Going Green: "B E" Vitamins (Part 1)

Are you a fan of green vegetables? Probably every child hears the sentence, "You need to eat your vegetables". They are a great source of nutrients that our bodies need. God designed them to help a lot of living creatures. If you grow a garden, you may be frustrated at times when some 'living creatures' come and help themselves to your vegetables!

Specifically, green vegetables are able to help your body in many ways. When your body is healthy, you are able to positively enhance your environment.

Yesterday, we looked at part of a lesson that focused on "BE" vitamins. As B vitamins do wonders for the body. "BE" vitamins also do wonders for the body, just not the same way. We investigated all the "BE's" found in Romans 12:10-12. Here are some applications you can take from yesterday's lesson and choose to use this week...

1. "BE" Devoted - How do you measure devotion to the church family?
   
   • Is it "I'll be there whenever it is convenient"? Or a "I'll be there even if it is inconvenient"? Inconvenient may be defined as working through the tired times, not being involved in other activities (that are consistently taking you away from gatherings), visiting someone in the hospital, etc.
   • Devotion involves more than church gatherings. It also means that you may think about others in the church family throughout the week - a trip they're on, appointment they go to, etc.
   • Devotion involves not "church hopping" or worse when things aren't going your way or "your needs aren't being met" - keep in mind 'it's not about you'.
2. Do Not "BE" Lacking in Zeal - Complacency is one of my biggest pet peeves. It frustrates me so much because I know what it is like - I've been there. When we lose fire, we lose desire. When we lose desire, we just go through the motions. Let's make the motions mean something.
3. "BE" Joyful - Down and out? Maybe you need this vitamin? We are to be joyful in hope. Joyful for the fact that you have hope. You are not hope-less. Like waiting in line for the movie. You are joyful in hope because you look forward to what you are going to experience, even if the line may be a bit slow. As you look forward to getting in to see heaven, be joyful in the time that you get to be here teaming up with God!
4. "BE" Patient in Affliction - Ever had to wait in a doctor's office? If you've ever visited a doctor, you've experienced waiting. Specifically, when you are the one who is sick or injured, it is not fun to wait with your affliction. However, you must be patient, as things will work out in time. That is the way we must work it with God. Patient with Him though we're suffering with some sort of affliction.
5. "BE" Faithful in Prayer - Pray for those on a prayer list. Pray for those you know with different afflictions. Pray for open doors to share Jesus. Pray for your church family. Pray for yourself. Pray for your family. Pray for your co-workers. Pray for your enemies. Pray for students you teach. Pray for the parents of students you teach. Pray for your employees. Pray for boss(es). Pray for the people in place you patron frequently. That should keep you busy praying for a while...take a group a day or so as a variation.

You can take one of these five a day and that will pretty much round out your week.

Next week there will be some other "BE" vitamins to add to your dosage.

"BE" good and Go Green!