With over 175,000 in print, The One Year Mini series has quickly become a favorite devotional format for hundreds of thousands of people. The compact size and page-a-day format gives readers a quick inspirational thought from the Bible to brighten each and every day. The long-anticipated publication of The One Year Mini Daily Inspiration provides a page-a-day, inspirational meditation on God’s Word for everyone—anytime, anywhere. The One Year Mini Daily Inspiration is a perfect size for a handbag or book bag, for a nightstand or desktop, for a glove compartment or a kitchen table. Anywhere, anytime, inspiration for challenging days is an arm’s reach away.
The One Year Mini Daily Inspiration
By Ronald A. BeersTyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Copyright © 2009 Ronald A. Beers
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4143-2024-3Chapter One
January 1
Living Sacrifices
What are the benefits of dedicating my life to God this year?
God's Response
Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices-daily g laying aside our own desires to obey him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal, and trusting him to guide us as we follow him. God has good plans for us. He wants to transform us by "changing the way [we] think" so we can live to honor and obey him and receive his best for us. Because we have his Son, Jesus, to make this new kind of life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices to his service.
God's Promise
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. PSALM 37:5
January 2
Balance
How can I keep my life balanced this year?
God's Response
"If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me," Joab told his brother. "And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you. Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done." 2 Samuel 10:11-12
There must be a balance in life between our plans and our faith in God. Joab said, "Let us fight bravely." In other words, they were determined to do all that they could, using their minds to figure out the best strategies, using their strength to fight, and using the other resources God had given them. But Joab also said, "May the Lord's will be done." He knew that when they had done all they could, the outcome was in God's hands. Balance comes as we use our minds and our resources to obey God and, at the same time, trust him for the outcome.
God's Promise
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.... They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. PSALM 112:1, 7
January 3
Goals
Why is it important to set goals?
God's Response
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25-27
I run with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:26
Let love be your highest goal! 1 Corinthians 14:1
The beginning of a new year is a great time to review existing goals and set new ones. Of course, setting goals takes time and thought, and with our busy lives, we may feel as if that's time we can't afford. But goals give us direction. They serve as reminders of what is really important to us, and they help to keep us on track.
You may have many goals for different areas of your life-including those New Year's resolutions you made-but choose to make following God your primary, overarching goal. You do not know what the year ahead will bring, but making following God your number one goal will give you ongoing purpose and keep you from straying away from God, regardless of what the year brings.
God's Challenge
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:11
January 4
Guidance
When is the time to seek God's guidance?
God's Response
All of Adonijah's guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered. Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar. Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, "Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!" 1 Kings 1:49-51
Sometimes it takes getting caught before someone is willing to give up a scheme. When Adonijah learned that his plans to gain the throne after King David were doomed to fail, he ran in panic to the altar, the place of God's mercy and forgiveness. He went there, however, after his treasonous plans had been exposed. If Adonijah had first considered what God wanted, he might have avoided trouble.
Don't wait until you have made a mess of your life to run to God. Make it a point this year to seek God's guidance before you act.
God's Promise
[Wisdom says,] "They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me-to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." PROVERBS 1:30-33
January 5
Growth
As a child of God, how can I grow and become more mature this year?
God's Response
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:2-3
Let us go on ... and become mature in our understanding. Hebrews 6:1
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies. Jeremiah 15:16
One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up to be like their big brothers or sisters or their parents. When we first believe in Christ, we become spiritually newborn babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow to maturity.
The need for milk is a natural instinct for babies, and they express in an unmistakable way their desire for nourishment. Once we see our need for God's Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetites will increase, and we will start to mature.
How strong is your appetite for God's Word?
God's Promise
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! PSALM 34:8
January 6
Behavior
How can I make sure my behavior is pleasing to God day after day?
God's Response
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips....