Stoney's Toffee-Nut Stronghold...........

 You know, I get all sorts of texts or calls from customers that are always wondering if I am working the day that they want to come in. Now, I am not saying that I am the greatest Baristo out there, but I do have some mad skills when it comes to making coffee and getting to know my customers.

One customer refers to me as "King Midas!"

I have a friend that texts me a couple of times a week to see if I am working. Her name is Stoney. This is her story..............

Text from Stoney............."Buckwheat, are you working today?" End Text
Reply from Buckwheat..........."Yes, I am here."

Text from Stoney.............. Okay, I need my fix and its been a couple of days since I have had one. I will be there shortly or I will send the hubby to get it." .........End Text
This is the text that I get at least 2 times a week from Stoney that I had unknowingly made a drink for her and she has become addicted to as well.

Now, here is how this all began. I had made Stoney a drink for her one night as a trade for letting me take her husband to the movies. By the way, that is the best trade that I have going right now. I had made her a toffee-nut Caramel macchiatto. Normally it comes with vanilla, but Stoney is always open to me experimenting.

So when I got to her house, we traded items(coffee and husband) and went about my way to the movies. After I left, she texted me and wanted to know what I had made her. I told her and thought nothing of it. Her reply back was this....."Buckwheat, you have gotten me addicted to this thing. I totally want nothing else." Me, I just laughed.

Now, I get texts from Stoney from time to time telling me that she needs her fix for the day. Did I lead her into an addiction or create a stronghold for her? Makes me wonder! Do we unknowingly create or lead people into sin on accident or on purpose. What does The Word say about leading people into an addiction or a stronghold? Or leading that person to sin?

James 1:14-16 says "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has concieved gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Now, it is human nature to just go out and do what feels good. Our flesh is not any different. These days, most of us feed our flesh more than we feed our bodies. The one thing that we have to be careful of is leading others into addiction or strongholds, sin!!!

Now Stoney doesn't have an addiction or stronghold to this drink, but the truth is that there are many people like myself that may unknowingly lead people into sin by my actions, thoughts or words. I should know that, through the Holy Spirit, that if I am leading someone into the path of righteousness or in a path of destruction.

Now, in James he used to the words "lured or enticed by our own desire." Yes, our flesh has desires. We have the ability through the Holy Spirit to control those desires using The Word of God and the help of God-ly people.

Here is an example. A man is dealing with an addiction to "adult material." Now, even though you may think that there is nothing wrong with looking at it,but he does! It may have ruined his marriage, career and so much more. Now as God-ly men, we shouldn't be looking at that stuff anyways. But there are millions of people that are addicted to that stuff and have lost everything because of it and many of them are Christians. By showing him that kind of material, you have unknowingly led him into the "idea" that this is what a "real woman" looks like versus what God says what a "real woman" looks like.

As a man, I have have to deal with this issue and use The Word of God to help me fight these types of sin. Do I always win the fight, NO!!! But Jesus has was given me the victory to overcome all sin. Tall, Grande or Venti!!! Sin is sin and no one is greater than the other. 

What we have to remember though is this. Romans 5:20 "where sin abounds, His grace abounds much more."  Now that is not a ticket to sin, but a love that covers us even in our arrogance. If we recognize that we made a mistake through The Holy Spirit, then God has promised to no longer remember that mistake. That is the mercy of a loving God............

So, the next time Stoney calls or texts me, I will have to remember that I am not just fixing her drink, but leading her into a world of great tasteness!!! 

So imagine what your drink would be like if Jesus made it and you became totally addicted to what he served you? I wonder what kind of coffee Jesus drinks?

Makes me wonder...............