First15 Devotional

As we finish our week on Light, today we’ll explore our calling to be the light. What’s beautiful about this call is that the pressure is off. We have so many misconceptions about what God requires of us, and he is not the task master we so often mistake him for. May you be encouraged today to live out your calling as the light of the world, free from the weight of the world.

As we begin to wrap up our week on Light, today we’ll explore following God into the light. We each face temptations of various kinds. And God promises each of us a way out by his leadership in the midst of temptation and struggle. We are not alone in anything we face, as our Jesus has told us he’s faced it too. May you feel better equipped to face temptation and sin today as you encounter Jesus and his truth for you on this subject.

All of our longings and needs were meant to be met in God. And yet, we live in a world constantly vying to meet our needs and desires in false, inadequate ways. Today we’ll explore how to walk in the light by looking to the light to meet all of our needs. As we re-train ourselves to seek God first for satisfaction, may we find how abundantly beyond our imaginings the Lord’s sufficiency is for us.

First15 helps people start their day with God through devotionals, guided prayer, and worship. As their fiscal year wraps up...

As we are called to the light, we are called to be fully known. Many of us shudder at the thought of complete, total vulnerability, and fall subject to the lie that we could never be fully loved if someone saw all of us. Today we’ll explore why being fully known before God is so important and life-giving. May you walk away today free from shame and fear after having faced a holy God vulnerably and having encountered his unconditional love.

First15 helps people start their day with God through devotionals, guided prayer, and worship. As th...

As we learn this week of the light of God, today we’ll look to Jesus who is the Light. What does this mean about the Lord? And what does this mean for us personally? May our eyes behold him today, as we search out the source of goodness, beauty and holiness. May our hearts grow in wonder, worship and awe. And may our lives be forever transformed at the sight of him.

First15 helps people start their day with God through devotionals, guided prayer, and worship. As their fiscal year wraps up, your gift helps First15 ke...

As we continue our week on living in and pursuing the light, today we’ll explore how we as God’s people are called out of darkness and to the light. Our new inheritance as God’s saints is to step out of hiding, and walk in full vulnerable honesty before God and man. May you be strengthened in grace and integrity today as you’re re-envisioned toward your calling to the light.

First15 helps people start their day with God through devotionals, guided prayer, and worship. As their fiscal year wraps up, your gift helps First15 keep mee...

We live in the reality that there is both light and darkness around us at all times. This world has both good and evil, right and wrong. As believers we must grow in both our acceptance of this reality and our pursuit of the light. We must allow God to mold and shape us into those who rid ourselves of any darkness, become fully known to God, and allow his light to transform us into reflections of his Son. May the Lord open our eyes to see the glorious light before us this week.

First15 helps people...

In today’s First15 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 live 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 we’ve been given by God’s grace.

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 profound sense of God’s nearness today as we look at the incredible availability of God’s presence.

First15 helps...

In today’s First15, 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.

More from First15

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.

More from First15

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 yet 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 closeness today as we study the tearing of the veil.

More from First15

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, because it is the same God who loves you and I today. May God draw us closer to him, and give us eyes to see his face today.

More from First15

In this week’s First15 we’re going to explore what it means to live with an unveiled lifestyle. It’s when we live our lives in light of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that you and I begin to experience all his death was purposed to bring us. God longs for his children to walk in intimacy with him directly connected to his wellspring of love for us. May you experience a more tangible, loving, and powerful connection with your heavenly Father this week as we celebrate living life unveiled.

More from First15

Today we’ll finish up our week on living poor in spirit by exploring how spiritual freedom is tied to spiritual poverty. May you be stirred up today to live free as you hold tightly to the truths of God’s kingdom. Abundant life is available to us now as we seek to live low and abide in Jesus.

More from First15

As we begin to wrap up our week on living poor in Spirit, today we’ll examine the life of Jesus as our example and how he always put others first. As we seek to understand how to live a lowly life of love, may you be envisioned and encouraged today to love God and others well. God wants to use you as a vessel of his grace and love in this world. Will you let him?

