Living Hope Family & Personal Devotions
The Great Commission - Here am I, Send me! You are equipped!
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Using This Devotional
Use the parts that are appropriate to your/your family’s situation.
Spend time weekly to reflect on the previous week’s theme and try to implement suggestions from the sermon for real-life application. Use the sermon & class notes for individual study found online: livinghopebranch.org
This Week’s Scriptures
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day; therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work, for, behold, the field is white already to harvest, and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; and faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualifies him for the work.
D&C: 1b-e
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
1 Nephi 1:65
Music for Your Preparation
- “Send Me Forth, O Blessed Master” (HR 244) - A prayer asking the Master to direct our steps into His service
- “Here I Am, Lord” (CH 452) - A beautiful response to God’s call
Devotional Discussion
When God looks for someone to do His work, He doesn’t look for the most talented, wealthy, or highly trained person. He looks for a willing heart. The call to serve can feel overwhelming, but God never sends us out empty-handed. If He calls you, He will equip you.
In the D&C, we are reminded of the standard for those who “embark in the service of God.” We are asked to give our all—our heart, might, mind, and strength. It sounds like a massive requirement! But notice what actually qualifies us for this work. It isn’t a university degree or flawless public speaking skills. It is faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.
The harvest fields are ready right now, waiting for willing workers to step forward. Nephi understood this truth perfectly. When tasked with a seemingly impossible mission to return to Jerusalem for the brass plates, he didn’t complain, hesitate, or make excuses. His response was to trust in Him.
If He calls you, He will equip you.
Put It Into Practice
When you feel underqualified for a task God has placed on your heart—like teaching a class, hosting a study, or comforting a friend, be reminded that He has equipped you to do His will!
Discuss Together
Questions for Personal or Family Discussion
- What does it mean to serve God with all your “heart, might, mind, and strength” in the modern world? What does each of those pieces look like?
- Why do you think love and charity are listed as things that “qualify” us for God’s work rather than skills or talents?
- Share a time when you felt completely unprepared for something, but God “prepared a way” for you to finish it successfully.
Kid’s Corner
Object Lesson: The Empty Backpack
Items Needed
An empty school backpack, a heavy pile of school books, a water bottle, a flashlight, and a map or GPS device.
The Demonstration
Show the kids the empty backpack. Ask a volunteer to come up and pretend they are going on a huge, long mountain hike right now with just that empty bag. Ask: “Are you ready? Do you have what you need to survive?” (No!) Then, pack the bag with the items one by one. Say: “If I send you on a hike, I won’t send you empty-handed. I give you water for when you’re thirsty, a flashlight for the dark, and a map so you don’t get lost.”
The Lesson
When God told Nephi to go back to Jerusalem, Nephi didn’t know exactly how he would get the plates, but he knew God would pack his spiritual backpack! When God tells us to serve Him, He doesn’t leave us empty-handed. He equips us with His Holy Spirit, love, kindness, and courage. You never have to worry if you are smart enough or strong enough. If God sends you, He will fill your backpack!
Story: Oliver’s Big Assignment
Oliver’s teacher, Mrs. Gable, stood at the front of the classroom with a large wooden box. “Class,” she announced, “our school is hosting a giant canned food drive for families in need. Who can volunteer to organize our classroom’s collection table and build a cardboard castle out of the cans?”
Oliver’s heart did a little flip. He loved helping people, and he loved building things. He wanted to raise his hand so badly. But then, fear crept in. I’m only eight, Oliver thought. I don’t know how to build a can castle. What if it falls over? What if nobody brings any cans? He started to keep his hands flat on his desk.
But then he remembered a story his dad read to him about Nephi, who said, “I will go and do,” because he knew God would help him. Oliver took a deep breath, raised his hand high, and said, “Mrs. Gable, I’ll do it!”
The next day, Oliver stood by the empty table. He felt small. But as soon as the morning bell rang, things started to happen. Mrs. Gable handed him a roll of strong tape. His friend Clara brought a wagon full of soup cans. A boy named Marcus brought markers to make a big sign. Oliver didn’t have to do it alone. The teacher gave him the tools, and his friends brought the supplies.
By Friday, their classroom had built a magnificent, sturdy castle of food that helped dozens of families. Oliver realized that he didn’t need to have all the answers when he raised his hand. He just needed to be willing to start!
The Moral: When God asks us to help others or share His love, we don’t have to be perfect or know everything!
Printable Activity: Here I Am, Send Me!
Directed Prayer
Lord, please give me a willing heart, and thank you for supplying what I need to do your will.
Leave a Reply