Guided By The Holy Spirit

April 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we put our trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us grow spiritually. It can be difficult to tune in to the Holy Spirit during the hustle and bustle of daily life but that does not mean God is not present with you. Evil and darkness will go to great lengths to keep us from our connection to God…make time to connect to God’s presence in your life and tune into the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26

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

The Word Of God

April 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Holy Bible…The Good Book…The Scriptures…The Word of Life…The Living Word…the Truth. It is more than a compilation of stories about people who lived thousands of years ago…it is God speaking to us, teaching us principles of life and the story is not over at the end of the Book. It lives on in all of us today because of Jesus Christ…He has risen and He lives! Take time to read and hear the Word of God in your life, you will find the stories about struggles and comfort are very similar to our lives today…the principles are still the same. The reason it is stood the test of time is because it is the Truth. Amen.

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Take Time to Rest

April 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

There is always more we could be doing. More on the checklist of things to do…how many items on our checklist make room for living a balanced life? We seem to prioritize the activities of “getting things done” pretty easily, when do we rest? To be clear sitting still scrolling through social media is not rest. Resting and restoring yourself is about calming your mind, body and spirit…when and how do we rest our minds and emotions? The first step is figuring out what place or environment best provides you the opportunity to calm your mind, your body and your spirit? What time of day or night? The next step is to make it a priority and designate time in your schedule. As always, be sure to include God’s Word and prayer in your time as the only true source of peace in life is Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 sitting by the lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Ask Yourself

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Is this how I would like others to treat me? When we get into interactions and activity we can quickly lose sight of how we are treating other people. Our emotions can blind us to our impact on those around us…the first step to understanding how we are being received is to observe closely the reactions of others to us and the next step then is to ask yourself how would I like someone to treat me in this situation? If more of us would just take a moment to assess ourselves in this way, more often, things would be much different in the world…unfortuantely selfishness, pride and a host of other sins keep getting in the way. Turn towards Jesus in prayer and ask Him to help you open the eyes of your heart. Amen.

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“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31

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

Amazing Love

March 31, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is no one in life that will be able to show us through their actions the love that God has demonstrated for us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. His love endures through every aspect of our lives. Through the greatest joys and through the deepest of sorrows…God’s love is surrounding each one of us. No matter where you are or what is happening turn towards the Lord and you will find comfort in His love. 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 October fo 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

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)

Seek God’s Will

March 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When questions seem never-ending in life, we often look for easy or convenient answers in worldly places. If we just knew all the answers than life would be easy…becareful what you wish for. Easy has never been promised to anyone and even if you think there is a person or people who have it easy than most likely you don’t know the whole story about them or their lives. We all have troubles, we all are broken in some way. The one constant, the only thing that we know we can count on is God’s love. He is our Creator, He knows everything about our lives and His plan is far better than anything we can cook up ourselves. Seek God’s will for your life and you will find peace. Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

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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