Trust

July 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Even when you can’t see the result…even when it feels like everything is working against you, He is working for your good…even when your feel your desires, wants and temptations are pulling you away from God, turn towards Him and be patient. This can be so difficult to live out each day, yet by reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer, He will renew your strength. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 27:1

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Love And Faithfulness

July 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we are able to surrender ourselves to God and His plan and we follow Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will grow and mature spiritually. We may believe we know a great deal about love and faithfulness and yet there is so much more God wants to show us. It will not be easy and we should take nothing for granted. Living in this world where sin and selfishness run wild, where temptations are lurking…we will never be perfect, so that is not a realistic goal and we are not to be the judge of others. In the Gospel of John 13:34-35, Jesus gives us a new command of love, He is speaking about it at a time when one of His close disciples in going off to betray Him. Love and faithfulness these are characteristics of the new creation God is making us to be. Seek the Lord and the life He has planned for you. Amen.

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

Proverbs 3:3-4

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Forgiven

July 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we grow on our faith journey it seems some behavior changes happen somewhat easily and for others, we keep going the wrong way. We get stuck and feel powerless to change what we know needs to change. It is at this point that the road to the Savior seems to narrow and we begin to see how truly amazing God’s grace can be…learning to have humility…to surrender…to admit we need Him even when we know we don’t deserve it…this can be a difficult step in our lives and it takes courage, yet it is the only way, Jesus is the only way to joy and everlasting life. From the most tragic events can come the greatest joy…if you ever doubt it…remember what happened between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. May God’s grace wash over you. Amen.

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“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Psalms 51:1-2

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Contentment

July 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks. This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given. There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something. It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment. Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires. Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Extending His Grace to Others

July 7, 2019July 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been blessed to be a blessing…He provides amazing grace to flow through us, so that we show His love to others with our actions and behaviors.

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

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“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.”

John 3:16

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of South Dakota and Minesota)

He Loves Us

July 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is nothing in the world like God’s love for us…He sacrificed His one and only Son to save us…sin and suffering are the result of human behavior, all that is good comes from God. Seek Him and His will for you. Amen.

How He Loves by David Crowder Band

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“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-19

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Come As You Are…

July 5, 2019July 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Come to the Cross…All are welcome…No matter what has happened or where you have been, Come lay down all your burdens and be healed. As it says in today’s song, “earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.” Amen.

Come As You Are by Crowder

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“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in northern Colorado)

Let Peace Begin With Me

July 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Freedom isn’t free…A price has been paid to save us…If we want things to change or to be better we have to start with ourselves first. Turn towards God and ask Jesus Christ into your heart each day to lead you and make you new. Let the peace of Christ be in you. Amen.

Let There Be Peace On Earth by Vince Gill

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

He Knows…

July 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter where we go or what we do…we can be assured God knows us and is watching out for us. He has a plan for us and it is up to us to seek Him and His Word.

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Questions

July 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God is infinite…humans are finite…we will not always understand ‘why’ something is happening…but we know we can always trust ‘who’ is in control for all aspects of our lives.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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