Our Refuge And Help

March 19, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.”

Psalm 119:114 NIV

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

Our troubles can be overwhelming and lead us down a dark path. We often seek relief in the things of this world and find ourselves disappointed and frustrated. There is one place where we can find shelter and be safe from the storms of life…that is in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ. With Him is where we can find peace and help in difficult times. Turn towards the Lord first not as a last resort…for He is our refuge and our source of help. Amen.

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Spirit Of God

March 18, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:24 NIV

“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. ²⁷Peace 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 14:26-27 NIV

Holy Spirit By Francesca Battistelli

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“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Time For Reflection

March 17, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And 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.

⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:1-8 NIV

The truth about life is we will see troubles in this world. Jesus tells us directly in John 16:33, that trouble will come…not maybe or they might come…you will have troubles in this life. So, if we know life is hard, we should be more focused on how to get through our troubles and see what we can learn from them so we can share with others. God has provided the Way through difficult times…Jesus, His Son our Savior and God’s Word will guide us and see us through. Think about a trial in your past…looking back where do you see God in it? Trust in the Lord and persevere through trials. Amen.

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12 NIV

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

Today Is The Day

March 16, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 NIV

Today is 3.16…take time to share the Good News of John 3:16 with someone today. It could be just the thing they need to hear. Today is the day, may the peace of God be with you. Amen.

Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster

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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 NIV

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

Be Still

March 15, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[a] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:8-11 NIV

Be Still And Know by Amy Grant

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

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

Our Father

March 14, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

Being a parent requires a willingness to sacrifice to serve the needs of others. What we give up is nothing compared to the loving and nurturing relationship we can have with our children throughout life. Here to, God has set the example of a Father who has given up so much so that He can have a loving, engaging and nurturing relationship with us. We would do well to not take Him for granted…He is our Father, who loves us and wants good things for us. Take time to be with Our Father. Amen.

Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett by Chris Tomlin

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Faithfulness

March 13, 2022 / 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

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

God is always with us…even when we don’t feel His presence or think He isn’t doing enough for us. We must remember His ways are better than our ways. We are sinful and distracted by the world, our flesh and Satan. He has made a way for salvation, for everyone. Put your faith in God, trust in Him for great is His faithfulness. Amen.

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Power In The Name Of Jesus

March 12, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

When life is difficult and frustrating, where do we get the ability to move forward? What could possibly renew us? What makes some people so resilient? It has been my experience that there is only one thing powerful enough to lift us up out of any tragedy or trial…and His name is Jesus. A relationship with Jesus Christ in the way to strength in the battle and rest when we are weary. To experience His presence, we must do our part and be willing to spend time in devotions and prayer building our relationship with Him. God made a promise, He will never leave you nor forsake you and He always keeps His promises. Invite Jesus into your heart and into your life daily and you will be renewed each day. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

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

Follow Jesus

March 11, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

Commitment…dedication…devotion…faithfulness. The faith journey is more than a one time decision to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life…that is absolutely the right first step. The journey continues and spiritual growth occurs with a daily giving of ourselves to the will of God for our lives. It is prayer about everything, it is learning to let go of those things we cannot control. It is about learning to accept the love and forgiveness of God in your heart and mind and then turning outward toward others to share that truth in service and kindness. My prayer is for all of us to follow Jesus each day. After all, He gave all He had of His life in this world to save us. Amen.

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“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at City Park in Winterset, Iowa)

Believe

March 10, 2022 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

¹⁷“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

¹⁹Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ^[21]^[a]

Matthew 17:14-21 NIV

Believe in Jesus, confess your sins and seek to grow your relationship with Him. He loves you; He is with you and He is for you. Seek Him first every day and you will find joy and peace. Amen.

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