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

DSC_0142_1 publish

“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.

DSC_0248 publish

“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

DSC_1529 publish

“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.

2012 224 publish

“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

DSC_0226 publish

“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.

DSC_0025 (2) publish

“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 a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Peace From God

January 26, 2024 / 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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for promising to bring us peace. In every situation, help us continue to keep our minds on You and Your good promises. Because we trust in You, we know we don’t have to be anxious about anything. Continue to remind us of this truth throughout every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

DSC01214 publish

“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
⁴Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in central Minnesota)

Nothing Is Impossible

January 25, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time. Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish. You are faithful to keep Your promises. It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working. Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0049 publish

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo of a young Loon was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Promises

January 10, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

³His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

2 Peter 1:2-4 NIV

Father God, I trust that You are faithful, and I believe that You will always fulfill Your promises. I am holding tightly to my hope in You. Thank you for promising to fulfill Your plans for my life. Thank You for promising to be with us and to never abandon us. Thank you for promising the return of Jesus. You are faithful Lord – and I will trust in You. Amen.

DSC_0730 publish

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
²When 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.
³For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush^[a] and Seba in your stead.
⁴Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,…”

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV

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

God Is My Rock

January 7, 2024 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield^[a] and the horn^[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for making a way for me to know You. You are enough for me. Please show me where You are working in my life. No matter what I face or what circumstances are before me, I will choose to wait patiently on You, my Rock. I know that You will protect me and that You will finish the work that You have started in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

IMG_20150722_155504791 publish