Living Hope

July 18, 2022 / 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, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

1 Peter 1:3-9 NIV

Praise the Lord…He is always with you even when you don’t think about it. God has provided a well-spring of hope through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ to save us. Even though we do not deserve it God has forgiven us by His grace and we may have peace that surpasses all understanding. Praise the Lord.

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“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36 NIV

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

The Truth About Love Is Actions

July 17, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

The truth about what and who we love comes forth through our actions and behaviors. Love is so much more than feelings. We can say what we love, yet it is what we do that tells the story. With who and where we choose to spend our time shows what we value most. Take time to reflect on your daily life and see what your actions and behaviors tell you about what you love. No matter what you find, pray about it and ask God to lead and guide…after all His Actions and the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on the Cross confirms how much He loves you.

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“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

He Knows My Name

July 16, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

God knows you. He created you and He wants to have a close relationship with you. Don’t let the world define your value. You are God’s child…He sent His only Son down from heaven to save you from sin and evil. He is waiting to hear from you. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer today…He is with you, He loves you and He knows what you are facing each day.

He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli

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“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! ²But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

John 10:1-2 NLT

(This photo was taken this morning at sunrise Satruday, July 16th 2022 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

God’s Consistent Character

July 15, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Malachi 3:6 NIV

God is faithful and trustworthy. He keeps His promises…He is consistent in character for all generations. All good things come from the Lord.

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

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

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

He Is My Strength

July 14, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord gives me strength. He is like a shield that keeps me safe.
My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart jumps for joy.
With my song I praise him.”

Psalm 28:7 NIRV

A close relationship with the Lord is uplifting, encouraging and provides strength to us. God has told us we will get knocked down in this world and yet He is always there to help us up…to guide us and keep us going. All things are possible with Him, even when…especially when we can’t see which way to go.

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“He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.”

Psalm 40:2 NIV

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

Listen And Be Patient

July 13, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

James 1:19-20 NIV

What is the Lord trying to teach you? When we experience success, we give thanks and when we experience difficulty and failure we should turn to Lord and ask Him what do we need to learn from this situation? The thing about asking God about anything…you have to be ready to listen and maybe wait patiently for His reply. Trust in the Lord and He will guide you…you just need to remember to listen and be patient.

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“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.”

James 5:7-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Word Of God

July 12, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Keep God’s Word close to your heart…read it, memorize it, use it to pray and let it lead and guide you in your daily life. It is more than something to consider once a week on Sunday morning and put away for everything else. God is the God of everything, every aspect of life…trust in the Lord no matter what and keep the Word of God in your heart and mind.

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2022 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Stay Committed In Faith

July 9, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Success in life is most often tied to commitment…when you learn the details of a success story there is always a moment or moments along the way that a person had to make a choice to stay committed to a vision or mission in order to see it through. It is a willingness to commit that leads to success in relationships and our everyday life. When we reflect on our lives, we all are committed to something right now…what is it for you? Then ask the question how does that commitment tie into my faith and my relationship with God?

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

A Light In The Darkness

July 7, 2022 / 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

The world is filled with darkness…we all are searching for a way to see more clearly…many of us have been told about The Light of Life and some of us have even spent time looking for it…yet often we get distracted and look to other things and believe we don’t need it or doubt that The Light is really there. Believe in Jesus Christ, He is The Light of the world. Only He can shine as The Light in this dark world…seek Him and you will see. Amen.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Do Not Be Overcome

July 6, 2022 / 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

The bible tells us that we will have trouble in this world…and it states clearly that we can persevere through trials and temptations. The bible also gives us examples of others who lived and suffered and how they interacted with God and lived their lives with faith. At times it wasn’t pretty, they didn’t live lives that were sweet and easy all the time. Read about Abraham and Sarah, read about Joseph in Genesis. Look through the pages of David’s life in 1 Samuel. Take time to read about the life of Jesus. Yes, there are struggles, trials and suffering and living a life of faith and in God’s love doesn’t mean these will disappear…what it does mean is you will receive the courage and the hope to get through the difficult times. Do not be overcome by darkness and evil look to God, pray and you will see hope. Amen.

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