First15

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 loves you. May you be encouraged and motivated today to get truly alone with the Father in these days. Our Scripture for today comes from John 1:14, and today's worship is Letting Go by Bethel Music featuring Steffany Gretzinger. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:15-17, and today's worship is Here With You by Hillsong Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

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. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 4:19, and today's worship is Come Awaken Love by Bethel Music featuring Hunter Thompson. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

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 afresh his love and kindness. Our Scripture for today comes from Lamentations 3:22-23, and today's worship is Every Good Gift by One: A Worship Collective. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

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 still far off. So this Christmas season, may we choose to open our hearts to the living God that we might experience fullness of joy in his loving presence. Our Scripture for today comes from James 4:8, and today's worship is Draw Near by Bethel Music featuring Jeremy Riddle. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. To learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach

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 heart is burst open and flooded with worship at the beauty of our Jesus. Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 2:5-7, and today's worship is Prince of Heaven by Hillsong Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we begin to wrap up our week celebrating Jesus our King, today we’ll celebrate the justice of God. What does it mean for God to be just? Does that stir up fear in you or peace? As we take a closer look at what God’s justice means for us, I pray you are filled with immense gratitude and worship today. God has looked on us with so much love. And Jesus, our just King, has done so much on our behalf. Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 30:18, and today's worship is Here I Bow by Brian and Jenn Johnson. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

We have spent this week looking at different aspects of Christ’s kingship. Today we’ll explore how the Lord is merciful in nature toward us and the world. May you come to treasure the mercy of God in your life as we take time today to explore it. He is truly so good to us, and it is fitting for us to celebrate him in all of his goodness. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 9:13, and today's worship is Mercy by Amanda Cook. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we continue our week exploring various aspects of Jesus’ kingship, today we’ll celebrate his triumphant nature. What does it mean for God to be triumphant? Like most things with Jesus, the deeper we look, the more we’ll find he is contradictory to the ways of this world. His victory is no different. Jesus’ victory confounded the Jews on his time, and still confounds many to this day. May the nature of Jesus’ triumph astound your heart and provoke worship and awe in you today. Our Scripture for today comes from John 12:15, and today's worship is O Come All Ye Faithful by Hillsong Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we explore the gift of Jesus this advent season, today we’ll dig into what it means for him to be our Savior King. Is salvation just for a time in the future, or could it also be for the here and now? What would it look like to take hold of our salvation this side of heaven, and experience the fruit of eternal life today? May you feel your faith and desire for more be spurred on today as you encounter this Savior King. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Timothy 2:19, and today's worship is All Hail King Jesus by Jeremy Riddle. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we spend this week to celebrating who Jesus is and what he’s done, today we’ll remind ourselves of the great authority and victory of Jesus as our King of kings. There is so much peace available to us today found solely in our shared victory with Christ, our King and his sovereignty over all of our circumstances. Allow this victorious King to settle your heart and mind today as you experience his presence. Revel in his power and might. And worship him as the worthy King that he is. Our Scripture for today comes from Revelation 19:16, and today's worship is No Other Name by Hillsong Worship. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

What a gift we have in the Christmas season. God himself took on flesh and dwelt among us that we might find eternal relationship in him. His coming serves as a continual reminder of his grace and pursuit of us who are lost without him. As we look to Jesus this week to celebrate who he is and what he’s done, may you find life-giving hope and foundational joy. Our Scripture for today comes from John 1:29, and today's worship is Always Have by Vertical Church Band. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we finish our week on vision and boundaries, today we’ll focus on having vision for eternity. The glorious truth is that this world is not the end for us. In fact, through Jesus, we will see a kingdom that has no end. Christ desires his people to be those that live with fresh vision for heaven and eyes fixed upward. May you be newly envisioned and encouraged today as you’re reminded of the world that is to come through Christ our King. Our Scripture for today comes from Ecclesiastes 3:11, 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'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we begin to wrap up our week on boundaries and vision, today we’ll explore having clear vision for community. All of us will likely fall in different places with this topic today. It is my prayer you discover what is healthy and God-ordained for you in regards to community—and that may look completely different than someone else! We all have different capacity, and it’s very important to remember that as we discuss living life with others in community. May our hearts be open today to whatever the Lord might speak. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 18:20, and today's worship is Heart and Hands by Sean Feucht, Pat Barrett & Amanda Cook. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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 co

Many of us are in a very necessary need of vision for and boundaries around our work. This may be one of the most important topics we discuss all week. We spend so many hours a day working, this time must surely be important. May you discover God’s heart for your work, and find deep purpose and joy today as you submit to God’s vision and boundaries for it. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 90:17, and today's worship is I Am No Victim by Kristene DiMarco. First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we continue our week on vision and boundaries, today we’ll explore what it looks like to have vision for loving and serving others well. Is loving people something you do intentionally? Or is something you believe will happen effortlessly as you live your life? Sometimes God is asking us to intentionally discover vision for certain seasons, and is specific about ways we could minister to or bless someone. Today may we learn how to serve people in a healthy, intentional way with good boundaries and vision. Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 2:4, and today's worship is Christ Be All Around Me by All Sons and Daughters. 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

Today we will take some time for ourselves, something we’re often not very good at doing. The reality is God cares deeply for you before you can do anything for him, and he wants that truth to settle deeply into our hearts today. We will be exploring what it means to have vision for ourselves holistically. How do we set ourselves up for success emotionally, physically and spiritually? The truth is you matter, and it’s my prayer you are strengthened and encouraged today. Our Scripture for today comes from John 10:10, and today's worship is No Longer Slaves 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

As we focus this week on boundaries for life and vision, today we’ll explore what it would look like to have the right priorities in place in our relationship with God. Many of us live as though God has a long list of expectations for us to meet. Today may God’s priorities for us become our own, and may we set the necessary boundaries in place to keep our priorities in the correct order. Our Scripture for today comes from John 15:4, and today's worship is You Are My One Thing by Bethel Music featuring Hannah McClure. 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

We serve a God of boundaries. In his limitless capacity, endless creativity, and boundless existence he still chose to create boundaries. He still had vision for what was good, right, pleasing, and perfect. And as children made in his image, we are to live, think, and create as he does. In a world marked by busyness from seemingly infinite opportunities, it’s important now more than ever for us to create boundaries. May you find freedom and joy this week as you receive vision and set boundaries under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 29:18, and today's worship is God I Look To You by Bethel Music featuring 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

One of the greatest gifts of my life has been to experience the presence of God. His presence is essential to experiencing and knowing him. And God has made himself so available to us through all that Jesus accomplished. May we simplify what it means to experience God’s presence today and gain a greater sense of confidence to experience the presence of God for ourselves at all times. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 27:4, and today's worship is Out of Hiding 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.