He Will Renew Their Strength

May 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…looking for answers and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord. Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit. The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place. Amen.

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

A Solid Foundation

April 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we stand on the foundation of faith and a personal relationship with God, we can trust that where we stand is firm ground and even though all around us is uncertainty, fear and anxiety we are held by God’s love and we will be guided through the troubling times if we stay close to Jesus and God’s word. The only solid foundation we will find in this life is with God. May His peace be with you. Amen.

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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Be Present

March 31, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Stay alert of your thoughts, words and actions. It is so easy to slide down a dark path and to be led astray by temptations. Keep the Word of God in your heart and verses will come to mind when you need them most. When an opportunity presents itself, share your faith and what you believe respectfully. Trust in the Lord, He is with you. Amen.

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“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist 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 5:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Overcome Trouble

March 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The battles are many and they are different for all of us. The darkness and evil of this world are constantly attacking us and everyone is fighting a battle of some sort…chose to overcome trouble, believe in Jesus Christ. He has fought this fight and He has overcome the trouble of this world. Stay strong in the battle find courage, strength, wisdom, peace and hope in the only One who can provide it, your Savior and Lord. Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in southern Coilorado)

God’s Presence

December 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Courage…comfort…strength…persevering…secure…enduring. In the bible we are told we will have trouble in this world. All of us will be in a battle of some kind…we are also told that God will be with us every step of the way. There have never been any promises that life will be easy and even if you think someone has an easy life, they may be fighting a battle you know nothing about. Thanks be to God for His presence in our lives, in your prayers give Him thanks…if it is hard to see where He is working or what He is up to in your life, pray that you can look at things with new eyes and a new perspective. No matter what the situation…God is with you and He knows what you are going through, today and every day. May His peace wash over you. Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Faith Over Fear

November 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When facing struggles and suffering, we have a choice to act based on our faith or on our fears. Choose faith. Fear is a weapon of evil and a powerful one. When given the opportunity, faith can conquer fear. As with most things there is a certain amount of fear that is healthy, protective instinct and we all need that level for personal safety. An unhealthy level of fear is destructive and paralyzing and keeps us from the life God intends for us. Bring your fears to the Lord and let your faith be greater than your fear. Amen.

Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams

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“Do 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 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico)

Courage

November 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A life if faith is not easy and we were never promised it would be…in fact the bible is clear that we all will face troubles in this world. Everyone is facing a battle of some kind and it takes courage to stand in faith and live with God at the center of your life. God knows our difficulties and struggles and Jesus lived as a man on earth for over 30 years and knows all too well the ways of the fallen world. Turn towards Jesus Christ, trust in Him to guide your life and stand firm on the foundation of your faith. Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Strength

September 19, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All that we need is provided by God. It is easy to give up and believe that something is never going to change or get better and frankly the majority of people do exactly that…the strength to keep working for good comes from God. Reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer renews your spirit and your mind. When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and we see what He has done, we know that God is working for our good in all things…do not give up…whatever it is, whoever it is…don’t give up…bring it to the Cross of Christ. Amen.

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“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Strength For The Weary

July 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the amazing things about faith is its power to give us the courage, the endurance, the patience and the perseverance to keep trying, to keep learning and to keep believing in hope. Out of the most tragic circumstances that happen because of sin…God can bring about the greatest good. Do you believe it? No matter where you are, no matter what the struggle is in your life, right now…turn towards Jesus in prayer, seek Him and believe in the Him. Do it every day and you will find courage, you will find patience, you will persevere and you will find peace. May we all be strengthened by our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Isaiah 40:28-29

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Our Hope Is Found

May 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In Christ alone. We are saved by His sacrifice, His mercy and His grace. Give thanks to God for all that is good. We can search high and low and all over this world for peace but our source of strength and hope and true peace will be found in Christ Alone. Look for where God is at work in your life today. Amen.

In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell

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