Every single one of us has an innate need to know we’re loved. And yet, so many of us go too many days wondering or unsure of the love our heavenly Father has for us. Today as we continue our week on living for heaven, we’re going to dive into our need to be loved and to love others deeply in order to be successful in this pursuit toward heaven. God doesn’t want you to even go one day without knowing how truly loved you are. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's...

What would it be like to have unhindered, abundant joy in the midst of all circumstances? The beauty of the joy God longs to give is that it’s not fleeting or temporary. It is sustaining, strong and true. As we continue to discover what it means to live for heaven, today we look at what it means for us to be marked by joy. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a...

As we continue our week on living for heaven, today we look at the concept of hope. Hope is a necessity in this day, and God wants to restore your sense of hope and give you a fresh dose today. May the hope of eternal life be an anchor for you all of your days. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] First15 is a brand of...

As children of God, we have been given a new home and a new hope. In this week of First15, we’re going to take time every day to look at what it means to live for heaven. May your heart be set aflame by the joy and purpose of living out God’s command to live for heaven this week. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at...

As we end our week on transcendent peace, today we’ll explore what it means to be a person of peace. Jesus refers to his people as “peacemakers.” Would you say that title accurately describes you? What kind of emotion does that word stir up? In a world full of principles like “an eye for an eye,” how can Christians be set apart and different? Today we’ll dive into that and more. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the...

As we begin to wrap up our week on transcendent peace, today we’ll explore growing in relationship with the Holy Spirit, and how he can help us walk in peace. As we’ve learned this week, connectedness with God is crucial to peace in all circumstances, and today we’ll dive deeper into those thoughts. May you grow in your desire for closeness with the Holy Spirit today. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate...

What would it look like to have peace in all circumstances? I honestly can’t imagine anything better. We see promises in Scripture of this peace at all times, but so few of us experience that. Why is that the case? Today we’ll explore why that might be and how to walk in transcendent peace untouched by the circumstances of this world. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at...

For many, relationships can often be the greatest source of joy, or the quickest thing to rob us of peace. As we seek to walk in transcendent peace, it’s vital we seek peace in life’s relationships. It is vital we take the path of humility and consider others more significant than ourselves. Today we’ll dive into how to live in harmony with others and experience the peace of heaven in our friendships, families, and work lives. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's...

Today we will explore how to have a peaceful thought-life, as we continue our week on transcendent peace. The Bible speaks very specifically about our minds, and how important it is to have control over our thoughts. Today we’ll dive a little deeper into those biblical concepts, and I hope we each walk away better equipped to face life’s trials with the transcendent peace of God. Order your First15 devotional bundle! More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song...

As we continue our week on transcendent peace, we’ll look today at where peace comes from. Peace isn’t something we can muster up in and of ourselves. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God. And thankfully, we have God’s Spirit living inside of us. May we learn today how to tap into the peace of God that’s so ever-readily available to us as Christians. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at...

One of the most powerful marks of a believer is transcendent peace. This world offers us no reason to be peaceful. It offers us no reason to be without stress, burdens, cares, and total frustration. But we serve a God who offers us peace in the midst of any circumstance. We serve a God in whom all true peace finds its source. May you discover the heart of your heavenly Father to bring you peace this week. Order your First15 devotional bundle! More from First15 Read today's devotional or...

Today, in the last day of our week long focus on joy, we’re going to explore how we can be carriers for the joy of our God. Joy is contagious. It’s powerful. And it’s meant to be at the heart of our communication of who God is, and what relationship with him is like. May God fill us all with a greater measure of his joy today, and a greater understanding of how to carry that joy into a world in desperate need of it. Boilerplate Copy: More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to...

As we near the end of our week on joy, today we look at another aspect of the joy available to us in God, specifically how our joy could be so great that the Bible would call it inexpressible. May our hearts be opened to a greater measure of joy than we’ve yet experienced, and the wisdom and faith to hold on to that joy as our portion in God. Boilerplate Copy: More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to...

