Add To Your Faith

April 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey is an on-going learning and growing process. It is about our relationship with Jesus Christ and how it impacts life. It is not a to do list of check the box things and move on to the next…it is interwoven into our daily life. We can choose to acknowledge it or not. If we want to know peace that surpasses all understanding…we should choose to explore faith and see what God has planned for our journey. Amen.

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“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:5-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

He Is With You

March 23, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

No matter what, no…matter…what! No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, no matter how long you have strayed or how long it takes you to learn…God is with you and waiting to hear from you. Profess your faith, confess you sins and trust in the one who stays with you through all things. Amen.

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Taste And See

March 17, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

If ever there was a time to explore faith…to grab a bible, sit down and ask God the questions you want to ask…if ever there was a time to be able to step away from the busyness and read what God has said in the bible. As with everything, the current days are all about your perspective…you can choose to complain about what you can’t do or where you aren’t able to go…and focus on why a self-serving life is not satisfying…or you can take the opportunity to learn more about God your creator and to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ…take time to taste and see what faith is all about. Amen.

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

Psalm 34:8

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 while visiting the Bahamas)

Pray With Confidence

March 14, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our prayers are how we communicate with God. He knows whether or not we truly believe what we are saying or asking for…that’s the biggest difference between talking with God and talking with people. People may or may not know the truth about what we say…God knows, He knows everything, there is no use in trying to ‘sell’ Him on your wants, desires or ideas, it is fruitless to try and hide your fears…when we turn towards God in prayer we should be prepared to be honest, open and vulnerable and we can be assured that God is working for good things for all of us. Pray with confidence to God and be open to His ways rather than your ways. Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do 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 4:4-7

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

Overcome Trouble

March 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The battles are many and they are different for all of us. The darkness and evil of this world are constantly attacking us and everyone is fighting a battle of some sort…chose to overcome trouble, believe in Jesus Christ. He has fought this fight and He has overcome the trouble of this world. Stay strong in the battle find courage, strength, wisdom, peace and hope in the only One who can provide it, your Savior and Lord. Amen.

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“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 June of 2013 while traveling in southern Coilorado)

With Hope

March 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The world looks at hope as wishful thinking, unrealistic or a daydream. The biblical definition of hope seems to be more like a confidence and belief in what God has promised and trust in His faithfulness. We may not ever fully understand or be able to comprehend things while we are here, yet with hope, provided by Jesus Christ we know that anything is possible. Be patient, be persistent, keep doing good things and believe with hope that comes only from God. Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

By Faith

March 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When our faith is strong our foundation is solid. When we live by faith our motives and our purpose are clear. When we walk in faith our troubles will not disappear but God has promised to walk through them with us. By faith we will know hope that surpasses all understanding. By faith we will find peace that comes from God. Amen.

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

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

For Us

February 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All of us. God sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins…to reconcile us back to Him. God loves us…God created us…He sent His Son to save us…He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us…He forgives us…nobody we meet in this life will ever be able to care for us like God cares for us. Turn towards God and give Him thanks and praise Him for His never-ending love. May you be comforted by God’s love today. Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

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

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)

Prayer Makes A Difference

February 20, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do we always get what we want, when we want it? No. Does a child always get what they ask for? Do they understand why? No, they don’t…what we do know is that God wants us to pray. It is another topic in the bible that is repeated often…Matthew 6:6, Luke 18:1, Philippians 4:6 and many more places. This is something God encourages us to do and knowing that, means that even though we may not understand how it works, prayer does make a difference. Amen.

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