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Taste and See: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life
A Devotional Powerhouse!
This revision of the follow-up to the popular A Godward Life adds twenty fresh entries to the original 120 daily meditations that are solid meat and sweet milk from God’s Word. The new entries broach current and controversial subject matter, such as partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Piper asks the hardest questions and finds wonderfully poignant but practical and applicable truths from the Bible. These 350 pages of substantive spiritual nourishment will brace readers’ minds with truth and nourish their hearts with God’s sovereign grace. Pastors and lay leaders particularly will appreciate the three indexes included. They don’t need to look any further to find a pertinent illustration or tidbit of inspiration!
Expanded Edition of the Popular Godward Life II Devotional
Taste and see…The Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8
The soul tastes truth like the lips taste food. Spiritual hunger cries out for rich, substantial nourishment. It is remarkable how much meat these daily portions contain.
Skillfully presented by pastor John Piper, this devotional of contemporary meditations on biblical reality will whet your appetite for more of God Himself and refresh you in your daily communion with Christ.
“This volume is a treasure of true doctrine applied to life.”
-R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Going to sleep with John Piper’s words on your mind will coax you from complacency and wake you up to a passionate faith.”
-Phil Callaway, speaker and bestselling author
Story Behind the Book
John Piper’s life-long love affair with his church is evidenced in each of the 140 articles included in Taste and See. Originally, each article was written for his flock at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis . They are sometimes follow-ups to Sunday sermons; sometimes meditations of a pastor’s heart, expressing his longing for the holiness of his congregation. Many of the entries are his own relentless interrogations of a biblical text. A few are colorful anecdotes from a pastor’s daily life—a pastor whose heartbeat for God pulsates through every word.
This revision of the follow-up to the popular A Godward Life adds twenty fresh entries to the original 120 daily meditations that are solid meat and sweet milk from God’s Word. The new entries broach current and controversial subject matter, such as partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Piper asks the hardest questions and finds wonderfully poignant but practical and applicable truths from the Bible. These 350 pages of substantive spiritual nourishment will brace readers’ minds with truth and nourish their hearts with God’s sovereign grace. Pastors and lay leaders particularly will appreciate the three indexes included. They don’t need to look any further to find a pertinent illustration or tidbit of inspiration!
Expanded Edition of the Popular Godward Life II Devotional
Taste and see…The Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8
The soul tastes truth like the lips taste food. Spiritual hunger cries out for rich, substantial nourishment. It is remarkable how much meat these daily portions contain.
Skillfully presented by pastor John Piper, this devotional of contemporary meditations on biblical reality will whet your appetite for more of God Himself and refresh you in your daily communion with Christ.
“This volume is a treasure of true doctrine applied to life.”
-R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Going to sleep with John Piper’s words on your mind will coax you from complacency and wake you up to a passionate faith.”
-Phil Callaway, speaker and bestselling author
Story Behind the Book
John Piper’s life-long love affair with his church is evidenced in each of the 140 articles included in Taste and See. Originally, each article was written for his flock at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis . They are sometimes follow-ups to Sunday sermons; sometimes meditations of a pastor’s heart, expressing his longing for the holiness of his congregation. Many of the entries are his own relentless interrogations of a biblical text. A few are colorful anecdotes from a pastor’s daily life—a pastor whose heartbeat for God pulsates through every word.
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2005
94 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,580 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 30, 2023
Such a wonderfully insightful book full of meditations on “savoring the supremacy of God in every area of life”.
The goodness of God in the person of Jesus Christ can and should be enjoyed in everything that we do. To live gladly to make others glad in Jesus.
The goodness of God in the person of Jesus Christ can and should be enjoyed in everything that we do. To live gladly to make others glad in Jesus.
December 5, 2025
Wonderful book with so many good Biblical insights. Will definitely come back to again and again.
October 15, 2016
When my copy of this book came in the mail, I quickly flipped through it. I was pleased to see that all of these meditations are quite short (about 2 pages give or take a page). It was clear that these would be quick little nuggets to read.
Off and on over the past years, my husband and I have tried various things to study the Bible or do some sort of devotional together. He’s a morning person and I’m a night owl. We both tend to have a lot of things we want to spend our free time doing and it’s hard to set aside time to talk or dive into Biblical truths together. Well, we decided to start going through this book. One meditation in the evening at a time and it’s been a pretty easy habit to start and continue.
Each passage of this book is a quick little message of God’s truth. Some passages incorporate a lot of scripture and some of them involve a bit more of an anecdote from Piper’s life (such as the value of regular time in the Word). If you’ve ever read anything by John Piper before, you know he has a wonderful way with words and that remains true in this book. Some of these small devotions just fascinate me with things that he writes about (do you know how many pounds of water are in the sky?!?!–that comes through in one of these meditations). Each one tends to be thought provoking and sometimes a bit challenging.
