.....[O]ur fasting is not because we are hungry for something we have not experienced, but because the new wine of Christ’s presence is so real and so satisfying.

Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method looking at Matthew 9:14-17, Ephesians 3:19, and 1 Peter 2:2–3. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God does not want us to use fasting to reflect mourning.  Instead, we are to use fasting to draw attention to Himself, by understanding that God is satisfying and He is so much more so than any food or drink (or anything else) we can ever have.  This satisfaction is described in Ephesians 3:19 as the "fullness of God."  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People need spiritual feeding and not just for sustenance (daily bread) but also for specific types of food that are known to help us further develop and mature as Christians - God wants us to grow up in Christ.  Once we are saved and taste the "pure spiritual milk" that is Christ, we should crave more "solid food" that helps us mature as believers.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid fasting as a reflection of mourning.  We should claim the promise that God satisfies not just for today, but eternally, and that if we crave Him we will be filled with His fullness - see also Matthew 5:6.  Seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, and for giving me both pure spiritual milk and solid spiritual food that helps me mature and develop into who You seek for me to be.  Thank You! I am not deserving of how You save and bless me as my sin continues and it is great.  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.

Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

Romans 14:3-6, Colossians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 8:8, and 6:12

Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 1 Corinthians 8:8

I continue my deductive 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 29-44 where John Piper uses scripture to answer the following questions:

• Is fasting Christian or is it a worldly practice? Fasting is discussed as both a Christian and a worldly practice where for the latter it has been used for both political and health purposes.  While some Christian scholars believe fasting is not for believers mainly because of the "prevalence" of fasting in the Old Testament vs the scarcity of the topic in the New Testament.  
• If fasting is Christian, what does scripture say about how it belongs in the Kingdom of God?  Piper shares that fasting is Christian, pointing to Matthew 9:14-17 as the most important text in the Bible on fasting.    
• Paul writes about fasting in scripture - what does he say?  In 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Piper shares that Paul "is eager to warn against a kind of asceticism that exalts fasting in such a way that the goodness of God in the gift of food is overlooked or distorted."  Colossians 2:20-23 also serves as a warning against using fasting in an ungodly manner. Piper then offers Romans 14:3-6, Colossians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 8:8, and 6:12 where he shares that Paul's position is that "eating and drinking are nonessential," and that "[w]e are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do."

Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method looking at Romans 14:3-6, Colossians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 8:8, and 6:12. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Romans 14:3-6: God looks at each person's heart and the motive for each person to either eat and drink or to abstain from eating or drinking.  God wants us to glorify Him in whatever we do - whether eating or drinking....or not (1 Corinthians 10:31).  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Colossians 2:16: We should not judge anyone for what they practice - including fasting - if their motive is for God and that is for God alone to judge.  Eating and drinking has a place in our lives as a means to glorify God - for example, to share fellowship and hospitality to other believers and non-believers alike.  At the same time, their are many times when it serves no purpose at all hence Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 8:8 that it does not matter most of the time whether we eat or not.  However, it does matter whether we glorify God or not - because if we do not, we are in big trouble. As I posted yesterday on 1 Corinthians 6:12, we are not to allow food or any other earthly pursuit - to dominate us such that they become an idol for us and we place it above God.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not place eating or fasting or any other earthly pursuit above God or allow it to distract from why we exist as believers, which is to glorify Him.  Follow the example of Paul who did not allow anything to "dominate him" - instead he became a slave to God. Glorify Him in all that you do.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, for Your Word and how You allow me to fellowship with You and be satisfied - I am filled!  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.

"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 deductive 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.   

Comment and discuss this post

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.

But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

Luke 14:18-20, 8:14, Mark 4:19, Luke 14:33, and Genesis 22:11-12

But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." Genesis 22:11-12

This morning, I start a deductive study based on John Piper's book A Hunger for God - Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer.  For today, I focus on the introduction pages 17-19 and dig deeper on the following verses highlighted in the pages - Luke 14:18-20, 8:14, Mark 4:19, Luke 14:33, and Genesis 22:11-12. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God created the heavens and the earth, and everything else in between (including knowledge, wisdom, etc.).  He created all of these things to point to Himself.  People do get to enjoy created things but God's intent is that we acknowledge God's role in creation and provision for our lives, and this then humbles us into recognizing that we do not exist without Him, it is God's grace that we exist at all (and thrive at times) despite our sin, that He forgives, saves, and gives new life, and that we exist entirely for His glory.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People separate themselves from God when they replace a hunger and thirst for God/righteousness (Matthew 5:6) with a hunger and thirst for the things of this world - and there are many, with social media in particular being a key one.  In the text today, there are many examples including work (Luke 14:18-20), family (Luke 14:18-20, Genesis 22:11-12), and riches and possessions (Luke 8:14, Mark 4:19, Luke 14:33).  The text in Genesis is the most impactful IMO as this is an example of how Abraham valued God over family and how God was pleased.  This testing of our faith is advocated in John Piper's book as he says that "we easily deceive ourselves that we love God unless our love is frequently put to the test, and we must show our preferences not merely with words but with sacrifice."      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid becoming too comfortable with the things of this world, including family.  We should claim the promise that we are citizens of Heaven first, that the world is not our home but Heaven is and that eternal life will be glorious.  Follow the example of Paul who struggled between remaining on earth with his brothers and sisters in Christ and being called home to Christ (Philippians 1:21–23).  Treasure God above all else!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Word and how You bless me with it with an inexpressible joy!  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.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Hosea 14

