Sharing Faith

March 13, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Colossians 4:2-6 NIV

That is the purpose of this blog. To share faith in the Lord for every aspect of life…no matter what you face in this world know that…God is with you, God is for you and He will never leave you. He promised and He sacrificed His Son to give us a way back to Him no matter how far we have strayed off course. Put your faith in God for everything, for anything and share your faith with others. Amen.

DSC_0135-1 publish

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:15-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Be Transformed

March 3, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV

Changed…renewed…remade…to make new again. How we live, the decisions we make, our purpose and perspective are continually influenced by our life in this world. If we fail to spend time feeding our minds and spiritual lives with the Word of God and if we don’t spend time in prayer in relationship and communication with God, we will become like the world. Only God can make us new again, with forgiveness, wisdom, courage, knowledge, trust and faith. There are people in the world striving for the Fruits of the Spirit in their life…you may have to look for them with new eyes and a new perspective and those are available to all of us because of Jesus. I pray we feed our faith and strive towards God and His will and away from the sinful nature. Amen.

DSC_0080 publish

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2 NIV

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

Pray

March 2, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

Prayer…it is our way to interact with God. It is how we can build our relationship with Him. Communication is the foundation of any relationship. Anyone can do it…it is not about using the right words or being in a certain position…it is all about speaking sincerely and from the heart. We can pray about everything in our lives and the best part? God is waiting to hear for you…He will listen…He will respond…that doesn’t mean you should expect everything to go the way you desire…that’s not how it works. But God promises no matter what you are going through He will be with you…it is up to you to do your part. God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1610 publish

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

Philippians 4:6 NIV

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

With God…

February 8, 2023 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

All things are possible with God. There is hope, because of Jesus Christ, so don’t give up. Anything is possible…any change in us, any change in others, any healing of sickness, restoration of a relationship…anything…all things are possible when we put our trust in God. Amen.

DSC_0273 publish

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Believe

February 4, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:13 ESV

We Believe by Newsboys

DSC_0084 publish

“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 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

The Power Of Prayer

February 3, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

The power of prayer does not come from what words you say or what order you say them in…the true power of prayer comes from the One who answers prayers and whether you believe in Him. A prayer offered with doubt and hesitation or out of routine is not the same as one offered from the heart with honesty, sincerity and belief in God. Pray and believe you will receive. Amen.

DSC_0005 publish

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³“Truly^[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:22-24 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Trust In The Lord

February 1, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

When you feel lost and alone…frustrated and disappointed…or uncertain and afraid turn towards the Lord in prayer. Put your trust in Him, He is always with you.

DSC_0106 publish

“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2022 at Temperance State Park in northern Minnesota)

God Is Greater Than…

January 29, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

No matter what you are facing, no matter what the circumstances are, no matter how bad the tragedy or trauma that has occurred…God is bigger than that…God is greater than anything you will encounter in this life. Believe it and put your faith, your hope and your trust in Jesus Christ.

DSC_0350 publish

“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.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
²⁶it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Ask, Seek, Knock…

January 17, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Prayer and communication with God on a daily basis are key elements on your faith journey. Prayer includes confessing our sins, expressing gratitude, listening and asking. Keeping in mind that God is not a wishing well…rather He is your friend, your guide, your confidant. He knows about every aspect of your life and He still loves you…so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son in order to reconcile you with Him. God loves you…He is with you…He is wating to hear from you.

DSC_0012 publish

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

John 16:24 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Teach Me Your Ways

January 13, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

God invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. It is up to us to respond to that invitation. If we ignore God’s call and go our own way we will bring about more pain and suffering without God’s presence and guidance. We need to be willing to open ourselves up to God’s way and His plan that happens on His timing. It is a willingness and an ability to surrender our self-centered ways to Him…God is faithful and will guide you and lead you if you are willing to put your faith and trust in Him.

DSC_0178 publish