All in all, this is a wonderful book that I would highly reccommend. If you struggle with getting into the Bible on a daily basis, this might be a book to help you get into a habit. While it isn’t a replacement for the Bible, it still might help you want to dig in a bit deeper.
**I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**
Off and on over the past years, my husband and I have tried various things to study the Bible or do some sort of devotional together. He’s a morning person and I’m a night owl. We both tend to have a lot of things we want to spend our free time doing and it’s hard to set aside time to talk or dive into Biblical truths together. Well, we decided to start going through this book. One meditation in the evening at a time and it’s been a pretty easy habit to start and continue.
Each passage of this book is a quick little message of God’s truth. Some passages incorporate a lot of scripture and some of them involve a bit more of an anecdote from Piper’s life (such as the value of regular time in the Word). If you’ve ever read anything by John Piper before, you know he has a wonderful way with words and that remains true in this book. Some of these small devotions just fascinate me with things that he writes about (do you know how many pounds of water are in the sky?!?!–that comes through in one of these meditations). Each one tends to be thought provoking and sometimes a bit challenging.
All in all, this is a wonderful book that I would highly reccommend. If you struggle with getting into the Bible on a daily basis, this might be a book to help you get into a habit. While it isn’t a replacement for the Bible, it still might help you want to dig in a bit deeper.
**I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**
June 14, 2016
I've honestly had trouble in the past with Piper's refrain that God's glory is His highest goal (I ended up feeling like a peon). And every time I tried to read one of his longer books, I missed Piper's heart because of my trouble with this refrain and because of his very academic (sometimes abstruse?) study skills. But I've always loved Piper in short doses: his sermons and his devotionals accurately communicate the brimming heart behind all the erudite and challenging statements he makes. So I picked this book up--and the first devotion in it, "The Exuberant Omnipotence of God," converted me completely to Piper's thinking that God's glory is His highest goal, and that is GOOD--for me, for everyone. It changed my thinking completely, and I've been enjoying God--and consequently, all of life--more ever since. "On Lending to the God" was another life-changer.
So the book gets five stars, even though I'm not a huge fan of his poetry and some of the devotions were more academic than heart-engaging. But he ranges through difficult interpretive questions, current issues, challenges to risk-taking faith, and Gospel reminders in a very meaty (140 devotions!) tome. Highly recommended--because if even two devotions change your heart like those two changed mine, then it's one of the most valuable books you can read.
So the book gets five stars, even though I'm not a huge fan of his poetry and some of the devotions were more academic than heart-engaging. But he ranges through difficult interpretive questions, current issues, challenges to risk-taking faith, and Gospel reminders in a very meaty (140 devotions!) tome. Highly recommended--because if even two devotions change your heart like those two changed mine, then it's one of the most valuable books you can read.
October 20, 2016
I have benefited from John Piper's teaching, including the free resources on desiringGod.org, but I especially enjoy reading the print copies of his devotional books. This collection contains short but meaty mediations on 125 diverse topics. Piper's writing is more humorous than I expected, and I appreciate his honesty about his own sins and foibles. As a busy mom, I appreciate that these meditations are numbered instead of dated, so I never feel like I'm falling behind.
October 16, 2018
You know, I have mad respect for John Piper, but this book did not do it for me. It's like a box of chocolates. Each segment is totally random, doesn't connect at all to the other, and you've no idea what you're going to read next. Some parts were good. Some were too heady. Some I wish he'd spent more time on. It just wasn't doing it for me. I couldn't even finish it because I felt like I wasn't growing in my faith reading it. Nothing against Piper, but this wasn't his best work, in my opinion.
May 2, 2024
This was a re-read from almost 15 years ago; however, the subject matter was as timely as ever. There are 140 devotions intended to be read on a daily basis. (Toward the end, I simply finished the book as I was enjoying it immensely.) If you're not familiar with John Piper or Desiring God Ministries, this would make for a great introduction. Definitely read with a highlighter and pencil for note-taking. Overall, I would reccomend this book to anyone. Of course, it's not a subsitute for the Bible but would supplement/complement Scripture. Please read!
April 25, 2018
Excellent devotional. Really spoke to my heart and built my faith. Such great insight into so many difficult topics. Highly recommend. You will be blessed!
May 18, 2019
Deep, meaningful, truthful, Christ exalting food for the soul. Thank you John Piper.
February 19, 2022
A solid set of devotionals.
Number 41 held me the most. That there is both joy and mourning together in Ezra 3.
Number 41 held me the most. That there is both joy and mourning together in Ezra 3.
September 12, 2016
Y'all, I have enjoyed this devotional book from the first page on. Let me tell you a couple reasons why...
