25 Sep, 2008
Man shall not live on JOLT Alone
Energy drink overload
Energy drinks can cause caffeine intoxication
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/09/energy-drinks-c.html
Energy drinks have been popular for years, and the market keeps expanding. Some people drink them like they would soda -- during breakfast, lunch, dinner and as snacks. But there is such a thing as too much energy. A study published today in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence delivers a stern warning about the possibility of caffeine intoxication from energy drinks.
"The caffeine content of energy drinks varies over a 10-fold range, with some containing the equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the caffeine amounts are unlabeled and few include warnings about potential health risks of caffeine intoxication," said one of the study's authors, Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Caffeine intoxication is a recognized clinical syndrome. It is described as nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, tremors, rapid heartbeat, restlessness and pacing. In rare cases, caffeine intoxication can cause death. See this Mayo Clinic report on caffeine side effects and this
Matthew 4:4
4 But he answered, “It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
John 6:27
27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you." (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us?
In both passages, Jesus speaks of the eternal life He provides.
In Matthew 4, Jesus had just finished a 40 day fast from food, and he was very hungry. Satan was trying to tempt Him into performing a miracle against the Father's will. He wanted Jesus to prove His Son of God status by turning a few stones into bread. Jesus, abiding with the Father, responded in power by quoting Deuteronomy. The verse in Matthew 4:4 reminds us that our very life is to come from the Word of God. Food is important for survival, but the abiding in Jesus is infinitely more important.
In John 6, Jesus reminds us that He has the ability to provide "food" that will never end. Earthly food will provide temporary energy and then be gone. The life that we receive from the spirit of God has no end.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
What are you relying on for your daily life? Do you find that you can't survive a single morning without a cup of coffee? Are you skipping meals and substituting energy drinks?
Ask yourself: what or who am I dependent on? Do you receive your daily energy from an abiding relationship with Jesus, or a stocked refrigerator full of JOLT?
How can we connect today's story, God's Story, and our story to others?
When you see a friend drinking an energy drink, be reminded to PRAY for their salvation in Jesus.
ASK yourself, does this friend know about the eternal energy and life that a relationship with Jesus brings?
SHARE with your friend one of the verses from today's scripture. Remind them that eternal food will pass away, but life with Jesus Christ brings eternal life.
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