Love God, Love People

July 19, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Father God, we know You are faithful and good. You have given us new life and love us as Your children. You are with us on our best days, and You carry us through the worst. Please continue to show us how You are working in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Help us focus on loving and honoring You while loving and serving others. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

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

Our Refuge

July 18, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your strength in us. Because of Your work in our lives, we are not defeated by the darkness in the world around us! Help us to remember that You overcame he who is in the world. You live in us, which means we can share in Your victory. Help us to remember who You are and all that You have done. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

Joy Because Of Who God Is

July 17, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”

Isaiah 49:13 NIV

We can have Joy because God is who He says He is

God’s character, His love, His grace, His mercy, His compassion and the comfort of His presence are reasons to celebrate and praise Him

We can have Joy when we choose to believe in Him and have a personal relationship with Him

Seek the Lord and you will know Joy

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

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

Ask…Believe…Receive

July 16, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:6-8 NIV

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

John 14:12-14 NIV

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“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:24 NIV

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

Trust…Rest

July 15, 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

Father God, it is easy for us to worry about circumstances in our lives. Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control. Today, we are trusting in Your protection, provision and plans for us. Because we know You care about every need and desire we have-we know we can rest. Give us peace as we give You control of our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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

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

The Name Of Jesus

July 13, 2024 / 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

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Pray…Find Peace

July 11, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

Prayer is available to us anytime, anywhere

It is not a wishing well, rather it is a foundational element in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ

It is about communication with God about all things, good and bad

It is listening, sharing your joys and your worries and most importantly, it is your path to peace

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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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.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:12-15 NIV

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

Why Worry?

July 9, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?”

Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

Lord Jesus, I trust You. I do not need to understand everything that is happening – I just need to be still, and know You. You fight for me. You died for me. You are for me. Thank You! You are enough for me, and so I will place my hope, my trust, my joy and my future into Your hands. I believe in You. In Your name, Amen.

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

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

When Trouble Comes…

July 8, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, You are strong and faithful. Thank You for encouraging me through Your Spirit, even when I am struggling. Help me never give up but to continue to follow after You regardless of my circumstances. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)