Pray

January 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do 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 4:6-7 NIV

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

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“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

God’s Faithfulness

January 27, 2024 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You. Thank You for Your presence in our lives and for never leaving us alone. We know that You will continue to guide us and protect us as You work in us and through us. Help us remember to place our hope and trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

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

Peace From God

January 26, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for promising to bring us peace. In every situation, help us continue to keep our minds on You and Your good promises. Because we trust in You, we know we don’t have to be anxious about anything. Continue to remind us of this truth throughout every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
⁴Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

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

Nothing Is Impossible

January 25, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time. Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish. You are faithful to keep Your promises. It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working. Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo of a young Loon was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)

Seek Him And His Kingdom

January 20, 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

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world. Give us courage and strength to follow Him. Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him. Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else. 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)

Wisdom

January 19, 2024 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18 NIV

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2 NIV

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“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.”

Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

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

But God…

January 11, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

1 Samuel 23:14 NIV

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

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“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

Romans 5:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

God’s Promises

January 10, 2024 / 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

Father God, I trust that You are faithful, and I believe that You will always fulfill Your promises. I am holding tightly to my hope in You. Thank you for promising to fulfill Your plans for my life. Thank You for promising to be with us and to never abandon us. Thank you for promising the return of Jesus. You are faithful Lord – and I will trust in You. Amen.

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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)

He Knows

January 9, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
²You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.”

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

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

God Is My Rock

January 7, 2024 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield^[a] and the horn^[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for making a way for me to know You. You are enough for me. Please show me where You are working in my life. No matter what I face or what circumstances are before me, I will choose to wait patiently on You, my Rock. I know that You will protect me and that You will finish the work that You have started in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

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