Do Not Be Overcome

April 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The bible tells us that we will have trouble in this world…it states clearly that we can persevere through trials and temptations. The bible also gives us examples of people who lived and suffered and how they interacted with God and lived their lives with faith. At times it wasn’t pretty, they didn’t live lives that were sweet and easy all the time. Read about Abraham and Sarah, read about Joseph. Look through the pages of David’s life. Take time to read about the life of Jesus. Yes, there are struggles, trials and suffering and a life of faith and living in God’s love doesn’t mean they will disappear…it provides you the courage and the hope to get through the difficult times. Do not be overcome by darkness and evil look to God and pray and you will see hope. Amen.

“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

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

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

Renewing Of Your Mind

March 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The information overload we receive each day has intensified with current world circumstances. Distractions and inaccurate information are running wild creating misunderstandings and leading to people act on false perceptions. We need a solid foundation of truth to stand on more than ever…that foundation can be found with God’s Word. It is the truth about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Pick up the bible and spend time renewing your mind. May God’s comfort and peace be with you. Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

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

The Word Of God

March 20, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It 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 come to us at times when we don’t have our bible with us. 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.

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

Psalm 119:105

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

Jesus Comforts Us

March 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you read the red letters in the bible, the very words of Jesus, He often spoke in a way that was comforting to others. Sometimes He needed to be firm and many times He had to repeat Himself, yet His overwhelming presence was comforting. He knows what it is like to live as a human on earth…He has experienced childhood, teenage years and interactions of many kinds during His life…He knows about weddings, friendships, helping others, betrayal, frustrations, temptations, pain and suffering and death. He knows what is happening in your life…today. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and you will find comfort. Amen.

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

John 14:1

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

God Speaks To Us

March 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

His Word is filled with His messages to us. If you have questions for God or about God, pick up a bible and begin to read. The bible is the Word of God and no matter how many times you read something in the bible it can be a new learning or new understanding unlike anything else. It never changes yet you can be changed forever. Amen.

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

The New Self

February 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It’s not too late…it’s never too late to confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart and mind to be renewed and to create the new self. What you need to know is you can’t do this alone and the changes must start on the inside not on the outside. Real change occurs when we commit to a new attitude and we surrender our ways for His way. Some bible verses that speak to the new self are; 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 12:2 and many more. Trust in the Lord to lead you and guide you to a new life. Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Bontanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Be Courageous

February 28, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Let your faith and trust in the Lord be greater than your fear. This is easier said than done…but it is not impossible…there is not a quick fix or a shortcut for convenience…there is a Way. I know from personal experience, it does not mean all your troubles will go away and your life will be easy…yet I have never known peace in struggle and difficult times until I finally stopped trying to do things my own way. Be courageous, turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer, confess your sins and ask Him into your heart and life and continue that journey by reading God’s Word and you will see what the Lord has in store for you. Seek Him, be persistent, be patient, listen and you will know peace. Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2019 at a park near Plymouth, Minnesota)

God’s Word

February 23, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It 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. Amen.

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

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

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

If you want to know where is God in all this, open up His Word, seek 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

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

We Are Not Alone

February 13, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight. God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times. Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him. Amen.

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

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

Hope

January 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again. Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope. If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck? Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought? If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope. Amen.

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