Freedom According To God’s Word

March 4, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] ¹⁵If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

There Is Freedom by Josh Baldwin

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“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants^[a] of God.”

1 Peter 2:16 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Rise Up

February 26, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The bible states things very clearly…it doesn’t say you may or might face trouble in this world, no…it is clear that we will face trouble and hardship. Jesus gives us the bad news and then immediately gives us the Good News when He says…

“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

He tells us take heart, which means be strong, be courageous and today rise up from the ashes of trouble and suffering because He is with you. Trust the words of Jesus, believe and Rise Up! Amen.

Rise Up by CAIN

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“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
²See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
³Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

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

Finding Joy

February 24, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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.”

John 15:9-11 NIV

Father God, we praise You for Your everlasting love. Sometimes life is hard and all we can see is darkness and death. Help us remember Your promises and that You are at work, even when we can’t see it. Please give us rest and the courage to find joy through You and Your Word. We know You are faithful and that You have already won the battle through Jesus and His death and resurrection. Thank You Father God! Amen.

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park on Madeline Island in Lake Superior)

His Way Is Better Than Our Ways

February 13, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Father God, please instruct us and teach us as we seek to live a life that honors You. Guide us into our calling, and lovingly correct our mistakes. We know You are good and You are working for good in our lives. Thank You for listening to us and never giving up on us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken while walking the dog in a neighborhood near Plymouth, MN)

God’s Promises

February 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.“

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Father God, Your Word is filled with promises for my life. Often times my circumstances distract me from Your faithfulness. As I read and re-read Your promises fill me with comfort and peace that surpasses understanding because I believe You are working for good at all times. In Jesus name, Amen.

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

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

Humility

February 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{14 “}if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Good and Gracious God, please show me the things I am withholding from You. I want to walk humbly with You. Teach me to prioritize Your ways over my ways. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I want to deny my self-centered desires and seek You first. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30 NIV

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

Choose Joy

February 2, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{10 “}If 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.”

John 15:10-11 NIV

Father God, thank You for our constant access to Your presence. Because You are near, we can experience joy in all things. Help us remember our joy is not based on our circumstances. Too often, instead of trusting You, we let our problems direct our behaviors. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can strive to live with undefeatable Joy. In Jesus name, Amen.

Joy by for KING & COUNTRY

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“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

(This photo was taken near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Trust In The Lord

January 30, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for taking care of us. You are our strength and our support. You promise to watch over us and fight for us. Today, remind us that You are near and that You are working for good in our lives. Teach us to trust in You at all times and in all circumstances. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

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

Pray

January 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

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“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

God’s Faithfulness

January 27, 2024 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“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 and for never leaving us alone. We know that You will continue to guide us and protect us as You work in us and through us. Help us remember to place our hope and trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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