July Theme – Faith in Action
Verse for the Month: James 2:17
“17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself”
This Week’s Theme: Christlike Compassion in Action
Written By: Pastor Brian E Halterman
*Monday (6/30):*Moved by Compassion
Scripture: Matthew 9:36-38
*”36 Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Devotional Thought:
As Jesus walked the earth he never ever rushed past brokenness or hurt. When he was surrounded by crowds her never saw problems or interruptions, but saw people. People in need of love, leadership, and healing. The compassion He felt at those times was the driving force behind His ministry. This means that “True Compassion” begins with seeing people as Jesus sees them: with dignity, value, and deep needs.
In our world today we are so often consumed with the demands of our schedules or overwhelmed by the magnitude of hurt and pain that we see daily that we become numb to the needs. But Jesus invites us to slow down and look—really look—at the people around us. Compassion starts with our eyes and grows in our hearts when we pause long enough to notice the pain.
The kind of seeing we are talking about, leads to doing. It’s a compassion that doesn’t stay internal but moves us toward action. It could be offering a listening ear, extending a meal, or advocating for someone unheard, Christlike compassion flows from empathy into engagement.
Action Steps:
- Take time and pay attention asking God to help you see someone you typically overlook.
- Pause to pray for someone you see suffering.
- Find one simple way to serve someone with compassion this week.
Biblical Testimony:
In Matthew 14, after Jesus heard the news of John the Baptist’s death, He withdrew to be alone. But when the crowds followed Him, He didn’t send them away. Instead, “He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14). Even in the midst of His grief, Jesus chose to move toward others in love.
And, it was in that moment of compassion that we read about one of the greatest miracles: the feeding of the 5,000 plus. His compassion turned into provision. While the disciples saw a problem—Jesus saw an opportunity. He invited them to participate: “You give them something to eat.” In the same way, Christ invites us to be part of His compassionate work.
When we allow ourselves to be moved by the Spirit, we are no longer spectators in the suffering of the world—we become participants in its healing. Compassion is the spark that ignites Kingdom action.
Prayer for the Day:
Lord, open my eyes to the needs around me. Let me be moved with compassion like You were. Help me respond with love that reflects Your heart. Amen.
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Tuesday (7/1): Clothing the Naked, Feeding the Hungry
Scripture: Matthew 9:12-13
“35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.”
Devotional Thought:
It is very clear that Jesus tells us that how we treat others is how we treat Him. In today’s passage, He identifies Himself with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned. Telling us that our acts of service aren’t just nice gestures; they are sacred moments of encountering Christ Himself.
This should drastically change how we approach service. When we give food to the hungry or clothing to the cold, we’re not just meeting needs—we are ministering to Jesus. This mindset brings dignity to our acts of charity. They’re not about pity, but about recognizing the image of God in everyone.
The needs in our world can be overwhelming. But Jesus isn’t asking us to fix everything. He’s asking us to be faithful with what’s in front of us. A meal. A warm jacket. A moment of kindness. These small acts carry eternal significance when done in love.
Action Steps:
- Donate a bag of groceries or clothing to a local shelter or pantry.
- Commit to one regular act of compassion this month (weekly meal delivery, clothing drive, etc.).
- Reflect on how your everyday interactions can honor the dignity of others.
Biblical Testimony:
Throughout the Old Testament, God continually called His people to care for the marginalized and under-resourced: the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18–19). Yet in the New Testament, this call takes on flesh through Jesus’ life and teachings.
The early church in Acts lived this out. Acts 2:45 tells us, “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Their radical generosity wasn’t a cold institutional giving—it was personal. They understood that faith meant sharing their lives and resources with others.
It is no different today for us. When we serve the vulnerable, we reflect God’s justice and mercy. And we need to remember: it’s not just charity. It’s worship!
Prayer for the Day:
Jesus, may I see You in every person I meet. Let my faith be shown in how I love, feed, and clothe those You call beloved. Amen.
Wednesday (7/2): Bearing One Another’s Burdens
Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3
“6 Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Devotional Thought:
We were never meant to walk through life alone. One of the clearest ways we can show the love of Jesus is by coming alongside others in their times of need. Bearing one another’s burdens isn’t about fixing everything; it’s about being present, willing to walk alongside, and willing to carry the weight together.
It might mean simple things like offering a ride to a friend, sitting with someone in grief, or helping a neighbor with groceries. It could mean sharing our own struggles, giving others the chance to carry ours. Mutual burden-bearing builds a community rooted in grace and trust.
