Trust In The Lord

November 17, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This post was originally published in October of 2020…

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful^[a] one see decay.
¹¹You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:7-11 NIV

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“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

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

God’s Promises…

November 15, 2021November 17, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Here are some of God’s promises written in Scripture…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

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

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

“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

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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 April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Listen And Be Encouraged

November 12, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This post was originally published in November of 2020…

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

James 1:19-21 NIV

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Renew Your Perspective

November 10, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This post was originally published in November of 2020…

“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 NIV

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“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

His Sacrifice, Our Salvation

November 5, 2021 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

This post was originally shared in January of 2021…

Nobody loves us as much as God loves us…Jesus gave up heaven with the Father to come down to earth as one of us…from the glory of the angels singing to a manger as a baby on earth, to save us, yet there was no room for Him. Make room for Him in your heart, seek Him and trust in God. He loves you and wants good things for you. Amen.

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

Romans 8:31

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“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

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Peace

October 29, 2021 / 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

“Lord, you will give perfect peace
to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you.
That’s because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIRV

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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 in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Believe…Overcome

October 26, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ²This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.”

1 John 5:1-2 NIV

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“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:3-5 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Trust His Way

October 19, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“In the morning let me hear about your faithful love,
because I’ve put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should live,
because I trust you with my life.”

Psalm 143:8 NIRV

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“The Lord is gracious, kind and tender.
He is slow to get angry and full of love.
⁹The Lord is good to all.
He shows deep concern for everything he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIRV

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

There Is Power In God’s Word

October 17, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been told by Jesus that we will have trouble in this world. So, because of free will, it is up to us to choose how we will respond when struggles and challenges rise up. It is important to read and spend time in God’s Word and it is vitally important to choose a verse or some verses and memorize them…store them up deep in your heart and mind, so that you can recall them no matter where you are and whenever you need them. When Jesus was tempted by Satan He responded with Scripture…we should be prepared to do the same…when we are tempted we need to recall the verse or verses we have in memory to turn our minds towards God. There is power in His Word. Amen.

“God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. ¹⁷By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIRV

“Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
It is like a light that guides me.”

Psalm 119:105 NIRV

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“The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 NIRV

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