John Piper is one of the most respected theologians of our time, & honestly? He's a little hard to read because of the weigh of each topic. BUT THIS daily reading selection? They are the perfect size for me to read deep, be challenged, & walk away thinking about the truths for the rest of the day, or even days after. The 2-3 page length is the PERFECT size bite of John Piper for me. And I am loving it.
He uses so much scripture in each selection, but also can focus on just one. His perspective is so refreshing, so clear cut. He doesn't waver on hard topics, but rather lets scripture be clearly the center. Also? I am appreciating the unwavering stand he takes on the supremacy of the Lord, which is the subtitle of this book. 'Savory for the supremacy of God in all of Life'. Many people shy away from truly saying, yes, God is supreme. But John Piper is able to gently show how good it is that God is supreme!!
And I cannot forget to mention: The cover is absolutely gorgeous.
In short, I highly recommend this book. I'm not finished yet, but I want to read it to savor each piece, not rush through. I plan to give this book as a gift; it's that good.
I reviewed an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
John Piper is one of the most respected theologians of our time, & honestly? He's a little hard to read because of the weigh of each topic. BUT THIS daily reading selection? They are the perfect size for me to read deep, be challenged, & walk away thinking about the truths for the rest of the day, or even days after. The 2-3 page length is the PERFECT size bite of John Piper for me. And I am loving it.
He uses so much scripture in each selection, but also can focus on just one. His perspective is so refreshing, so clear cut. He doesn't waver on hard topics, but rather lets scripture be clearly the center. Also? I am appreciating the unwavering stand he takes on the supremacy of the Lord, which is the subtitle of this book. 'Savory for the supremacy of God in all of Life'. Many people shy away from truly saying, yes, God is supreme. But John Piper is able to gently show how good it is that God is supreme!!
And I cannot forget to mention: The cover is absolutely gorgeous.
In short, I highly recommend this book. I'm not finished yet, but I want to read it to savor each piece, not rush through. I plan to give this book as a gift; it's that good.
I reviewed an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 15, 2016
In the past I'd read a few concise reads by John Piper, so I was excited to read this book of 120 meditations. It didn't disappoint, each reading is about 2-3 pages long, Mr. Piper takes examples from his own life, our current culture, and more, connecting them to scripture to tackle tough topics, and subject matters concisely and with God's word.
I was impressed by how wonderfully Mr. Piper pulled this book together so thoroughly covering more in 2-3 pages on tough teachings like sanctification, truth, our identity as Christians, God's wrath, our adoption and inheritance, and so much more, than I ever would have thought possible. Very well written, and great to read with morning devotions, as often it gave me something to think upon for the remainder of the day, with wonderful nuggets that I couldn't help but share with others.
I loved how diverse the subject matters are. yet each chapter is firmly rooted in sound Christian teaching of scripture taken within context.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough, I have recommended it to many friends already--especially people who are already fans of John Piper--and I think it would make a terrific gift! Well written, concise, powerful, thought-provoking, with sound in context teaching, highly recommend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
I was impressed by how wonderfully Mr. Piper pulled this book together so thoroughly covering more in 2-3 pages on tough teachings like sanctification, truth, our identity as Christians, God's wrath, our adoption and inheritance, and so much more, than I ever would have thought possible. Very well written, and great to read with morning devotions, as often it gave me something to think upon for the remainder of the day, with wonderful nuggets that I couldn't help but share with others.
I loved how diverse the subject matters are. yet each chapter is firmly rooted in sound Christian teaching of scripture taken within context.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough, I have recommended it to many friends already--especially people who are already fans of John Piper--and I think it would make a terrific gift! Well written, concise, powerful, thought-provoking, with sound in context teaching, highly recommend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
October 4, 2016
Taste and See by John Piper helps its readers do exactly what its subtitle says and that is to savor the supremacy of God in all of life.
Reading this book helps the reader see how John Piper sees the world through his worldview. How does one live and understand life when they believe God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him? One sees it in his meditation of rising early to spend time in the Word, waking up and fighting the weariness many of us face in the early hours of the morning.
If you're looking for a devotional resource with depth this is one to read. Piper goes from the heights of contemplating the omnipotence of God down to God's care in the midst of things like a lost credit card. There's a good reason that this book keeps getting reprinted I hope you'll read it and discover why.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher for providing this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
Reading this book helps the reader see how John Piper sees the world through his worldview. How does one live and understand life when they believe God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him? One sees it in his meditation of rising early to spend time in the Word, waking up and fighting the weariness many of us face in the early hours of the morning.
If you're looking for a devotional resource with depth this is one to read. Piper goes from the heights of contemplating the omnipotence of God down to God's care in the midst of things like a lost credit card. There's a good reason that this book keeps getting reprinted I hope you'll read it and discover why.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher for providing this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
November 11, 2015
I was using this book as a daily devotion, but it is a very long book so about half way I wanted to go on to another book. John Piper made some really good points, but I just wish this wasn't so long.
