God’s Timing

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

DSC_0142_1 publish

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

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

Ask, Seek, Knock…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Prayer and talking with God on a daily basis are key elements on our faith journey

Prayer includes confessing our sins, expressing gratitude, asking and listening

Keeping in mind that God is not a wishing well…rather He is your friend, your guide, your confidant

He knows about every aspect of your life and He loves you…

He sacrificed His one and only Son in order to reconcile you with Him

God loves you…He is with you…He is wating to hear from you

PXL_20220716_103830962 publish

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

John 16:24 NIV

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

To Make Him Known

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

As we learn and grow on our faith journey, we will be given opportunities to share faith

How, when or where we share the gospel is different for everyone

This is about living in the present moments of your life

If we are constantly stewing about the past or what might happen in the future we will miss that which is right in front of us

This is the journey, we will get distracted and sidetracked, it happens to everyone

In our efforts to get to know Him and make Him known, we will read stories of conversion and sharing and it will seem like, wow that person changed who they are instantly and began sharing the Good News with others…that’s not typical, at least it hasn’t been for me

I didn’t start daily devotions in my life until I was in my thirties…

I started posting on this blog in 2013…

I started posting something everyday late in 2015…

I began actually writing thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit on this blog everyday in the beginning of 2018…and here we are today

What you don’t know is all the other things that go on in a person’s life that impacts their journey

We all are part of God’s plan and on our life’s journey, God is helping me narrow the focus on this…

He created me to Know Him and to make Him Known, everything else should lead into that and I am still learning how that works

I want to take this moment to say Thank You for stopping by, reading, commenting and being part of the journey

May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you on your journey

DSC_0993 publish

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

To Know Him

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8 NIV

As it has been said, faith is a journey not a destination

So what does that mean?

It is about making progress, every day

We live, we learn, we pray, we give thanks, we cry for help, we forgive others and we learn some more

We are human, we live in a broken and fallen world

Nobody is perfect, even if their social media profiles try to project it

We are not made to do this life alone

We need to know Him, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord

He gave His life to save us and to reconcile us to God

Give faith a chance, spend time learning about Jesus Christ and His birth, His life, His teachings, His death and His resurrection

Pickup God’s Word and seek Him daily, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain

DSC_0144 publish

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

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

Wisdom From God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a]

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV

Nothing we encounter in this world is greater than God

Do not be deceived by the wisdom the of the world

Seek God’s wisdom

Read His Word and learn about life from His perspective

He is our Creator

He is our Savior

DSC_0933 publish

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Consider Him…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:3 NIV

When you are tired and run down or discouraged and defeated, consider Him…

When you are frustrated or angry with others, consider Him…

When you feel like there is no hope, consider Him…

Consider Him who endured death on a cross between two thieves, for us…

Consider Him who was spit on and had a crown of thorns pushed onto His head, for us…

Consider Him who had His beard plucked out and gave His back to the whip, for us…

And consider Him who gave His blood and His life for us

He did it because He loves you and He wants good things for you

Turn your attention towards Him and give Him thanks, then you will find peace

DSC07554 publish

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

God’s Consistent Character

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Malachi 3:6 NIV

Father God, thank You for promising to bring us peace

In every situation, help us to keep our minds on You and Your promises

Because we know You do not change, we don’t have to be anxious about anything

Help us stay focused on Your consistent character

In Jesus name, Amen

DSC_0135 (2) publish

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

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

A Prayer Of Declaration

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Lord Jesus, we believe You are alive

We believe You are ever-present and working in the world

We believe no matter what circumstances we face, You are good

We believe You weep, mourn, and rejoice with us

We believe You are our God and our Redeemer

We believe You are making all things new

We believe You are making each one of us a new creation

So come what may, Jesus, we place our faith, our hope and our trust in You

In your Name we pray, Amen

DSC_0001 (2) publish

“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 3:5-6 NIV

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

Our Faith And Actions

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:5-7 NIV

Faith and Actions are linked and interwoven together

A faith journey begins on the inside, molding and shaping our thoughts and our attitude

As we grow, we begin to show what we have learned in our actions and our behaviors towards others

We have the best example possible demonstrated for us in the life of Christ

He not only spoke the Words of faith and taught others, he went out and lived it

We all need to stop condemning, blaming and complaining…let us strive to bring healing to this broken world

DSC_0841 publish

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12 NIV

(This photo was taken near Glacier National Park in Montana)

I Will Praise You In The Storm

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:2-5 NIV

“Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 NIV

When the darkness seems overwhelming

What can we do?

Take refuge in the Lord and pray

He is our Rock

He is with us in this storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

DSC_0765 publish

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)