Wait For Him

September 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is a sickness sweeping over many people…it is the “hurry” sickness. It is the sickness of faster, faster…always rushing, always scattered…rarely resting. Too many things scheduled, always running behind, constantly looking for conveniences and more ways to jam more in…things can be different…it will take extra effort to change the tide of your own life…with God all things are possible so don’t try this alone. God created you for a purpose and He loves you. Turn towards the Him in prayer, read God’s Word and wait for Him to guide you. Amen.

IMG_20141016_100154512 publish

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

(This photo was taken in October of 2016 on the north shore of the island of Maui)

Start With These Things…

September 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When Jesus was here as a man, some people were unsure on how to respond to Him. The Pharisees felt threatened by Him, not directly, but they couldn’t see beyond themselves and they were supposed to be the teachers for others…they were fearful of losing their place in the world. They continually tested and questioned Jesus…the benefit for us is Jesus was asked direct questions about life and how to live and He gave all of us the answers. If you want to know ‘what is my purpose’ or ‘why am I here?’ Ask Jesus in prayer and pay attention for the answers…Amen.

IMG_20141016_115809289 publish

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:36-39

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui)

Wisdom That Comes From Heaven

September 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Spend time in worship…pray and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace. Pick some bible verses that speak to you and put them in your heart…use them to fight off evil and darkness. Seek the Lord and the wisdom that comes from heaven…and you will find peace. Amen.

DSC_0730 publish

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Peace

September 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Peace comes from hope, trust and love. Peace is available to all of us. It is a quiet confidence in God and His Son. It comes to us when we are willing to bring our worries, our fears and our burdens and lay them down at the foot of the Cross. If we constantly assess our lives based on the world’s view or what others think, say and do…we will not find peace. Peace is about gratitude and sharing the gifts and blessings God has given us with one another. May the peace of the Lord be with you! Amen.

DSC_0993 publish

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Patience And Persistence

September 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Keep going…learn from what has happened…know that God is working for good things in all situations…He is with you…it is His plan that is best…there will be plenty of opportunities to go your own way…stay on the path…walk with God. Amen.

DSC_0546 publish

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Through Him…

September 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All things are possible. When we can’t find the way forward or we don’t know what to do…we will find our way through Him. There is absolutely nothing in this world greater or more powerful than God’s love. Believe it…trust it. Our hope is not found in what we can see…life in this world can be dark and seem hopeless…our hope is found in Christ and through Him we are saved. Amen.

DSC_1502 publish

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Promise Fulfilled

September 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The birth of Jesus Christ fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament. In Genesis 3 and Isaiah 7 as well as Isaiah 53 and in other verses the Lord makes known the coming of the Savoir…a new covenant…One who will be a Light for Israel as well as the Gentiles. Jesus came down from heaven to reconcile us with God…He sacrificed everything He had and His life as a man for you and me. God fulfills His promises…trust in Him for every area of your life. Amen.

DSC_0664 publish

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

God Is Love

September 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Love is about more than words. Love is about how we treat each other with our actions and our behaviors. We all will make mistakes and need to be able to forgive as well as be forgiven. In what relationship or situation in your life is there a lack of love? Pray about it and ask God to guide you in love. Amen.

DSC_0095 (2)publish

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:8-10

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

In Christ Alone

September 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The answer to all our worries, all our fears and all our burdens is found only in Christ alone. There is no love greater than Christ’s love…there is no sacrifice that anyone can do for us that surpasses His sacrifice. All of our hope and strength can be found in Christ alone. Amen.

In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell

DSC_1355 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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Life Verse

September 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Which one do you prefer most often? I am finding at different times a different verse speaks most clearly to my heart and mind. This is the wonder of God and God’s word…it is new every day. God speaks to us through His word. When negative thoughts come to mind or selfish and sinful ways pop up, we can cast them out by remembering and repeating a verse in our minds. Spend time reading God’s word and finding some verses that resonate with you. This is one of the best ways to put on the armor of God. Amen.

DSC_0396 publish