First15

In our second devotional focusing on transformation, today we’re exploring the ways in which God transforms us into new creations. Every day God longs to make us new, to forgive our sins and mold and fashion us into his likeness. May God do a mighty work today as we make room for him to move, and may we leave this focused time in his presence with a true feeling of being made new. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and today's worship is Since Your Love by United Pursuit. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

Today we begin a brand new week of devotionals, creating space every day for God to transform us more and more into his likeness. And in today’s devotional, we’re starting with a broader view, looking at what it means to truly seek transformation. May God do a mighty work in our hearts this week as we make room for his presence every day. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 51:10, and today's worship is Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

What started as a simple statement turned into a powerful story of God’s faithfulness.  You may have heard the incredible song, Peace Be Still, which has been making its way across radio stations and into churches all over the country. It’s a simple declaration that so many of us can relate to during this year of relentless challenges.  We are all looking for peace.  Today in the First15 Podcast we’re hanging out with Hope Darst, the author of Peace Be Still. In a continuation of our series on wellness, Hope opens up about her search for peace in the midst of anxiety, broken dreams, and an uncertain future.  Are you struggling to find peace today? Do you feel broken? Are you feeling like you should be further along spiritually? Do you wish you could just start over? Today’s First15 Conversation is for you.  ________ First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org.

In our last episode of this week on renewal, today we’re looking at what it means to have a renewal of perspective. Lately for me, it seems like the difference between a bad day and a good day is simply just a difference in my perspective. And there’s hardly anything more empowering that realizing that we have the ability to change how we think, to shift our perspective, and therefore change how we feel and how we act. So may God give us the power and courage to choose the right perspective today, to see the world and our lives through his eyes. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 2:17, and today's worship is Only Jesus by Brian Johnson. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we near the end of our week-long series on renewal, today we’re going to invite God to bring a renewal of conscience to our hearts and mind. That our perspectives and beliefs about ourselves would be washed clean in God’s mercy and grace. May God empower us to see ourselves the way he does as we spend meaningful time in his presence today. Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 10:22, and today's worship is Born Again by Cory Asbury. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In today’s devotional, we’re going to invite God to renew within us a true sense of purpose. Throughout the day I find my heart wandering to all sorts of purposes, some good, and some bad. But every day life teaches me that the one purpose that leads to the greatest measure of life and joy, is the pursuit of God. Not the pursuit of religion, but the authentic pursuit of relationship. May the Holy Spirit reveal within us the true reason we were created, and guide us down the path of purpose today in his presence. Our Scripture for today comes from John 15:16, and today's worship is The Story I'll Tell by Maverick City Music. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In the middle of this week-long series on renewal, today we’re going to make room for God to renew our joy. Joy is something I so often struggle to walk in as I allow the cares and burdens of life to weigh me down. But every morning is a new opportunity to come before our Father, give our cares over to him, and choose again the path of joy. May God guide us today into a meaningful renewal of joy as we set our eyes and hearts on him. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 51:12, and today's worship is You Are My Joy by United Pursuit. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In our third devotional on seeking renewal from our good and loving God, today we’re going to look at what it means to have a renewal of our first love. What, who we love first, makes all the difference in how we spend our days, and how we spend our moments. And unless God is our first love, the one we’re giving all of our hearts to, life will always feel out of balance, and lacking the fullness of fulfillment. May God guide us to a deeper love of him today as we open our hearts and hands to meet with him. Our Scripture for today comes from Revelation 2:4, and today's worship is First Love by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In the second day of our series on renewal, today we’re going to invite God to renew our minds. Our minds are the gateway to our emotions, decisions, and perspectives. How we see the world around us, the assumptions we live with, the lies we believe, and where we choose to focus our attention, make all the difference in our daily experience. May God guide each of us down the path to renewing our minds in his presence, and through his word today, that we might experience a greater measure of abundant life in him. Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 12:2, and today's worship is Anthem by Phil Wickham. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

One of the best aspects of spending time alone with God is being renewed daily by his word and presence. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). When we make space for God in our lives, especially at the beginning of the day, he is faithful to renew and prepare us for all we will face out in the world. So as we enter into this week focusing on renewal, Where do you need renewal? How greatly do you need God’s mercies in your life? May God teach and guide us into daily renewal as we make space every morning for him to fill. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16, and today's worship is You Keep Your Word by Austin & Lindsey Adamec. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach

This is not a comfortable conversation. It is, however, an important one. Today we’re taking a break from our focus on mental/emotional wellness to have an incredibly honest conversation with Jemar Tisby, the author of the book The Color of Compromise. We’re diving back into the subject of racism, hoping to better understand its history, its current affect on our world, and how we can be a part of the solution.   We discuss things like… -Is racism actually a systemic issue? -What is the church’s involvement in the history of racism? -Is supporting “Black Lives Matter” supporting an anti-Christian organization? -Practical steps we all can take toward racial reconciliation Here at First15, we believe that God is for racial reconciliation, but we also know that it will take a continued willingness to have uncomfortable, yet grace-filled conversations if we’re going to see true change. We hope that this can be one of those conversations. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you

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 if 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 world, free from the weight of the world. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 5:14, and today's worship is I Will Wait by David Leonard. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we begin 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. Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 42:16, and today's worship is Stand in Your Love by Bethel Music & Josh Baldwin. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 11:34, and today's worship is There is No Higher Name by REVERE. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 8:17, and today's worship is Have My Heart by Maverick City. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 60:20, and today's worship is The Lord is My Light by Joel Case & Cageless Birds. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:8, and today's worship is Breakthrough by Red Rocks Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:14, and today's worship is Let There Be Light by Hillsong Worship.  First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

This month in our First15 Conversations series, we’re talking about mental and spiritual wellness. So today we’re hanging out with author and podcast host, Rashawn Copeland.  Following a childhood that included the tragedy of gun violence, as well as the opportunity to play college football, Rashawn found himself in Los Angeles, California living the Hollywood dream of money, romantic relationships and a flashy lifestyle others envied. Despite all that, he was miserable. One day, he found himself sitting in a room holding a gun to his mouth wishing he could escape the unhappiness he had felt for several years. It was through a God-ordained experience via social media, Rashawn decided his life wasn’t worth ending and the next phase of his life—of turning it all over to God—began. To find out more about Rashawn or his book Start Where You Are, head over to www.startwhereyouarebook.com First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, book

In today’s devotional 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 we’ve been given by God’s grace. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 5:21, and today's worship is It Is Finished by Passion feat. Melodie Malone. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.