Plans…Purpose

May 21, 2023 / 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

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will find discouragement and frustration. Our purpose comes from the Lord, our Creator. His purpose is based on love and if we are willing to follow Him we will find His way is better for us, His plan is for our good, we can put our hope in the Lord and trust His plan and purpose for our life. Amen.

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Walking In The Light

May 13, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

Walking in the Light is walking with God, this means taking action…we have several examples in the bible of actions that indicate people are walking with God. The Good Samaritan story in Luke 10 is the great example that faith is more than reading and learning about God. While that is a critical step for building a foundation of faith, eventually our living it out in who we are and what we do is the next step in our faith journey. Read, learn and be transformed…then begin to walk in the Light with God in your daily life. Amen.

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“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.”

1 John 1:5-7 NIV

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

An Encounter With God

May 10, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 NIV

Where and when do you encounter God? How do you respond when God calls to you? God promises His presence…He is with you and He is for you. What happens next is up to you…

I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.“

Revelation 3:20 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Be Still…Trust In The Lord

May 8, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7 NIV

Don’t focus your time and attention on what others are doing, comparing yourself to worldly ways. Focus on God and His Word. Reflect and remember what He has done. He says you are valued; you are important, and you are loved…no matter what others think, say or do. Your worth is not defined by others…it is defined by your Creator and Savior…God says you are so important that He sent His Son Jesus to suffer and die in order to reconcile you with God. Trust in the Lord, not in the world. Amen.

Be Still And Know by Amy Grant

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“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

Wisdom

May 6, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[a] despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

If you want to start reading the Bible but are unsure where to begin…try starting with Proverbs. Guess how many chapters God has in Proverbs…the answer is 31, you can read one chapter a day and you would complete the Book of Proverbs in one month. Not only that you will be reading the words of one of the wisest people that ever lived. There is so much good to learn in Proverbs, it will help you in your daily life and grow your relationship with God. God’s Word is a gift to us…pick it up and read and you will find wisdom from above. Amen.

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“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:13-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Walking With God

May 3, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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

When we are in step with God and His plan we will not feel weary, we will not feel weak. Weariness is a warning sign that something we are doing or are spending time on is not part of God’s will for us. When we are walking with Him there is no weariness or exhausted feelings as He provides energy and strength that we never knew existed. Take time to assess where and how you are spending your time and pray to God to guide you to His will. Amen.

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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 in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Surrender

April 28, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

I Give You My Heart – Hillsong Worship & Delirious?

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

The Price Of Salvation

April 26, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13 NIV

As of today it has been more than 2 weeks since Resurrection Sunday and we must caution against taking our salvation for granted. For most people by now they are focused solely on the tasks of work or daily tasks at home and the glory of Christ sacrifice for us is in the rear-view mirror. Our faith journey and spiritual growth is about so much more than checking in on Sunday or on certain holidays and checking out the rest of the time because we are too busy. Seeking your relationship with Jesus Christ every day and spending time with Him and in God’s Word is the Way to peace. God sacrificed His only Son to reconcile us to Him. Never forget the price of our salvation. Amen.

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“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 in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

He Knows…

April 22, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.”

Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

No matter where you are, no matter what you have done or have left undone…God knows all about you and He loves you. He knows you hurt and pain…He knows your joys and good times…He knows your struggles and difficulties and He knows your achievements and accomplishments. He has been with you the whole time and He will never leave you…put your trust and faith in God…no matter what your circumstances are…He knows.

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

God’s Presence

April 15, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”’^[e]

Acts 2:28 NIV

He is always with us…any comfort you have, any joy and peace, any courage you need…it comes from God. The presence of God brings good things to us…the sin of world brings bad things. Turn towards God and give thanks for all that He does for you. Amen.

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