Seek Him And His Kingdom

October 21, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world. Give us courage and strength to follow Him. Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him. Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else. In Jesus name, Amen.

We Believe by Newsboys

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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 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Courage…Patience

October 18, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

The pace of world keeps getting faster with new technologies all being offered in the name of convenience

Yet God is the same today as He was over two thousand years ago, He does not change according to popular opinion

His timing is perfect, our timing and our plans are based on our worldly desires

God is with you and God is for you

He is working in your life, even if you can’t see it

Have the courage to trust in the Lord and wait for Him to lead and guide you

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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 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Living Hope Perspective

October 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

The hope we receive from Christ is a hope that knows and believes that Christ lives and that God is for us and working for our good, even when, especially when the visible evidence is against it

The hope from God’s Word tells us to not give up or surrender to sin and doubt, rather know that God is with us and we can trust in Him

Not for the things we believe we should have but for the things God knows that we need

May we all place our trust in the God of hope in our daily lives

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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 NIV

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

Our Source Of Strength

September 26, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13 NIV

“Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
²but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

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

Spirit of Truth

September 21, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

John 16:13 NIV

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth

Put your trust in the Lord and His will for your life…His will may not be what you have often thought your life is all about…yet God is the Creator and knows what is best for you

Stay close to the Lord and spend time with Him, be in His Word and the Spirit of Truth will guide you

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“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Beware The Enemy

August 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

Father God, clothe me today so I am dressed to withstand whatever spiritual and emotional battles come my way. Thank you for Jesus: the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you for Your protection and for allowing us to have peace with You and others because of our Savior, Jesus. In His name, Amen.

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“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹²they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”

Psalm 91:9-13 NIV

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

God Is Greater Than _________

July 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

No matter what you are facing in life

No matter what circumstances you encounter

No matter how bad the tragedy or trauma that has occurred

No matter what…God is bigger than that ____________

God is greater than anything you will ever encounter in this life

Believe it and put your faith, your hope and your trust in Jesus Christ

What is it in your life you need to remind yourself that God is greater than?

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
²⁶it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

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

He Knows

July 14, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
²You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.”

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

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

When Trouble Comes…

July 8, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, You are strong and faithful. Thank You for encouraging me through Your Spirit, even when I am struggling. Help me never give up but to continue to follow after You regardless of my circumstances. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)