First15 Devotional
1,263 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2K ratingsFirst15 is a daily devotional written to help you connect with God. Each day, the devotional features scripture, a devotional thought, guided prayer, and action steps. For more information, please visit first15.org. To hear the music from the devotional, search for First15 Worship on Spotify or Apple Music. Tags: First15 Devotional, First 15, First15 Worship, Devotional
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Episodes
The Boundless Grace of God
April 10, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.55 MBIn today’s podcast, we’re going to continue our series seeking to simply stir our affections toward God, by looking at his boundless grace. On a daily basis, it’s God’s grace that always draws me close first. His forgiveness, his loving compassion, his gaze changes everything. May God open our eyes and hearts in a special way today to receive his grace in every corner of our hearts. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download...
The Yoke of Jesus
April 09, 2024 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIn today’s podcast, we’re going to continue our pursuit of stirring up our affections for God by looking at how God exchanges our burdens for his peace. As a society, we are more continually stressed now than ever. Stress has become our new normal. But in God, we have the opportunity to live with a peace that surpasses our understanding. May God guide us down his path to peace today as we make space for his presence. Get your copy of Living Intentionally today! More from First15 Read to...
Your Father Gives Good Gifts
April 08, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.99 MBThis week we’ll start a new series, making space to simply stir up our affections for God every day. Today, we’re going to look at the reality that our God loves to give us good gifts. May God empower us to live with open hands and an open heart, ready and willing to receive all that he longs to give. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of Den...
A Constant Companion
April 07, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.64 MBToday we’re wrapping up our week-long series of stirring up our affections for God by looking at what it means to have friendship with the Holy Spirit. The nearness of God’s Spirit, the reality of his voice and leadership, is our deepest connection to God on this earth. And like any other relationship, any other connection, it takes time to develop a true friendship with the Spirit. So today we’re embarking on a journey with one simple goal in mind: growing a little bit closer to the Spirit ...
The Heart of God to Forgive
April 06, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MBAs we near the end of our week, creating space every day to simply have our affections stirred up for God, we’re going to take time today to look at God’s heart to forgive us. God’s forgiveness is as constant as our need for his forgiveness. And today, I hope and pray that he reveals his heart to forgive us completely and immediately when we confess our sin to him, and his heart to constantly restore us to intimacy with him. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's w...
God Heals Hearts
April 05, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.4 MBOn today’s podcast, we’re going to look at the reality that God loves to heal hearts. As we continue this series allowing who God is and what he does to stir up our affections for him, may his desire to heal us emotionally, to bind up our wounds to draw us closer to him in meaningful ways. Download the First15 App! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is...
Delighting in God’s Love
April 04, 2024 08:00 - 7 minutes - 6.55 MBAs we reach the middle of our week-long focus on stirring up our affections for God, today we’re going to create space to simply delight in God’s love. Oftentimes focusing on the simple, foundational aspects of our relationship with God will produce more fruit than trying to journey beyond them. And I pray that God reveals his love in a tangible and fresh way today for you and me as we open our hearts to meet with him. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worshi...
God Our Father
April 03, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.86 MBIn the third day of this week-long series, taking time every day to stir up our affections for God, today we’re going to look at all it means for him to be our Father. Out of all of the metaphors used for our relationship with this eternal, transcendent God, the concept of him being a Father today has been most meaningful. May he draw us closer as he reveals what a good Father he is to us. Download the First15 App! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship s...
The Lord Your God is in Your Midst
April 02, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.67 MBAs we continue our focus on simply stirring up our affections for God this week, today we’re going to take time to focus on the fact that God is present in our lives. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, God is with you in and through it all. And his presence, his nearness is the foundation on which we are meant to live as his people. May we develop a greater sense of his nearness today and learn how we can live our life in light of the goodness of his presence. More from First15 Rea...
