First15 Devotional

Today we will take some time for ourselves, something we’re often not very good at doing. The reality is God cares deeply for you before you can do anything for him, and he wants that truth to settle deeply into our hearts today. We will be exploring what it means to have vision for ourselves holistically. How do we set ourselves up for success emotionally, physically and spiritually? The truth is you matter, and it’s my prayer you are strengthened and encouraged today.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 10:10, and today's worship is See A Victory by Elevation Worship. 

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast, Vision for Yourself. 

One of the most challenging things to do can be to simply stop and practice self-awareness. So often we just keep going, ignoring how we’re really feeling or doing, and suffer too long as a result. 

As you go about your day today, try and set aside time to simply be aware of how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, what matters most, what your disappointed with. Often creating space to simply have vision for yourself, not even working to change things, can give us a greater measure of abundant life every day. 

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

As we focus this week on boundaries for life and vision, today we’ll explore what it would look like to have the right priorities in place in our relationship with God. Many of us live as though God has a long list of expectations for us to meet. Today may God’s priorities for us become our own, and may we set the necessary boundaries in place to keep our priorities in the correct order.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 15:4, and today's worship is What I See by Elevation Worship.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

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

As you go about your day today, look for opportunities to ask God to give you vision to see him. If you find yourself staring at a really difficult situation, as God to reveal where he is in the midst of it. If you find yourself not knowing which way to go, ask him to illuminate a path. 

I hope that you find God in the midst of your day in more meaningful ways as the result of the time you’ve set aside for him already. 

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

We serve a God of boundaries. In his limitless capacity, endless creativity, and boundless existence he still chose to create boundaries. He still had vision for what was good, right, pleasing, and perfect. And as children made in his image, we are to live, think, and create as he does. In a world marked by busyness from seemingly infinite opportunities, it’s important now more than ever for us to create boundaries. May you find freedom and joy this week as you receive vision and set boundaries under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 29:18, and today's worship is Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks so much for listening to today’s podcast, being a person of vision, the first in our week-long series on vision and boundaries. 

Tomorrow we’ll begin looking at what it means to have vision for specific areas in our lives, starting with what it means to have vision for God. My hope is that God opens our eyes tomorrow in specific ways to see how we can live with a closer connection to him, moment by moment. 

But for now, have a wonderful rest of your day. And may God bless you as you seek him. 

In today’s devotional, the last in our series on the parables, we’ll be looking at the parables of the lost sheep and coin. May you discover today how precious you are in the eyes of God. And may you be empowered to see yourself, your value, as he does.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 15:4-7, Luke 15:8-10. Today's worship is Where I'll Be Found by Restoration Worship.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thank you for listening to today’s devotional.

Tomorrow we’re beginning a brand new series focusing simply on the presence of God. May our connection with him and ability to abide with him grow every morning as we make space for him to fill. 

But if God did something significant as you engaged in these stories this week, consider taking 45 seconds or so to write a review. Sharing your story will help you gain a sense of what God’s doing in your life, and could be just what someone else needs to dive in to a connected relationship with God every day. 

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

As we near the end of our week on the parables, today we’re going to look at the parable of the prodigal son. Hanging in my office is a print of Rembrandt’s depiction of this biblical scene. It’s hard for me to think of another passage of Scripture that produces such continual fruit in my life on a daily basis. May these words of Jesus redefine our relationship with God for the better today.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 15:21-24, and today's worship is This Is The Sound by Steffany Gretzinger.  

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Next week is Giving Tuesday, the one day a year when the world focuses on unleashing radical generosity.

And what better cause is there to be radically generous about than helping people connect with God?

A generous donor has offered a $25,000 Matching Grant to help reach First15’s $110,287 Giving Tuesday goal.

This means any gift you give today will be DOUBLED.

You and I were made to connect — with others, and most importantly, with God. But many people struggle to find a devotional resource that’s easy to understand and relatable to daily life.

