Overcome Trouble

March 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The battles are many and they are different for all of us. The darkness and evil of this world are constantly attacking us and everyone is fighting a battle of some sort…chose to overcome trouble, believe in Jesus Christ. He has fought this fight and He has overcome the trouble of this world. Stay strong in the battle find courage, strength, wisdom, peace and hope in the only One who can provide it, your Savior and Lord. Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in southern Coilorado)

With Hope

March 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The world looks at hope as wishful thinking, unrealistic or a daydream. The biblical definition of hope seems to be more like a confidence and belief in what God has promised and trust in His faithfulness. We may not ever fully understand or be able to comprehend things while we are here, yet with hope, provided by Jesus Christ we know that anything is possible. Be patient, be persistent, keep doing good things and believe with hope that comes only from God. Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Jesus Comforts Us

March 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you read the red letters in the bible, the very words of Jesus, He often spoke in a way that was comforting to others. Sometimes He needed to be firm and many times He had to repeat Himself, yet His overwhelming presence was comforting. He knows what it is like to live as a human on earth…He has experienced childhood, teenage years and interactions of many kinds during His life…He knows about weddings, friendships, helping others, betrayal, frustrations, temptations, pain and suffering and death. He knows what is happening in your life…today. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and you will find comfort. Amen.

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

John 14:1

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

We Are Not Alone

February 13, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight. God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times. Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him. Amen.

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Contentment

February 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What are we seeking in our daily lives? We all have needs and wants…at what point are we content with what we have? Ready to share any abundance we have received? This goes well beyond the financial status of our lives…though many of us get stuck on that one…the truth is if we are looking for contentment in the things of this world we will be disappointed as true contentment will not be found in money, a job or career, any human relationship or any amount of power or position…it can only be found in a relationship with God. Spend time in your relationship with Jesus Christ, read God’s word and you will give yourself the opportunity to know contentment that only comes from God. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

1 Timothy 6:6-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)

He Is Our Hope And Peace

January 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our Hope…

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Our Peace…

“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

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(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin. The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

Hope

January 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again. Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope. If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck? Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought? If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope. Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Renew

December 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To speak about faith as a journey is to remind us that it is ongoing…it is not a one-time event or ceremony…it is not something to ‘check the box’ as done and move on. It is a journey of good times and hard times. It is a daily recognition that we are broken and sinful and we live in a fallen world…it is about learning to surrender your plans to God and His plan…it is about finding the best version of you that God intended for your life. Pick up a bible every day and renew your faith for your journey. Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while standing on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Merry Christmas

December 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life…with Christ you will know Hope, you will know Peace, you will know Joy and you will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you.

May we all see and know God’s blessings in our lives this Christmas and carry them with us all through the New Year. Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime by Michael W Smith

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:11-14

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Forgiveness And For Goodness

December 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These are the presents we receive from God, not only at Christmas, we receive these every day of our lives. It is up to us to accept these gifts and to trust in the Lord. We are forgiven because of Jesus Christ and we receive goodness from God’s Holy Spirit within us. All throughout the bible the miracles performed included Jesus involving someone else in completing the miracle. An example would be the little boy who had the fish and bread, that was to be multiplied for all to eat. God wants us to accept the gift of forgiveness from Jesus and to open our hearts and minds to the goodness of the Holy Spirit and God wants each of us to participate in the story. God loves you; God forgives you and He is ready to lead you to good things. Accept these gifts from God. Amen.

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