Facing Trials

March 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are not made to do this on our own…so many people try to go it alone. We need faith and a belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We need a community of believers to pray with us and for us. Every trial can provide growth in our relationship with Jesus. The trials will keep coming, that is just part of what we are facing in this fallen world. There is hope, there is joy and there can be peace if you believe in God and trust Him with your life. He has shown His love for us through the sacrifice of His One and Only Son. Whatever are you are facing today…take it to the Lord in prayer. Amen.

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

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Christ Died For Us

March 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we read about the life of Jesus in the Bible, we hear about how His presence alone was powerful. When He spoke it captured the attention of anyone around, it didn’t matter if what He was saying was making them feel good or made them feel fearful, everyone listened intently. Something was different about this man, He was more different from any other person. Then there were the miracles…healing the sick, feeding the hungry, bringing the dead back to life. He was a friend to those that society had cast aside and He could see people in a way that no one else could. He was God in human form and He came down from heaven to save us. Before He began His public ministry, a ministry He knew would end with His death on earth…He spent 40 days in the desert fasting. As of yesterday, we have entered a similar 40 day period…how will we take time to connect with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord over the next 40 days? May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Our Plans…His Plan

March 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey can feel like a repetitive cycle. We read God’s Word, we go to worship, we listen and learn. We believe we understand and will now go and live according to what we have learned…then as humans tend to do, we try to take control and go off our own way and end up frustatred and wonder what happened? Then it’s back to God’s Word and going to worship, etc. How can this cycle be broken? When we get to a point where we are about to take some form of action, something that we normally would do, we need to pause, step aside and pray. Ask God what do you want me to do here? Ask Him to give us wisdom according to His plan and then wait and listen. It could be we are spending a siginificant amount of our time on something God never intended for us to be doing. The only way to find out is between you and Him. Seek the will of the Lord for your life and live. Amen.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

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

Endurance

March 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Keep going…keep believing…keep praying…listen…observe…endure. God’s Word tells us we will have trouble in this world. Be persistent, seek to do good things, learn from what you have experienced. The next attempt might be the one that breaks through to something greater than you can imagine. There is a new song by an artist named Danny Gokey entitled “Haven’t Seen It Yet” and it provides a perspective about God’s will that many of us need to be reminded of. Don’t give up…God is with you. Amen.

“Haven’t Seen It Yet” by Danny Gokey

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

God’s Purpose For You

March 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

What is it? When was the last time you asked Him, directly? What would it look like to get a direct answer? Or has this question been answered, several times, several ways and we just are not sure or we don’t like what is being said? We were all made for a purpose and it is not always the purpose we think it should be…it actually is something better then what we come up with on our own. To help us understand more about our purpose we should reflect and think about the things that come easy to us that we can do that another person may not be able to do for themselves. Look around your life right where you are…if you are willing, God can use you there too. Seek the will of the Lord for your life because He is with you every step of the way. Amen.

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

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

Contentment

March 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Satisfaction…fulfillment…comfort…well-being…peace…serenity…tranquility. This is not a popular word when it comes to many areas of society. The messages are usually about more, more and more. The perspective of faith encourages us to find contentment with worldly things and use our zeal in life to serve the Lord. To be content does not mean to retract from engaging in or to stop pursuing something rather it is about priorities. God can and does meet our needs, our job is knowing when we have enough and when we receive beyond that it is for us to share with others. May the grace and peace of God be with you. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

What Is The Cost?

March 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The decision we make to follow Christ is ours to make…for free. We have free will, a gift from God. Now what? We need to spend time learning about Jesus, His life and His message and how we can contribute. We need to spend time reading God’s Word, we need to spend time in worship listening and we need to pray. All of these things we help us grow stronger on the inside…on the inside, where selfishness and a desire to serve ourselves first has set-up base camp. Here is where the battle gets difficult…in order to follow Christ we must be willing to make deciesions to deny the desires of self. We must reject the negative thoughts and judgements in our minds, put to rest the anger and the selfish beliefs. This is not an easy thing to do and don’t let anyone tell you it is, this is a battle and a struggle every day. If you don’t believe it, look around the world…what do you see? The decision to follow Jesus Christ is just the beginning…the cost to see it through is the rejection of sin and the sinful nature that the world promotes. May God grant us wisdom, courage and strength to go with us each day. Amen.

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“Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

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

Faith Makes You Stronger

March 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We will have troubles in this world and the troubles will feel relentless. Hold on to your faith and pray. I am sharing lyrics and musical talents of Mandisa this morning, as she is an artist who has had battles just like everyone else and it has led to her sharing her musical talent with the world to remind us that God has us and with Him nothing is impossible. May strength and courage flow through our hearts and minds today. Amen.

Stronger by Mandisa

Overcomer by Mandisa

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 while traveling through South Dakota)

Serve One Another

February 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are comforted by the presence of the Lord in our lives. A life of faith can lead to peace and joy that transcends worldly understanding. As we are fulfilled, we are equipped to help others who are in need. Our growth in our spiritual lives will shape us as a new creation, with new values, a new attitude and a new perspective. God does provide all that we need and it is up to us to use the blessings we receive to care for ourselves, our families and others. We are blessed to be a blessing. Amen.

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Troubles Can Be Overwhelming

February 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our thoughts are often the driver of our hearts and our actions. The more we think about and focus on something, the more likely it will lead us to doing something. The problem is the amount of inputs and sensory overload we are getting from darkness and evil tend to keep us dwelling on our sins and the sinful nature within us. It truly is a struggle and can be all consuming. The only source of Light is Jesus Christ. The only way to get help in removing the blinders to goodness and good things is God’s Word. Faith will not make the evil and darkness disappear, rather it provides the tools and the resources we need to promote the Fruit of the Spirit. Faith helps us shine the Light of Christ for us and others to see in this dark world. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Light of the World. Amen.

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