This is why First15 exists, and I assume it’s why you’re part of this growing community.

You can give your Giving Tuesday gift and have it doubled by visiting supportfirst15.org!

One of my favorite stories is the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. Through this story, Jesus makes it abundantly clear how we’re to come before God. May we today begin a fresh revival of humility in the church as we humble ourselves before God in prayer and honest worship. I want to encourage you to be open and vulnerable as you approach the Lord today.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 18:10-14, and today's worship is 

Mercy by First15 Worship feat. Amanda Cook.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks for listening to today’s devotional. 

As you go about your day today, look for an opportunity to practice humility in a new way. Maybe it will be with your spouse, a child, a coworker, or a complete stranger. Look for a chance to choose humble strength over pride, and pay attention to the effect it has on your heart. 

Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

As we continue to look at the profound, life-transforming concepts Jesus shared through parables, today we’ll focus on the parable of the lamp on a stand. May what might’ve once been a concept that caused many of us to feel pressure, now bring forth peace, purpose and freedom in God’s love and identity for us.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 5:14-15, and today's worship is My Lighthouse by Rend Collective.

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Next week is Giving Tuesday, the one day a year when the world focuses on unleashing radical generosity.

And what better cause is there to be radically generous about than helping people connect with God?

A generous donor has offered a $25,000 Matching Grant to help reach First15’s $110,287 Giving Tuesday goal.

This means any gift you give today will be DOUBLED.

You and I were made to connect — with others, and most importantly, with God. But many people struggle to find a devotional resource that’s easy to understand and relatable to daily life.

This is why First15 exists, and I assume it’s why you’re part of this growing community.

You can give your Giving Tuesday gift and have it doubled by visiting supportfirst15.org!

Continuing our week on Jesus’s parables, we’ll look today at the parable of the mustard seed. As we dig into this rich, beautiful parable, may our hearts and minds be enlightened. Take a moment even now to ask God to give you fresh revelation.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 13:31-32, and today's worship is Faith of a Mustard Seed by Jesus Co. 

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks for listening to today’s devotional. 

As you go about your day today, look for opportunities to allow your faith to grow and produce fruit. Maybe it will be believing for breakthrough in the life of another. Maybe it will be asking for God to move in a supernatural way, and truly believing that he will. Whatever it is, practice faith today and watch as that practice connects you an increasing awareness of God moving in you, around you, and through you. 

Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.

As we continue this week allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who God is, today we’ll dive into the parables of the hidden treasure and valuable pearl. Upon learning about God forsaking everything to find us, we’ll assess our own hearts and see what they value most in this life. Open your heart today and choose to take an honest look. You might be surprised at what you find.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 13:44, and today's worship is Treasure by Madison Street Worship.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks for listening to today’s devotional. 

As you go about your day today, what’s one act of worship you can give to your loving heavenly Father? What’s one way you can demonstrate your love for him? 

Know that your Father loves you no matter what, but there’s no better experience throughout the day than giving and receiving love with God. 

If you’re new to our space, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss one of these daily guides to God’s presence. And if God did something meaningful in your life today, maybe giving you a specific sense of his love, or giving you the gift of revelation or wisdom today, consider taking a moment to leave a rating and write a review of your experience. 

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

Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound, life-transforming concepts. He loved to use real and genuine settings, characters, and ideas that apply to all of us to reveal God’s heart of pursuit and love. This week we’re going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who God is. Open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 10:14-15, and today's worship is Shepherd by Amanda Lindsey Cook.

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Outro / Wrap Up:

Thanks for listening to today’s devotional, the first in our week-long series on the parables. 

As you head out into your day, try and notice the value of stories. Think about the things happening in your life, and what narrative God might be weaving through your story. Even take a moment or two, if you can, to journal the story of your day, taking time to process what God is doing in and through you. And at the end of today, consider taking a few moments to share your story with someone you love. You never know how your story could truly impact the life of another. 

Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 

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