Peace From God’s Word

March 19, 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 Bible is God’s Word given to us to lead us, teach us and encourage us in our lives. It is an instruction manual for life. Teaching us about how God wants us to live and about having a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. It has been translated in to languages for people all over the world and it is continuing spread so that one day every person from any walk of life can connect to God through His Word. We can do our part by learning about what is says and putting it into action. Read God’s Word…Do what it says…and you will enjoy God’s peace. Amen.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

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

God’s Word

March 11, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God’s Word is the source of truth and our guide for living in this world. There are so many ways it will help you and support you and it never changes. People will come and go; people will try to twist it and use it for their benefit…stay close in your relationship with Jesus Christ and He will tell you the truth. Pickup God’s Word every day and you will see the many ways God speaks to us…a few examples from my life below…there are so many more. Pray with God’s Word.

When I am focused on worry and fear…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

When I have doubt or confusion…

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

When I am led astray by temptations…

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

If you want to know where is God in all this, open up His Word, seek Him and you will find. Peace be with you.

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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)

Build My Life

January 10, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16 ESV

The Word of God is a source of comfort…it renews us…it purifies us…it teaches us…it guides us. If we plant the seeds of the Word in our hearts and minds it will be available to us at all times. It can calm our fears…it can relieve our stress and it can provide unexplainable peace. Read God’s Word every day, build your faith, seek His wisdom for your life. Amen.

Build My Life by Housefires feat. Pat Barrett

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

Psalm 119:105 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

God’s Promises

January 3, 2023 / 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 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 key 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 in August of 2016 at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Be Faithful

December 28, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Draw near to God…stay close to Him. Do not allow the world with its values and temptations entice you to drift away from Jesus. It is easy to start a new habit of connecting with God every day and it is also easy to let it slip away. Try to attach your new habit to something you are already doing every day. Start small and it will build naturally as you stick to it. If you are a ‘I need coffee in the morning’ person…make it a point to spend your first cup reading or listening to scripture. If you are a ‘I like to read at night person’ give a few minutes to a daily devotional book each night. Maybe mid-day would work best for you…no matter when or what the important thing is to do it and trust that God will use that time to transform you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

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

Hope In God’s Word

December 3, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Psalm 119:105 NIV

No matter what you are facing or up against…no matter what your circumstances in life, you can always find Hope in God’s Word. The Bible is God speaking to us directly in the case of Jesus and through others as well. Believe in Jesus and spend some time reading God’s Word every day. You will not find hope in the things of this world…yet the Creator has provided His Word to lead us, guide us and to give us Hope. Amen.

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

Psalm 119:114 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

November 11, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:8-11 NIV

The world tells us to pursue money, comfort and the easy life. To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often, this is the sinful nature and it has taken hold in many people. There is a way to be different and to live with purpose and it is based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father. Spend time reading God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Growing In Faith

October 23, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Our faith can grow and get stronger only if we feed it and exercise it just like our bodies…if we don’t eat food or exercise our muscles our bodies become frail and weak. The same is true for our spiritual lives and our faith muscles, we need to feed on the Word of God and exercise our faith by how we live and interact with others in order for our faith to grow liek a tree planted by a stream of water.

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“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Power In The Name Of Jesus

September 15, 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 September of 2022 at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

God’s Word…Our Path

August 25, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

The first original navigtion guide is God’s Word. Which way should I go? What should I do next? How should I handle this situation? How do I respond to that? And so many more questions can be answered by spending time in God’s Word…reading, listening and putting into the action the things He is teaching us. It is the ultimate guide for your path. Pick it up and seek Him. Amen.

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