The Sweetness of God’s Love
April 01, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.33 MBAs we continue our focus on simply stirring up our affections for God this week, today we’re going to take time to focus on the fact that God is present in our lives. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, God is with you in and through it all. And his presence, his nearness is the foundation on which we are meant to live as his people. May we develop a greater sense of his nearness today and learn how we can live our life in light of the goodness of his presence. Download the First15 App...
Receiving God’s Word through Action
March 31, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.65 MBAs we finish this week of looking at different ways God speaks, today we’re going to look at the role of taking action in hearing God. One of the most powerful ways to discover what God thinks and how God feels is joining him where he is at work in the world around us. My prayer today is that God opens our eyes and ears to discover fresh parts of how he declares his heart to us, and that we’re empowered to take action today in even more meaningful ways. More from First15 Read today's devo...
God Speaks in Solitude
March 30, 2024 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBIn today’s podcast, we’re going to look at the value of solitude in making space to hear from God. In all the noise of our world, solitude is more important now than ever. We need quiet to tune our ears to the still, small voice of God. We need the type of peace that only comes from quieting our hearts and minds. We need the type of relationship with God that can only be formed in solitude. May God empower us to quiet ourselves today in his presence. More from First15 Read today's devoti...
God Speaks through Meditation
March 29, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.88 MBIn today’s podcast, we’re going to look at the role of meditation in hearing from God. Meditation for many reasons, seems to have found its way out of our Christian context. But the reality is that meditation has been central to our faith throughout its history. And the Bible is chocked full of encouragement to meditate on who God is, on his word, allowing space for God to fill in our daily lives. May God reveal his heart for us to meditate as a central discipline of our faith. And may he e...
God Speaks through His Creation
March 28, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MBAs we arrive in the middle of this week-long focus on hearing from God, today we’re going to look at the role of Creation in God speaking to us as his children. Throughout human history mankind has gone to nature to get a deeper sense of the divine. And I believe that when we open our ears to hear what God is declaring to us through that which he’s made, we’ll find a wonderful avenue to stay in communication with our heavenly Father. May God reveal his heart today to speak through his Creat...
Hearing God’s Voice
March 27, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes - 8.08 MBAs we continue this series looking at different ways God speaks to us as his children, today we’re going to look at what it means to hear God’s voice. The idea of hearing the voice of God is something I get asked about all the time. And I think it’s because, honestly, it sounds kind of crazy! But Scripture and Christian History tell us clearly that God loves to communicate with his people. So may he guide each of us into a fuller understanding of what it means to hear his voice, and may we g...
God Speaks through His Word
March 26, 2024 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBAs we continue our series looking at different ways God speaks to us as his children, today we’re going to look at the role of Scripture in hearing God. The pages of Scripture contain so many amazing stories of how God spoke to his people. Within these stories we see the power of a people focused on following God’s leadership, and the destruction that takes place when people go their own way. May God stir up our heart to hear his voice through the pages of Scripture today. And may we align ...
God Speaks
March 25, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBYou and I have been given the invaluable gift of communication with God. Last week we learned about the process of making the soil of our hearts soft and receptive to God. This week we’ll learn some different ways to receive the seed of his word. May your communion with God flourish as you engage in continual conversation with your loving, present heavenly Father. Get your copy of A Great Calm! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/tod...
The Experience of His Presence
March 24, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.41 MBOne of the greatest gifts of my life has been experiencing the presence of God. His presence is essential to experiencing and knowing him. And God has made himself so available to us through all that Jesus accomplished. May we simplify what it means to experience God’s presence today and gain a greater sense of confidence to experience the presence of God for ourselves at all times.
The Experience of His Freedom
March 23, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.94 MBToday we’ll explore the experience of God’s freedom as it relates to our identity and what we believe about ourselves. Many of us have yet to truly taste the freedom available to us through the finished work of Christ. There is nothing else like it in the world. It is my prayer you are liberated today, and that your thinking toward yourself changes and in result changes your actions. Christ said his work was finished on the cross, and it’s about time we start living in the new reality he ins...