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. Hosea 14:8-9

This morning, I wrap my study of Hosea by looking at Hosea 14, where God pleas with Israel to repent and return to Him and if they do, He promises blessings.  See also OverviewBible.com's survey of this book. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, chronicled in rich detail throughout the book of Hosea, including God's command to Hosea that he marry an unfaithful woman Gomer, we never lose sight of how God is jealous for Israel/us (not of us) and that He loves Israel in spite of her sin.  God is slow to anger, abounding in love, and rich and mercy.  He is faithful, even when we fall down. God offers mercies that never cease and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and He seeks for us to confess our sin and return to Him (vv1-2). God even gives Israel the words to say in prayer to Him (of course He wants us to utter them with a contrite heart) - see vv2-3. In vv4-7 God shares the blessings Israel (us) will experience upon a return (repentance) to Him - what an incredible portrait of what fellowship with God looks like! V8 then shares how idols offer nothing and do not respond when we call, but God is a living God who hears and responds to our cries, looks after us (as only a Father/Shepherd does), and fruit/provision comes from abiding in Him (John 15:1-10). V9: The Lord's ways are right!  Amen!
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Sin causes us to stumble - vv1,9. No idol nor man (regardless of how powerful he is) can save us from eternal damnation - Solus Christus or Christ alone saves.  Knowledge of God and a discerning heart that seeks to understand Truth is key - and they help us remain upright (prevent us from stumbling into sin).   
• 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 seeking idols or things of this world to worship - they do not save! Claim the promise of salvation, freedom from the sting of sin and death, and the blessings and fruit that accompanies fellowship with God.  Follow the example of David and so many others throughout scripture who repented of their sin and returned to the Lord. Confess and believe in Jesus!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Word and Your unwavering love and faithfulness, despite how my sin is great and how it continues.  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.

I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

Hosea 11-13

I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Hosea 13:14

I continue my study of Hosea, and my focus this morning is Hosea 11-13, where God shares through Hosea a prophecy of Israel's looming exile at the hands of Assyria - she has been unfaithful and God will discipline her.  See also OverviewBible.com's survey of this book. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In 11:1-4 God shares how He cared for Israel (referring also to Israel as Ephraim - one of the largest tribes).  Yet then He quickly moves to describe Israel's unfaithfulness because "they have refused to return to [God]" (v5).  Vv6-7 share how He will punish/discipline Israel.  God returns to His love for Israel in vv8-11 but once again He then pivots in v12 to how Israel "surrounded [God] with lies...and deceit[.]  In 12:6 we see how God seeks a contrite heart and repentance from Israel, but ultimately He "will repay [Ephraim] for his disgraceful deeds" (v14). Ephraim's sin is further described in 13:1-2, 6, 9, and 12 as "they sin more and more," make idols before God, forgot God, are against God, and are bound up in iniquity. In the midst of God's pronouncement of judgement (and looming punishment via exile to Assyria) - concluding in this chapter via v16 - on Israel, we see God pointing to ultimately how Israel will be offered salvation through Christ (v14).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Believers and non-believers alike continue to live in sin - so no one can claim they are without sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  We are not unlike Israel who lived faithfully for a period, then forgot God and wandered from Him.  The message of Hosea is for us just as it was for Israel.  Believers, however, have the hope of Jesus who gives us victory over sin and death.   
• 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 the faithlessness of Israel which is often seen as performative worship that does not have a heart for God.  Claim the promise that Jesus offers to repent and return to Him as He offers salvation and freedom in Christ.  Follow the example of Hosea who was obedient to God and faithful to Him even though God asked him to marry an unfaithful woman/prostitute (Gomer).  Repent and have faith in Jesus who is faithful to those who follow Him.      

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation and for Your faithfulness.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 7-10

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12

After a brief hiatus this past week looking at Galatians, I return to my study of Hosea where I left off this past Monday, and my focus this morning is Hosea 7-10, where God continues to describe Israel's unfaithfulness and His plan for her discipline (including exile to Assyria).  See also OverviewBible.com's survey of this book. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: 7:2 reminds us that God knows all (omniscient) and no sin is hidden from God and He remembers all sin (see also this post on the books to be opened on Judgement Day).  While the new covenant based on Christ's shed blood gives us freedom from the law (see also Galatians 4:8-5:12), we do not have license to continue sinning but instead Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit and as we abide in Him, He abides in us and we bear fruit and He molds us into more of His image (see also John 15:1-10).  God wants us to know, love, serve and glorify Him - this is why we exist. Israel, unfortunately, lost its way on this during Hosea's time - readers of today are no different except that now we have Christ who saves us. Hosea also shares God's plans to discipline Israel, including 7:12, 8:5, 7-8, 14, 9:3, 7, 17, 10:2, 10:10, and 10:13-15.  At the same time, God is slow to anger and abounding in love - offering mercy and forgiveness for those who repent and turn to Him. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Over these four chapters, much is said that describes Israel's sin and unfaithfulness.  Israel forgot God, they worshiped idols, and they claimed to love God with their words and actions but not with a pure heart.  Believers of today can just as easily do the same.  God encourages us to create fertile ground for Him, and for His Word to take root and bear fruit. See Hosea 10:12. 
• 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 worshiping God with an empty heart that is performative vs a contrite heart that genuinely seeks Him.  Claim the promise that God will "rain righteousness upon you" if you seek the Lord. Follow the example of Paul, the prodigal son and so many others who repented of their sin.  Confess your sins, accept Jesus as your Savior, and seek Him with all of your heart (and you will find Him - Jeremiah 29:13).     

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your rich mercy, patience, and for saving me despite my unfaithfulness. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.