Character

November 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Living life by faith is about who we are more than what we do. Our behaviors, how we treat others and our interactions with others say more about us than our job or career path. The world honors worldly things like wealth, awards, job titles and other self-oriented pursuits…these things are not considered to be wrong or bad…the issue is these things have become more important than God. When self-satisfaction is more important than our relationship with God, we are going off course…to be clear we are all guilty of this sin, it is human nature in a fallen world. The first step in repentance is awareness of the behavior and the next step is confessing to God and seeking to turn away from our sins, with God’s help. As humans we all suffer from the same types of trouble…how we choose to respond is up to us. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

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

You Get What You Give

November 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

This is pretty simple, yet we often forget it. In my reading this morning it was pointed out that when you read about the life of Jesus in God’s word, He was never offended by a sinful person…yet those who were filled with self-righteousness and set themselves apart from others in their own eyes, like the Pharisees, He would warn them of the judgement to come. Whatever our thoughts, words and actions are that we put out in the world are bound to be what comes back to us. Learn about the life of Jesus and treat others the way you want to be treated. Amen.

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“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:37-38

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in southern Colorado)

Forgive

November 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Forgive others as you have been forgiven. We are redeemed by Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. No matter how far off we have wandered or how long it has been you can return to Christ through faith and that is also true for all others. So, whether or not you are concerned about the path you are on or the path another is on you should pray and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit to guide you and/or your support for one another. May the grace and peace of the Lord wash over you. Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Seek Him

October 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ…He sacrificed Himself to save you. No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you have done or left undone…He is waiting for you with open arms, to pick you up, to forgive you and restore you. He is ready to do that for you and for others in your life because He loves you and He loves them too. Jesus Christ is the way…He is the only way to fellowship with God. Amen.

The Way by Housefires

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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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Grace

October 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is hard to believe but truly anyone can be saved. Yes, even that person in your life. God’s grace is so much greater than our sins. The bible is filled with examples of people who had so many and such hurtful sin in their lives that God forgives. Read Jonah to see how much God will relent so that all people can be saved. Find it in your heart to forgive and pray for that person in your life…let them see the light of Christ in you. Amen.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Rich In Love

October 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter how far we wander off…God will invite us to come back to Him. His grace…His mercy…His compassion is all encompassing. Whatever your circumstances are…turn towards Jesus Christ…He died to save you and He is ready to walk with you. Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalms 145:8-9

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

Believe It!

October 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Creator of all things knows you. He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. He is greater than anyone and anything you will encounter in this world. When we walk with Him, we can conquer anything in this life. You are loved…you are forgiven…you have been saved. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

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

Forgiveness

September 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What we need in the world more than anything right now is forgiveness…the longer people hold on to the pain and bitterness of past events that can’t be changed the more people will suffer…if people want to truly see change in this world…look in the mirror and decide who do I need to forgive? Pray about it and seek the courage to share that forgiveness so that healing can begin. This is true for all people on all sides of every issue. Seek to forgive and you will be set free. Amen.

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Past…Redeemed

August 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What has happened in the past is done and can’t be changed…we can learn from it…we can change today. Don’t let what has happened be chains around you that are dragged with you everywhere you go…Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins and He is our Redeemer…bring your past, your shame and your guilt to the Lord and He will set you free. Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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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 October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Past, Present And Future

August 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Lord redeems us from our sinful past, He washes away the guilt and the shame and makes us new again…The Lord walks with us in the present, He encourages us to engage in the current moments and experiences, with every interaction and event in life…The Lord will take care of tomorrow. His ways are greater than our ways and His plans are higher than our plans. Trust in the Lord…He forgives us, He is with us and His plans will take care of us in the future. Amen.

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