prayer

The Holy Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

John 16:12-15 NIV

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

DSC_0975 publish

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

John 14:26 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

A Spiritual Journey…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV

“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. 2 Do 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

DSC07425 publish

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

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

Worry And Anxiety

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Lord Jesus offers to walk with us through every part of our lives…the past, the present and the future

If we are willing to believe and trust in Him…He will be with us no matter what

Regarding our past…

“ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

Colossians 2:13-14 NIV

For our current worries…

“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

For our anxiety about the future…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

These are just a few of the assurances and promises the Lord has made…

The Bible is filled with the very words of Jesus Christ telling us how much He cares for us and how far He is willing to go to show us His love

Trust in the Lord, read God’s Word and pray to our heavenly Father regarding all your worries and anxiety

DSC_0664 publish

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

God’s Love Changes Lives

/ 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. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1 John 4:7-11 NIV

God’s love is the most powerful thing in the world

Nothing can compare to it

No matter where you are, no matter what has happened or is happening in your life

God’s love can change what you believe is impossible

Trust Him, seek His Word, believe, confess your sins and surrender you ways for His way

Nothing is impossible with God

DSC_0661 publish

“No 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 4:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Our Help…Our Guide

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1 NIV

The evil in this world wants to distract and discourage you…

It wants you to turn you away from God

Not aggressively, slowly…methodically…in a way only the great deceiver can carry out

Don’t be misled, don’t believe the lies…look to God in prayer with everything

Nothing in your life is too small or insignificant to talk to God about…

That’s what evil wants you to believe

Turn to God in faith and trust His way

Let the Word of God be your guide to living the best you can in everything…every day

DSC_0001 (2) publish

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken along the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

Trust In God…He Is Our Strength

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.“

Psalm 28:7 NIV

A close relationship with the Lord is uplifting, encouraging and provides strength to us

God has told us we will get knocked down in this world and yet He is always there to help us up

To guide us and keep us going

All things are possible with Him, even when…especially when we can’t see which way to go

I trust in God

Trust In God (feat Chris Brown and Isaiah Templeton) by Elevation Worship

DSC_0207 publish

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.“

Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

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

He Won’t Fail

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes

DSC_0226 (2) publish

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.“

Psalm 18:2 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)

The Spirit Within You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, 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 14:23-26 NIV

“Do you not know that you[a] are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV

DSC_0226 publish

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

He Knows You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

God knows you

He created you and He wants to have a close relationship with you

Do you know Him?  Or do you just know about Him?

Don’t let the world define who you are

You are God’s child…He sent His only Son down from heaven to save you from sin and evil

He is waiting to hear from you

Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer today…

He is with you, He loves you and He knows what you are facing each day

He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli

PXL_20220716_104252803.PORTRAIT publish

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Wherever You Go…God Is With You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.“

Psalm 23:1-4 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.“

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

DSC_1554 publish

“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

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)