Fulfilling the law of Christ means loving as He loved—sacrificially, patiently, and with deep empathy. We reflect Jesus best - not when we’re strong, but when we share each other’s weakness with humility and care.
Action Steps:
- Reach out to someone who is struggling and offer to help in a tangible way.
- Be honest about your own burdens—invite someone to walk with you.
- Pray for the strength to be a burden-bearer this week.
Biblical Testimony:
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He didn’t do it alone. Jesus turned to the people standing nearby and said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (John 11:44). A profound moment! Jesus had just performed an awe-inspiring miracle—but He didn’t complete the work in isolation. Instead, He involved the community in the final act of liberation. They were tasked with unwrapping the remnants of death from Lazarus so he could walk freely into new life.
This shows us how God often chooses to work. Resurrection—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—is not just a private experience between an individual and God. It is meant to be nurtured, affirmed, and completed within a community of faith. When someone takes steps toward healing, freedom, or restoration, they often need others to help remove the “grave clothes” of shame, addiction, despair, or loneliness. That’s where we come in.
Paul understood this. Though he was a bold preacher and tireless missionary, he constantly acknowledged the vital support of others. In Philippians 4:14, he wrote, “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” The churches that supported Paul weren’t just sending resources—they were sharing in his burdens, rejoicing in his victories, and partnering in his mission. Faith was never a solo journey.
In God’s kingdom, no one is meant to carry the weight alone. Whether we are the ones emerging from a tomb or the ones helping unwrap the bindings, we each have a part to play. We’re called to be each other’s support, strength, and steady hands in times of hardship. This is the beauty of the body of Christ—many parts, one purpose: to help each other live free.
Prayer for the Day:
God, teach me to carry others in love. Make me a faithful friend and a humble companion, willing to share the load. Amen.
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Thursday (7/3): The Heart of Mercy
Scripture: Luke 6:35-36
35 But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful
Devotional Thought:
Mercy is not just something God shows—it’s who God is. His mercy is unending, undeserved, and completely transformative. We are called to live with the same mercy we’ve received. That’s a high calling, especially when we feel justified in judgment or bitterness. But mercy isn’t earned—it’s given freely, just as God gave it to us.
Living with a heart of mercy means choosing compassion over criticism, grace over retaliation, and forgiveness over offense. It doesn’t mean ignoring wrong—it means we respond to wrong with a posture that seeks restoration rather than revenge.
When we reflect God’s mercy, we point people to a love that is stronger than their failures. We become safe places for healing and hope. A merciful heart softens even the hardest of circumstances, because it mirrors the very heart of God.
Action Steps:
- Forgive someone who has wronged you—even if they haven’t apologized.
- Show kindness to someone who doesn’t “deserve” it.
- Reflect on a time God showed you mercy, and give thanks in prayer.
Biblical Testimony:
The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 tells an extremely sad story. A servant who was forgiven an enormous, un-payable debt by his master turns around and refuses to extend even a fraction of that mercy to someone who owed him a much smaller amount. Jesus’ point in this parable is that mercy is not meant to be hoarded or withheld; it is meant to overflow. When we receive mercy from God, it is not just a gift—it’s a calling. If we claim to understand grace, our lives should reflect it in how we treat others, especially when we’ve been wronged.
Jesus modeled this kind of mercy over and over. He extended grace to those others rejected: the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector in the tree, the leper no one would touch. He was merciful not only to the broken but also to the betrayers. When Peter denied Him three times, Jesus didn’t respond with anger or distance. Instead, He restored Peter gently, giving him a new opportunity to love and lead. That’s what mercy does—it makes space for restoration, not retribution. It opens the door to a future beyond failure.
If God’s mercies are new every morning, then ours must be, too. We don’t extend mercy because people deserve it—we extend mercy because we have been shown it. To be merciful is to live in rhythm with the heart of God, releasing bitterness, refusing retaliation, and choosing compassion even when it’s costly. Every act of mercy we offer is a testimony to the mercy we’ve received—and a glimpse of the Kingdom Jesus came to bring.
Prayer for the Day:
Merciful God, let my life reflect the grace You’ve shown me. Make me quick to forgive, slow to judge, and always ready to love. Amen.
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Friday (7/4): Faith Expressed Through Love
Scripture: James 2:14-17
14 What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Devotional Thought:
At the heart of the Christian life is a living faith—a faith that moves. James reminds us that faith without action is lifeless. It’s not enough to say we believe; our lives must demonstrate it. When faith is real, it works. It moves us to love boldly, to serve sacrificially, and to meet real needs in real time.
