Remain In Him

January 16, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:4 NIV

If we choose to do things our own way and wander off from the Word

Ignoring the things Jesus has taught us

Our faith and our spiritual life will wither and die

Remain In Him and His Words

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8 NIV

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Surrender

January 11, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“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

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“He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

All Who Call On Him

January 10, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:17-18 NIV

God is faithful

He is always near

The world is broken and sinful

Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged

Call on God…our Creator

Our Savior and Lord of all

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

⁹The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

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

Seek Him And His Kingdom

December 31, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world

Give us courage and strength to follow Him in the New Year

Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him each day

Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else

Guide us on sharing Him with others

In Jesus name, Amen

We Believe by Newsboys

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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. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

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

Courageous

December 12, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

God has promised to be with you wherever you go

Every day, all the time

When we look around at the world or at our worries, fears and frustrations…it’s easier to shrink back than to be bold and courageous, to play it safe rather than to go forward trusting in God

This is how living by faith is different than living the way the world tells you to live

Faith is simple yet not easy

We are inundated with messages of self-center living and behaviors

It takes courage to strive to be true to God’s Word

Put your hope and your trust in God and His promises

Follow the example of Jesus Christ

Be courageous

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)

With God…

December 5, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

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

Philippians 4:13 NIV

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

Trust God’s Promises

November 29, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

³His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

2 Peter 1:2-4 NIV

God’s promises are many and they are all throughout the Bible

He promises salvation, to give you rest, to strengthen you, to provide for your needs, to protect you, to never leave you and so many more

The question is do you believe Him and do you trust Him?

Consider what God has done, what He is doing and what He has promised will come

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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush^[a] and Seba in your stead.
⁴Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,…”

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Believe

November 23, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

2 Timothy 4:18 NIV

Believe in the power of God

He is our Creator

He is our Savior

He will guide us with the Holy Spirit

God can and will rescue you

Don’t give up hope…don’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result

Believe in God’s saving grace, believe in God’s love for you

Trust in the Lord and believe

Rescue by Lauren Daigle

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“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”