First15

Today as we continue our week on being poor in spirit, we’ll assess our hearts regarding storing up treasures on earth verses in heaven. We see this theme repeatedly in the words of Jesus, and it is my prayer we’re able to heed his words and embrace what they mean for us. As we seek to have one devotion today, may our hearts be fully open to the One who’s worthy.   Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 6:33, and today's worship is The Narrow Way by Steffany Gretzinger.  – Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast!   I hope you have a wonderful day, and may God bless you as you seek him.   - We are so excited to announce our very first First15 Kid’s Devotional book, My Time With God.    Get your copy of First15’s first ever devotional book for kids today!   My Time with God is a 20 day devotional written for young readers, ages 6-12, to help encourage and equip them to establish a lifetime of learning and walking with God through daily scripture reading and reflection. Each day of this 20 day de

As we continue our week on becoming poor in spirit, today we’ll explore the concept of living a lifestyle of grace. Many of us struggle with pride and self-sufficiency. But those things are in stark opposition to what it means to live poor in spirit. When we choose the road of humility, we open ourselves up to a life dependent on God’s grace to sustain us, a life fueled by God’s power rather than our own. It is my hope today that we can learn to embrace our weakness, that God may be made strong in us.   Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 12:9, and today's worship is Grace to Grace by Hillsong Worship. -- Thanks for listening to today’s First15 Podcast. My name is Ryn, and I’m a part of the First15 Team. If you haven’t downloaded our brand new First15 app, make sure to click the link in today’s show notes to check it out! One of the new features that you can enjoy when you download the app is our Guided Prayers. We are adding new prayers to our library every month, so if you need a moment of

The biblical concept of being poor in spirit is foundational to every aspect of the Christian life. Foundational to salvation is a heart-level acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. Foundational to experiencing God’s love is acknowledging our great need of love. Foundational to heavenly peace and joy is an acknowledgment that this world truly offers us neither. If we want all that God in his grace offers, we must pursue a lifestyle of being poor in spirit. May you experience more of the depth of God’s love this week as you discover God’s heart to minister to those desperate for him. Our Scripture for today comes from James 4:6, and today's worship is Everything You Are by First15 Worship feat. John Mark Kohl. – Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast, the first in our week-long series on what it means to be poor in spirit. I’m Craig Denison, author of First15.    My hope for this week is that God would guide you and me into humility, following the example of Jesus. And that in learning what i

  In our last day of our week long focus on the parable of the prodigal son, we’re going to make space to set our eyes on the father in the story, and ask the Holy Spirit to make us more like him.   Our ultimate calling is to grow up into the clearest reflection of who God is, as his children made in his image. And we see an incredible picture of who we are to be in the character of the father in the parable of the prodigal son.   May we become more like our Father in heaven today as we look at his word, and spend time in his presence.   Our Scripture for today comes from John 13:34-35. Today's worship is Christ Be Magnified by Cody Carnes & Kari Jobe. – We are so excited to announce our very first First15 Kid’s Devotional book, My Time With God.    Get your copy of First15’s first ever devotional book for kids today!   My Time with God is a 20 day devotional written for young readers, ages 6-12, to help encourage and equip them to establish a lifetime of learning and walking with God through daily sc

As we near the end of our week looking at Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, we’re going to look today the restoration of authority the father gave to the son. And we’re going to create space today to look at what it means be granted the authority of the Father in our own lives.   May we be positioned to work with God in bringing his powerful love to earth all around us as the result of our time in his presence today. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 16:19, and today's worship is Oh Praise The Name by Bridgetown Music.   --   Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on the restoration of authority.    Make sure you come back for tomorrow, where we’ll wrap up our week on the prodigal son by looking at how we can model our lives after the father in the story, and have grace for others around us.    Ultimately the parable of the prodigal son is actually about the father, and how he reveals the heart of God. And the ultimate calling of the story isn’t to be like the sons, but to become mor

Today we continue our week on the parable of the prodigal son, by looking at the son’s restoration of identity. The way we see ourselves changes our lived experience of every day. And the world around us often sends us a totally different message about who we are than who our Father in heaven says we are.   May God align our perspective with his today, as we apply the restoration of identity from Jesus’ story to our own lives.   Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Peter 2:9, and today's worship is  Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake. -- Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on restoration of identity.    If you’re looking to spend more time in reflection on who you are in Christ, I want to encourage you to listen to an original First15 worship song called “New.” There’s a link to the video in the description below. Engaging in worship centered around who we are in Christ is a great way to establish a firmer foundation of our new nature in God. So if that’s a need you ha

Today we’re going to look at the moment in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, where the Father restores his sonship. May the incredible love of the Father displayed in this moment of Jesus’ story give us a glimpse into how our heavenly Father feels about us today. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 6:18, and today's worship is The Place You Found Me by DCC Collective.  -- Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on restoration of sonship.    If you feel at all distant from God, like something you’ve done disqualifies you from sitting next to him at the table of his kingdom, I hope and pray that this story equips you to draw close to the Father again.    If that’s you, I want to encourage you to take time, even if you’re unsure of your status, to sit at the feet of the Father. To ask him how he feels about you. To let him speak into whatever it is that makes you feel distant from him. And know that if you create space, he will fill that space with a revelation of his nearness and his

In our third day looking at Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, we’re going to take time today to look at how quickly, how instantly God forgives us.   May regret, and fear over God’s judgement be washed away as we see an incredible picture of how quickly and easily God forgives our sins. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 15:20, and today's worship is O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship.  – Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on God’s instant forgiveness.    I hope that you got a sense of the lightness and peace that comes from laying the burden of sin at the feet of Jesus. I want to encourage you today, that if you confessed your sin to God, and received his forgiveness, then you can walk away right now without the burden of that sin. The Psalms say that God removed it as far as the east is from the west. Live today without the regret or weight of it, and let that freedom lead you into a lifestyle of greater righteousness.    Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you

Today we’re going to look at how incredibly patient God is with us, as we begin our second day in a week long focus on the story of the prodigal son.   So often we judge ourselves, we can be our own worst critic. But today, if we’ll open our hearts and minds to listen and receive, we’ll find a patient God whose never surprised by our mistakes, and who never casts us out in the midst of our failures and shortcomings.   May the patience and love of God transform your heart today, as we spend time in his presence, engaging with his word.   Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 86:15, and today's worship is Sound Mind by Bethel Worship. -- Thanks for listening to today’s First15 Podcast. My name is Ryn, and I’m a part of the First15 Team. If you haven’t downloaded our brand new First15 app, make sure to click the link in today’s show notes to check it out! One of the new features that you can enjoy when you download the app is our Guided Prayers. We are adding new prayers to our library every month, so if

The story of the prodigal son moves my heart to delve into new depths of God’s limitless grace. I find myself in every facet of Jesus’ words of this story. I identify with the younger son’s rebellion. I identify with the older son’s judgement and resentment. I identify with the experience of the father’s compassion and love.   Today we begin a week long focus at this lifegiving, and perception shattering story of Jesus, the story of the prodigal son. May God draw you even closer to him this week, and teach of you his redemptive and life changing love. Our Scripture for today comes from John 1:16, and today's worship is Grace by City Alight. – Thanks so much for listening to this first podcast in our week-long focus on the prodigal son.    Every day this week, we’ll look at a different aspect of this story, creating room for God to apply it to our lives, to illuminate new ways he wants to love us. Tomorrow we’ll do that by looking at how patient God is with us. I think tomorrow’s podcast will really give y

  As we reach the end of our weeklong focus on forgiveness, today we’re going to look at what it takes to forgive ourselves. For some of us, forgiving ourselves can be the hardest part of forgiveness.   May God give us the grace to see ourselves as he does, and offer ourselves love, compassion, and forgiveness regardless of what we’ve done.   Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 28:13. Today's worship is Good To Me by First15 Worship feat. Taylor Zebracki. – We are so excited to announce our very first First15 Kid’s Devotional book, My Time With God.    Get your copy of First15’s first ever devotional book for kids today!   My Time with God is a 20 day devotional written for young readers, ages 6-12, to help encourage and equip them to establish a lifetime of learning and walking with God through daily scripture reading and reflection. Each day of this 20 day devotional includes scriptures, activities, and prayers to help growing believers learn how to connect more deeply with God and about how spe

As we near the end of our week on forgiveness, today we’re going to look at a more foundational aspect of forgiveness, living without expectation of perfection.   The goal today isn’t to adopt a pessimistic way of looking at the world around us, but to actually see others the way that God does. God isn’t surprised by our sin, but looks at us with eyes of hope and love. May we gain his perspective today, and the peace and joy that accompany it, as we spend time in his word and his presence.   Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 3:23, and today's worship is See A Victory/What A Beautiful Name by Jonathan Traylor.   --   Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast on living without expectation of perfection.    Tomorrow we’re going to take time to look at another aspect of living without expectation of perfection, by looking at how this applies to ourselves. If you struggle at all with perfectionism, or being hard on yourself, make sure you come back for tomorrow’s podcast.    Thanks again for l

Today we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness by looking at the idea of separating out our forgiveness of the person from their actions. It’s often our failure to do this separation that keeps us from engaging in the lifegiving command to forgive. But God has wisdom and revelation for us today as we look at his word, and freedom for our hearts today if we’ll engage with him in prayer. May you find newfound freedom from the weight of unforgiveness today. Our Scripture for today comes from  John 13:34, and today's worship is  Forgiven  by David Crowder. -- Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast.    If you feel the freedom and courage from separating a person from his or her actions to finally forgive, I want to encourage you to take hold of that courage right now and do it. Initiate a conversation with them, that you might finally rid yourself of this weight of unforgiveness. No matter how difficult the conversation, it will be worth it.    Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless

In the middle of this week on forgiveness, we’re taking time today to look at what it means to live a lifestyle of continual forgiveness. Over time, as we open our hearts and allow God to do a continued work in us, we’re equipped to develop a new normal, a new way of living. So today we’re looking at how we can live with a constant openness towards forgiveness, equipped to both receive it and offer it, that unforgiveness would no longer have space in our hearts. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 4:26-27, and today's worship is Where Forgiveness Is by Sidewalk Prophets.  -- Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on living a lifestyle of forgiveness.  Every command God gives you, is for your benefit as well as the benefit of others. You and I are not meant to live with the weight of unforgiveness. As soon as you sense the need to ask for forgiveness, or offer forgiveness, do it. God has a lifestyle of continual forgiveness for you, that you might live a weightfree, abundant life in him

Today we’re going to explore God’s healing for our past wounds and present scars. There is so much power in forgiveness, so much healing in reconciliation.   May you find healing today for any wounds or scars you’ve been carrying, whether big or small. And may you find a greater measure of abundant life as the result of God’s presence and mercy. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Peter 2:24, and today's worship is Healer by Casting Crowns.  – Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast on God’s desire to heal past wounds and present scars. How amazing is it to have a God who sees our need, and meets that need, with his compassion and love.    Before you go, I want to encourage you to take just a few moments to reflect on what the Lord did in your heart today. Reflect on the reality of his healing. And let that time of reflection spur you on towards greater openness to the healing touch of God’s presence.    Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.  -   We are so ex

  Today we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness, by looking at the incredible gift of forgiveness we’ve been offered in Jesus. Every command God has given us, he has already supplied the grace to live in obedience to. Forgiveness is no different. May we find the grace to forgive as we rest in the forgiveness we’ve already been offered through our Savior. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 4:32, and today's worship is Forgive Me by Tenth Avenue North. -- Thanks for listening to today’s First15 Podcast. My name is Ryn, and I’m a part of the First15 Team. If you haven’t downloaded our brand new First15 app, make sure to click the link in today’s show notes to check it out! One of the new features that you can enjoy when you download the app is our Guided Prayers. We are adding new prayers to our library every month, so if you need a moment of peace with God, let these prayers be your guide! Do you ever struggle with forgiveness? Sometimes it’s difficult to understand how to translate God’

Offering forgiveness to others is one of the most difficult and important aspects of the Christian life. But Scripture clearly commands us to forgive others. This week, we’re going to look at how God longs to fashion us into his likeness that we might model the love we’ve been shown to a world with no concept of mercy. May you be filled with courage and boldness this week to offer forgiveness to those in desperate need of grace. And may God’s love shine through as you enter into your calling as a minister of reconciliation. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 6:36-37, and today's worship is Mercy + When I Think About The Lord by Common Gathering. – Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast on mercy, the first in our weeklong focus on forgiveness.    I want to encourage you today to take a practical step forward in whatever the Lord was doing in your heart today as you prayed. Maybe you need to ask forgiveness, or maybe you need to offer it. Whatever your need is, may God fill you with the com

In the last devotional in our series on grace, today we’re going to discover how in grace God teaches us. May we approach God with a humble and teachable heart. And may we learn whatever lesson we need from the Spirit today, as God teaches us in his grace.   Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Today's worship is The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham. – Thanks for listening to today’s devotional.    As you go about your day today, do your best to respond to frustrating situations with a spirit of curiosity and ask the Lord what it is that he might be giving you an opportunity to see in a different way. Ask him to help you, and as you do take note of what you learn and what happens to your level of frustration when the Lord allows you to see things through the lens of hope and opportunity, and how he softens your heart toward him in the process. May you begin to see the gentleness of the way the Lord loves you as you do.    Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe.    May God grant us all a deeper

As we near the end of our week on grace, today we’re going to explore how God’s grace brings us purpose. As we begin, where do you need more purpose today? Where are you feeling aimless, or lacking passion in life? May God fill us all with a deeper sense of purpose today, and may our days be more fulfilling and more impactful as we experience God’s grace right now. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Timothy 1:9, and today's worship is For The One by Jenn Johnson.   --   Thanks for listening to today’s devotional.    As you go about your day today, try and recognize whenever you begin to feel purposeless. And invite God into that space to remind you what really matters in life.    My favorite practice in maintaining purpose throughout the day is to simply be present. I find that if I can soak up all that there is in this moment, it’s far easier to sense my purpose than when I allow my mind to wander outside of the present.    Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe.    May God grant us all a deeper l

In today’s devotional, we’re exploring the wonderful reality of how God provides for us by his grace. And as we begin, think about where you have need today. Where do you need God to provide? Where do you need what only God’s grace could give? And let’s run before our Father with faith and joy, that he’s a good Father who gives us good, and perfect gifts.   Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Timothy 6:17, and today's worship is  Communion by Maverick City Music & Steffany Gretzinger. -- Thanks for listening to today’s devotional.    As you go about your day today, take every opportunity to thank God for what he’s already given you. He’s provided so many things in your life, so many gifts for you to enjoy. And as you posture your heart with thanksgiving, know that it will position you to receive even more of what God wants to give in his grace.    Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe.    Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.