READ Romans 14
Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
-- Romans 14:5b (NIV)
I don’t drink coffee because if I have one cup, that turns into two cups, then that second cup turns into three, and I then I get a caffeine buzz. Later that afternoon, I crash due to the overstimulation, and later that night I can’t sleep due to acid reflux. I have a similar problem with alcohol. If I have one glass of wine, that turns into two, then that second glass turns into a third glass, resulting in me getting drunk. I don’t like all the stimulation and mood swings that accompany overconsumption of these beverages. I’ve learned I don’t have the self-control necessary to stop at one cup of coffee or one glass of wine, so I don’t drink them anymore.
The majority of people have no trouble drinking coffee or alcohol in moderation. My mother, for example, stops at one cup of coffee in the morning and is fine for the rest of the day. She normally only has one glass of wine at social events.
“The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him” (Romans 14:3). As stated above, I have reasons why I don’t drink coffee or alcohol, and am “fully convinced” that this is the right course of action for me, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right course for everyone.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What’s right for everyone else, might not be what’s right for you.
Prayer: Father in heaven, please help us be true to ourselves, in alignment with your Word.
Prayer Focus: BARISTAS
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
Sermon on the Mount
Rick Stockwell
6/5/2026
Lies
Rick Stockwell
5/29/2026
Back in the Box
Rick Stockwell
5/22/2026
Looking Ahead
Rick Stockwell
5/15/2026
Who's Driving?
Rick Stockwell
5/8/2026
Interruptions
Rick Stockwell
5/1/2026
What's the Most Important Question in Life?
Rick Stockwell
4/24/2026
Feathers
Rick Stockwell
4/17/2026
Checkers or Chess?
Rick Stockwell
4/10/2026
Victory
Rick Stockwell
4/3/2026
Restless
Rick Stockwell
3/27/2026
Assurance of Salvation
Rick Stockwell
3/20/2026
Anniversaries and Holidays
Rick Stockwell
3/13/2026
Knowing
Rick Stockwell
3/6/2026
Hate at Hebron
Rick Stockwell
2/27/2026
Naos
Rick Stockwell
2/20/2026
Why Believe in God?
Rick Stockwell
2/13/2026
The Last Starfighter
Rick Stockwell
2/6/2026
Be Alert
Rick Stockwell
1/30/2026
Time's Up
Rick Stockwell
1/23/2026
Can't Take It With You
Rick Stockwell
1/16/2026
Safe with God
Rick Stockwell
1/9/2026
Happy New Year
Rick Stockwell
1/2/2026
Choose Wisely
Rick Stockwell
12/26/2025
Merry Christmas
Rick Stockwell
12/19/2025
Two by Two
Rick Stockwell
12/12/2025
No Root
Rick Stockwell
12/5/2025
I Did It My Way
Rick Stockwell
11/28/2025
Sandals
Rick Stockwell
11/21/2025
Amazing Forgiveness
Rick Stockwell
11/14/2025
Temptation
Rick Stockwell
11/7/2025
Cards You're Dealt
Rick Stockwell
10/31/2025
Shelf Life
Rick Stockwell
10/24/2025
Watchman
Rick Stockwell
10/17/2025
Seeds
Rick Stockwell
10/10/2025
Allegiance
Rick Stockwell
10/3/2025
Water Bottle
Rick Stockwell
9/26/2025
Charlie Kirk
Rick Stockwell
9/19/2025
Book Binding
Rick Stockwell
9/12/2025
Meeting Together
Rick Stockwell
9/5/2025
Weak and Strong
Rick Stockwell
8/29/2025
Repentance
Rick Stockwell
8/22/2025
Why Didn't You Tell Me?