Paul reminds the Galatians that religious rituals mean nothing if they’re not grounded in love. Love is the evidence of our faith. It shows in our tone, our patience, our generosity, and our sacrifice. This is not a love that comes from us—it flows from the Spirit within us. Real faith can’t help but move toward others, especially those who are hurting or left behind. It is more than sentiment—it’s sacrifice.
When we love others well, our faith becomes visible. The world won’t be won by arguments, but by authentic, Christ-centered love. That’s what sets us apart—not how we vote or what we know, but how we love. In a world skeptical of religion, love in action remains the most credible witness to the gospel. It’s not our creeds that will change hearts—it’s our compassion.
Action Steps:
- Ask God to show you someone who needs your love in action today.
- Let your next decision be motivated not by fear or duty, but by love.
- Write down one practical way you’ll express love this weekend.
Biblical Testimony:
In John 13, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples—including Judas. He took the role of a servant to show that love stoops low, love serves first, and love does not discriminate. Then He said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The early church followed this model. Their radical love was what made them stand out in a hostile world. They fed the poor, welcomed the stranger, and lived with open hands. That’s how faith comes alive—when it looks like Jesus.
The cross was the ultimate expression of faith through love. Jesus didn’t just preach love—He laid down His life for it. When we love like that, our faith becomes a living witness to the world.
Prayer for the Day:
Lord, help me love boldly and generously. Let my faith be more than words—let it show in how I live and serve others. Amen.
Saturday & Sunday (7/5-6): Time to Reflect, Act, Worship & Pray
This Weeks’s Scriptures:
James 2:17
Matthew 9:36–38
Matthew 14:14
Matthew 25:35–40
Deuteronomy 10:18–19
Acts 2:45
Galatians 6:1–3
John 11:44
Philippians 4:14
Luke 6:35–36
Matthew 18
James 2:14–17
Galatians 5:6
John 13
Time to Reflect:
This week, we’ve explored what it means to live with Christlike compassion in action. From Jesus’ deep empathy for the crowds to His practical care for the hungry, naked, and broken, we’ve been reminded that compassion is not just a feeling—it’s a lifestyle. It begins with seeing people the way Jesus sees them and continues with stepping into their pain with presence and purpose. True compassion calls us to more than sympathy; it calls us to service.
Each day offered an invitation to embody the love of Christ: feeding the hungry, bearing burdens, offering mercy, forgiving freely, and living out a love that is visible and active. These aren’t add-ons to our faith—they are evidence of it. James tells us that faith without works is dead. That’s not to say we earn our salvation through good deeds, but that the fruit of genuine faith is always revealed in how we love.
We don’t have to look far to find opportunities to live this out. In our families, neighborhoods, churches, and communities, there are people longing to be seen, known, and helped. And while we can’t meet every need, we can do something. When we do, we’re not just “doing good”—we’re reflecting the heart of God. Every meal shared, burden carried, and act of mercy extended becomes a living sermon that points people to Jesus.
As you pause this weekend to worship and reflect, ask yourself: Is my faith alive and visible in how I love others? Let the Holy Spirit highlight any areas where your compassion has grown cold or your heart has been closed. Then, ask God to breathe fresh fire into your faith—so it moves not just in words or intentions, but in radical, humble, everyday acts of love.
Time to Act
- Reflect on which devotional challenged or encouraged you most. What did you learn about compassion?
- Identify three people in your life who could use a tangible act of love, and plan how you’ll show up for them in the coming week.
- Invite a friend, family member, or small group to join you in serving your community (e.g., volunteer together, prepare meals, visit someone in need).
- Spend time in prayer asking God to purify your motives—not just to do good, but to reflect His love with humility, mercy, and joy.
Time to Worship:
Take time, listen, and reflect on the lyrics of “With Every Act of Love” by Jason Gray
God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you
We bring the kingdom come
With every act of love
Jesus, help us carry You
Alive in us, Your light shines through
With every act of love
We bring the kingdom
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jason Gray / Jason Ingram
With Every Act of Love lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing
Watch the lyric video for “With Every Act of Love”by Jason Gray
https://youtu.be/V4bB7BUxBbY?si=5onhc02fA1fAFp48
Weekend Prayer:
God of compassion, thank You for showing me what love looks like in action. Make my faith come alive through how I serve, forgive, and care for others. Let everything I do point people back to You. Amen