First15

As we focus this week on God’s radical desire to meet with his people, today we’ll explore his longing for us to know his love. There is nothing more transformative than encountering the love of God. It changes everything about us and our lives. Every one of us needs to be reminded of the depth of his love on a regular basis, and it’s my hope that today we can take some time to do so. May you never be the same again. Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 8:37-39, and today's worship is Your Love is a Well by First15 Worship feat. Craig and Rachel Denison. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of Life. And it’s why we want to send you

One of the most scandalous truths of the gospel is that our Creator longs to be encountered by his creation. God longs to meet with us. His greatest desire is for relationship with us. God is pursuing each of us with his relentless love, seeking out those who might respond to his open invitation by opening the door of their hearts to him. My prayer is that in response to God’s desire to meet with his people we would be those who say yes to centering our lives around his nearness. May your week focus on God’s desire to be encountered be marked by the reality of his presence and love. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 14:2, and today's worship is Hide and Seek by First15 Worship feat. Nikki Moltz. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God

As we finish up our week on centering our lives around meeting with God, today we’ll discover the beauty of living from union with him. Today may you discover and wonder at how incredibly connected and one with God you already are through Christ. May you live each day aware of and benefitting from that union, and be forever changed. It is my prayer that the reality of Christ’s finished work on the cross sinks into our hearts and minds today, and that our lives are turned upside down as a result. Our Scripture for today comes from Galatians 2:20, and today's worship is Communion by Bryan McCleery. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of L

As we begin wrapping up our week focused on centering our lives around Jesus, today we’ll look at how to make the most of our time. Where we spend our time is where we place our value. As you begin to examine your life today, may God give you eyes to see what’s hindering you and what truly brings you life. How we spend our time is foundational to how we center our lives around Christ. Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:15-16, and today's worship is Christ Be Magnified by Cody Carnes. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of Life. And it’s why we want to send you a copy today! Craig wrote Living Intentionally to guide believer

Like we said at the beginning of the week, this life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? Today we will look to the person of Jesus Christ. He is the first and the last; everything was created for him, by him and through him. To center your life around anyone else is futile and empty. As we look to Jesus today, may our eyes be fixed on his eternal goodness and glory. Allow your heart to be stirred in adoration, worship and devotion to the only true King this world has even known. Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 9:6, and today's worship is This is Jesus by Gas Street Music. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning th

Every Christian I know wants to live an effective life for Jesus. The key to succeeding in this is abiding in him. Abiding in Christ is foundational to centering your whole life around God. Tapping into Christ’s presence and power is what will allow you to bear good fruit in this life. It is my hope that after today you are more equipped and empowered to live out a life centered about God. Our Scripture for today comes from John 15:5, and today's worship is Refreshing (Live Acoustic Version) by First15 Worship feat. Nikki Moltz. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of Life. And it’s why we want to send you a copy today! Craig wrote Livin

Seeing God correctly is essential to centering your life around him and his presence. Many of us have a tainted view of earthly fathers, but today God wants to renew your view of him as your perfect heavenly Father. As we grow in understanding of God’s perfect love and relation to us, may centering your life around his presence come naturally. Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Corinthians 8:6, and today's worship is Never Be The Same by First15 Worship feat. Ashley & Bryan McCleery. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of Life. And it’s why we want to send you a copy today! Craig wrote Living Intentionally to guide believers like

As we continue our week on centering our lives around meeting with God, today we’ll explore how this is always preceded by the longing of God to meet with you. God’s affections for us are always meant to be our starting place in seeking him. As you are reminded today of God’s great love and desire for you, may your heart be stirred with fervor to seek him and center your life around his presence. Our Scripture for today comes from Ecclesiastes 12:13, and today's worship is Waste My Life by First15 Worship feat. Craig & Rachel Denison. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly abundant life… only come from one place: connecting with God.  This is why Craig Denison wrote his book, Living Intentionally: Finding Meaning through a Modern Rule of Life. And it’s why we want to send you a copy today! Craig w

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week. Our Scripture for today comes from Ecclesiastes 12:13, and today's worship is Waste My Life by First15 Worship feat. Craig & Rachel Denison. Want a more thriving relationship with God in 2022? There’s a lot of talk every new year about resolving to do this and resolving to do that. But no lasting change ever comes from doing more or trying harder. Real change… and experiencing a truly

As we wrap up this week-long focus seeking to answer the important question, why should we spend time alone with God, today we’re going to look at how God provides freedom through simply enjoying him. I hope and pray that chains weighing you down to the cares and sins of the world fall off of you today as we follow the Spirit down a path to more fully enjoying God. Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and today's worship is Goodness by RNW Music.

