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)

Hope, Joy And Peace

June 29, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

“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

We have hope because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and He is alive

We can have joy when we understand that nothing in this life is too big for God to help us overcome

We can have peace knowing that God loves us, provides for us and will never leave us or abandon us

Know this hope, be filled with this joy and you will have peace that surpasses understanding

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

(This photo was taken at a Fish Sunflowers Field in Buffalo, Minnesota)

Holy Spirit

June 15, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[c] in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIV

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace 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 14:26-27 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Rest With Peace From God

June 14, 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

Father God, it is so easy for us to worry about the circumstances in our lives. Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control. Help us trust in Your provision, protection and plans for our lives. Because we know You care about every need and desire we have…we know we can rest in You. Give us peace as we let go of circumstances that we can’t control and put ourselves into Your hands. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

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

Make A Commitment

June 10, 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

Good and Gracious God, I want my life to be marked by loyalty and commitment to You. I want to be known for how I loved, how I was generous, and how I shared with others about You. Show me how to embrace a life of complete commitment to Your calling. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Wherever You Go…

June 5, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.“

Psalm 23:1-4 NIV

“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

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Living Hope Perspective

June 3, 2024 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Father God, You are faithful and Your mercy endures forever. You are the source of hope and the giver of peace to all who call on You! You know what each of us is facing and working to overcome every day. So, we call out to You, our source of hope, thank You for Your forgiveness and lead us to living a life that honors You and shows love to others. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

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

Peace From God’s Word

May 30, 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

The Bible is God’s Word given to us to guide us, teach us and encourage us in our lives

It has been translated in to many languages all over and it is continuing spread

We can do our part by learning what is says and putting it into action

Read God’s Word…do what it says…and you will enjoy God’s peace

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

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

Love God

May 28, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] ⁵Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV

Father God, we want to honor You. Too often, we fear people more than we love You. You are greater than any situation or circumstances. You alone are worthy of our devotion. Remove any distractions that keep our focus away from You. Help us to keep You first in everything we do. In Jesus name, Amen.

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“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important? “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[e] ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^[f]

Mark 12:28-30 NIV

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Reflect with Gratitude, Go Forward with Hope

May 27, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for making a way for us in this life. When we reflect on past events give us an eye for gratitude in all circumstances. Please show us how You are at work in our lives. We want to choose to patiently wait on You, becasue we know that You will finish the work You have started in us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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