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)

But God…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

1 Samuel 23:14 NIV

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

These are just a few of the verses that remind us no matter what we are facing

No matter what we think is not possible or unchangeable

God can do anything

The world will tear us down…Satan will lie to us…

Even our own flesh wants to do the things we do not want to do

Just remember, we are powerless on our own

But God can do anything…

And it is possible that the next moment of our life might be a “But God” moment

DSC_0283 publish

“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 5:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Renew Your Perspective

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

DSC_0061 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 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

His Sacrifice For Our Salvation

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us

Thank You for creating a way for us to know You personally

Becasue of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven!

Please help us never take that for granted

Help us to recognize and glorify You in every area of our lives

In Jesus name, Amen

DSC_0126 publish

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

Finding The Way

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“

2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB

We all have choices

Go this way or that way…try this and don’t do that

We will make mistakes and it is important that we learn from those mistakes

How do we know what is right?

How can we find out which way is best?

Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day

Why?  Read Isaiah 55:8-9

God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and me

Spending time with Him and growing a personal relationship with Him is the best way to learn about His plan for life

May the peace of the Lord be with you

IMG_20130613_122858_056 publish

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

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

The Way Of Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:1-6 NIV

The way of faith is a wise way to live and a narrow path for life

Simple yet not easy

The way of faith involves pursuing the Kingdom of God

God’s Kingdom is an upside down Kingdom when looking through the eyes of the world

Commit your way to God, trust in Him

Trust God’s way…follow Jesus and you will find peace

DSC07538 publish

“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

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern Colorado)

He Did It All For You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

Jesus

He came…He lived and He died

And He did it all for You

End Of The Beginning by David Phelps

DSC_0125 (2) publish

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

(This photo was taken in the Black Hills in western South Dakota)