Saved By Christ

April 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A sacrifice…an offering of redemption…grace…mercy…humility…love…Savior. There is nothing or no one in our lives as compassionate as Jesus Christ. He lived a life on earth just like everybody else…only He suffered more than anyone else and He did it knowing it was going to happen the whole time. He offered Himself up to take the punishment we all deserve and He did it to save you and to save me. Give thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Spiritual Battle

April 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The goal of the prince of darkness is to turn us away from God and keep us focused on other things. He will use everything and anything available in this effort. The more we choose the distractions and the less time and effort we spend on our relationship with Jesus and reading God’s Word the easier his job becomes. God knows all about this battle and He provides us weapons of faith to fend off these attacks. Take a look at Ephesians 6:10-18 and you will learn about the Armor of God. Turn toward God in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, He will guide you during all the events in your life. Amen.

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“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Identity Crisis

March 30, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Who are we trying to be? What are our worries? What are our concerns? Are we pursuing to be who God created us to be? How do we know? Why am I doing this? Where is God? Why is this happening? This is so hard…I don’t know how I got here…I don’t know what to do…

STOP…Pick up a bible

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

How do we know that this is the way…that this is the truth…and this is the life?

“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.”

John 3:16

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Amen.

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Renew Your Mind

March 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A time for daily devotion and reading of God’s Word is critical to feeding your spiritual life. It helps with perspective, attitude and gratitude, it can be a guide to living if we are willing to take time to know Him who saved us. Jesus Christ is the center of our faith, He sacrificed everything to save us…we do not deserve God’s mercy and grace and yet He loves us so much that He offers it to us anyways. We are sinful, but we are redeemed because of Jesus. Renew your mind with God’s Word and a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Acknowledge Your Mistakes

March 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Mistakes and errors will happen, we all will make them, it is guaranteed because we are broken. We need strength and courage that only comes from Christ to admit to our mistakes, to acknowledge them and then strive to do better. If we spend our time always trying to conceal or hide things all we are doing is delaying the inevitable truth. The best that we can do when we make mistakes is to be open and honest about them and learn from them…the truth is failure is not an end it is just one step closer to success for those who won’t give up. Trust in the Lord and you will be amazed at what you can learn. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, his is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

The Greatness Of God

March 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Good morning and peace be with you. The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today. There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son. Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day. Amen.

The song I share today was just released early this year…

The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys

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“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

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

Patience

March 21, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Here is where I struggle in life…I know we all face trials in life but oh man, patience is where I need help every day. I find it ironic that I depend so greatly on God’s patience with me because I have so much growing yet to do. God’s Word is a big help and reading daily helps to renew and restore my perspective and attitude. Here is the lesson that I need to keep learning…it’s not about me. We face troubles and trials all the time and how we handle these things can indicate how much we truly believe in the faith we profess. One of the most incredible people in the Bible to me is Job…talk about perseverance and a faith so strong it could survive such devastation and destruction, amazing. I pray we all can develop the patience and perseverance provided by faith…no matter what we may face in this world. Amen.

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Light Of Life

March 19, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When the power goes out or we enter a place or a room that is dark…what do our instincts tell us to do? Search for a light, why? So we can see our surroundings and the way to move forward. This is exactly the reaction we should have when our life feels like we are in the dark or surrounded by darkness. Search for the Light, the Light of Christ to help us to see and to guide us forward. So many of us stay in the darkness and spend days, weeks, months or even years trying to find our way around in the dark and we wonder why life is so hard? Follow the instincts that God has placed inside you…seek the Light of Life so that you can see. Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Jesus

March 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are saved because of Him. We are forgiven. We can find joy, peace and contentment in life because of Him. Even when we have turned away from God, maybe for long period of time because we are frustrated or mad at God or we have been over come with doubt and fear. He calls to us, He cares for us and He is The Way back to a relationship with God. The things of this world will come and go…time, money, people and friendships. The one constant for us, the one thing we know we can rely upon no matter what is happening or where we are in life…we can always rely on the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Our Faith And Our Actions

March 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These two things are linked and interwoven together. If we focus on only one without the other we are not complete. A faith journey can begin on the inside, molding and shaping our thoughts and our attitude, as we grow, we begin to show what we have learned in our actions and our behaviors towards others. We have had the best example possible set for us in the life of Christ. He not only spoke the Words of faith and taught others, he went out and lived it…He befriended the hurting, the sick, the lonely and the mistreated and came to bring healing to our broken world. When we are able to join our faith and our actions they feed us, help us to grow and bring joy and peace. Amen.

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