God Is Greater Than __________

July 6, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5 NIV

Feel free to finish that title with anything you want…God is greater

No matter what you can think of, our God is greater

This means whatever is on your mind, whatever is pulling on you or keeping you distracted, whatever burden you are carrying…

God is greater than that issue, that problem, that worry, that concern, that guilt or shame

It doesn’t matter if we are are talking about the past, the present or the future…

God is greater than all things and He is with you right now

What is it that you need to remind yourself that God is greater than?

Turn towards Him, talk with Him and trust in Him

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20 NIV

“You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

God Is Love

July 5, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:8 NIV

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:11 NIV

GOD is Love

God IS Love

God is LOVE

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1 John 4:16-21 NIV

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

Friendships

July 2, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

¹³Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13 NIV

Being a friend means listening…just listening

Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own

Being a friend means making time to be together

Friends can share thoughts…

Thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment

Being a friend means laughing together…often

Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to bear alone

A friendship is a give and take relationship…

If your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer

This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…

Your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…

We all have a friend in Jesus

Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…

It is the one friendship that will definitely last forever

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:15 NIV

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

Be Thankful…Be Content

July 1, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

Jesus Christ suffered and died for you and me because He loves us

He has risen

He is alive and wants to help us in this life and prepare us to spend eternity with Him

Give thanks to Jesus

Not only with words but also with how you choose to live your life every day

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV

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

Think About Him…

June 27, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us. ²Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³He made it through these attacks by sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.“

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIRV

When you are tired and run down or discouraged and defeated, think about Him…

When you are frustrated or angry with others, think about Him…

When you feel like there is no hope, think about Him…

Think about Him who endured death on a cross between two thieves…

Think about Him who was spit on and had a crown of thorns pushed onto His head…

Think about Him who had His beard plucked out and gave His back to the whip…

And think about Him who gave His blood and His life

He did it all for us

He did it because He loves us and He wants good things for us

Rather than focus on the things of this world

Turn your attention towards Him and give Him thanks for who He is and what He has done

And you will find peace

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Peace Is Found With God

June 25, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

Father God, it is so easy for us to worry about the circumstances in our lives

Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control

Help us trust in Your provision, protection and plans for our lives

Because we know You care about every need and desire we have…we know we can rest in You

Give us peace as we let go of circumstances that we can’t control and put ourselves into Your hands

In Jesus name, Amen

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise at a lake in central Minnesota)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

June 24, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

“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

“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.

¹¹“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
¹²Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
¹³For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV

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

Prayer Is Powerful

June 23, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.“

James 5:13-15 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous one is powerful and effective.”

James 5:16 NIV

(This photo was taken near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)

God’s Faithfulness

June 20, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

Father God, even in the midst of many troubles, You are faithful

When we are tired, overwhelmed, burnt out or grieving, Your love still covers us

Thank You for showing us kindness and mercy every day

Your steadfast love endures forever

Great is Your faithfulness!

In Jesus name, Amen

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Patience and Persistence

June 19, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”