More from First15

A cornerstone to living poor in spirit is living with an acknowledgment of our need for God. We must learn to tap into our weakness and lean on Jesus in all things if we want to experience the blessing of God’s grace. The beauty of God’s way is that it will always turn the ways of our world on its head. To be strong you must become weak. To be rich, you must be poor. To find, you must lose.

Today as we continue our week on being poor in spirit, we’ll assess our hearts regarding storing up treasures on earth verses in heaven. We see this theme repeatedly in the words of Jesus, and it is my prayer we’re able to heed his words and embrace what they mean for us. As we seek to have one devotion today, may our hearts be fully open to the One who’s worthy.

Not one of us is without sin. And each of us lives with a need for consistent repentance and an active receiving of God’s forgiveness. This is so crucial to living poor in spirit. The beauty of our God is that his forgiveness is promised at our repentance. There is no fear or shame in God’s perfect love and mercy. May we learn to embrace this aspect of walking with the Lord rather than shy away from it.

More from First15

As we continue our week on becoming poor in spirit, today we’ll explore the concept of living a lifestyle of grace. Many of us struggle with pride and self-sufficiency. But those things are in stark opposition to what it means to live poor in spirit. When we choose the road of humility, we open ourselves up to a life dependent on God’s grace to sustain us, a life fueled by God’s power rather than our own. It is my hope today that we can learn to embrace our weakness, that God may be made strong in us.

The biblical concept of being poor in spirit is foundational to every aspect of the Christian life. Foundational to salvation is a heart-level acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. Foundational to experiencing God’s love is acknowledging our great need of love. Foundational to heavenly peace and joy is an acknowledgment that this world truly offers us neither. If we want all that God in his grace offers, we must pursue a lifestyle of being poor in spirit. May you experience more of the depth of God’s love this week as you discover God’s heart to minist...

In the last day of our week-long focus on the parable of the prodigal son, we’re going to make space to set our eyes on the father in the story, and ask the Holy Spirit to make us more like him. Our ultimate calling is to grow up into the clearest reflection of who God is, as his children made in his image. And we see an incredible picture of who we are to be in the character of the father in the parable of the prodigal son. May we become more like our Father in heaven today as...

As we near the end of our week looking at Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, we’re going to look today at the restoration of authority the father gave to the son. And we’re going to create space today to look at what it means to be granted the authority of the Father in our own lives. May we be positioned to work with God in bringing his powerful love to earth all around us as the result of our time in his presence today.

More from First15

In today’s First15, we continue our week on the parable of the prodigal son, by looking at the son’s restoration of identity. The way we see ourselves changes our lived experience every day. And the world around us often sends us a totally different message about who we are than who our Father in heaven says we are.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

In today’s First15, we’re going to look at the moment in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, where the Father restores his sonship. May the incredible love of the Father displayed in this moment of Jesus’ story give us a glimpse into how our heavenly Father feels about us today.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

In our third day looking at Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, we’re going to take time today to look at how quickly, how instantly God forgives us. May regret, and fear over God’s judgement be washed away as we see an incredible picture of how quickly and easily God forgives our sins.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

In today’s First15, we’re going to look at how incredible patient God is with us, as we begin our second day in a week long focus on the story of the prodigal son. So often we judge ourselves, we can be our own worst critic. But today, if we’ll open our hearts and minds to listen and receive, we’ll find a patient God whose never surprised by our mistakes, and who never casts us out in the midst of our failures and shortcomings. May the patience and love of God transform your heart today, as we spend...

The story of the prodigal son moves my heart to delve into new depths of God’s limitless grace. I find myself in every facet of Jesus’ words of this story. I identify with the younger son’s rebellion. I identify with the older son’s judgement and resentment. I identify with the experience of the father’s compassion and love. Today we begin a week long focus at this lifegiving, and perception shattering story of Jesus, the story of the prodigal son. May God draw you even closer to him this week, and teach of you his redemptive and life c...

