God’s Faithfulness

February 12, 2024November 20, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for Your never-ending faithfulness. No matter what we face You continue to guide, protect and strengthen us. Thank You for sending us Your Son and for our salvation. When unexpected things occur help us turn towards You first and put our hope and trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin

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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 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Faith…Holy Living…Peace

February 11, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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

Trust In God

February 10, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Father God, You are our source of strength and hope. You are able to overcome our fears with Your love. With You, all things are possible. So we will place our hope and trust in You. Even when everything around us seems to crumble, we will trust and not be afraid…for we know our future is secure with You. Thank You for Your peace, Your mercy and Your love. In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Saved By Grace

February 9, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{8 “}For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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^{14 “}The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Redeemed

February 8, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

Father God, thank You for being the God who restores and brings peace. I need Your peace. Forgive me when I live in bitterness and refuse to give grace and mercy to others. Empower me to help others experience the gift of healing and hope that I have received through You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

God’s Promises

February 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When 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.“

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Father God, Your Word is filled with promises for my life. Often times my circumstances distract me from Your faithfulness. As I read and re-read Your promises fill me with comfort and peace that surpasses understanding because I believe You are working for good at all times. In Jesus name, Amen.

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

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

Humility

February 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{14 “}if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Good and Gracious God, please show me the things I am withholding from You. I want to walk humbly with You. Teach me to prioritize Your ways over my ways. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I want to deny my self-centered desires and seek You first. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30 NIV

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

Trust In The Lord

January 30, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Father God, thank You for taking care of us. You are our strength and our support. You promise to watch over us and fight for us. Today, remind us that You are near and that You are working for good in our lives. Teach us to trust in You at all times and in all circumstances. In Jesus name, 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 NIV

(This photo was taken while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

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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