First15 Devotional

In the final episode of our series on experiencing God’s promises, today we’re going to look at what it means to live for God’s glory. There are a wealth of promises that can only be experienced when we choose to lay down our own glory, and live for the glory of God instead. We weren’t created to live for our own advancement, and attachment to advancement only breeds pain and suffering. But if we’...

As we near the end of our week long series on experiencing the promises of God, today we’re going to look at how living with faithful action, being the hands of feet of Jesus, position us to experience more of God’s promises. May God guide us to into a work birthed from the place of abiding in him, that our lives would be marked by the fruit of God’s promises coming to fruition every day.  Your g...

In today’s First15, we’re going to look at how being wise with our time, and investing it in the place of meeting with God face to face, positions us to more fully experience God’s promises every day. May God open our eyes to see the true value of our time, and how deeply he cherishes when we choose to spend it on him.  Your gift makes First15 possible! More from First15 Read today's devotio...

As we continue our series looking at how we can position ourselves to experience the fullness of God’s promises, today we’re looking at how we can cast off negativity, so that we, right here and now, can experience to greater depth the joy that’s available to us in God. May God grant us the courage and perspective to choose life over death today as we seek to live the abundant life wholly availabl...

In today’s First15, we’re going to go deeper into the place of trust, seeking to open up more of our hearts to our good and loving Father, so we can experience more of his promises, moment by moment. Without trust, we’ll miss out on so many of the gifts God wants to give us every day. Without trust, our hearts will be closed off to the fullness of what this life has to offer us. May we as God’s ch...

In our second episode positioning ourselves to more fully experience God’s promises, today we’re going to look at the role of renewing our minds in opening our heads and hearts to receive all God longs to give. May God do a mighty work today as we make space for him to fill.  Your gift makes First15 possible! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at...

In today’s First15 we’re launching a brand new series seeking to position ourselves to receive more of the reality of God’s promises every day. There is so much available to you and to me in God, that we fail to tap into. And today we’re looking specifically at how waiting on the Lord, sitting patiently and intentionally at his feet, positions us to receive God’s promise of strength. May God guide...

In the last episode of this series on God’s promises, today we’re looking at the promise of his return. The suffering and pain we’re right now experience is not for forever. There is a conclusion to this story, to all of our stories. And that conclusion is being written by a God so good, so loving, and so powerful, that we know this story of humanity ends triumphantly. So may God fill us with hope...

As we near the end of series on God’s promises, today we’re going to look at the promise of his presence. The nearness of God is always to our good. In every situation, good or bad, challenging or easy, it’s so good to be near to God. So wherever you are today, lay down every other pursuit, just for the next few minutes, and focus simply on resting on God’s presence.  Your gift makes First15 poss...

In today’s First15, we’re continuing our series focusing on God’s promises by looking at his promise of comfort. We serve a God of all mercy and comfort, a God who knows our pain, weeps with us, and has a perfect plan to lead us to abundant life even in the midst of it all. Let’s come to God today open hearted, ready and willing to receive his comfort, that we might be nearer to him as the result...

As we enter the middle of our series on God’s promises, today we’re going to look at his promise of freedom. Every day this world tries to chain us to its ways, holding us down where God is trying to lift us up. But in Jesus, we’ve been offered total and complete freedom. And in the Spirit we’re offered a continual pathway to exercise that freedom. Whether it’s fear, lust, pride, or something else...

On today’s First15, we’re going to look at God’s promise of compassion. Few things draw me nearer to God, faster, than a fresh revelation of his compassion. In a world that judges us so quickly, and so often fails to offer second chances, compassion is in short supply. May we not only get a revelation of God’s compassion in our own lives today, but may God mold and fashion us into his likeness, th...

In today’s First15, we’re continuing our series of taking hold of God’s promises by looking at his promise of strength. Every day I wake up, I’m reminded of my weakness. No human, has ever lived a perfect day. But the goodness of this promise lies in that God promises his strength when we are weak. In his grace, you and I can live with the real, meaningful, and powerful strength of our God. Your g...

