January 2024 - LPNI

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January 2024

LPNI Devotion

Because of Jesus … today is your best day!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)

January in Minnesota is cold … really cold! The days are short … Go to work in the dark … Come home in the dark … More grey skies than sunshine … icy roads … snowy yards … and the list goes on!

It is not uncommon to hear people grumble and complain about everything on this list, and the challenges that come with. Snow to shovel, walkways to slip on, depression from lack of sunshine, high heating bills, lack of exercise, overeating … It is depressing just thinking about it! The Lord made 31 days in January for us to rejoice and be glad in them.

Your words were found, and I ate them, And your word was to me the Joy and Rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV)

What would it look like if we chose to rejoice?

I rejoice believing that Jesus says: ‘Come to me, not “Get away from me”. I rejoice believing that Jesus says: “Abide in Me”, not, “I have nothing available for you”. I rejoice believing that Jesus says: “I am your Shepherd”, not, “you have to make it on your own. I rejoice believing that Jesus says: “I have called you friend”, not, “you don’t fit in My circle”. I rejoice believing that Jesus says: “I love you”, not, “give me good reason to love you”. I rejoice believing that Jesus says: “I go to prepare a place for you”, not, “You are not welcome in heaven”.

When we rejoice in faith, we will be filled with gratitude for all He has done for us. When we rejoice we will be filled with Joy. When we rejoice we will discover that everyday is the Lord’s day and He is sharing it with us…all things become beautiful.

Now…what would it look like if we asked God to fill us with an attitude of gratitude?

“I can’t wait for January because”: I love to watch the crackling fire … I love to come home and smell comfort cooking on the stove ... I love to snowshoe, or cross country ski, or snowmobile, or downhill ski, or ice fish 0… I’m thankful my children helped neighbors by shoveling sidewalks them … I love to work on yoga stretches at home watching a you tube instructor … I am so thankful I was able to clean out the closets and basement … I’m thankful for the time to catch up on some reading. I am thankful to have quiet time to be in God’s word.

But mostly I am thankful for a Savior who loves me, who loves you, who goes to prepare a place for us, who forgives, blesses, encourages, comforts, provides for, calls us friend, and is infinite in His love and mercy … more that we can write or express. Today is your best day because of Jesus!

Aimee Jambor, RN,MSA,PHN Living Savior Lutheran Church, Lakeshore, MN 56468 USA arjambor@gmail.com