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.

DSC_1556 publish

“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

DSC_0001 publish

“‘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)

Be Still And Know

April 23, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[a] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:8-11 NIV

Be Still And Know by Amy Grant

DSC01215 publish

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

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

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.

DSC_1549 publish

“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)

Patience And Hope

April 14, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

Never Walk Alone by Hope Darst

DSC_1554 publish

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

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

Redeemed

April 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

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

DSC_1315 publish

“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)

To Make Him Known

April 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

The Commission by CAIN

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 NIV

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

Good Friday…God’s Love

March 29, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 19:30 NIV

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation. God has shown you just how much He loves you, cares for you and values you. He sent our Savior, His Son, who sacrificed Himself for our Salvation. Thanks be to God for His everlasting love. Amen.

DSC_0015-1 publish

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

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

Commitment

March 25, 2024 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart. You are my everything…so let my thoughts and actions match my words. Help me draw closer to You. Guide my decisions and inspire me with new dreams. I want to honor You with all that I am and all that I do. In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0135-1 publish