In today’s First15, we’re launching a brand new series looking at various promises our heavenly Father makes towards us, and creating space to take hold of them a little bit more every day. Today we’re looking at how God promises us his will, and how we can live our lives in connection to his desires and plans for us. May God stir our hearts to surrender anything that isn’t best for us, and may he...

As we have learned this week, our God is fully trustworthy. Placing our trust in his hands is the wisest thing we could ever do. As we finish up our week on trust today, we’ll explore how trust plays a role in our sanctification and maturing as believers. As we commit to walk with and trust the Lord, may he bring forth a harvest of righteousness in our lives. More from First15 Read today's de...

As we begin to wrap up our week on trust, today we’ll look at the idea of trusting God for provision. May we find rest and peace today as we remind ourselves of our infinite Father’s ability to provide each and every need—big or small. There is rest available for God’s children today in the place of toil and striving. Your good Father wants to assure you of that today. Your gift makes First15 poss...

Today we’ll explore how emotional health and trust are linked. We are all emotional beings and how we’re doing emotionally affects us all on a regular basis. God has something to say about your emotional health, and it is my hope you are encouraged and feel afresh how deeply you’re loved by the Lord as we focus in on this truth. Your gift makes First15 possible! More from First15 Read today's...

Today we’ll be discussing the plans we make for our lives. So often, our plans symbolize control. Giving up control of our life’s direction can be scary and feel unsafe. But this is all part of growing in trust of our heavenly Father. As we continue in that direction today, may you feel encouraged and motivated to place your plans in the hands of a capable, trustworthy Father who has your best int...

Today we’ll explore how leaning on the Lord for truth and understanding relates to trust. Where do you look for wisdom? God promises us that when we look to him, he will deliver all the wisdom and understanding we need for any circumstance. May you find the understanding you need for your situation today as you learn to trust the Father and lean into him. More from First15 Read today's devoti...

As we focus this week on growing in trusting God, today we’ll explore the concept of obedience. Trust and obedience are directly related. Willing, joyful obedience comes from a place of deep-rooted trust in the character and intentions of your God. When we learn to trust the heart of the Father, obedience is a natural response to whatever he asks. May you grow today in your willingness and excitem...

Trust is something we are not created to give away lightly. We value trust like we value our own lives, constantly scrutinizing others to see if they're worthy of our trust. But still we are made to do life with help. We are made to place our trust in that which will provide us with more life, joy, and peace. I pray that this week you and I will discover how trustworthy our heavenly Father is....

As we wrap up our week on God’s heart to meet with man, today we’ll look at the encouraging story of John on the island of Patmos. Right when we think we’re unusable, a season is too dry or we’re past our prime, God comes and speaks fresh life and vision. If you find yourself like John on Patmos today, I pray God brings a new word of courage and life to you despite your season. More from First15 R...

As we near the end of our week on God’s heart to meet with man, we look today at Pentecost. The day of Pentecost was a major fulfillment of God’s desire to meet with us. On that day, his Holy Spirit flooded the earth and was poured out on ordinary people, just like you and me. We see God’s desire to dwell with a people satisfied as his Spirit fills them and remains with them forever. May you be en...

Have you ever believed the lie that your sin makes you unlovable to God? I think we all have at one time or another. We will look today at the story of the woman caught in adultery. For some reason, every time I read this story it surprises me again. God is oftentimes different than we expect, much kinder in fact. May today be no different. I pray you’re met by a generous, kind, merciful Savior as...

As we continue our week on God’s heart to meet with man, today we’ll look at the best example I can think of. Many of us doubt the love of God due to all kinds of circumstances, but I pray today you become even a little bit more convinced and sure of his pursuit and unconditional love for you specifically. Open your heart today and allow God to give you a renewed sense of how much you mean to him....