Rest And Renew

November 20, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

We are not in control of what happens in the world…the daily news and events make that abundantly clear. The only thing we can control is how we choose to respond to things that do happen.

The best thing we can do is turn towards Jesus…believe in Him, confess our sins and do our best to live according to God’s Word. Give thanks to the Lord. We don’t know and can’t control what will happen tomorrow yet we can trust in Him who sits on the throne of heaven. It is by drawing near to Him we can find rest and be renewed.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Thanksgiving In How We Live

November 19, 2023 / 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 because He loves you. He has risen…He is alive and wants to help you in this life and He wants to spend eternity with you.

Give thanks to Jesus, not only with words but with actions and your behavior…choose to live your life every day with a thankful heart.

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.“

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

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

Trust In The Lord

November 18, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Instead of trying to control things beyond your reach…put your trust in the Lord.

Trust His way…trust His timing and trust the outcome to Him who has done more for you than any person in your life. He is with you, He is for you. Trust in the Lord.

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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 NIV

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

God’s Unfailing Love

November 14, 2023 / 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. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear 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 4:7-12 NIV

God’s love is everything for us…there is nothing like it and there is nothing on earth that can separate us from it. Take time to worship and praise Him for His unfailing love.

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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8 NIV

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

Redeemer

November 12, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I know that my redeemer^[c] lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”^[d]

Job 19:25 NIV

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. No matter what has transpired in our lives, He is our Redeemer and He is alive and He lives in us.

Redeemer by Nicole C Mullen

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“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2022 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

God Is Greater

November 11, 2023 / 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

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

1 John 3:20 NIV

What is it in your life that you think is overwhelming or impossible to overcome…God is greater. No matter what your circumstances, 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 things in the past, the present or the future…God is greater than all things and He is with you right now. Turn towards Him, talk to Him and trust in Him.

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“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.“

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

Come To The Lord

November 9, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

There is only one place to find the answers we seek and that is with the Lord. He is good, His love endures forever. He wants a relationship with us. Nothing is impossible for Him.

He is greater than any issue or circumstances in our lives…no matter what it is you are facing come to the Lord.

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship by Phillips, Craig and Dean

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Love That Can Change The World

November 8, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Jesus came down from heaven and sacrificed Himself on the Cross…He did it for you…He did it because He loves you and wants a relationship with you! Give thanks to Him, chose to love God and love others…this is what God wants us to do.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

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

Jesus

November 7, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ²This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. ³In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.“

1 John 5:1-5 NIV

What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2022 at Temperance State Park along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Power In The Name Of Jesus

November 6, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

When life is difficult and frustrating, where do we get the ability to move forward? What could possibly renew us? What makes some people so resilient? It has been my experience that there is only one thing powerful enough to lift us up out of any tragedy or trial…and His name is Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus Christ in the way to strength in the battle and rest when we are weary. To experience His presence, we must do our part and be willing to spend time in devotions and prayer building our relationship with Him. God made a promise, He will never leave you nor forsake you and He always keeps His promises. Invite Jesus into your heart and into your life daily and you will be renewed each day. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster

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