First15 Devotional

Today in our week-long focus on the foundations of a quality time alone with God, we’re going to look at the devotional piece of our times together. I’m so excited to share with you our heart behindwhat you hear every day, and I know that our time together will help you get even more out of this space for God’s presence. Get your copy of the Wisdom Matters devotional today! More from First15 Read...

Today we’ll continue our week looking at the foundation of a quality time alone with God by looking at the value of worship. Worship is perhaps the most foundational part of a quality time alone with God. It takes what can so often be a self-centered time, and empowers us to put God, with all his love and goodness, right at the center of our time instead.  More from First15 Read today's devot...

This week we’ll spend time breaking down the individual components of First15 by sharing God's desire for each of them. The majority of First15 is dedicated to encountering God and learning about his character, but every now and then we will cover some teaching and tools that will help in pursuing God to greater depths. This week we will get back to the basics and learn some spiritual discipli...

For our final day of this week, we’re going to ask God to awaken the hearts of our nation and culture. The need for a move of God has become more obvious than ever, yet he often moves in response to the faithful prayers of his people. Let us be those people today and ask for the great awakening our world so desperately needs.  More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's...

There is an incredible difference between knowing something in your head and experiencing it in your heart. Today, we’re going to explore what it looks like to do more than just learn about God but, instead, to experience him in a transforming and powerful way.  More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate...

As we continue our first week of the new year, today we’re going to look at how God redeems all that he allows. Each of us faces difficult seasons in our lives, but thankfully, God does not leave us there alone. Even today, even now, God is working to redeem our pain and heartache for his glory and our good.  More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at F...

Today we’re going to explore what it means to truly trust God. Life is full of incredibly difficult circumstances, and in the midst of disappointments and pain, it can be hard to trust that he is good and loving. But thankfully, God promises us that we can trust his heart even when we can’t see his hand. Let’s look today at what it means to trust God in the midst of our circumstances.  More from...

As we begin a brand new year, we’re going to explore what it looks like to create New Year’s resolutions that matter. Many of us feel the pressure to make changes that will positively impact our lives, yet we often struggle to find resolutions that are truly valuable and sustainable. But God, in his love, promises to make us new creations when we surrender ourselves to him and his plans. So, as we...

For the last day of the year, we’re going to take time to simply make space for God to fill. Whenever we make a little room in our day, and in our hearts for God, it always amazes me how he can fill us with exactly what we need. So today, simply make room for God for whatever you need most, and allow him to fill that space with his good and perfect nearness.  More from First15 Read today's de...

As we near the end of this year, today I want to create space to simply dream with God. God has so many incredible plans for you next year. He has so many dreams in his heart for you. And today as we create space for him, my hope is that he shares those dreams with us, that we could partner with him in running after the abundant life he has for each of us. May your heart be filled with the fruit o...

Today we’re going to take a look at the fresh hope we have in God’s nearness. God’s promise to be near to us as his people, and the great lengths he’s gone to commune with us in the Holy Spirit, has the power to change every moment of our lives. And one of the most powerful changes his nearness provides is hope, and the peace that comes with it. As we make space for his presence today, I pray that...

As we continue our series allowing God to prepare us for the new year, today we’re going to look at the promise of God that we can do all things in his strength. My hope is that we’re filled with courage and hope today for what God can and will do in us as we make space to live and work in him in this new year. Support First15 and help us finish the year strong! More from First15 Read today's...

As we continue our series, allowing God to prepare us as the new year approaches, today we’ll make space for God to create new beginnings in our lives. Every one of us needs a new beginning in some way, a fresh start in some area of our life. And this season heading into the new year is a perfect time to allow God to fill us with new life. May you get a real sense of redemption and grace today as...

As this year comes to a close, it’s vital that we take time to both reflect on what God has done and allow him to prepare us for what’s to come. A new year marks a fresh opportunity to center our lives around the goodness of God. I pray that as you begin looking toward what is to come you will make space to gain God’s perspective, ground your hopes and pursuits on his grace, and celebrate all that...

In today’s First15 we’ll be celebrating Christmas, Christ come for you and me, by allowing the reality of his coming to fill our hearts with overflowing joy. Whatever is happening in your life today, there is joy to be found in the reality that Christ came for you, wants to make his presence known in your life, and that he will come again. May your heart be filled with joy this Christmas day! More...

It’s easy during the Christmas season to get so caught up in the busyness and gifts that we forget the immense sacrifice Jesus made to dwell with us. The truth is that Jesus gave of himself joyfully so that we may experience the beauty of God with us. So across the next two days we’ll both celebrate and reflect on the joyful reality of Christmas. May this time together help us center our celebrati...

Christmas is a time where we as believers celebrate God’s heart to write himself into our story. Prior to Jesus we had no real picture of God’s love. All we had to know him by was through stories of old and commandments written into law. But only in Jesus was a pathway created whereby we could walk in intimacy with the Father again. Only in Jesus was the veil torn allowing God’s manifest presence...

As we finish our week on drawing near to God this Advent season, today we’ll focus outward on how we can carry the presence of Christ into our spheres of influence. We have learned this week that God is with us always and available to us at all times. There is never a time he isn’t by your side, and you have the profound privilege of carrying his presence with you everywhere you go. As you practic...

As we begin to wrap up our week on drawing near to God, today we’ll explore what it means to draw from the endless well of living water and life available to us in Christ. In a season where consumerism is at an all-time high, God is inviting us to draw from his wellsprings of life for true satiation and satisfaction in him. Allow God to remind you afresh today of his love and ability to meet every...

How often are you alone with God? Truly alone, pulled away from the rest of the world, in the quiet and stillness of his presence? I believe God is beckoning his people this holiday season to experience his Immanuel, God with us, nearness. Our souls need it, and God longs for it. Just as you desire to experience his presence and peace, God wants to experience your nearness too, simply because he l...

In the midst of this crazy season, it is important to remain sensitive to the Spirit of God. It can be so easy to miss out on the uniqueness of this Advent season because we get busy serving, celebrating, shopping. We are all guilty of it. But I can promise you, if you commit yourself to practicing sensitivity this Advent season, you will be so blessed for it. Support First15 and help us finish th...

Sometimes we just need a reminder that things with God are simple, and the weight of our experiencing God is not on us or dependent upon our ability to be spiritual. Jesus wants to remind us today of how he is pursuing our hearts in this life, and all we need to do is say yes. May you find God today as you open your heart to him, and experience the rest that his presence brings.  More from First1...

As we spend the week focusing on drawing near to God this Christmas season, today we’ll explore a fun concept. Every morning is like Christmas morning when you know and walk with God. God is so, so good. And he desires for us to walk in the gifts of his goodness all the days of our lives. May we reorient our thinking so that each morning with God is more exciting than the next as we experience afr...

The Christmas season is a powerful and unique time of year to remember that Jesus came to make a way for us to be near God. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus built a bridge between us and God allowing us to have continual, unhindered communion with our Creator. But God can’t force us into nearness with him. Even as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live as if God is...

As we end our week looking to Jesus, today we’ll explore one of my favorite aspects of his nature: his humility. Jesus, the King of all the earth, the one who has every reason to boast and show his power, chooses the path of humility, of submission, of lowering himself. We have so much to learn from this beautiful King. It is my hope that you are encouraged and challenged today. But also that your...