Holy Living

October 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word, we find that the life God wants for us is not all about money…that message comes from sin and the world, that message is about selfishness. To live a holy life doesn’t cost money, it is about who you are and how you treat others. If you spend all your time comparing yourself to others and worried about what you don’t have you are setting yourself up to be miserable. Trust God, listen to the words of Jesus and live as God’s Word has taught us to live. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

What Matters Most

October 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Belief. In the Apostles’ Creed there are three statements that begin with ‘I believe…’ Those statements refer to God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son and the Holy Spirit. Faith is a journey and one of the first and most important steps on this journey is to face the question…What do you believe? Your beliefs guide your values and your perspective and those will drive your words and your actions. Every day is a new opportunity to feed your mind information about what you believe…no matter what your past has been…start or continue today to read the Word of God and what Jesus Christ said about life, love, faith and hope. What matters most is what you believe. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

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

Rich In Love

October 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter how far we wander off…God will invite us to come back to Him. His grace…His mercy…His compassion is all encompassing. Whatever your circumstances are…turn towards Jesus Christ…He died to save you and He is ready to walk with you. Amen.

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“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.”

Psalms 145:8-9

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

Believe It!

October 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Creator of all things knows you. He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. He is greater than anyone and anything you will encounter in this world. When we walk with Him, we can conquer anything in this life. You are loved…you are forgiven…you have been saved. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

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

Trust Requires Patience

September 30, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God is working for good things in our life…we must be willing to wait for Him. If we believe and know Jesus Christ is the Son of God and we confess our sins, and we know the sacrifice that Jesus made to save us…then we know how much God loves us and how far He will go to care for us. As it says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Trust in the Lord, wait for Him and good things will come. Amen.

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

Psalms 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The New Has Come

September 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God renews us…God restores us…He takes away the sin and darkness and makes us new again. All that we have done wrong and messed up, only He can make new again. Our hope is found in Christ…if you are staring at a new beginning or change of direction begin by humbling yourself and surrendering your plans for God’s plan. He truly does make all things new. Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:7

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

Doing Good

September 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It makes a difference…even when you don’t get to see it or know how it made a difference. Do your best to offer what you can, to whoever you can, wherever you are. Don’t start with trying to change the whole world…make it your goal to do good for at least one other person every day and let God take it from there. Our job is to Love the Lord and Love our neighbor as ourselves. Do good things, offer your best and let God take care of the rest. Amen.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:9-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Our Source Of Strength And Hope

September 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

We face difficulties and struggles each day and in so many different situations. We look for help within the world…yet everyone else is struggling as well. What are we to do? Who can we turn to? There is one who we should turn to and put our trust in, only one, it is Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Our Lord. He is the source of comfort, courage, strength and hope…find your hope and find new strength in Christ Alone. Amen.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Pray Faithfully

September 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what your circumstances are, make time to pray. If everything is going well and you are feeling good, say a prayer of thanks. If it feels like the world is crashing down around you, say a prayer for courage and strength. Prayer is our primary way of connecting with the Lord. It is about spending time with Him and walking with Him. Think about it this way…if God is like that person you pass in the hall at work or at school every day and you only exchange a hello or hi and never have a real conversation, how can you know God and His plan for you any better than you know this person? Invest time in your relationship with God, pray faithfully. Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

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

Stand Firm In The Faith

September 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Faith is most difficult when everything around us is telling us to doubt and have fear. The overwhelming message from the world is don’t believe…it takes courage to believe and to stand firm in your belief and if you have a solid relationship with the Lord, He will give you courage when it seems hopeless. If you are unsure of your relationship with God…begin a daily time for prayer and reading God’s Word and stick with it. There is no right way or wrong way to make time to be with God, the best way is to just start doing it. All things are possible with God. Amen.

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