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)

We Are Forgiven

October 16, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

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“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Luke 23:34 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

October 15, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you. So don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIRV

“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIRV

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“So do not be afraid. I am with you.
    Do not be terrified. I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you.
    I will hold you safe in my hands.
    I always do what is right.

¹¹“All those who are angry with you will be put to shame.
    And they will be dishonored.
Those who oppose you will be destroyed.
    And they will vanish.
¹²You might search for your enemies.
    But you will not find them.
Those who go to war against you
    will completely disappear.
¹³I am the Lord your God.
    I take hold of your right hand.
I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIRV

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

Trust The Lord

October 11, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I will say about the Lord,
“He is my place of safety.
He is like a fort to me.
He is my God. I trust in him.”

Psalm 91:2 NIRV

“Suppose you say, “The Lord is the one who keeps me safe.”
    Suppose you let the Most High God be like a home to you.
¹⁰Then no harm will come to you.
    No terrible plague will come near your tent.
¹¹The Lord will command his angels
    to take good care of you.
¹²They will lift you up in their hands.
    Then you won’t trip over a stone.”