Going Green: "BE" Vitamins - Part 2

"Be all that you can be" was one of the former U.S. Army slogans. It challenged one to do all they can do for their country, while serving in the U.S. Army. That is a tall order for us to give all we can, every chance we get.

Sometimes "being" something takes a lot of effort. We have a tendency to slack off and not give our all.

If you've played football, you know that, generally speaking, going 100% and getting hit is a lot less painful/dangerous than going part way. More people get hurt, getting hit, when they get scared and slow down.

Have you been giving your all in your daily life? I will admit that haven't been giving my all in certain areas. It usually has negative results. As you focus on yesterday's lesson, let us look at the "BE" Vitamins and see how we can apply them this week...

1. "BE" Humble and Gentle - Do you have a tendency to think of yourself in situations? Do you take the "I'm the customer" approach and desire certain services in certain lengths of time? Maybe you need to swallow this pill. Do you take that approach in church settings and think that someone better greet you or the preacher better say something I can relate to. Maybe you need to swallow this pill.
2. "BE" Patient - This is a "pill" I need to pop more often than I would like. Whether I'm waiting on the Lord or waiting on someone, I need this pill. Do you have a tendency to become impatient easily with people? Maybe you need this pill.
3. "BE" Kind and Compassionate - How do you try to get your goals accomplished? Do you do it by beating your horse or by giving your horse some straw to chew on? When we have difference with people, we need to think about "feeding" them a bit rather than beat them. What can you do to help lead someone this week by feeding them?
4. "BE" Imitators of God - Do not try to be an exact replica of God, but rather think about some characteristics that you need to swallow/absorb which will help you as you learn to imitate Him?
5. "BE" Merciful - Jesus tells the parable about the servant that was not able to pay back the large sum, but demanded the small sum from someone who owed Him. God doesn't demand the repayment for the large sum of sins that we have brought about on Him. Have you ever thought about being merciful to someone who may owe you a little. Give someone mercy for something they may have done to you...God is rich in mercy - spread a bit of it around, yourself.

Our challenge may be the same as the Army slogan. Let us 'be all that we can be' as we are trying to swallow some "BE" vitamin enhanced 'pills'.

Swallowing these vitamins may be difficult, but they're for our own good!

Swallow hard!

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!