“Hi, my name is Danny Cheney and I’m a caffeineaholic.  I have been dry for 3 days.” 

I began this week with the determination to kick my dependency on caffeine.  I have been a caffeine “junky” for 20 years.  Everyday was a day centered around several events; three cups of coffee in the morning, Sonic Happy Hour with 2 Route 44 Iced Teas in the afternoon.  If I missed any of these events I would tailspin.  I could not function with out my morning rush of caffeine and then I realized, I am addicted.

Now, I know that Caffeine is not a sin, nor is it necessarily bad for you BUT too much of anything is bad.  I decided to wean off of caffeine but instead I went cold turkey.  Day two was the toughest.  Cold sweats, hot flashes, feelings of sickness, and a headache that sent me into orbit.  On day two, I went and bought a Sonic Iced Tea, but I chose not to drink it which is simply miraculous.  Today is day three and I am feeling good.  I am craving Sonic Tea but I am not giving in.

Why do I tell you this?  Because in most of our lives there are things that are addictions to us.  Television, Internet, soft drinks, food, cigarettes, alcohol or even drugs.  Of course we rate the levels of addictions but what are you addicted to?  The Apostle Paul said, “I shall not be mastered by anything.”

What’s mastering you?  Do you need to cut back on something?  The fact is, it is easier to be mastered by hidings of the flesh than the things of the Spirit.  However, we must be mastered by the Spirit.  As for me, this morning I had 3 cups of decaffeinated coffee which has alot less kick, but it beats water.  And it is still coffee.

It is amazing how opposite children can be.  Josh never liked music, but Hannah loves it.  She always wants headphones and my MP3 player.  I keep her plugged in to Hillsongs.  Maybe she will grow up to be a worship leader:)

We begin our new sermon series Sunday, Road Signs: Postings Along The Road Of Life.  It’s theme is looking at the instructions of God’s Word that we should apply to our lives.  We will be looking at one way, yield, exit and the stop sign.  All of these have helps for us as we look at what postings God has given us along our road of life. 

This Sunday we begin with ONE WAY.  It is a simple message about the one way to Heaven.  If you have family or friends that need Christ, this Sunday is the perfect Sunday to bring them.  They will get a clear and simple message from the Gospel of John.

“It is written of our blessed Lord, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”  It is the purpose of God that we, as we are indwelt by the Spirit of His Son, should likewise love righteousness and hate iniquity.  I see that there is a place for us in Christ Jesus where we are no longer under condemnation but where the heavens are always open to us.  I see that God has a realm of divine life opening up to us where there are boundless possibilities, where there is limitless power, where there are untold resources, where we have victory over all thepower of the devil.  I believe that, as we are filled with the desire to press on into this life of true holiness, desiring only the glory of God, there is nothing that can hinder our true advancement.”  -Smith Wigglesworth-

I am moving my devotional blog, Thoughts For The Journey, to my main blog.  I am going to combine the two.  I will be doing the same type of short devotional thoughts and place it under the title “Thought For The Journey” on www.lifeofapastor.com.

The last couple of days have been dreary with rain.  Looking out the window and seeing the downpour puts you in a melancholy mood.  What is it about rain?  The sky is dark, the thunder clapping, listening to the raindrops hitting on the air conditioning. For some, it puts them in a depressed mood, for me, it makes me want to sleep. 

All in all, the rain is needed right now in Southeast Texas.  Our grass is parched.  It has been extremely hot and the rain brings relief.  Rain brings life to things that are dying.

So it is, with our spiritual lives.  Often we grow parched in Spirit.  We feel dry and when the heat is on, we feel as if we are going to wither.  Then comes the rain.  The rain of the Holy Spirit in our lives that brings refreshing to our drying soul.  We must get in the rain.  We must allow the working of the Lord in our lives. 

When we are parched, we must make the most of every opportunity to pray and spend time in His Word.  It brings life to our weary soul.  We must trust in Him at all times, even when we least feel like it.  We must cling to Him! 

Jeremiah 17 gives us a picture of the person who trusts the Lord.  “ Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

If we will trust in Him, we will be planted by the waters and we do not need to worry when drought comes.  He will sustain us and help us bear fruit, even in the midst of drought.

Here’s a great quote from Thomas Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, “Wherefore if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate.  All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.”

Kempis is not saying that we should excuse sin and other’s sinfulness, but rather we should not look down on sinners.  For we ourselves are no better than they.  Apart from Christ we are nothing.  We should love them in spite of their sin and in so doing it is possible they will come to know the love of Christ.  It should be that we would point the finger more at ourselves rather than at others.

I got back last night from my prayer retreat.  I enjoyed my time seeking the Lord without distractions.  It is amazing how focused you can be when there is no interruptions, no phone, no Internet and no kids.  I didn’t even take a book to read.  I took my Bible, my study books and my laptop for Study Software.  I had a great time just praying and studying the Word.  I feel refreshed.

I went to Mardel’s on Monday and picked up a new Bible.  There is a relatively new version that is amazingly accurate to the Hebrew and Greek.  The ESV (English Standard Version)is very readable and I enjoy it for my devotional time.  I would suggest anyone picking up a copy of the ESV Bible.  I bought the single-column reference edition with wide margins.  I have never had a wide margin Bible but I love it.  Plenty of room to jot down notes as you read.

I would suggest people buy a new Bible version for devotional reading every couple of years.  It helps give a fresh perspective on the Word.  You can still  use your “main” Bible for study.