Partnering in His Purposes
March 22, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.66 MBToday we’ll explore the concept of partnering with God in his purposes in the earth. God is already at work all around us. He is asking us today to have eyes to see it, and step in with him to see his will fulfilled in the earth. As we assess our hearts today, may you go forward with a deep sense of purpose and calling. Everything with God starts and ends with relationship, and he simply wants to co-labor with you. Get your copy of A Great Calm! More from First15 Read today's devotional ...
The Experience of His Peace
March 21, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.49 MBLife this side of heaven is plagued with all kinds of stress and anxiety. This time of year can be especially stressful too. None of us is immune to this reality, but thankfully we have Jesus who the Bible tells us is himself our peace. What a beautiful comfort we have found in him. May you lose yourself in Jesus today and allow him to wrap you in his peace afresh. Bring whatever fears, stresses or worries you have to the risen Christ today, and experience the very real breath of heaven. M...
The Experience of His Voice
March 20, 2024 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBAs we continue our week on knowing God through experiencing him, today we’ll explore what it means and looks like to experience his voice. This can often be an intimidating topic. Many of us feel inadequate or even unable to hear the voice of God—but nothing could be further than the truth. I hope today you will feel the pressure or weight lift off your shoulders as you learn just how simple the relationship and knowing God truly is. Get your copy of A Great Calm! More from First15 Read t...
The Experience of His Love
March 19, 2024 08:00 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MBAs we spend this week wholeheartedly seeking to know God with all we are, we’ll take time today to experience God’s love for us. We all may live with the head knowledge that God loves us, but go long spurts of time without actually experiencing God’s love. God’s love is most radical and life-changing upon encounter, and it’s my hope today you’ll press into him and really feel first hand yourself how much God truly loves you. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's w...
God Wants to be Known
March 18, 2024 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.82 MBTo know God is to experience God. Just as we experience aspects of one another as we grow in friendship, we experience the wonders of God as we seek to simply know him. God is calling us to a life of seeking him with all we are. He is calling us to value relationship with him above all else that we would love no other but him. May you encounter wonderful aspects of relationship with your heavenly Father this week as we wholeheartedly seek to know him with all we are. Get your copy of A Grea...
The Baptism of Jesus
March 17, 2024 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBAs we wrap up our week exploring the tangible, life changing presence of God, we’ll look to the baptism of Jesus and how the Spirit of God descended and rested upon him. What does this mean for us as Christ’s followers? Is the Spirit’s presence available to us just the same? Find rest today as we encounter the Spirit of the living God and allow him to minister to us. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app ...
Pentecost
March 16, 2024 08:00 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBPentecost means so much to us as believers. The day of Pentecost changed everything for us. Today we’ll explore walking with the Holy Spirit and how he affects our daily life so much. May your heart grow in gratitude and friendship with the Spirit today as a result of your time with him. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.
The Holy of Holies
March 15, 2024 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBToday as we look at the Holy of Holies, we’ll see how Jesus fulfilled the requirements of God’s law and is the perfect High Priest on our behalf. As we learn of all Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished, may our hearts swell in worship and thanks to our King. Get your copy of A Great Calm! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.
The Pillar of God's Presence
March 14, 2024 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBToday as we explore the stories of the Israelites being led by the pillar of God’s presence, we’ll examine what that means for God’s leadership in our own lives. As we submit to his leadership, may we find how truly faithful he is to lead us in every single season. Open your heart to trust him afresh today, and remember he is for you. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst...
Moses, Isaiah, and the Holiness of God
March 13, 2024 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBToday we will look at the stories of Moses and Isaiah. They encountered the holiness of God and were changed forever. As we look upon him, may we be changed just the same. Know that as you come before him, you are loved by him and made right with him through the blood of Jesus. He simply wants you to come. Get your copy of A Great Calm! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportf...
Moses and the Tent of Meeting
March 12, 2024 08:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBIn today’s devotional, we’re going to build on the foundation we built yesterday by looking at different stories in which God made his presence known in a perspective-changing way. Today, we’ll look at Moses and the Tent of Meeting. May God make all our faces shine in his presence today, that the world would see the goodness that comes from spending meaningful time alone with God. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download t...
