The Great Commission

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8 NIV

This is the primary purpose of this blog

To tell the world about Jesus

Do you know Him?

Or do you only know about Him?

The Commission by CAIN

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

Redeemed

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

DSC_1315 publish

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

We Can Have Hope…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

Even when we feel surrounded by darkness and evil

We can have hope when we turn towards God, His Word and His Son

We can have hope when we remember that after Jesus took the punishment we deserve

God raised Him to life

We can have hope because of who God is

We can have hope because of what God has done and is doing in our lives

We can have hope

It is up to us to seek Him

DSC_0228 publish

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Christ-Centered Humility

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

Lord Jesus, You showed us what true humility should look like

Thank You for Your kindness and grace toward us

Please show us how to have the same attitude toward others that You had toward us

Teach us to love others unconditionally and sacrificially…for Your glory, and their good

In Your Holy Name, Amen

DSC_0084 publish

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

The Word Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:17 NIV

“You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.”

Psalm 119:114 NIV

Keep God’s Word close to your heart

Read it, memorize it, use it to pray

Let it be in your heart

Let it be on your mind

It will lead and guide you in your daily life

DSC_0103-1 publish

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Daily Living By Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

DSC_0188 publish

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken during sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Because He Lives…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NIV

Darkness has been defeated…because He lives

We have hope…because He lives

There is nothing we can’t face in this life…because He lives

Because He Lives by Matt Maher

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

He Is With You

/ mcalcagno / 1 Comment

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:5-6 NIV

He is with you!

No…matter…what!

No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, no matter how long you have stayed away or how long it takes you to learn a new way…

The Son of God came down from heaven

He sacrificed Himself on a Cross to free you from sin and death

And He has Risen!

He is with You…He is within You

God is with you and waiting to hear from you

Do you believe it?

Profess your faith, confess you sins and trust in the one who stays with you through all things

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

DSC_0158 publish

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Reflect On All That God Has Done

/ mcalcagno / 1 Comment

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:9-10 NIV

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

God Is In This Story by Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave

DSC_0029-1 publish

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

The world, Satan and our flesh tell us

To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often

This is the sinful nature and it has taken hold of us

God has a plan to redeem us

He provided the Way back into a relationship with Him

To live with purpose and it is based on a personal relationship with His One and Only Son

Jesus Christ

He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father

He came down from heaven and sacrificed His life to save us from our sinful desires

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is what we reflect on this week and this day

It is ‘Good Friday’ because of Who God is and What Jesus has done for us

Think about it…His Sacrifice as our Savior for our Salvation

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

DSC_0006 publish

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)