First15

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 Christ the Lord is with Me by Steffany Gretzinger. Did you know? First15 is completely donor-funded! Help us reach our year-end goal and start 2021 on a strong footing by supporting First15 financially! CLICK HERE to give! _____ 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. 

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, and today's worship is Bless the One by Mack Brock. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, vid

As we begin to wrap up our week on Jesus’s 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 John 17:22-24, and today's worship is Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to h

Today we continue our week on Jesus’s 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 John 17:14-19, and today's worship is New by Craig & Rachel Denison. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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

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. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.              

As we continue our week on Jesus’s 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 Your Plans For Us by Eleventh Hour Worship. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we take a deep dive into Jesus’s 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. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to hel

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. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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

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. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to

Giving Tuesday! Support First15 today and have your gift doubled through a $5,000 matching grant! Click here to help even more people connect with God each and every day.  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 We Love Your Name by Jaye Thomas & Chris Tofilon. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ First15 i

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. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

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 Revival's In The Air by Bethel Music. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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 ca

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 Eyes on You by Mosaic MSC. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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

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 Secret Place by Bridgetown Music. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of F

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 Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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

In today’s devotional, the last in our series on the parables, we’ll be looking at the parables of the lost sheep and coin. May you discover today how precious you are in the eyes of God. And may you be empowered to see yourself, your value, as he does. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 15:4-7, and today's worship is Extravagant by Steffany Gretzinger & Amanda Cook. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we near the end of our week on the parables, today we’re going to look at the parable of the prodigal son. Hanging in my office is a print of Rembrandt’s depiction of this biblical scene. It’s hard for me to think of another passage of Scripture that produces such continual fruit in my life on a daily basis. May these words of Jesus redefine our relationship with God for the better today. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 15:21-24, and today's worship is Abba by Jonathan & Melissa Helser.  This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the

One of my favorite stories is the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. Through this story, Jesus makes it abundantly clear how we’re to come before God. May we today begin a fresh revival of humility in the church as we humble ourselves before God in prayer and honest worship. I want to encourage you to be open and vulnerable as you approach the Lord today. Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 18:10-14, and today's worship is No One Beside by Elevation Worship. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we continue to look at the profound, life-transforming concepts Jesus shared through parables, today we’ll focus on the parable of the lamp on a stand. May what might’ve once been a concept that caused many of us to feel pressure, now bring forth peace, purpose and freedom in God’s love and identity for us. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 5:14-15, and today's worship is Let There Be Light by Bryan & Katie Torwalt. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

Continuing our week on Jesus’s parables, we’ll look today at the parable of the mustard seed. As we dig into this rich, beautiful parable, may our hearts and minds be enlightened. Take a moment even now to ask God to give you fresh revelation. Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 13:31-32, and today's worship is New Wine by Hillsong Worship. This Christmas, find the peace God has waiting for you. Get your copy of our printed devotional, Emmanuel,  HERE — and experience God in greater ways in the midst of the holidays! _____ 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.  Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.