Pray Faithfully

September 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what your circumstances are, make time to pray. If everything is going well and you are feeling good, say a prayer of thanks. If it feels like the world is crashing down around you, say a prayer for courage and strength. Prayer is our primary way of connecting with the Lord. It is about spending time with Him and walking with Him. Think about it this way…if God is like that person you pass in the hall at work or at school every day and you only exchange a hello or hi and never have a real conversation, how can you know God and His plan for you any better than you know this person? Invest time in your relationship with God, pray faithfully. Amen.

DSC_1594 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

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

Stand Firm In The Faith

September 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Faith is most difficult when everything around us is telling us to doubt and have fear. The overwhelming message from the world is don’t believe…it takes courage to believe and to stand firm in your belief and if you have a solid relationship with the Lord, He will give you courage when it seems hopeless. If you are unsure of your relationship with God…begin a daily time for prayer and reading God’s Word and stick with it. There is no right way or wrong way to make time to be with God, the best way is to just start doing it. All things are possible with God. Amen.

DSC_0203 (2) publish

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Listen

September 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Prayer doesn’t always have to be about you talking…listening is just as important to your relationship with God. If we are always the one speaking how can we be open to hearing what God is trying to tell us? This is an especially hard thing to do if we lack patience. The world keeps giving us the messages of faster, now, immediate gratification and savings! Yet God does not exist on our time table. Whatever is weighing you down, whatever is troubling you or has you worried Today…surrender it to Jesus Christ, ask Him to guide you with it, don’t pick it up again, leave it at the foot of the Cross then wait and listen for God. Amen.

DSC_0604 publish

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

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

Trust In The Lord

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you are facing trouble in this world…when it seems like everything you try or do is failing…when you don’t know what to do next…pray and trust in the Lord. Do something good and wait patiently for God and His will. Trust is hard, especially when we have put our trust in things that have let us down in the past…you can trust in the Lord, He keeps His promises and He is always with you. Amen.

DSC_0459 publish

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

Psalm 37:3-4

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Take Heart!

September 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the bible we are told over and over that in this world we will have trouble…there will be suffering. The prince of darkness and evil does not stop working to keep us away from God…and in some cases we make it very easy for him. And yet we are surprised that things go wrong or don’t work that way we want them to. The Word of God is clear and the words of Jesus are written in red ink for us in the bible…who is blessed, how to live, how to pray, ways to share and serve others…and it is all repeated for us from 4 different writers to be sure we get the message…pick up a bible and read what Jesus Christ had to say. God loves you; He is with you and He forgives you. Seek a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ and you will have peace. Amen.

DSC_0228 publish

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Life Verse

September 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Which one do you prefer most often? I am finding at different times a different verse speaks most clearly to my heart and mind. This is the wonder of God and God’s word…it is new every day. God speaks to us through His word. When negative thoughts come to mind or selfish and sinful ways pop up, we can cast them out by remembering and repeating a verse in our minds. Spend time reading God’s word and finding some verses that resonate with you. This is one of the best ways to put on the armor of God. Amen.

DSC_0396 publish

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Madeline Island in Lake Superior)

Make Room For Jesus

August 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Life can be so full and busy; we often prioritize events by our wants and desires and we easily set God aside. It seems we are always trying to manage time and a schedule of places to be and people to see. This is not a new issue in society, sure lifestyles have changed, yet the central issue of being too busy to spend time with the Lord is the same. When Jesus came into the world over 2,000 year ago, he was laid down in a manger, a structure for the animals to eat from, because there was no room for Him in the world. Open your hearts and your minds to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, seek Him and spend time in prayer with Him. Amen.

DSC06842 publish

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:6-7

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Decisions…

August 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Don’t go it alone…don’t assume you have all the information…seek wisdom and knowledge…seek to understand. So often we fail to speak with God about decisions. We believe that God doesn’t care about this insignificant decision or event in my life…yet we know we can’t comprehend God’s infinite knowledge and the ways He is working in our life so who are we to say? I continue to be amazed at where God shows up in life and I only realize it because I am trying to make a conscious effort to pay to attention and ask myself where did I see God today? God is with you and He is working in your life…seek Him and His plan and ask God to help you see when you are making your decisions. Amen.

DSC_1554 publish

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

Proverbs 16:3

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

Be Courageous

August 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Faith takes courage, to believe in what we hope for and not what we see. It takes courage to trust, even when we are unsure how things will turn out. The world may call you foolish, in fact based on the bible, you should expect it. It will take courage to stay on your faith journey when things get hard or don’t go the way you want…what you need to focus on is Jesus Christ and God’s Word. God is with you…trust in Him, seek His will and be courageous. Amen.

DSC_1601 publish

“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

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

A Servant Spirit

August 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many of our frustrations, arguments and troubles in life originate in selfishness…either our own selfishness or because of somebody else’s selfish desires or wants. The only thing we have the power to change is ourselves. So how can anyone ever get along? It starts with listening, compassion, and a willingness to work for the good of many not just a few. None of us can attain this attitude of the Spirit without a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Seek Him, learn about Him and follow His example. Amen.

DSC_0334 publish