Trust God

January 6, 2024 / 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

Good and Gracious God, You are my source of strength and hope. You are the foundation of my life. With You, all things are possible. I will place my hope in You. Even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, I will put my trust in You. I will not be afraid because You make my life secure. Thank You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken at sunset while traveling in South Dakota)

God’s Timing

January 5, 2024 / 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.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

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“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

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

Character Building

January 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

Father God, I am Your child. Thank You for adopting me into Your eternal family. Please shape my heart. Teach me how to act in a way that honors You in my daily life and circumstances. Help me correct my thoughts and perspective along with any patterns of behavior in my life that displease You. Replace these things with characteristics that show how much I love You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Finally, 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 4:8-9 NIV

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

Wisdom

January 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 NIV

Good and gracious God, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with those who seek it. As we grow closer to You, help us think more like You. Today, we invite You into our decision-making. Help us make wise decisions. Show us how to process challenging circumstances according to Your Word. Allow Your love to flow through us into every area of our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.“

James 3:17 NIV

(This photo was taken on a road trip while traveling through South Dakota)

Reflect with Gratitude, Go Forward with Hope

January 1, 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, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for making a way for me in this life. When I reflect on past events give me an eye for gratitude in all circumstances. Please show me how You are at work in my life. I want to choose to patiently wait on You, becasue I know that You will finish the work You have started in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset by a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Allow Christ to Change You

December 28, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Father God, take back my life. Take my burdens and fears. Replace my insecurities and my anxieties with Your peace. Teach me to trust in Your promises and Your faithfulness. Restore my joy and give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Lord, I want to be different. In Jesus name, Amen.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

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

God’s Faithfulness

December 27, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You. Thank You for Your presence in our lives. You are always with us even when we are distracted and not paying attention to You. We know that You are always working for our good. Thank You for continuing to protect and strengthen us, help us continue to place our hope and trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

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

A Prayer Of Surrender

December 26, 2023 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“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.”

Romans 12:1 NIV

Father God, help us surrender our ways to You. You can have all of us…every thought, action, behavior and desire. Guide us to Your way in all that we do. Help us listen and obey You. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us so that we can have a personal relationship with You. Take all that we are and help us to be a Light in the World for others all year long. In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

December 24, 2023 / 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, thank You for Your promise of peace. Thank You for sending Your Son to deliver the gift of peace to us. No matter what we face, even though it is uncertain and difficult, we know that You and Your peace are bigger than any problems in our lives. Help us remember that You are good. You came to us as a baby and You have promised to always be with us…and that alone gives us peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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 during a previous Christmas at a place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Trust Because Anything Is Possible

December 23, 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

Father God, I believe in You. No matter what happens or what my circumstances, I believe that You have overcome the world. You are my constant source of peace. I know anything is possible for You, just by looking at Jesus, His birth, His teachings, His death and His resurrection. I praise You because You are the One in whom I can trust. Thank You for sending Jesus and for saving me. I know You are in control and that with You anything is possible. In Jesus name, Amen.

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