Be Patient

August 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do not be anxious or worried…be persistent in doing good things and in prayer. God works on His own time table not ours. He knows what you need and He wants to give you good things. He cares for you, trust in the Lord. Amen.

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

Psalm 27:13-14

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“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

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

Set An Example

August 10, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A younger generation watches the older generation…they observe the words, actions and behaviors of those who came before them. Every generation has made a contribution to where the world is today…good, bad and otherwise, no one group deserves only praise or only blame. We are all accountable for how we act and behave. Choose to do good things…seek to do the good things that God asks you to do according to His Word. Amen.

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“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.“

Titus 2:6-8

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 in the Bontanical Gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Open Your Heart

August 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Let the Word of the Lord wash over you and cleanse you…clear your mind and share what is on your heart with the Lord. Spend time reading God’s Word…let the peace of Jesus into your daily life. Amen.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

James 1:21

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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 July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Run To The Lord

August 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Don’t hesitate…don’t come casually…decide to come to the Lord and then run to Him. He is waiting for you…He will comfort you, strengthen you and guide your way. Amen.

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“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

Plans

August 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Whose plans are you working on? What is the purpose of what you are doing? When you have questions like this and others about your life the best place to turn is to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. He knows what is best for you and He loves you. Ask the Lord to guide and direct you and then pay attention and listen for His reply. Amen.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Listen

August 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

God speaks to us many ways…most often it is through the words in the Scriptures. When we read the bible, we are reading the very words of God. Things He wants us to know…a guide for living with peace in our hearts. In our relationship with the Lord we should not be the one doing all the talking, otherwise we will miss out on hearing God’s will and God’s plan for our lives. Listen and you will learn and gain wisdom from God. Amen.

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8

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

With All Your Heart

August 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Lord asks for all of you…not just Sunday morning you or Wednesday evening you and not just some quick memorized words at meal time or just before bed…He wants more than that from each of us. He wants a relationship with you…He wants communication with you every day. He wants to hear from you with all your heart and He wants you to listen to Him. Commit your way to the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while exploring the island of Maui, Hawaii)

It Takes Courage…

August 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The post below was originally posted in January of 2020…my how the world has changed since January…we need courage to do the right things now more than ever…we need to trust in the Lord. Amen.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

To move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. It takes courage to be humble…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and the best part is…a relationship with Jesus Christ will give you the courage to seek His will when you trust in Him. Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

God’s Grace

August 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Word of God tells us about God’s grace in many passages. Here are a few to reflect upon and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace…

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

Ephesians 2:8

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Ephesians 4:7

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Redeemed

August 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”

Romans 5:19

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