God Is Greater

March 8, 2024 / 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

Father God, You know what is on my mind and has me distracted and worried. For the things in my past, help me to let them go and to find peace in You. For my current day struggles, guide me to draw near to You and be patient. For my ‘what if’ thoughts about the future, remind me to put my trust in You because You ave overcome this world and You are greater than anything or any situation I will encounter in my life. Thank You God for who You are and all that You do for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Trust In The Lord…Praise Him

March 7, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

Father God, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. You are my source of strength and protection. You guide me and fight for me. When I draw near to You, I have nothing to fear, becasue I know You are in control. Thank You! I put my trust in You and give You praise for who You are. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.”

Psalm 86:12 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Gifts And Serving One Another

March 6, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Father God, remind me what humility and serving others looks like. Thank You for the gifts and blessings You have provided me. Change the way I think and act, and teach me to put others first in a healthy way that honors You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV

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

Our Purpose

March 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Love God

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIRV

Love God and Love Others

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’^[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b]””

Luke 10:27 NIV

The Commission by CAIN

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Share The Good News

“So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ²⁰Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIRV

Love God…Love Other People…Share the Gospel

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

Believe…Trust

March 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³“Truly^[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:22-24 NIV

Father God, I believe in You. No matter what comes my way…I believe You have overcome the world. Even though trouble is all around me, You are my constant source of peace. Nothing is too difficult for You to accomplish. You guide me and protect me. I praise You because You are the One in whom I trust. Thank You for all that You have done and are doing for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Put Your Hope In God

March 1, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!”

Psalm 42:11 NLT

Father God, we know You have a plan for our lives and that You want to bless us. Help us lean into that promise. Sometimes it is hard to see past our present struggles. Fill each of us with Your hope and give us peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

Find Rest by Fracesca Battistelli

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“Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
³⁰Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Joy…Prayer…Gratitude

February 29, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, by Your grace, You have offered each of us a relationship with You. We can be known by You, and we can know You. Thank You for giving us peace that extends beyond our feelings and circumstances. Thank You for protecting us in this dark world. We give You thanks because we can experience joy and find peace with You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken at a State Park in northern Minnesota)

Seek God’s Will

February 23, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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. ¹²Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Father God, thank You for loving us and pursuing a personal relationship with each of us. You are everything to us, and we want to seek You first every day. Please be a part of every decision, every thought, every word, and every action we have. In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Contentment…Gratitude

February 22, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”^[a]

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

God is always with us…if God feels distant, it is because we have wandered off and away from Him. Believe in Jesus, confess your sin and invite Him into your life daily. He will be with you and He will lead and guide you forever. Thanks be to God.

Forever by Michael W. Smith

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1 NIV

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

Peace

February 21, 2024 / 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

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

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Father God, I often find myself consumed by my circumstances that are beyond my control and I am distracted by things that don’t matter. Forgive me for not consistently placing my trust in You. No matter what I face, I know You are still with me. You are the giver of peace, help me remember I can access Your peace whenever I draw near to You. Remind me to make space in my heart and mind to be able to experience Your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

Breathe by Michael W Smith

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