Tomorrow

August 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

None of us knows how many tomorrows we have…it isn’t up to us and it never was…the gift of life is about today…how you choose to think, what you choose to say and how you choose to treat others, today. Because of Jesus Christ we know there is hope, tomorrow…let’s not waste today worrying about what may come. As they say, we don’t know what tomorrow may hold…but we certainly know who holds us tomorrow. Amen.

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

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

Decisions…

August 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Don’t go it alone…don’t assume you have all the information…seek wisdom and knowledge…seek to understand. So often we fail to speak with God about decisions. We believe that God doesn’t care about this insignificant decision or event in my life…yet we know we can’t comprehend God’s infinite knowledge and the ways He is working in our life so who are we to say? I continue to be amazed at where God shows up in life and I only realize it because I am trying to make a conscious effort to pay to attention and ask myself where did I see God today? God is with you and He is working in your life…seek Him and His plan and ask God to help you see when you are making your decisions. Amen.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

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

Forever

August 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Give thanks to God for all that is good. When we struggle or get frustrated, we can find hope in His love. We tend to think we know what God’s plan is and we are surprised when things don’t go the way we were heading. Spiritual growth comes from realizing we are not the leaders; we do not know better and if we are willing to listen and seek the will of the Lord, He will lead us to things we never thought possible. Thanks be to God for His everlasting love. Amen.

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1

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

A Light

August 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we become overwhelmed by sin due to anger, fear, frustrations, discouragement, loneliness, sadness or shame which are all tools of evil and darkness…the first place to look for a light is in God’s Word. It is our light to find our way through anything life and this world throws at us. It is knowledge, it is wisdom, it is comfort, it is strength…it encourages us and helps us to see better and most importantly it is the Truth. We will not get all the answers and understanding until we pass on to be with the Lord…yet we will get all that we need while we are here. May we all take time to read God’s Word and may the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore)

The Same Power

August 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

If confess your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord then the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in you. Before Jesus died, He spoke about a Counselor that will come once He ascends and that this Spirit will be our guide. Take a look at the Gospel of John 14:15-21…we are not left alone to fend for ourselves. The Lord is with us and we must learn to trust Him and turn to Him regarding every aspect of our lives. Believe in the power of God, surrender your plans to God and seek His plan and trust in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

Same Power by Jeremy Camp

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“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Romans 8:11

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Truth Is In God’s Word

July 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can search the whole world over and never find the happiness that the human race is searching to discover…what we seek in not of this world. True joy, love, peace and contentment can only be found with Jesus Christ. The Bible has stood the ultimate test…the test of time. It is based on truth and actual events in history…it is the unchanging Word of God. It is given to us so that we can learn and live our lives centered on Christ and not ourselves or our personal agendas. Read God’s Word daily and seek Him, for He is with you every step of the way. Amen.

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

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

He Lives In You

July 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. Not only because of what He did when He was human on earth and not only because He sacrificed Himself for us and died on a cross or because He rose…He is the foundation of our faith today because of all these things and the fact that He Lives in us. Before He ascended, He promised the Holy Spirit would come to those who love Him and do as He commands. In the Gospel of John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and explains our connection to Him through the Spirit. The love of God can be found in the hearts of people and can be shared with others…it is up to each of us to seek Him and trust in His way rather than our own. May you be encouraged by the Holy Spirit within you today. Amen.

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“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

John 14:20-21

(This photo was taken last weekend at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Wisdom

July 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Intelligence…understanding…insight…perception…discernment. Wisdom is developed through experience and learning. Intelligence without common sense is not wisdom. When we can see beyond the current moment and not have ourselves as the center of everything then we are wise. True wisdom takes humility and a willingness to learn from others, above all else we should remember that any wisdom we have can’t be compared to God’s wisdom and God’s plan. It is up to us to seek Him and His Word to truly learn and grow throughout our lives. We will never know all the answers while we are here and that can be frustrating…but we have every opportunity to seek and to know the One who is and always will be the answer…Jesus. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

We Are Being Transformed

June 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Trials and temptations will come and our faith will be tested…God can use these times to transform us into something new. Take a look at James 1:2-18 for more about this.

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Moument in New Mexico)

With God In Control…

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can be conquerors of sin…we can overcome obstacles…we can be blessed with wisdom to find our way. If we are willing to cast our worries and burdens on Him and trust His love for us anything is possible. There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love and God’s plan for us. Believe and you will receive. Amen.

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