First15 Devotional - First15

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Love Encourages Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

In today’s devotional we’re going to look at the role of encouragement in putting our love into action. In a world that constantly seems to beat us down, we’re in need of some real encouragement. God has an encouraging word to speak to everyone around you. And if we’ll make space to listen, he longs to share that word with us that we might see his kingdom advancing in the heart of another.

May God encourage us today, and empower us to encourage another as we make space for his loving presence.

Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 10:23-25, and today's worship is Take Courage by Kristine DiMarco.

Thanks for listening to today’s podcast.

As you prayed today, I hope the Lord puts someone on your heart that you can encourage.

I want to implore you to take this opportunity right now to reach out to that person. Call them,

text them, write them a note, however you want to encourage them, don’t put it off. And I’ll see you back here tomorrow where we’ll look at the role of forgiveness in putting our love into action.

If it’s been a little while, rate and review the podcast, and subscribe if you haven’t already.

And may God bless you as you seek him today.

Love Makes Time for Others May 31, 2023

Show notes

In our third day of this series exploring how to put our faith into action, we’re looking at how we can love others by simply making time for them. The busier our schedules get, the harder it can be to make time for the needs of others. But we see in Jesus someone who while holding the power to save and heal the world, made time for the one. May God grant us his perspective and fashion us into his likeness today.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 8:40-42, and today's worship is In The Family by Josh Garrels.

Thank you for listening to today’s podcast, love makes time for others.

As you go about your day today and recognize someone who needs a few moments of your time,

try, even just for one opportunity, to set the rest of your day aside to meet a need. Oftentimes that

which seems so urgent really can wait, especially if we sense the prompting of the Spirit to be his

hands, feet, and maybe voice in the lives of another.

Make sure to rate and review the podcast and subscribe if you haven’t already.

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

Love is Present May 30, 2023

Show notes

As we continue this week’s focus, seeking to put love into action, today we’re going to look at how simply being present can make all the difference in the life of another. As our world becomes more and more distracted, and takes less time to notice what’s happening in the life of another, may God empower us as his people to simply be present today.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 139:7, and today's worship is Perfect Love by Rivers & Robots

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!

In today’s First15 Podcast we wanted to give you a preview of a new Guided Prayer that our friend RaeAnn Beckham wrote titled, “Safe Place.” RaeAnn does a beautiful job of reminding us about God’s desire to make us new and to do so gently and with unending kindness. Her prayer helps us remember that life with Jesus is a journey, one that he takes with us every step of the way.

Action Fueled by Love May 29, 2023

Show notes

James 2:26 tells us, “Faith apart from works is dead.” If we are going to experience the fullness of life offered to us through our faith we must be those who put our words into action. We must not profess to love God on Sunday and live as if he isn’t present, real, or good on Monday. May your faith come alive this week as you seek to be a doer of the word.

Our Scripture for today comes from James 2:26, and today's worship is A Long Way by Josh Garrels.

Thank you so much for listening to today’s podcast.

As we work this week to put love into action, I’m praying that God would give you specific

opportunities to see his love change the life of another.

So as you go about your day today, take notice of who around you especially needs a word of

encouragement, or a touch from God today. And look for one opportunity to put your love into

action in a meaningful way.

Make sure to rate and review the podcast, and subscribe if you haven’t already.

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

Loving the Church May 28, 2023

Show notes

As we wrap up our week on loving people, we look today at how we can love the Church as God does. Jesus says we will be known by the way we love each other. Would people know you’re a Christian by the way you love your brothers and sisters? People are messy, it’s true. We all are. And yet Jesus saw our worth and loved us in the midst of our messiness. How can you mimic that same love today as you seek to love his Church? Today we’ll look at the perspective and affections of Jesus for his people. May our hearts and minds be transformed as a result.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 13:35. Today's worship is Days of Elijah by Charles Jenkins.

Loving Strangers May 27, 2023

Show notes

As we near the end of our week on loving people, today we shift to loving those we don’t know. We are all so busy, and most often unaware of those around us, becoming too focused on ourselves to notice others. Perhaps today God would shift our focus upward to see the faces we pass on the streets or on the elevator. How much could a kind word or smile help someone out having a rough day? Let’s try to take our eyes off ourselves and see those we pass every day and don’t seem to notice. Could God want to use you to minister to someone you don’t even know? Let’s find out.

Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 13:2, and today's worship is Love God Love People by (ft. Michael W. Smith) - Danny Gokey (Lyrics).

Loving Friends May 26, 2023

Show notes

In today’s devotional, we’ll be learning about what it means to be a friend who loves well. Think about your dearest friends. What role have they played in your life in the best and in the worst times? Does your heart fill with thankfulness as you acknowledge what a good gift God has given you in them? May we pinpoint exactly what it means to intentionally love our friends well today. May we be filled with the love of Jesus and grace of God to go out of way to love and minister to those special people in our lives today.

Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 17:17, and today's worship is

Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith.

Loving Family May 25, 2023

Show notes

As we continue in our week of loving people well, today we’re going to learn about loving family. For some this is an easy task, but for many this is a little more difficult. The beauty of it is, our God is with us every step along the way. He has purpose and power for you in loving the family in which he’s placed you. Our families have the potential to be our greatest place of influence. How might he use you today to minister for his goodness and glory? Let’s take a closer look.

Our Scripture for today comes from Exodus 20:12, and today's worship is The Blessing by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes.

Jesus is the Model May 24, 2023

Show notes

As we continue our week on loving people well, we’re going to fix our eyes on Jesus. What better example or model is there for how to love than the One who laid his life down for the world? Today may you catch a glimpse of this beautiful King who loves perfectly. May you not only get a picture of how you could love others, but experience his incredible love for yourself afresh.

Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 3:16, and today's worship is Jesus You're Beautiful by Jason Upton.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.”

While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

Seeing Past the Brokenness May 23, 2023

Show notes

We are all broken people, living in a broken world. It’s that simple. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from the effects of sin. The good news for all of us is that Jesus steps into the midst of our brokenness, is near to us and makes us whole in his love. What’s even more amazing is God wants to use you to see past the broken exterior to the hearts of the people in your life. Brokenness can often make us hard, bitter and difficult to deal with. But we’ve been given the call to see past that hard exterior and love people in the midst of their pain. In today’s podcast, we’re looking together at how we can see past the brokenness in others to love them well.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 34:18, and today's worship is Providence by United Pursuit.

When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity.

However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.

The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come.

And that means becoming more like Christ every single day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.

It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.

To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.

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