First15

One of the hardest things to do in life is to live with joy in the midst of trials and challenges. It’s so easy to let life dictate to us our emotions and state of being. But in God, there is a joy available to us right where we are, no matter how good or bad the situation may be. Today we’re going to make space together to simply open our hearts and minds to receive the joy of the Father. I hope and pray that you find real, life-changing joy in God’s presence today. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 126:5-6, and today's worship is Ever Be by Bethel Music featuring Kalley Heiligenthal. 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.

In our third day of looking at Joy, we’re going to take time to look at David’s statement in Psalm 16:11, where he describes a “fullness of joy.” There is a greater fullness of life available to you and me in God that most of us will ever experience. Experiencing more of God almost always requires laying down more of the things of the world. But if we today will give a greater measure of our hearts over to God, we’ll find greater joy than we could have imagined experiencing this side of heaven. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 16:11, 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

As we continue our week of looking at Joy, we’re going to take time today to receive a fresh revelation of how God rejoices over us. God not only loves you, but he likes you. He rejoices over you, just as you are. I hope and pray that you get a real, tangible sense of God’s joy over you today as we create space in his presence together. Our Scripture for today comes from Zephaniah 3:17, and today's worship is I Love You by Vineyard Campbellsville. 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.

In a world that knocks us down, joy can feel so elusive. But Scripture is filled with encouragement, that there is a joy available to us in God that transcends the pain and suffering of the world. This week on the First15 podcast, we’re going to take time every day to open our hearts and receive the joy of the Father, that we could be children marked by the joy of heaven.May you discover the greater portion of joy available to you through the Spirit as you encounter the heart of your Father this week. Our Scripture for today comes from Nehemiah 8:10, and today's worship is You Are My Peace by Housefires featuring Nate Moore. 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.

God loves to exceed our expectations and break our boxes. Today’s topic does just that. As we end our week, today we’re exploring God’s attributes that make him a fun, joyful Father. Let’s allow God to reshape our notion of him and free our hearts up to enjoy just how good God really is. He is better than anyone we’ve ever known, and it’s my hope today we can see that with clear eyes. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 30:11-12, and today's worship is You Are My Joy by United Pursuit feat. Will Reagan. 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.

Discipline can be a tricky subject. Many of us have not seen discipline done well, and no one really loves being disciplined or having something they’ve done wrong pointed out. But something we must keep in mind with our heavenly Father is that he loves perfectly, so discipline must be a part of his perfect love. As we wrap up our week of looking at who God is, this is a crucial topic we have to look at to engage with all the ways God loves us. Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 12:6, and today's worship is O Come To The Altar by Elevation Worship feat. Chris Brown. 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 continue our week on God being our Father, we look today at how God encourages us. There is nothing like an encouraging word from the Father when we’re feeling low and discouraged. Sometimes life can be daunting, and our good Father knows just what to say when we need to hear it most. If you’re feeling discouraged today, I pray the Lord speaks courage to your weary heart and strengthens your weary bones to keep running the race set before you. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 27:14, and today's worship is Take Courage by Bethel Music featuring 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.

In the kingdom of God, we find a culture different from that of our world. We are often taught to be self-made, pull ourselves up by our boot straps, and that it’s the survival of the fittest. God’s kingdom turns these principles on their head. We are encouraged to wait, trust, and receive from our God who supplies for our every need. Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 4:19, and today's worship is Provider by Urban Rescue. 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.

Many of us deal with a fear of abandonment, rejection, or loneliness, and often for good reason. The beautiful thing about our heavenly Father is that he is present in our lives, and we are never alone. As we continue our week looking at the ways God is good to us, open your heart today to the very tangible presence of your Father, even now in your midst. Allow truth to permeate the broken places and make you confident and whole in God’s ever-present love. Our Scripture for today comes from Deuteronomy 31:6, and today's worship is Lean Back by Capital City Music feat. Dion Davis. 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.

In our fallen state, patience isn’t something we find very often in ourselves or others. I don’t know if I know one person who has perfectly displayed patience for me, myself included. What’s incredible about our Father in heaven is that he is an endless well of patience. He has patience in abundance, and it never runs out for us. Today allow God to reorient the way you understand him and his heart towards you. He is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, unlike anyone we’ve ever known. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Peter 3:9, and today's worship is Mercy by Amanda Cook. 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.