The Reality of God’s Presence
March 11, 2024 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBGod’s presence is real, full of love, and completely transformational. It takes what was broken and brings healing. It takes what was lost and guides us to our rightful place in the Father. It satisfies the weary, brings light to the darkness, and pours out the refreshing rain of God’s love on the dryest, deepest parts of the soul. Today we’re beginning a new series, focusing on deepening our understanding and practice of God’s presence by focusing on the reality of his presence. May God op...
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
March 10, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIn the final First15 of this series on the Holy Spirit, we’re going to look at what God’s word has to say about the gifts of the Spirit. God has called and equipped each of us uniquely, and importantly to co-labor with him. I pray that God would reveal to you how he’s wired and gifted you in the Spirit today, that you would find joy and deeper relationship with him in walking out your unique calling in the earth. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song ...
Sanctification in the Holy Spirit
March 09, 2024 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBToday we’re going to explore the concept of sanctification in the Holy Spirit. Every day, every moment, God is working to mold us into his likeness. We were made in his image. And the Holy Spirit is so insightful, so good at molding us and correcting. There is so much peace in store for us if we’ll allow God to take away anything in our life holding us back from what we were originally created for, to live free from sin, free from shame, free from the weight of the world, and holy and righte...
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
March 08, 2024 09:00 - 10 minutes - 9.43 MBToday we’re going to explore how we can bear the life-giving, world-changing fruit of the Holy Spirit. Your life is meant to be marked by love, joy, and peace. And plants don’t bear fruit by trying harder, but by simply receiving abundantly whatever they need to bear fruit. May you experience the richness of God’s presence, the water of his peace, and the warmth of his love today as we seek to allow God to bear his fruit in our lives. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to...
Being Taught by the Holy Spirit
March 07, 2024 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIn this life there are constant lessons for us to learn. And in the Holy Spirit, we have been given an amazing teacher. In today’s First15 podcast we’re going to explore what it means to be taught by the Holy Spirit. May we be good students of God’s word today, and allow him to guide us into a lifestyle of learning with him. For his glory, and our good. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to Fir...
Praying with the Holy Spirit
March 06, 2024 09:00 - 9 minutes - 8.63 MBToday we’re going to look at one of the most life giving topics we can discuss, Praying with the Holy Spirit. We’ve been given an incredible gift in God that most of us fail to use enough, and that’s real communication with God himself in the Holy Spirit. I pray that your ears would be opened to hear the loving voice of your Creator today, as we discover together what it means to pray with the Holy Spirit. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at Fir...
Friendship with the Holy Spirit
March 05, 2024 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBToday we continue our week long focus on the Holy Spirit by exploring what it means for us to grow in friendship with him. We’ll never have a kinder, more present friend than the God who dwells within us. May we discover the pathway he’s laid before us to grow in friendship with him today, as we take time to experience him in a fresh way. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at support...
The Leading of the Holy Spirit
March 04, 2024 09:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBAs believers, we’ve been given the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Teacher, Friend, and seal for the promised inheritance of eternal life with God. His presence, guidance, and wisdom in our lives are our greatest gifts while here on earth. Through him we have access to direct connection with our heavenly Father. Through him we receive spiritual gifts to empower us. And through him we are able to bear the incredible fruit of abundant life. Today we begin a week long focus, looking at how we can gro...
Living Courageously
March 03, 2024 09:00 - 9 minutes - 8.8 MBAs we wrap up our week on being used by God, today we’ll ask God to fill us with courage to live uncomfortably. May we bare our hearts before God, and ask him to change us, to rid us of all that hinders us. There is nothing to fear, and God is ready and excited to use us for his kingdom purposes. Will you accept his invitation? More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org...
Living Compassionately
March 02, 2024 09:00 - 9 minutes - 8.48 MBAs we begin to wrap up our week on being used by God, today we’ll explore what it means to live compassionately. This radical way of living will transform the people around you and expose them to the beautiful nature of Jesus. After we experience his great compassion for us, may we have no choice but to mimic that with others. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org ...
