His Sacrifice, Our Salvation

January 26, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31 NIV

Nobody loves us as much as God loves us…Jesus gave up heaven with the Father to come down to earth as one of us…from the glory of the angels singing to a manger as a baby on earth, to save us, yet there was no room for Him. Make room for Him in your heart, seek Him and trust in God. He loves you and wants good things for you. Amen.

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

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

Attitude Of Gratitude

January 25, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Psalm 46:1 NIV

He will never leave you. He is with you, He is for you. No matter what happens, give thanks to God and strive to focus on choosing an attitude of gratitude.

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“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

God’s Faithfulness

January 24, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

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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.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Peace From God

January 23, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

If you are wondering about having peace from God in your life there is only one Way to receive it…Jesus Christ. He sacrificed Himself to death on the Cross to reconcile us with God. This was God’s plan to save us from our sin and from separation from Him. If you are looking for peace from God, be still, have faith in Jesus, seek Him and you will find peace.

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
⁴Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

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

It Takes Courage…

January 22, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Courage is not the absence of fear…Courage is the willingness to move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. Having courage is placing your trust in God ahead of fear…it is about not allowing fear to stop you or defeat you. It takes courage to seek the Light…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and where can you find strength for courage? In a relationship with Jesus Christ. There you will find joy, peace, patience, and strength for courage. Seek Him and His will and live with hope from God. Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Encourage One Another

January 21, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

Receive encouragement from the Holy Spirit and be renewed by spending time with God and reading God’s Word. God’s love is for all of us and we are created to love God and to love others. Let His love flow through you and be encouraging for others with your words and your actions. Encourage one another.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”^[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Gifts And Serving One Another

January 20, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Each person is unique is some way. Everyone has a different combination of strengths and abilities. No individuals were made to stand alone or to be isolated from the community. We are designed to work together to use our blessings to help fulfill the needs of others and for others to help fulfill our needs. The things that get in the way are sin…pride and selfishness, judgement and favoritism…these exist in everyone on all sides of every issue. Each of us should assess ourselves and understand what are our strengths and gifts to offer…the important thing to remember is the value of our gifts in God’s eyes not value according to the world’s perspective…because even if what we can offer will change life for just 1 or a few other people, we are still changing the world for good in the eyes of God. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 while driving near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)

Learn And Share God’s Word

January 19, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The law of the Lord is perfect,

    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
⁸The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
⁹The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:7-11 NIV

Consistent, daily study of God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth. Any relationship needs time spent together to grow…spend time with God and with God’s Word. Amen.

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“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

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

Listen

January 18, 2023 / 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

Seeking help…it is hard to do for many of us. First step, admit we need help. Second step, seek assistance…first from God and then from others that God puts in our lives. Last step, listen…the first two are hard enough for many of us, if we get to the last step we often lose focus…we need to listen. We often spend our listening time preparing our response instead of truly listening. We can miss God’s will for us if we fail to listen. May we all be better listeners in our daily walk. Amen.

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“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Ask, Seek, Knock…

January 17, 2023 / 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

Prayer and communication with God on a daily basis are key elements on your faith journey. Prayer includes confessing our sins, expressing gratitude, listening and asking. Keeping in mind that God is not a wishing well…rather He is your friend, your guide, your confidant. He knows about every aspect of your life and He still loves you…so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son in order to reconcile you with Him. God loves you…He is with you…He is wating to hear from you.

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