"The reason that being saved is the greatest experience in the world is because God is the greatest Person in the world, and being saved means being rescued from sin and damnation so that we can know and enjoy God forever. If God were not the greatest Reality in the universe, being saved to be with Him would not be the greatest experience in the universe."
"The only ultimate love is a love that aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead a person to the only lasting joy, namely, God. Love must be God-centered or it is not the greatest love; it leaves people without their deepest need and only hope."
"The reason that being saved is the greatest experience in the world is because God is the greatest Person in the world, and being saved means being rescued from sin and damnation so that we can know and enjoy God forever. If God were not the greatest Reality in the universe, being saved to be with Him would not be the greatest experience in the universe."
"The only ultimate love is a love that aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead a person to the only lasting joy, namely, God. Love must be God-centered or it is not the greatest love; it leaves people without their deepest need and only hope."
July 30, 2016
Taste and See – John Piper
There isn’t much to say about Taste and See. It is like little sermons in a book. Sermon nuggets. Sermon appetizers. Obviously this is a devotional book, but it is a pretty deep devotional book.
I haven’t finished it yet because well that would take 118 more days. So after reading it for several days, and flipping through the book, my opinion is BUY THIS! You won’t be sad. The devotionals are strong and deep and straight out of the Word with great examples from Piper’s life.
Don’t worry – this is a book I will finish!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
There isn’t much to say about Taste and See. It is like little sermons in a book. Sermon nuggets. Sermon appetizers. Obviously this is a devotional book, but it is a pretty deep devotional book.
I haven’t finished it yet because well that would take 118 more days. So after reading it for several days, and flipping through the book, my opinion is BUY THIS! You won’t be sad. The devotionals are strong and deep and straight out of the Word with great examples from Piper’s life.
Don’t worry – this is a book I will finish!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2011
This book was a great mix of nightly devotions and solid theology. Piper presented really meaty stuff in small portions so I felt like I could really sink my teeth into one idea at a time. There were a few sentances here and there that I didn't fully agree with, but I have a niggling doubt that this might be out of my pride and stubborness more than incorrect argument on his part. Anyway, a book that I plan on reading again, though maybe this time I will spend more than one sitting on each section, as they deserve some serious thought. A great book, full of a lot of great stuff.
October 22, 2008
We've been going through this one in Sunday School as a devotional/lesson kickoff. John Piper definitely gets a little deep and technical, and sometimes you have to read a sentence a couple times and go huh? and read it again, but once you get what he is pointing out, it's well worth the repetition to dig a little deeper into the Word. Good stuff.
July 28, 2010
Unlike many devotional type books that water down the power of God's Word, this book explains the Word and points the reader to the richness of the scriptures and to the greatness of God. In Taste and See, John Piper helps his readers move toward "Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life." Meaning, don't only know God rationally, don't only obey God volitionally, but pursue Him passionately.
July 8, 2014
Thank you to Gary for letting me barrow this. I was extremely blessed and challenged as I read this. I enjoy John Piper because he has a great theological foundation and has a way of making it easy to understand. He does not just go for the "fill good stuff," but presents the Bible clearly and without apology. The book is a devotional, so is encouraging to one's faith.
June 5, 2008
One of my favorite devotionals/studies on topics in the Bible thus far. Piper has been blessed by God with a mind for all things scriptural. He really digs deep into the Bible, in short 1-2 page chapters on different topics. A MUST own.
October 24, 2012
Short, digestible devotionals to start out the day, but with a depth and richness that goes far beyond the average Christian devotional. As a busy college student, this book has been a huge blessing for me.
September 21, 2011
Okay, I have never written a review or rated a book that I haven't finished... until now. I checked this from the library and didn't have time to finish it, but what I read was terrific and I believe the rest is as well. Don't believe me?- taste and see.
January 18, 2008
I read this devotional before bed every night. A lingering thought, a verse, a prayer to send me to sleep. I sleep well.
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December 2, 2008I love that it's short chapters. One a day, or one every few days, and I feel like I read something worthwhile. I'm enjoying it.
August 22, 2008
I am truly enjoying Piper as an author.
May 15, 2011
I was surprised at how many of these meditations related to situations I'm in. Although I don't always agree with the author's views, the readings always gave me a lot to think about.
July 27, 2011
I keep it by my bedside and read a chapter (1-2 pgs.) once in a while. They have been marvelous so far!
May 16, 2012
I am still currently reading this as Daily Devotional book!
March 24, 2012
This is a beautifully written and beautifully conceived book of devotions. I will read it again.
June 25, 2012
I enjoyed this devotional book and was quite encouraged by some readings from it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews