First15

As we continue our series allowing God to prepare us for the new year, today we’re going to look at the promise of God that we can do all things in his strength.My hope is that we’re filled with courage and hope today for what God can and will do in us as we make space to live and work in him in this new year.Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 4:13, and today's worship is Center of All History by Steffany Gretzinger.Thanks for listening to today’s podcast, You Can Do All Things.We’re in the last days of our year-end campaign, where we’re seeking to raise $100,000 to wrap up 2018 in a place of strength for the new year. If God is moving in your life through this resource, please click here to support this space for his presence. Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

As we continue our series, allowing God to prepare us as the new year approaches, today we’ll make space for God to create new beginnings in our lives. Every one of us needs a new beginning in some way, a fresh start in some area of our life. And this season heading into the new year is a perfect time to allow God to fill us with new life. May you get a real sense of redemption and grace today as we seek the heart of God together. Our Scripture for today comes from Lamentations 3:22-24, and today's worship is Whisper by Jason Upton. Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.  Has this podcast been a blessing to you? You can help make this a blessing for others as well, by giving a year-end donation to ensure we can continue producing this show and reach even more listeners in 2024. First15 has set a $378,160 goal to be reached by December 31 so that together, we can end the year strong and help more people connect with God in 2024.  So I want to ask you to give a generous gift to help reach the goal.

As this year comes to a close, it’s vital that we take time to both reflect on what God has done and allow him to prepare us for what’s to come. A new year marks a fresh opportunity to center our lives around the goodness of God. I pray that as you begin looking toward what is to come you will make space to gain God’s perspective, ground your hopes and pursuits on his grace, and celebrate all that God has done and is doing. May your time with God this week be filled with the loving presence of your heavenly Father. Our Scripture for today comes from Ecclesiastes 3:1, and today's worship is The Farmer and the Field by Jason Upton.  Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the first in our 6 day wrap up of this years devotionals.  I truly believe that God has so much he wants to do in this small season in between Christmas and New Years. He has specific ways he wants to speak to you, guide you, and re-envision you for the year that’s to come.  So make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you won

Whatever is happening in your life today, there is joy to be found in the reality that Christ came for you, wants to make his presence known in your life, and that he will come again. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Peter 1:8, and today's worship is Joy to the World + Joy Of The World by Naomi Raine, Todd Galberth, Mav City Gospel Choir. Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, Overflowing Joy. And Merry Christmas to you and your family.  If you’re looking for another reflection on what Christmas means, and how you can soak up all of the goodness of today in the midst of the busyness, I’ve just written a fresh blog for our website. You can find a link in the description below.  I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, peace, and all the goodness of Christ’s presence in your life. Merry Christmas, and may God bless you as you seek him.  

Christmas is a time where we as believers celebrate God’s heart to write himself into our story. Prior to Jesus we had no real picture of God’s love. All we had to know him by was through stories of old and commandments written into law. But only in Jesus was a pathway created whereby we could walk in intimacy with the Father again. Only in Jesus was the veil torn allowing God’s manifest presence into the earth. We owe all that we have to Jesus. We owe all that we have to Christmas. Our Scripture for today comes from John 6:51, and today's worship is Noel by Chris Tomlin feat Lauren Daigle.  Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast, the first in our two-day celebration of Christmas.  As you go about your day, looking forward to the joy of Christmas day tomorrow, try and take a few moments to simply let God be with you. Allow the truth of what Christmas is all about to invade your reality, celebrating the fact that Jesus came for you by allowing him to make his presence known in a real way today. 

As we finish our week on drawing near to God this Advent season, today we’ll focus outward on how we can carry the presence of Christ into our spheres of influence. We have learned this week that God is with us always and available to us at all times. There is never a time he isn’t by your side, and you have the profound privilege of carrying his presence with you everywhere you go. As you practice sensitivity, God will be faithful to show up and move in amazing ways. May this Christmas season be blessed beyond measure as you seek to show the world his love. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 4:17. Today's worship is Make Me A Vessel by Vessel Collective.   Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the last in our week-long focus on drawing near.  Tomorrow we’re starting a quick two day series focusing specifically on Christmas. My hope and prayer is that these next two devotionals really root and ground us in the goodness of God, and equip us to soak up every bit of God’s goodness in th

As we begin to wrap up our week on drawing near to God, today we’ll explore what it means to draw from the endless well of living water and life available to us in Christ. In a season where consumerism is at an all-time high, God is inviting us to draw from his wellsprings of life for true satiation and satisfaction in him. Allow God to remind you afresh today of his love and ability to meet every need and longing in your heart. Our Scripture for today comes from John 4:10, and today's worship is Endless by Cory Asbury.   Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.  Has this podcast been a blessing to you? You can help make this a blessing for others as well, by giving a year-end donation to ensure we can continue producing this show and reach even more listeners in 2024. First15 has set a $378,160 goal to be reached by December 31 so that together, we can end the year strong and help more people connect with God in 2024.  So I want to ask you to give a generous gift to help reach the goal. And right

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 Jesus, You're Beautiful by Jason Upton. Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast, Solitude with Emmanuel.  The older I get, the more I realize how hard solitude is to come by. As my home is filled with kids, and work gets busier and busier, it can be so difficult to make space to simply be quiet with God. But I’m also learning that the harder it gets, the more important it probably is.  So as you go about your day today, take time to

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 Whisper by Jason Upton. Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.  Has this podcast been a blessing to you? You can help make this a blessing for others as well, by giving a year-end donation to ensure we can continue producing this show and reach even more listeners in 2024. First15 has set a $378,160 goal to be reached by December 31 so that together, we can end the year strong and help more people connect with God in 2024.  So I want to ask you to give a generous gift to help reach the goal. And right now your gift will be DOUBLED by a $65,000 Matching Grant provid

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 Closer by Mark & Sarah Tilman.  Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast.  Across all our platforms we’re taking time today to give our readers and listeners a way to support this space for God’s presence. Resources like this daily devotional are funded entirely by our readers. So if God has been moving in your life, and in the lives of others around you, consider supporting First15 today so we can put this resource in the hands of someone else just like you.  Go to supportfirst15.org to give today to First15 today  Have a wonderful rest of

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 Morning Song by Steffany Gretzinger. Thanks for listening to today’s podcast, the second in our week-long focus on drawing near to God.  As you go about your day today, what’s one way you can create some space to receive gifts from God throughout your day? Maybe it’s pausing for a moment at the start of every hour, taking a deep breath, and letting God in. Whatever it is, may you find joy and purpose in the gifts of God given to you out of his love for you.  Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bl

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 As The Deer  by Shane & Shane Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the importance of drawing near.  As we begin this week-long focus on what it means to draw near to God in this busy Christmas season, I want to encourage you to create some space today to think about how you can meet with God consistently across the next few weeks. As your schedule inevitably changes some

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. Today's worship is Humble King by Vineyard Worship. Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the last in our week-long series focusing on Jesus our King.  Tomorrow we begin a new series building into Christmas by looking at what it means to draw near to God in this season. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss out on what God wants to do in your life every day as you create space to meet with him.  Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as

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 Agnus Dei by Brooke Ligertwood, Jenn Johnson, & Chidimah Ubah.   Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.  Has this podcast been a blessing to you? You can help make this a blessing for others as well, by giving a year-end donation to ensure we can continue producing this show and reach even more listeners in 2024. First15 has set a $378,160 goal to be reached by December 31 so that together, we can end the year strong and help more people connect with God in 2024.  So I want to ask you to give a generous gift to help reach the

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 The Manger by Anne Wilson & Josh Turner. Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, The Merciful King. If you have a moment today, would you rate and review our podcast? Sharing your personal experience of how God is meeting with you in this space can both help someone else who needs this guide find it, and help you process how God is moving in your own life.  And if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss an episode.  Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him. 

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 Victor's Crown by Darlene Zschech. Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.  Has this podcast been a blessing to you? You can help make this a blessing for others as well, by giving a year-end donation to ensure we can continue producing this show and reach even more listeners in 2024. First15 has set a $378,160 goal to be reached by December 31 so that together, we can end the year strong and help more people connect with God in 2024.  So I want to

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 Savior King by Hillsong Worship.  Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, The Savior King.  Jesus doesn’t want to only save you for eternity with him, but he wants to save you from anything that would cause you harm right now. What thoughts, beliefs, or perspectives are harming you? What relationships need his healing touch? Look to him as your Healer and Savior today not just in the big things, but the little things as well.  Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.  

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 You and You Alone by Upper Room. Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast, the King of Kings. As you go about your day today, try and have vision for any time you look to someone or something other than Jesus as you King. Ask yourself questions like, “Who am I serving right now?” “Whose care’s matter most to me?”  As you further surrender your life to the King of Kings, you’ll discover how good and free life can truly be when it’s lived under

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 Gratitude by Brandon Lake. Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the first in our week-long series focusing on Jesus as our King.  As we’re nearing the middle of this Advent season, my hope is that we can create space to really center our hearts around Emmanuel, God with us. And my hope is that this space we’re creating for the presence of God together makes this season richer and more full of the joy and peace that can only be found in God.  So if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss an episode.  Have a wonderful rest of your d

As we end our week on Jesus’s 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 John 17:25-26. Today's worship is Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson.     Thank you so much for listening to our final podcast on Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. I hope and pray that this week has encouraged you.    Even now, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, and prays for us. God sees you right where you are, knows your triumphs and struggles, and looks at you with eyes of love. May t