Betty Kast and Ron Kopke with daughter Katie serve at the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days.

On Palm Sunday, March 16^th, 2008, our church canceled regular morning worship services. Instead our members went out into the community to put our faith in action. Over one hundred people participated in service projects in the community, while many others stayed at the church and participated in a supply drive for Charis House. Projects included serving at the Love Church, Friends of the Third World, Cancer Services, Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope Hospitality House, Concordia Seminary, American Cancer Society, Unto Others, and the Lutheran Home Retirement Community. We then celebrated with a dinner that evening that included a photo slideshow and testimonials from the day. See the photo album on our Flickr.com here.

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 9:10-11

Reflect

• Jesus and his disciples were looking for some quiet time alone, but the needs followed them in the form of crowds of people. When you are involved in ministry, do you have an assumption that you will only care for others when it’s convenient? What resources can you call on when you’re asked to help, but it’s not convenient?
• As the crowds arrived, Jesus set an example: He went beyond simply acknowledging the people, but spent the day powerfully teaching them, healing them and finally, feeding them. Sound exhausting? Ephesians 6:10 says we are to Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. How are you daily putting on God’s armor, readying yourself to do his work in all circumstances?

For further study: Mark 6:30-44, Ephesians 1:18-23, 1 Corinthians 16:33

Spend Time in Prayer

• What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
• Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
• Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

• Day 1: The Key to Heaven
• Day 2: Making Room
• Day 3: Blessing Others
• Day 4: Fishing Lesson
• Day 5: Rich Toward God
• Day 6: True Treasure
• Day 7: Go and Do Likewise
• Day 8: Motive

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 19:45-48

Reflect

• This is just one example of Jesus’ passion for the things of God. God has placed specific passions in each of our lives, and those passions can be used to effectively serve others. Name one or two of your passions.
• How can you dedicate these passions to God, to be used in caring for others?

Spend Time in Prayer

• What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
• Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
• Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

• Day 1: The Key to Heaven
• Day 2: Making Room
• Day 3: Blessing Others
• Day 4: Fishing Lesson
• Day 5: Rich Toward God
• Day 6: True Treasure
• Day 7: Go and Do Likewise
• Day 8: Motive

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 17:11-19

Reflect

• The lepers had received the incredible gift of renewed health, but only one took the time to thank the Healer. As you put your faith in action, you may not always receive the response you might expect. Yet, you can keep caring for people, as Jesus did, because this is his work, not yours. What expectations might you need to leave in God’s hands as you reach out to care for others?
• A spirit of thankfulness provides great fuel for helping others. As we acknowledge what God has done and continue to do for us, we’re inspired to share these great gifts with others. What are two ways you can remember each day to thank God for all your blessings?

Spend Time in Prayer

• What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
• Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
• Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

• Day 1: The Key to Heaven
• Day 2: Making Room
• Day 3: Blessing Others
• Day 4: Fishing Lesson
• Day 5: Rich Toward God
• Day 6: True Treasure
• Day 7: Go and Do Likewise
• Day 8: Motive

Remember, see the devotional introduction for instruction on how to follow this devotional for the Be the Church series.

Verse: Luke 16:19-25

Reflect

• God doesn’t measure our works only by what we do, but also by what we don’t do. The rich man ignored the beggar at his gate. Who might be “beggars” at your “gate”—people you know are in need by you choose not to notice?
• What does this story say about God’s expectations of his followers? What does it mean to you personally?

Spend Time in Prayer

• What is God showing you personally through your devotion time today? Ask God to guide you in applying what you have learned.
• Pray for the spiritual growth ofanother person whom God may be challenging to put his or her faith in action.
• Pray for someone you know is in need.

Past Days in This Devotional

• Day 1: The Key to Heaven
• Day 2: Making Room
• Day 3: Blessing Others
• Day 4: Fishing Lesson
• Day 5: Rich Toward God
• Day 6: True Treasure
• Day 7: Go and Do Likewise
• Day 8: Motive