As we near the end of our week long focus of why spending time alone with God is so important, today we’re going to look at the value of living in surrender. Every day there is an opportunity to hand over the burdens and cares of this world that we might pick up the peace and joy of relationship with God. And for me, that opportunity has presented itself most often in the rhythm of spending time alone with God. So I hope today that we both learn a little about the value of living in surrender, and experience the life that comes through actually dying to ourselves, that we might live in Christ more fully. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 7:13-14, and today's worship is Have it All by Brian Johnson.

It's hard to believe that two years have passed since we first launched our First15 Conversations podcast series. In our first episode of 2022, Craig and Josh reflect on the challenges of the past couple of years as well as the hope and possibility of the coming months.  We all have the desire to grow and change, but seeing that come to fruition can be incredibly challenging. Craig also shares the lessons he's learned over the past couple of years on how living intentionally can be the key to becoming who God's created us to be.  Order your copy of Living Intentionally today at www.supportfirst15.com Share your thoughts, suggestions, and questions at contact@first15.org

As we continue our week-long series looking answering the important question, Why should we spend time alone with God, we’re going to look today simply at the value of having time alone. In a world where we’re inundated with media, people, stress, and work from the moment we wake up, God has a better beginning to every day in store for us if we’ll follow him. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 5:16, and today's worship is Nothing Else by Rick Pino.

Today we’re going to look at how spending time alone with God every morning provides a daily opportunity to renew our minds to the goodness of God, the goodness of this life, and the moment by moment potential of living in real relationship with God. I pray that after today’s time, your mind is clear and focused on truth, and that your emotions and actions are marked by abundant life as a result. Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 4:8, and today's worship is Peace by Bethel Music feat. We The Kingdom.

Today we’re going to look at what it means to live for love, to build our lives on the foundation of giving and receiving love. You and I were made in God’s image, and his very nature is love. So may he guide us into a deep discovery of who we are in him, and how we can live our lives filled with the passionate pursuit of love. Our Scripture for today comes from Mark 12:30-31, and today's worship is Jesus We Love You by Aaron Williams.

As we continue our series looking at the heart behind spending time alone with God, today we’re going to look at the daily opportunity to store the treasure of our hearts in heaven. May God guide us into a passion for investing our lives in his kingdom, that we would have the most joy and peace possible here on earth as well as in heaven. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 6:19-21, and today's worship is Worth it All (Live Acoustic Version) by First15 Worship feat. Magen Thurman.

Why should we spend time alone with God? Why is meeting with God in the secret place so important? Until we gain an understanding of the immense value and availability of encountering God, we will never consistently engage in this foundational, vital practice. As we discover God’s heart to meet with us in order that we might experience the depths of his love, I pray that your life would be marked by a new grace to consistently and powerfully encounter the living God. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 31:19, and today's worship is New Wine by Maverick City Music.

In our last day focusing on getting back the basics of a quality time alone with God, we’re going to focus on what it means to meditate as a Christian. There is so much life to be had in the practice of meditation. And there is so much history within Christianity around this wonderful practice of meditating. May the encouragements of Scripture and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit lead each of us to an embracing of this incredible opportunity in Christian meditation. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 1:2-3, and today's worship is First Love by Kari Jobe. 

As we near the end of our week getting back to the basics of a quality time alone with God, we’re going to take time today to look simply at the presence of God.  As mysterious as it may sound, God’s presence is meant to be a regular part of all our lives. Just as we experience the nearness of those we do life with every day, and the fruit of them simply being with us, God wants us to experience his nearness as well. My hope is that today the presence of God is demystified a bit, and becomes a regular part of every day we set aside to meet with him. He’s done so much to be close to us, and I can’t wait to see how he fills the space we set aside for him today. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 33:22, and today's worship is Good to Me by First15 Worship feat. Taylor Zebracki.

Today we’ll explore what I hope is the fruit of every day’s devotional, communion with God. We serve a God who is simply after being with us. Every moment of every day is a chance to let God in, to live in real restored relationship with him. May God guide us ever closer to him as we create room for him to fill right now. Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 33:22, and today's worship is I Always Will by Vineyard Anaheim.