Listen with Discernment
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“UPDATED: I like the fact that this app provides me a way to listen to and meditate on a few select verses each morning while I get ready, in addition to the 3-4 chapters I listen to in my audio Bible. At the beginning, I did feel that the commentary was sometimes a bit too “spiritualized” meaning a lot of focus was on what I was sensing or feeling rather than what the text was actually saying or what the Bible as a whole teaches us about God, and I did notice some wrong applications of texts or slightly unbiblical slants in the commentary, making me hesitant to recommend this podcast to newer believers, but since making that post, I have noticed a gradual change towards the incorporation of more scripture and the ability to rightly apply more of the commentary. So, I have upgraded my review to 4 stars. Not quite 5 because of that initial concern and the fact that we always have room to grow; a little more incorporation of complete gospel reminders (ie-God’s holiness, our depravity, and God’s mercy & grace toward sinners would be nice to hear), but I am finding this podcast more beneficial over time. So, as someone who has a hard time sitting and reading due to sleep deprivation, I do appreciate that this podcast allows me to move while doing some Biblical meditation in the morning and that there is time built in for prayer and reflection. I would still exhort the listener to always put reading or listening to God’s Word in its full context first and foremost and to seek good expository sermons that explain passages of scripture in their textual and historical contexts to help them discern any individual passage of scripture and what it is saying. And I still highly recommend a diversity of resources, such as the Grace to You Sermon app, Desiring God, & the Solid Joys podcast, but I may be more inclined to share this podcast as a resource as well if it continues to become more and more Biblical.
Prior Update: Just to clarify my comment above, I’m not saying God never speaks to us outside of His Word, but just as is commanded in 1 John 4 to guard ourselves against false teachers, we must test those things we think we are hearing against God’s Word. As Jeremiah 17:9 says, the heart (which a Jewish audience would have understood to be thoughts) is deceitful, we can’t always trust every thought that comes into our minds during prayer. While as believers we do have the Spirit to guide us, we are still waging war with the flesh as long as we live on this earth (Rom 7:14-25). There are times when we can have a very strong sense that God is guiding us in a certain direction in response to our prayer and communing with Him, but we must always test those feelings against scripture to make sure we aren’t being guided by the flesh or sinful desires. That is my concern in this podcast for the newer believer who has not yet been in God’s Word enough to discern the spirits when emphasis is placed on what we “feel” or “sense.” I see danger in this without the disclaimer to always weigh those feelings against the Bible or even to seek Biblical counsel from those more mature in the faith (Prov 11:14 & 24:5-6). I hope clarification will be given in regard to our hearing God’s voice in the future when discussing such matters.”
meforhissake via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/20/19
More reviews of First15 Devotional
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“Keep up the phenomenal work! I listen to an episode every morning while getting dressed for work and at night I put on the sleepy timer and listen while your soft spoken voice pulls me to sleep. Thank you for your ministry. - 06/08/18”
apt342 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/08/18
“I believe I discovered The First 15 through a YouVersion Bible Study... There I subscribed to receive daily emails and from there to this Podcast, which is literally what I listen to right after turning off my alarm. I love this Ministry, it provides a focus topic, scripture and worship music!...”Read full review »
Bdelivered via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/10/19
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“Just started to listen recently.”
Sarah Caleb via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
06/08/19
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