First15

It probably goes without saying that today is a different kind of Easter.  My whole life I’ve gone to Easter services, experienced the increased production, the increased attendance, and the family gatherings after. As a worship leader I’ve planned and led Easter sets, feeling the weight of guiding believers to the reality of God’s sacrifice and love on this special day.  But when things change, when our rhythms are different, sometimes those differences help us see life differently. When we don’t have the opportunity to get swept up into the busyness of Easter, maybe God could show us something different about Easter today. As I still my mind, my body, my soul for a moment today, one idea rises to the surface.  On the cross Jesus proclaimed these words that echo forth even to this day. With his last breath he cried out: “It is finished.” - John 19:30 The gospel we’ve been invited into is one of rest, one of grace. It’s a gospel where God time after time does what we cannot. It’s a gospel where work is put in

In today’s devotional, we’re going to stir up our affections for God by looking at his wisdom. Not only is our God wise, but he longs to share his wisdom with us as his people. Living with true wisdom, true perspective, knowing how to order our desires and our days is one of the real keys to living an abundant life. May we praise God for his wisdom, and ask him with boldness and confidence to share that wisdom with us today. Our Scripture for today comes from James 1:5, and today's worship is Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t

In today’s devotional, we’re going to continue our series seeking to simply stir our affections toward God, by looking at his boundless grace. On a daily basis, it’s God’s grace that always draws me close first. His forgiveness, his loving compassion, his gaze changes everything. May God open our eyes and hearts in a special way today to receive his grace in every corner of our hearts. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 1:7, and today's worship is Arms of Grace by Bryan & Katie Torwalt. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far away, but he is inviti

In today’s devotional, we’re going to continue our pursuit of stirring up our affections for God by looking at how God exchanges our burdens for his peace. As a society, we are more continually stressed now than ever. Stress has become our new normal. But in God, we have the opportunity to live with a peace that surpasses our understanding. May God guide us down his path to peace today as we make space for his presence. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 11:28-30, and today's worship is Peace by 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. _____________ As the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far away,

This week we’ll start a new series, making space to simply stir up our affections for God every day. Today, we’re going to look at the reality that our God loves to give us good gifts. May God empower us to live with open hands and an open heart, ready and willing to receive all that he longs to give. Our Scripture for today comes from James 1:17, and today's worship is Garments 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. _____________ As the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far away, but he is inviting us into a closer and deeper relationship with him. Let’s not allow social distancing to turn into spirit

How to connect with your God-given dreams: I’m thrilled to share with you our latest podcast conversation with Ryan Romeo. Ryan is the co-founder of the Outcry Tour, a worship tour that visited 86 cities and had nearly 1 million people in attendance! Ryan is a pastor, author and speaker who’s passionate about seeing people step into the dreams that God has given them.   Josh and I recently sat down with Ryan to chat about his latest book Head in the Clouds. We had no idea when we sat down that the world would be completely turned upside down by COVID-19, but our conversation about trusting God in the midst of struggle, and dreaming with God to overcome challenges is more timely than ever in this season.  We hope that you’ll be encouraged today by our conversation!  To find out more about Ryan and his book Head in the Clouds, go to www.hitc.live  

Today we’re wrapping up our week-long series of stirring up our affections for God by looking at what it means to have friendship with the Holy Spirit. The nearness of God’s Spirit, the reality of his voice and leadership, is our deepest connection to God on this earth. And like any other relationship, any other connection, it takes time to develop a true friendship with the Spirit. So today we’re embarking on a journey with one simple goal in mind: growing a little bit closer to the Spirit in friendship. May God guide us and empower us today, and reveal himself in a fresh way. Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 8:26-27, and today's worship is Not In A Hurry 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 m

As we near the end of our week, creating space every day to simply have our affections stirred up for God, we’re going to take time today to look at God’s heart to forgive us. God’s forgiveness is as constant as our need for his forgiveness. And today, I hope and pray that he reveals his heart to forgive us completely and immediately when we confess our sin to him, and his heart to constantly restore us to intimacy with him. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 1:9, and today's worship is Kyrie Eleison by Vineyard 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. _____________ As the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’

In today’s devotional, we’re going to look at the reality that God loves to heal hearts. As we continue this series allowing who God is and what he does to stir up our affections for him, may his desire to heal us emotionally, to bind up our wounds, draw us closer to him in meaningful ways. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 147:3, and today's worship is Could You Be This Good by Kristene DiMarco. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far away, but he is inviting us into a closer and deeper relationship with him. Let’s not allow social distancing to turn in

With words that echo through crisis and calm, Augustine prayed:  “Grant Lord, that I may know myself, that I may know thee…” In the throws of COVID-19, there is at least one opportunity in front of us to seize, and that is the opportunity for a greater knowing of ourselves, that we might find a greater knowing of God.  And the deepest ways of knowing him is, for better or worse, is aligned with the paths of knowing ourselves. For it is in ourselves that God meets us. It is in ourselves that God reveals his character, his affection, his reality, and his power. It is through our being, our intellect, our emotions, our intuition, our experiences with our communities and with teaching, that we come to know God.   So in the midst of COVID-19, would we seek a deeper knowledge of ourselves? As we cease our ability to travel, to gather, to busy ourselves, would we take that space and pursue greater awareness of ourselves and of God? May this prayer serve as a guide for you today, to foster a moment of meaningful conn

