First15 Devotional

As we continue our week on simple Christianity, we have the joy today of discovering what it means to truly rest in God. In all the stress and hurry of life, don’t we all need to find even just a few moments of rest today? May God reorient the way you see him today, and show you his purpose and pleasure over his children taking time for true rest in him. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew...

On the third day of our series on pursuing simple Christianity, we’re looking at what it means to live a life of sacrifice to God. May we discover what it means for our hearts, minds and will to be fully surrendered to Jesus, and in return may we find the abundant joy he has promised. He is trustworthy and true. And we will find the life God has planned for us when we surrender all to him. Our Scr...

As we continue our week exploring the simple principles of the Christian faith, today let’s look at what it means to love people. Many of us know that God asks us to love others, but often loving people is easier said than done. God knows our weaknesses , and any command he gives, he has a plan to empower us and give us grace to be obedient. As you explore how God may want you to love people today...

This week we’re going to focus on the simplicity the Christian life is meant to be marked by. Jesus summed up our purpose with two statements: love God and love people. But in our humanity we have made complex what God designed to be peaceful, purposeful, and simple. May we discover the peace and joy that come from pursuing a simple Christianity this week. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthe...

In today’s podcast we wrap up our week on seeking God by looking at the act of seeking God through community. You may be a people person, or a total introvert, but either way, God wants to use his church to encourage you and draw you closer to him. The Lord loves unity in his body, and he longs for his church, his Bride to worship and seek him as one. May God open your heart and mind today to the...

As we near the end of our week on seeking God, today we will focus on seeking God in solitude. Our world is a busy place. Our home lives are busy. Our church lives are full. When are you ever alone to simply fix your eyes on the Father, and be uninterrupted by the things going on around you? If we will take up the discipline of solitude, our lives will look very different. Imagine for a second the...

In today’s podcast, we’re going to explore the act of seeking God through his creation. God wants to use the world around us to declare his glory, goodness and love for us. May we take the time to open our eyes and hearts, to slow down for a minute and behold the beauty of our God in all that he has made. Our Scripture for today comes from Nehemiah 9:6 , and today's worship is So Will I  by Hi...

As we continue our week on seeking God, today we’re exploring what it means to seek God through fasting. This may be a new or even unpleasant topic for some, but my hope is that you would be energized and encouraged toward the act of fasting today. There is power in surrender and self-sacrifice for the sake of more of God, and I pray you experience that power as you learn more about this important...

As we continue our series on seeking God, today we’ll explore the intimate closeness of seeking God through prayer. How amazing is our Father that he wants to commune with us? With you? With me? Take a second to fathom how beautiful that truly is. Today, may your heart be stirred to take advantage of the unbelievable gift of prayer as you experience God. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew...

In our second day of exploring what it means to seek God, we’re going to focus in on the act of seeking God through the Scriptures. We have been given an endless well of life-giving truth through the gift of God’s word. Whatever need you have, God wants to use his words to bring peace, life, strength, guidance and hope to you today. He promises you will find him when you seek him with your whole h...

Worship through song is one of the most powerful ways to connect directly to the love, compassion, power, and grace of God. In worship, walls we’ve placed between God and us get torn down, just as God tore the veil at the death of Christ. In worship, our hearts become soft, aware, and open to the glorious majesties of God’s nearness. In worship, God makes his nearness known to us and fills us anew...

In today’s podcast we wrap up our week on God giving good gifts by looking at how God is the giver of courage. Fear is something that plagues us all in this life. But our Father’s way is better. The Lord wants to cast out all fear with his perfect love and empower you to live boldly, full of courage and confidence. Open your heart today in light of God’s love. Let go of anything holding you back f...

Today on the First15 podcast, we’re going to explore and experience the ways God gives us strength. There is not much better than becoming aware of our weakness and being met by God’s strength and grace in the midst of it. God fills in all the places we lack, and he wants to hold you up and strengthen you today in your weakness. We can release the need to appear strong because we have a very stron...

As we near the end of our week on God giving us good, heavenly gifts, we’re going to take time today to discover and reflect on the ways God gives us direction. Sometimes life can be confusing, and it is difficult to know which decisions to make. Thankfully, we have a Father who has sent his Spirit to speak and lead us through life’s winding paths. He has a plan for each of our lives, and he desir...

In today’s podcast, we’re going to explore the way God gives us contentment in the midst of every season and place he plants us. May you walk in immense satisfaction today as you open your heart and mind to the Lord’s presence and truth. As you fix your eyes on Jesus and trust him, I pray you experience rich contentment today in God’s love and provision. Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs...

As we continue our series on God the Giver of Gifts, we’re going to take time today to look at the peace God is faithful to give. We all need peace in this chaotic world, and thankfully God has an abundance of it, which he wants to lavish on his children. Open your heart today, be still, and take in the peace of heaven. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 85:8 , and today's worship is Pea...

Today as we continue to explore ways God is a wonderful, giving Father, we’re going to focus on the delivering power of God to set the captive free and rescue his people. Wherever you find yourself today, know that God is a safe rescue and the deliverer of our souls. He loves you mightily and is working on your behalf at all times. May that truth bring you immense peace and comfort as you experien...

Our heavenly Father is the giver of every good gift. This week on the First15 podcast we’re going to explore the different gifts only God can give. His mercies are vast, powerful, and real. His love has the ability to completely overwhelm and satisfy every one of our needs. Everything he gives us satisfies, transforms, and leads us to abundant life. As we spend this week stirring up our affections...

In today’s podcast we wrap up our week on living an unveiled lifestyle by looking at our righteousness in Jesus Christ. Acknowledging the new nature we’ve been given in God is absolutely critical in living life to the fullest, having the fullest experience of God and interior abundance in him. May you see yourself in light of the finished work of Christ today as we make space to see the new nature...

As we near the end of our week on living an unveiled lifestyle, we’re going to take time today to discover and reflect on the omnipresence of God. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death tells us that God’s presence is no longer contained to a specific place, but wholly available. In fact Scripture tells us that we’re now the temple of God’s Spirit, that God’s presence is with us. May you have a p...

In today’s podcast we’re going to explore the connection between faith and living an unveiled lifestyle. There is so much life, peace, and joy for you if you will join God in the work he is doing, and has already done in your life. May your faith increase today, and may your experience of God’s presence deepen as we create space to seek God together. Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 10:2...

I am beyond excited to share with you this conversation that we recently had with Laura and Emily from Risen Motherhood . Laura and Emily founded Risen Motherhood to encourage, equip, and challenge moms to apply the gospel to their everyday lives. Every week they have a podcast looking at a fresh way to apply the gospel in places of real need in the lives of mothers everywhere. Whether or not you&...

As we continue our series on living an unveiled lifestyle today, we’re going to look at the essence of what an unveiled lifestyle is. May you hear and take the invitation of God to live differently, to live closer, to abide and rest in his presence in all you do today. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 3:16 , and today's worship is  Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)  by Hillsong UNITED...

As we continue our series on living an unveiled lifestyle, we’re going to take time today to look at the tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death. While all things are not restored, today we’re going to discover that the closeness humanity was missing with God has been restored. You and I are the temple of the Spirit, his presence is with us. May we gain a deeper knowledge and experience of God’s close...

In our second day of looking at how to live an unveiled lifestyle, we’re going to apply the example of Moses to our own lives. Specifically, we’re going to look at the closeness he had with God, the depth of experience and encounter he had with the God who loves you and I just as much as he loves Moses. May God draw us closer to him, and give us eyes to see his face today. Our Scripture for today...