In our last podcast in our weeklong focus on forgiveness, today we’re going to look at what it takes to forgive ourselves. For some of us, forgiving ourselves can be the hardest part of forgiveness. May God give us the grace to see ourselves as he does, and offer ourselves love, compassion, and forgiveness regardless of what we’ve done.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

As we near the end of our week on forgiveness, today we’re going to look at a more foundational aspect of forgiveness, living without expectation of perfection. The goal today isn’t to adopt a pessimistic way of looking at the world around us, but to actually see others the way that God does. God isn’t surprised by our sin, but looks at us with eyes of hope and love. May we gain his perspective today, and the peace and joy that accompany it, as we spend time in his word and his presence.

Discover what i...

In today’s First15, we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness by looking at the idea of separating out our forgiveness of the person from their actions. It’s often our failure to do this separation that keeps us from engaging in the lifegiving command to forgive. But God has wisdom and revelation for us today as we look at his word, and freedom for our hearts today if we’ll engage with him in prayer. May you find newfound freedom from the weight of unforgiveness today.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get yo...

In the middle of this week on forgiveness, we’re taking time today to look at what it means to live a lifestyle of continual forgiveness. Over time, as we open our hearts and allow God to do a continued work in us, we’re equipped to develop a new normal, a new way of living. So today we’re looking at how we can live with a constant openness towards forgiveness, equipped to both receive it and offer it, that unforgiveness would no longer have space in our hearts. May God encourage and equip you today in our time t...

In today’s First15, we’re going to explore God’s healing for our past wounds and present scars. There is so much power in forgiveness, so much healing in reconciliation. May you find healing today for any wounds or scars you’ve been carrying, whether big or small. And may you find a greater measure of abundant life as the result of God’s presence and mercy.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

Today we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness, by looking at the incredible gift of forgiveness we’ve been offered in Jesus. Every command God has given us, he has already supplied the grace to live in obedience to. Forgiveness is no different. May we find the grace to forgive as we rest in the forgiveness we’ve already been offered through our Savior.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

Offering forgiveness to others is one of the most difficult and important aspects of the Christian life. But Scripture clearly commands us to forgive others. In this week’s First15, we’re going to look at how God longs to fashion us into his likeness that we might model the love we’ve been shown to a world with no concept of mercy. May you be filled with courage and boldness this to offer forgiveness to those in desperate need of grace. And may God’s love shine through as you enter into your calling as a minister of reconcil...

In the last day in our series on grace, today we’re going to discover how in grace God teaches us. May we approach God with a humble and teachable heart. And may we learn whatever lesson we need from the Spirit today, as God teaches us in his grace.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

As we near the end of our week on grace, today we’re going to explore how God’s grace brings us purpose. As we begin, where do you need more purpose today? Where are you feeling aimless, or lacking passion in life? May God fill us all with a deeper sense of purpose today, and may our days be more fulfilling and more impactful as we experience God’s grace right now.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More...

In today’s First15, we’re exploring the wonderful reality of how God provides for us by his grace. And as we begin, think about where you have need today. Where do you need God to provide? Where do you need what only God’s grace could give? And let’s run before our Father with faith and joy, that he’s a good Father who gives us good, and perfect gifts.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from...

In the middle of our series on grace, we’re going to look at how experiencing God’s presence gives a truer, more heartfelt sense of God’s grace. As we begin, let’s set aside every burden, and simply be present with God today. And may our focus for the next few minutes empower us to experience to greater depths the grace-filled presence of our loving God.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15

In today’s First15, we’re going to take time to come before the throne of grace in a meaningful way. May the reality of Jesus’ mercy and power establish a greater foundation of grace for us to live on today. And may we approach him with humility and confidence knowing that he only looks at us with eyes of love.

Discover what it means to walk more closely with God. Get your copy of Life, a new 35-day devotional from First15: supportFirst15.com

More from First15