Evangelism
March 01, 2024 09:00 - 7 minutes - 7.18 MBToday we’ll explore the concept of evangelism. There are so many fears and misconceptions wrapped up in this topic, and my hope today is that we’ll simplify it, and get straight to the heart of the issue. As we assess our hearts, may we remain soft and open to the commands and will of God for us. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of Denison ...
Light in the Darkness
February 29, 2024 09:00 - 7 minutes - 7.29 MBOne of the best ways we can be used by God is by simply being ourselves. The identity Christ has given us as daughters and sons is meant to shine forth and be a witness to those around us. May you be encouraged today in your identity in Christ and freed from any unnecessary weight you’ve been carrying. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of D...
Declaring God’s Glory
February 28, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.33 MBBeing used by God requires inward humility and exaltation of Jesus as King. It’s the only way being used by the Lord can work. Today we’ll take a deeper dive in our own hearts and examine who is actually enthroned there. Become a First15 Monthly Partner! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.
God is Already at Work
February 27, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.33 MBIf we are going to be used by God, we must first acknowledge that he is already at work all around us, and that his work isn’t contingent upon us. This is not something we’re starting up. The weight is not on our shoulders—the pressure is off. I hope today you’re freed up to be used by God out of joy and delight rather than obligation or stress. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at s...
God Wants to Use You
February 26, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.66 MBIn response to knowing the heart of God we are called to share the wonders of his invisible nature with a world in desperate need of him. God has chosen to use us to reveal himself. He filled us with the Spirit and empowered us to proclaim the good news of salvation and restored relationship with our Creator. May you discover this week that you were made to share God’s heart. And may you find joy and passion in God’s longing to use you in powerful and unique ways. Become a First15 Monthly P...
Gaining Spiritual Eyes
February 25, 2024 09:00 - 9 minutes - 8.63 MBToday as we wrap up our week of diving deeper into the fullness of life available to us, we’ll explore what it means to gain spiritual eyes. Our human perspective is so utterly limited this side of heaven. We see ourselves, God, and others incorrectly on a regular basis. To experience the fullness of life, it’s imperative that we take up God’s perspective on all things and allow him to enlighten the eyes of our hearts. May you walk away from today with a new, eternal perspective. More from...
Surrender
February 24, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 8.01 MBFullness of life and surrender are inextricably linked. As we begin to wrap up our week on diving into the fullness of life, today we’ll explore the concept of surrendering to Jesus. May you be encouraged instead of burdened and take whatever next steps necessary to give Jesus your all. Become a First15 Monthly Partner! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download the First15 app Donate to First15 at supportfirst15.org First...
Understanding
February 23, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.9 MBThis week as we dive deeper into the fullness of life available to us, we’ll look today at the biblical concept of understanding and how it relates to experiencing God. May God shift your perspective today and bring you into greater fullness of life in your relationship with him. What’s beautiful about God is that no matter where you’re at in your walk with him, there is always more. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/today Download...
Faith and Trust
February 22, 2024 09:00 - 9 minutes - 8.44 MBAre you standing on sinking sand? Or do you feel the ground firm beneath your feet? Assess your heart in this moment. Are you living in fear? Are you shaken as things appear to be falling apart? Allow your answers to be indicators of whether or not you’re placing your faith and trust in God alone. The Lord is a firm foundation, and the only solid place to place your trust. In diving deeper today, we’re going to secure our foundation in the only steady hope—Jesus. Become a First15 Monthly Pa...
Acknowledging Our Need
February 21, 2024 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.83 MBAs we dive deeper into the fullness of life available to us this week, looking at the concept of acknowledging our need for God is essential. We will never taste the fullness of God’s sufficient grace until we learn to live low, acknowledging our need and weakness before the Lord. So many of us are fearful of appearing weak and work our fingers to the bone to feel sufficient within ourselves. The only path to true power and freedom comes through embracing our need and lack. May you experienc...