In today’s First15 we’re going to explore the role of the Holy Spirit in living with the joy available to us in God. Know that as a believer, the Holy Spirit is with you, ready to search the heart of God for you, and to give you this free gift of joy, if you’ll simply trust him and receive it. May your relationship with the Spirit deepen today, and yield a joy so real and strong that no trial or tribulation could come against it. Order your First15 devotional bundle! More from First15 Read...

I think one of the hardest things to do in life is to live with joy in the midst of trials and challenges. It’s so easy to let life dictate to us our emotions and state of being. But in God, there is a joy available to us right where we are, no matter how good or bad the situation may be. Today we’re going to make space together to simply open our hearts and minds to receive the joy of the Father. I hope and pray that you find real, life-changing joy in God’s presence today. Boilerplate...

In our third day of looking at Joy, we’re going to take time today to look at David’s statement in Psalm 16:11, where he describes a “fullness of joy.” There is a greater fullness of life available to you and in me in God that most of us will ever experience. To experience more of God almost always requires laying down more of the things of the world. But if we, today, will gives a greater measure of our hearts over to God, we’ll find greater joy than we could have imagined experiencing this...

As we continue our week of looking at Joy, we’re going to take time today to receive a fresh revelation of how God rejoices over us. God not only loves you, but he likes you. He rejoices over you, just as you are. I hope and pray that you get a real, tangible sense of God’s joy over you today as we create space in his presence together. Boilerplate Copy: More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15...

Do you find yourself anxious, fearful or stressed during election seasons? As division and conflict surrounding politics seem to intensify, it can be hard to avoid getting caught up in the chaos. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a different way - the way of peace. In this podcast, based on the book Peace in Politics by Josh L Miller, you'll be equipped with a biblical mindset to navigate divisive political times with wisdom and grace. Through exploring passages of Scripture, you'll...

In a world that knocks us down, joy can feel so elusive. But Scripture is filled with encouragement, that there is a joy available to us in God that transcends the pain and suffering of the world. This week, we’re going to take time every day to open our hearts and receive the joy of the Father, that we could be children marked by the joy of heaven. May you discover the greater portion of joy available to you through the Spirit as you encounter the heart of your Father this week. Order your...

In today’s First15 we wrap up our week on seeking God by looking at the act of seeking God through community. You may be a people person, or a total introvert, but either way, God wants to use his church to encourage you and draw you closer to him. The Lord loves unity in his body, and he longs for his church, his Bride to worship and seek him as one. May God open your heart and mind today to the community he’s placed you in in this season. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen...

As we near the end of our week on seeking God, today we will focus on seeking God in solitude. Our world is a busy place. Our home lives are busy. Our church lives are full. When are you ever alone to simply fix your eyes on the Father, and be uninterrupted by the things going on around you? If we will take up the discipline of solitude, our lives will look very different. Imagine for a second the inner peace and sanity you could gain if you set aside consistent time to seek God in solitude....

In today’s First15, we’re going to explore the act of seeking God through his creation. God wants to use the world around us to declare his glory, goodness and love for us. May we take the time to open our eyes and hearts, to slow down for a minute and behold the beauty of our God in all that he has made. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback...

As we continue our week on seeking God, today we’re exploring what it means to seek God through fasting. This may be a new or even unpleasant topic for some, but my hope is that you would be energized and encouraged toward the act of fasting today. There is power in surrender and self-sacrifice for the sake of more of God, and I pray you experience that power as you learn more about this important tool God’s given us to seek him. I’d encourage you to open your heart today in full surrender to...

As we continue our series on seeking God, today we’ll explore the intimate closeness of seeking God through prayer. How amazing is our Father that he wants to commune with us? With you? With me? Take a second to fathom how beautiful that truly is. Today, may your heart be stirred to take advantage of the unbelievable gift prayer is today as you experience God. More from First15 Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to...

In our second day of exploring what it means to seek God, we’re going to focus in on the act of seeking God through the Scriptures. We have been given an endless well of life-giving truth through the gift of God’s word. Whatever need you have, God wants to use his words to bring peace, life, strength, guidance and hope to you today. He promises you will find him when you seek him with your whole heart. And God is ready and waiting to meet with you today, eager to meet all your needs and...