Caring Hands Thrift Shop

07/30/2026

Read Hebrews 10:1-10 - Jesus-Our Substitute

As the US Civil War (1861-65) dragged on, both sides resorted to conscription (the draft) to fill their ranks. Under the Confederate law, a draftee could dodge service by hiring a man who was exempt from the draft to replace him—in most cases someone under or over the conscription age. Generally, the “principal” (as one evading the draft was called) paid a fee to the government as well as a large sum to his substitute. Only the wealthy could afford substitutes.

The apostle Paul writes of the cosmic spiritual war, where “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (6:23). There was no clause or loophole that gave those with “means” some way out. But what about a substitute for us all? The writer to the Hebrews praises God, who in His infinite mercy sent Jesus to be our substitute—to bear the punishment our sin deserved, to pay our debt by sacrificing “the body of Jesus Christ once for all” so that we would be “made holy” through His substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). We have “died with Christ,” and one day “we will also live with him” (Romans 6:8).

That’s the good news right there. Christ died for you and for me; the substitute took our place. We’re now more than simply survivors of the war. We’ve become the sons and daughters of God.

John Blase

How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus died in your place? How might you explain this good news to a friend?

Dear Jesus, I praise You for being my substitute and securing for me life eternal.

07/29/2026

It’s that time again!! Come see us at the Kendall County Fair!! Tomorrow, July 30th through Saturday, August 1st. 🐓🐔

Stop by our booth and see what Caring Hands Thrift Shop is all about! We will be showcasing some of the items our shop has and highlighting all that we are able to do as a ministry! 🐷🐖🌽

There is also a drawing to win a gift basket so make sure to enter!! 🐄🐮

07/29/2026

07/29/2026

Read Psalm 119:97-104 - Sweeter Than Honey

If you want to bring a smile to Jarrett’s face, ask him about his bees. He’s an apiarist—a beekeeper. Though our meetings in his backyard are not about bees, it’s not uncommon for “apiculture” lessons to be a stimulating part of our conversations. But even better than “bee talk” is the nature-fresh, sweet taste of the golden-colored honey produced by Jarrett’s hardworking bees. Mm, mm, good!

In Psalm 119:103, the psalmist exclaims, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Closer examination of verses 97-104 reveals that the “sweeter than honey” comparison is just one of several phrases the writer uses to accent the supreme value of Scripture: “Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts” (vv. 98-100). The bottom line is that wholeheartedly embracing what God has revealed through the words of the Bible situates us to live well in this world.

Similarly, when Jesus, the living Word (see John 1:1-14), is experienced and valued, His followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are well-positioned to live in ways that honor God and serve His purposes.

Arthur Jackson

How can you better savor the written words of the Bible? What have you experienced that was particularly sweet in your journey with Jesus?

Dear Jesus, I’ve tasted and seen that You and the Scriptures are good. Please help me love and embrace You more and more.

07/28/2026

Read Colossians 1:15-23 - One Sure Thing

Trees in cold climates prepare for winter through a process called “hardening.” Water drains from cells so they won’t freeze, expand, and burst the tree. The water that remains between the cells is too pure for ice crystals to attach. Its temperature may now drop to forty degrees below zero without cracking the tree. Trees harden at the same time each year because they take their cues from the fixed calendar of shortening days. They don't stake their lives on the weather, which may be unseasonably mild. They trust the sun, their one sure thing.

The Son who made the sun is surer yet. He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created,” and “in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Who tells trees when to harden each year? The same Son who makes the sun rise each morning and puts it to bed each night, pulls tides with the moon, whirls electrons in every cell, pumps your heart and inflates your lungs, and holds you when your heart is broken.

What holds the world together isn’t a force within nature but a person outside it. A person who entered the world He’d made so he could “reconcile to himself all things,” including you (v. 20). In this unpredictable world, you’ve got one sure thing. Jesus will “present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (v. 22).

Mike Wittmer

What frightens you? How does Jesus’ power over the world encourage you to pray and rest in Him?

Dear Jesus, I trust You today with whatever comes my way.

07/27/2026

We’re not just playing around this week! Save & have fun! Thru Saturday, 8/1.

07/27/2026

Read Luke 10:30-37 - Who Is My Neighbor?

When a law expert asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), Jesus didn’t answer directly. Instead, He told a story lifting up a Samaritan as a role model (vv. 30-35), part of a population many Jewish people despised and saw as heretics. This challenged the law expert’s likely self-centered and self-righteous perspective, forcing him to confront his own prejudice. He was called not only to extend his love to all, even his enemies, but to learn from the compassion of someone he’d looked down on. When Christ asked him who’d been “a neighbor” in this story (v. 36), the law expert couldn’t even bring himself to say “Samaritan,” instead replying, “the one who . . .” (v. 37).

Instead of trying to define the limits of who to love, we’re called to question our prejudices and focus on being a good neighbor to all.

Monica La Rose

To whom do you find it difficult to be a good neighbor? How does Jesus show what it means to be a loving neighbor to others?

Dear God, please help me to love others—regardless of differences—as my neighbor.