Be Encouraged

A Psalm And A Song For Giving Thanks

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalm 100:1-3 NIV

A spirit of gratitude is transforming for our perspective

Instead of worrying about what we don’t have, we can be thankful for what we have received

Rather than having anxiety about what might happen, we can be grateful that God is in control

Instead of dwelling in guilt and shame about our sins we can give thanks for Jesus Christ and that He has taken our punishment so that we can be redeemed and reconciled with God

Give thanks to the Lord

Thank You Isn’t Enough by Tasha Layton & The Choir Room

DSC_1549 publish

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Plans

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

What plans are you working on?

What is the purpose of what you are doing?

For questions like this and others about our lives and purpose the best place to turn is towards Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord

He knows what is best for us according to His plans

He loves us

His ways are good

Ask the Lord to guide and direct you

Then watch and listen for His reply

DSC_0022 publish

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Gratitude For God’s Goodness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You

You love me even when I am unlovable

You are good to me even when I do not deserve it

You are kind and compassionate toward me even when I mess up

You provide the example of what faithful love looks like

Thank You for never leaving or abandoning me

Today, remind me of the ways You have provided for me in my life so that way I can intentionally praise You and Your goodness

In Jesus name, Amen

DSC_0287 publish

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Encourage One Another

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

Receive encouragement from the Holy Spirit and be renewed by spending time with God and reading God’s Word

God’s love is for all of us and we are created to love God and to love others

Let His love flow through you and be encouraging for others with your words and your actions

Encourage one another

DSC_0120 publish

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Choose Joy

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

10 “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:10-11 NIV

Father God, thank You for our constant access to Your presence

Because You are near, we can experience joy in all things

Help us remember our joy is not based on our circumstances

Too often, instead of trusting You, we let our problems direct our behaviors

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can strive to live with undefeatable Joy

In Jesus name, Amen

Joy by for KING & COUNTRY

DSC_1529 publish

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

(This photo was taken near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Let The Word Of God Be Our Guide

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

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

Psalm 119:114 NIV

DSC_0975 publish

“For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[a]

And this is the word that was preached to you.”

1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Encourage One Another

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

Receive encouragement from the Holy Spirit and be renewed by spending time with God and reading God’s Word

God’s love is for all of us and we are created to love God and to love others

Let His love flow through you and be encouraging for others with your words and your actions

Encourage one another

DSC_0120 publish

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Plans

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Whose plans are we working on?

What is the purpose of what we are doing?

When we have questions like this and others about our lives the best place to turn is towards Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord

He knows what is best for us and He loves us

His ways are good

Ask the Lord to guide and direct you

Then watch and listen for His reply

DSC_0022 publish

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Gratitude For God’s Goodness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You.  You love me even when I am unlovable.  You are good to me even when I do not deserve it.  You are kind and compassionate toward me even when I mess up.  You provide the example of what faithful love looks like.  Thank You for never leaving or abandoning me.  Today, remind me of the ways You have provided for me in my life so that way I can intentionally praise You and Your goodness.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0287 publish

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

When Trouble Comes…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, You are strong and faithful.  Thank You for encouraging me through Your Spirit, even when I am struggling.  Help me never give up but to continue to follow after You regardless of my circumstances.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC06492 publish

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)