Rick Stockwell
8/15/2025
Nose to Nose
Rick Stockwell
8/8/2025
Discipleship
Rick Stockwell
8/1/2025
Already Chosen
Rick Stockwell
7/25/2025
Drainage Tunnel
Rick Stockwell
7/18/2025
Withered Hand
Rick Stockwell
7/11/2025
Traveling Mercies
Rick Stockwell
7/4/2025
Doomscrolling
Rick Stockwell
6/27/2025
Working Toward Heaven
Rick Stockwell
6/20/2025
Foxes
Rick Stockwell
6/13/2025
Self-Reliance
Rick Stockwell
6/6/2025
Flawless
Rick Stockwell
5/30/2025
The Scripture Cannot Be Broken
Rick Stockwell
5/23/2025
Friends
Rick Stockwell
5/16/2025
Steal No Longer
Rick Stockwell
5/9/2025
Why is the World So Messed Up?
Rick Stockwell
5/2/2025
Judging Others
Rick Stockwell
4/25/2025
Stay off the Grass
Rick Stockwell
4/18/2025
Who is my Neighbor?
Rick Stockwell
4/11/2025
Same Reward
Rick Stockwell
4/4/2025
Love and Respect
Rick Stockwell
3/28/2025
Can God Use You?
Rick Stockwell
3/21/2025
Do All Paths Lead to God?
Rick Stockwell
3/14/2025
Final Exam
Rick Stockwell
3/7/2025
Clear Conscience
Rick Stockwell
2/28/2025
Guardian Angels
Rick Stockwell
2/21/2025
Invictus
Rick Stockwell
2/14/2025
Faith
Rick Stockwell
2/7/2025
Post-Retirement Planning
Rick Stockwell
1/31/2025
Twin Parallel Truths
Rick Stockwell
1/24/2025
I Will Be With You
Rick Stockwell
1/17/2025
Deny by Default
Rick Stockwell
1/10/2025
Living Water
Rick Stockwell
1/3/2025
Marriage Proposal
Rick Stockwell
12/27/2024
What is Truth?
Rick Stockwell
12/20/2024
Success
Rick Stockwell
12/13/2024
Crumbs
Rick Stockwell
12/6/2024
TV Turnoff
Rick Stockwell
11/29/2024
Thanksgiving
Rick Stockwell
11/22/2024
Burning Brightly
Rick Stockwell
11/15/2024
One-Way Mirror
Rick Stockwell
11/8/2024
Time
Rick Stockwell
11/1/2024
My List
Rick Stockwell
10/25/2024
Bronzed
Rick Stockwell
10/18/2024
Anti-malware Software Needed
Rick Stockwell
10/11/2024
A Real Miracle
Rick Stockwell
10/4/2024
Forgotten God
Rick Stockwell
9/27/2024
Version 2.0
Rick Stockwell
9/20/2024
Chasing Shadows
Rick Stockwell
9/13/2024
Red Scribbles
Rick Stockwell
9/6/2024
The One I Esteem
Rick Stockwell
8/30/2024
Swimming Lessons
Rick Stockwell
8/23/2024
Hard Heart
Rick Stockwell
8/16/2024
Racial Healing
Rick Stockwell
8/9/2024
Are you Listening?
Rick Stockwell
8/2/2024
The Narrow Path
Rick Stockwell
7/26/2024
Go Save Someone
Rick Stockwell
7/19/2024
He Knows What You Need
Rick Stockwell
7/12/2024
Bleach
Rick Stockwell
7/5/2024
Firm Foundation
Rick Stockwell
6/30/2024
Impressions
Rick Stockwell
6/21/2024
Running Uphill
Rick Stockwell
6/14/2024
Are We Listening?
Rick Stockwell
3/31/2021
Go Save Someone
Rick Stockwell
3/31/2021
He Knows What You Need
Rick Stockwell
3/31/2021
Firm Foundation
Rick Stockwell
3/31/2021
Bleach
Rick Stockwell
3/31/2021
Impressions
Rick Stockwell
2/15/2018
Running Uphill
Rick Stockwell
11/29/2017
Racial Healing
Rick Stockwell
2/9/2017
Start Each Day With Prayer
Rick Stockwell
5/10/2016