Live Differently

May 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV

“Do 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 12:2 NIV

Father God, forgive me for the times I have not be “all in.” Forgive me for the ways I have turned away from You physically, spiritually and emotionally. It You are not the center of my life, nothing else matters. Please lead me to live differently. Show me how to live a life that draws near to You and is devoted to honoring You and loving others. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“But that is not the way of life in Christ that you learned about. ²¹You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus. ²²You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray. ²³You were taught to be made new in your thinking. ²⁴You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.”

Ephesians 4:20-24 NIRV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Encourage One Another

May 1, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

Father God, thank You for creating us as part of Your family. We are grateful for the people in our lives who have encouraged us. We pray that we can be an encouragement to others. Help us be aware of those around us who are discouraged. Show us ways to spread Your love in our daily interactions with others. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Seek First His Kingdom

April 30, 2024 / 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

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)

It Takes Courage

April 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. ⁸The 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 31:7-8 NIV

God is with you, God is for you…He will never leave you or abandon you. Believe it and be courageous.

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“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Trust

April 27, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Father God, when I am anxious and afraid, I will put my trust in You. I will rely on You no matter what comes my way because You are my source of strength and safety. You guide me and You fight for me. When I draw near to You, I have nothing to fear, because I know that You are in control. I know You will never leave me or abandon me and so I put my trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

“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

(This photo was taken on a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

We Have This Hope

April 26, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.”

Isaiah 65:17 NIV

All Things New by Big Daddy Weave

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“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4 NIV

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

Holy Living

April 25, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Romans 12:2 NIV

Father God, please take all my burdens and fears and replace them with Your peace. Make my soul responsive to Your Word and teach me to trust in Your faithfulness. Give me a heart that longs to obey Your promptings and live according to Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

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

Joy In God’s Promises

April 21, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[c] a sign: The virgin^[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[e] will call him Immanuel.”^[f]

Isaiah 7:14 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

Father God, we are holding tightly to our hope in You. We trust that You are faithful, and we believe that You will always fulfill Your promises. Thank You for promising to bring justice to unjust situations. Thank You for promising to fulfill Your plans for us. Thank You for sending Your Son and for promising to return to Your people. You are faithful, Lord-and we will trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

The Goodness Of God

April 19, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father. We are so grateful we can always count on You. You bless us and Your love is poured into us. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for sending us Jesus. Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face. In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Teach Me Your Way

April 18, 2024 / 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

Father God, please guide me and teach me as I seek to live a life that honors You. Lead me into my calling, and lovingly correct my mistakes. Thank You for being the One I can confide in, and for loving me just as I am. You are good, and I am grateful for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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