Month: April 2024

Character

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

DSC_0142_1 publish

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

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

The Goodness Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“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

Father God, thank You for being our good Father.  We are so grateful we can always count on You.  You bless us and Your love is poured into us.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Thank You for sending us Jesus.  Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

DSC_0332 publish

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Teach Me Your Way

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide 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 NIV

Father God, please guide me and teach me as I seek to live a life that honors You.  Lead me into my calling, and lovingly correct my mistakes.  Thank You for being the One I can confide in, and for loving me just as I am.  You are good, and I am grateful for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0178 publish

“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 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota)

The Holy Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26 NIV

“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 NIV

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

DSC09022 publish

“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. “

John 14:15-17 NIV

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

Love Comes From God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your unconditional love.  It surpasses any form of earthly love.  We are not defined by our past or our mistakes and failures – we are not diefined by what we do or accomplish.  We are defined by who You are and what You have done and are doing…we are who You say we are…we are Your childern.  Nothing can separate us from Your love.  Praise and glory be to You and Your name.  Amen.

DSC01215 publish

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:13-19 NIV

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

Choose Peace

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

Father God, it is easy for us to worry about circumstances in our lives.  Every day, help us to remember that You are always in control.  We trust in Your guidance, protection and plans for us.  Because we know You care about every aspect of our lives we can have peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0040 publish

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

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

Patience And Hope

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 3:9 NIV

Never Walk Alone by Hope Darst

DSC_1554 publish

“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 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Be Transformed

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

Father God, make us more and more like You.  We want You to know what is in our hearts, and we want You to change the way we think.  We want every aspect of our lives to reflect Your glory, so please teach us how to pursue choices that lead to life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0061 publish

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

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

The Spirit Of The Lord

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

There Is Freedom by Josh Baldwin

DSC_0068 publish

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 5:13 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Moutain National Park in Colorado)

The Word Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:17 NIV

Keep God’s Word close to your heart…read it, memorize it, use it to pray and let it lead and guide you in your daily life.

DSC_0103-1 publish

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)