First15 Devotional - First15

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God Does the Drawing Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

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 your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

Every Morning Is Like Christmas with God Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

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 bless you as you seek him.

The Importance of Drawing Near Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

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, how can you get ahead of those changes by finding a place and time you can still commune with God, and rest in his presence?

In the midst of the holiday busyness, may we find peace and rest in relationship with our good and near God.

Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

The Humble King Dec 17, 2023

Show notes

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 you seek him.

The Just King Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

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 goal. And right now your gift will be DOUBLED by a $65,000 Matching Grant provided by a generous friend of the ministry..

Your gift today will help First15 produce more children’s versions of our devotionals to help the next generation connect with God; and produce new releases of First15 music for more powerful moments of worship as well as create more in-depth prayer videos. All of this is in addition to the continued release of the daily devotionals that are experienced by nearly 2 million believers in email, podcast, web and app format.

Click the link in the show notes or go to supportfirst15.org to give today. That’s supportfirst15.org. Thank you for your support, and may God bless you as you seek him.

The Merciful King Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

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.

The Triumphant King Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

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.

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 provided by a generous friend of the ministry..

Click the link in the show notes or go to supportfirst15.org to give today. That’s supportfirst15.org. Thank you for your support, and may God bless you as you seek him.

The Savior King Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

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.

The King of Kings Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

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 his leadership.

Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

The Sacrificial King Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

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 day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

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