There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 3:1, and today's worship is Abba by Jonathan & 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 end our week on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, today we’ll dive into his desire for us to know the Father’s great love. Knowing the love of God for us is essential to healthy Christian living. God’s love is fundamental to our identity as his children and the sacrifice of Jesus. If we aren’t rooted and grounded in the unconditional love of God, we will be like untethered buoys being tossed about in the sea. It may seem elementary that God loves you, but I’d encourage you to open your heart afresh to this reality, that God could reveal his love to you in a real and new way today. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 4:16, and today's worship is Met By Love by United Pursuit featuring Brandon Hampton and Michael Ketterer. 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 ca

As we begin to wrap up our week on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, today we look at what it means to reflect God’s glory. How could man ever look like God? In our broken, fallen state, can we ever reflect his glory? Let’s find out as we explore God’s heart and intention behind filling us with his Holy Spirit and giving us his new nature. May your heart and mind be open to God’s truth and will for your life today as we seek him together. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 3:18, and today's worship is Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship featuring Brooke Ligertwood. 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 continue our week on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer by exploring the topic of sanctification. What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world? What does sanctification look like played out in our lives practically? Often the concept of being sanctified is daunting and a bit intimidating. But today God wants to clear up our common misconceptions and help us enter this process with joy. Open your heart to the kindness of Jesus and allow him to give you rest. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and today's worship is New by Craig & Rachel Denison. 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.

Jesus is a joyful King, and we find in his High Priestly Prayer that he desires that his people would be filled with his joy too. We all have a myriad of burdens and things in life that cause us stress and worry. But what does it look like to have deep abiding joy in all circumstances? Today we’ll explore that and more. Our Scripture for today comes from John 17:13, and today's worship is You Are My Joy by United Pursuit featuring Will Reagan. 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 continue our week on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, today we’ll explore God’s desire to see his people unified. Why would this be important to him? What good could be in unity for us and others? What is Jesus trying to communicate to the world through us? May our hearts be open to the answers we discover today as we take a deeper dive. Our Scripture for today comes from John 17:10-11, and today's worship is O Praise The Name (Anástasis) by Hillsong Worship featuring Marty Sampson. 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 take a deep dive into Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17 this week, we will discover together the deep desires of the heart of God. Today we explore Jesus’s desire to be known by his people. Isn’t it amazing to think the God of the universe desires to be known intimately by you and me? What a beautiful blessing and gift he desires to give each of us. May we take hold of this gift and experience it fully today as we take a closer look. Our Scripture for today comes from John 17:3, and today's worship is Come To The Saviour by GT Music featuring Lacey Maxwell. 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 have a great High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf. The Son of God and Man loves you more deeply than you can fathom. He prays for you, that you might walk in the abundant life his death affords you. And in John 17 we get a glimpse into the fullness of his desire for all those who would believe in him. As we dive deeply into the riches of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer this week, may your heart be awakened and your life be transformed by the riches of God’s love. Our Scripture for today comes from John 17:1-2, 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 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 wrap up our week on loving people, we look today at how we can love the Church as God does. Jesus says we will be known by the way we love each other. Would people know you’re a Christian by the way you love your brothers and sisters? People are messy, it’s true. We all are. And yet Jesus saw our worth and loved us in the midst of our messiness. How can you mimic that same love today as you seek to love his Church? Today we’ll look at the perspective and affections of Jesus for his people. May our hearts and minds be transformed as a result. Our Scripture for today comes from John 13:35, and today's worship is Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) by Hillsong Worship featuring Taya Smith. 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

As we near the end of our week on loving people, today we shift to loving those we don’t know. We are all so busy, and most often unaware of those around us, becoming too focused on ourselves to notice others. Perhaps today God would shift our focus upward to see the faces we pass on the streets or on the elevator. How much could a kind word or smile help someone out having a rough day? Let’s try to take our eyes off ourselves and see those we pass every day and don’t seem to notice. Could God want to use you to minster to someone you don’t even know? Let’s find out. Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 13:2, and today's worship is For the One by 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. And, if you feel called to support First15 financially, you may give here.