All Things Are Possible With God

November 15, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: ²⁷“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NIV

Nothing we face in this life is too big for God…Nothing

No matter what, no matter who, no matter where…all things are possible with God

Put your hope and your trust in the Lord and see the good that He will do.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 ESV

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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo was taken near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Amazing Grace

November 14, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. ²¹But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²²This righteousness is given through faith in^[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:20-24 NIV

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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“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.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)

Seek First His Kingdom

November 6, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Living a life with faith first…it sounds so simple, yet life in the world is hard

The Bible is a great guide for life…the world will tell you it is not

There are those who believe it is an outdated book filled with stories that are more like fairy tales

People say the world is so different now than when it was written that it is not applicable to life today

That is exactly what Satan wants us to think

The fact is the Bible is the truth, based on actual events…it is the Word of God

Take time to read it every day and it will change your life

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“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

(This photo was taken while driving in northern Colorado)

Perspective

November 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude

What feeds your perspective? What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?

What experience or experiences are framing your view? All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude

If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world

The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective on your life

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

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

Is He Worthy?

November 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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. For 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

As we travel on the journey of faith, we will encounter questions and doubts along the way

That is natural and it is ok

We need to remember that the one simple truth of faith is that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to save us and reconcile us to God because He loves us

His love for us will conquer every battle in our lives

He is worthy of our thanks and praise

Thank you God, for your Son Jesus Christ!

Is He Worthy? by Chris Tomlin

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“In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Let Jesus Lead The Way

October 31, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.“

Psalm 23:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

His Love Endures Forever

October 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.”

Psalm 145:8 NIV

Trouble will come…we will experience suffering and loss in this world…yet we do not need to have fear and we do not need to be afraid

We are loved by God with a love that is greater than anything we face

Pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and our Lord, meet with Him every day…

He sacrificed everything to save you because He loves you and His love will endure forever

Forever by Michael W Smith

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

Psalm 136:1 NIV

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

Today

October 8, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 ESV

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“God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”^[d]

Hebrews 4:7 NIV

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

Thankfulness

October 7, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15 NIV

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.