As we reach the middle of our week-long focus on stirring up our affections for God, today we’re going to create space to simply delight in God’s love. Oftentimes focusing on the simple, foundational aspects of our relationship with God will produce more fruit than trying to journey beyond them. And I pray that God reveals his love in a tangible and fresh way today for you and me as we open our hearts to meet with him. Our Scripture for today comes from John 17:26, and today's worship is Get Your Hopes Up by 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. _____________ As the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far

In the third day of this week-long series where we’ve been taking time every day to stir up our affections for God, today we’re going to look at all it means for him to be our Father. Out of all of the metaphors used for our relationship with this eternal, transcendent God, the concept of him being a Father today has been most meaningful. May he draw us closer as he reveals what a good Father he is to us. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 3:1, and today's worship is Good Good Father by Housefires. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it. The truth is that God isn’t far away, but he is i

As we continue our focus on simply stirring up our affections for God this week, today we’re going to take time to focus on the fact that God is present in our lives. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, God is with you in and through it all. And his presence, his nearness is the foundation on which we are meant to live as his people. May we develop a greater sense of his nearness today and learn how we can live our life in light of the goodness of his presence. Our Scripture for today comes from Zephaniah 3:17, and today's worship is This Close by Steffany Gretzinger. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is

This week on the First15 podcast we’ll spend time stirring up our affections for God through the renewing of our minds. Your mind is the gateway to your affections. What you think is worthy of your affections is what will receive them. So, as we grow in our understanding of God’s overwhelming goodness we will naturally give him our hearts. May you be stirred by the unconditional love of your heavenly Father this week as his perfect nature is revealed to you in greater, more transformative ways. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:2, and today's worship is Reckless Love 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. _____________ As the world seems to be spinning out of control, we oft

Families all over the world are dealing with the Coronavirus and its implications on their lives. Craig and Rachel sat down to discuss the restlessness so many of us are facing as we are forced into social distancing and how we can use this time to return to our truest self as God’s beloved child during this time.  They address questions like - Why do we resist being? Where does this deep need to perform, achieve, and strive come from? How can we return to and embrace rest?  We hope that this encourages you to embrace the stillness and turn inward to examine your own well-being on a daily basis.

As we finish this week of looking at different ways God speaks, today we’re going to look at the role of taking action in hearing God. One of the most powerful ways to discover what God thinks and how God feels is joining him where he is at work in the world around us. So my prayer today is that God opens our eyes and ears to discover fresh parts of how he declares his heart to us, and that we’re empowered to take action today in even more meaningful ways. Our Scripture for today comes from James 1:23-25, and today's worship is For the One by Brian and Jenn 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the

In today’s devotional, we’re going to look at the value of solitude in making space to hear from God. In all the noise of our world, solitude is more important now than ever. We need quiet to tune our ears to the still, small voice of God. We need the type of peace that only comes from quieting our hearts and minds. We need the type of relationship with God that can only be formed in solitude. May God empower us to quiet ourselves today in his presence. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 46:10, and today's worship is Be Still by Steffany Gretzinger. 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 the world seems to be spinning out of control, we often wonder where God is in the midst of it

In today’s devotional, we’re going to look at the role of meditation in hearing from God. Meditation for many reasons, seems to have found its way out of our Christian context. But the reality is that meditation has been central to our faith throughout its history. And the Bible is chocked full of encouragement to meditate on who God is, on his word, allowing space for God to fill in our daily lives. May God reveal his heart for us to meditate as a central discipline of our faith. And may he empower us to make room for his presence in a meaningful way today. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 119:15, and today's worship is God I Look To You by Francesca Battistelli.  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

As we arrive in the middle of this week-long focus on hearing from God, today we’re going to look at the role of Creation in God speaking to us as his children. Throughout human history mankind has gone to nature to get a deeper sense of the divine. And I believe that when we open our ears to hear what God is declaring to us through that which he’s made, we’ll find a wonderful avenue to stay in communication with our heavenly Father. May God reveal his heart today to speak through his Creation. And may our hearts be stirred to listen. Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 1:20, and today's worship is So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong United. 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. _____________ A

As human beings, we were created for connection first and foremost. Without meaningful connection to God, ourselves, and others, our quality of being and quality of life will diminish.  So in these times of social distancing, we must look to new ways (which might just be ancient ways) of fostering connection. And in the power of God’s constant redemption, new rhythms of connection will bring about deeper relationship that extends far beyond the pandemic of COVID-19.  So every now and then, I want to offer a simple moment of connection, a time where you might grow in self-awareness, grow in God-awareness, and even hold in loving prayer those around you both known and unknown.  Take the next few moments to set aside work, entertainment, cooking, cleaning, whatever it might be, to foster a time of meaningful connection in stillness and in prayer…  Father, Spirit, Son Lead me down the path of stillness That I might know that you are God, And that you are good.  I still my soul before you, I slow my breath, in and