Sacrifice

God’s Grace

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

We can’t earn it

We don’t deserve it and yet God offers it to us anyway

God is Holy and God is love

Because He is Holy our sin separates us from Him

He demonstrated His love when He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment we deserve so that we can be reconciled with Him

Choose to believe…confess your sins

Give thanks to God for His amazing grace

DSC_0044 publish

“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 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

God Is Our Refuge

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You

You love us even when we are unlovable

You are good to us even though we don’t deserve it

You are kind and compassionate towards us even when we mess up and get ourselves into trouble

You are our faithful refuge

Thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us!

Remind us of how You have shown up in our lives so that we can intentionally give You praise

In Jesus name, Amen

DSC_1506 publish

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Name Of Jesus

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Father God, You gave us Your Son, the Light of the world

Give us courage and strength to call out His name

Jesus, regardless of what we face, we want to experience a personal relationship with You

Thank You for everything You did and are continuing to do for us

We need You, we believe in You, we trust You and we ask for Your guidance in all things and at all times

  Thank You for Your everlasting love.  In Your Holy name we pray, Amen

I Speak Jesus (Unplugged) by Eagle Brook Music

DSC_0227 publish

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Love That Can Change The World

/ 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. 12 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 4:7-12 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.

IMG_20141016_114917386_HDR publish

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

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

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

In The Midst Of The Storm

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

No matter what is happening…no matter what has gone wrong in your eyes

Our God has promised to never leave you and never to abandon you, so don’t turn away from Him

Don’t ignore Him…seek Him because He is waiting to hear from you always…even in the midst of the storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

DSC_0765 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.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV

DSC_0239 publish

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

How We Treat Each Other

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 NIV

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.“

John 15:12-13 NIV

You will get what you give in this life

God’s Word gives clear instructions and Jesus lived the example we can follow

Love and serve one another

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at St. Croix State Park in northern Minnesota)

Battles Along The Way

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

“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

We are not alone while on this journey of life

No matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is too big for God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Life should come with a warning label given to all at a young age…

WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone

Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory

It is all available for us to read in God’s Word

God made sure we would have the opportunity to see His Word and to know Him

May peace be with you on your journey

Remember turn to God for the battles along the way

dsc07538 publish

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The Son Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

Jesus is ‘The Way’ to God

The world, our flesh and Satan will all attempt to lead us astray

No matter where you are

No matter what has happened to you or in your life

Turn in prayer to Jesus…trust in Him

The Son of God is waiting to hear from you

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day

DSC_0323 publish

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

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

The Narrow Path

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:5-6 NIV

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Luke 13:24 NIV

DSC06941 publish

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(Thsi photo was taken in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)