In today’s devotional, we’re going to invite God to renew within us a true sense of purpose. Throughout the day I find my heart wandering to all sorts of purposes, some good, and some bad. But every day life teaches me that the one purpose that leads to the greatest measure of life and joy, is the pursuit of God. Not the pursuit of religion, but the authentic pursuit of relationship. May the Holy Spirit reveal within us the true reason we were created, and guide us down the path of purpose today in his presence.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 15:16, and today's worship is The Story I'll Tell by Maverick City Music.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In the middle of this week-long series on renewal, today we’re going to make room for God to renew our joy. Joy is something I so often struggle to walk in as I allow the cares and burdens of life to weigh me down. But every morning is a new opportunity to come before our Father, give our cares over to him, and choose again the path of joy. May God guide us today into a meaningful renewal of joy as we set our eyes and hearts on him.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 51:12, and today's worship is You Are My Joy by United Pursuit.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In our third devotional on seeking renewal from our good and loving God, today we’re going to look at what it means to have a renewal of our first love. What, who we love first, makes all the difference in how we spend our days, and how we spend our moments. And unless God is our first love, the one we’re giving all of our hearts to, life will always feel out of balance, and lacking the fullness of fulfillment. May God guide us to a deeper love of him today as we open our hearts and hands to meet with him.

Our Scripture for today comes from Revelation 2:4, and today's worship is First Love by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

In the second day of our series on renewal, today we’re going to invite God to renew our minds. Our minds are the gateway to our emotions, decisions, and perspectives. How we see the world around us, the assumptions we live with, the lies we believe, and where we choose to focus our attention, make all the difference in our daily experience. May God guide each of us down the path to renewing our minds in his presence, and through his word today, that we might experience a greater measure of abundant life in him.

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 12:2, and today's worship is Anthem by Phil Wickham.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

One of the best aspects of spending time alone with God is being renewed daily by his word and presence. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). When we make space for God in our lives, especially at the beginning of the day, he is faithful to renew and prepare us for all we will face out in the world. So as we enter into this week focusing on renewal, Where do you need renewal? How greatly do you need God’s mercies in your life? May God teach and guide us into daily renewal as we make space every morning for him to fill.

Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16, and today's worship is You Keep Your Word by Austin & Lindsey Adamec.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

This is not a comfortable conversation. It is, however, an important one.

Today we’re taking a break from our focus on mental/emotional wellness to have an incredibly honest conversation with Jemar Tisby, the author of the book The Color of Compromise. We’re diving back into the subject of racism, hoping to better understand its history, its current affect on our world, and how we can be a part of the solution.  

We discuss things like…

-Is racism actually a systemic issue?

-What is the church’s involvement in the history of racism?

-Is supporting “Black Lives Matter” supporting an anti-Christian organization?

-Practical steps we all can take toward racial reconciliation

Here at First15, we believe that God is for racial reconciliation, but we also know that it will take a continued willingness to have uncomfortable, yet grace-filled conversations if we’re going to see true change. We hope that this can be one of those conversations.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we finish our week on Light, today we’ll explore our calling to be the light. What’s beautiful about this call is that the pressure if off. We have so many misconceptions about what God requires of us, and he is not the task master we so often mistake him for. May you be encouraged today to live out your calling as the light of world, free from the weight of the world.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 5:14, and today's worship is I Will Wait by David Leonard.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we begin wrap up our week on Light, today we’ll explore following God into the light. We each face temptations of various kinds. And God promises each of us a way out by his leadership in the midst of temptation and struggle. We are not alone in anything we face, as our Jesus has told us he’s faced it too. May you feel better equipped to face temptation and sin today as you encounter Jesus and his truth for you on this subject.

Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 42:16, and today's worship is Stand in Your Love by Bethel Music & Josh Baldwin.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

All of our longings and needs were meant to be met in God. And yet, we live in a world constantly vying to meet our needs and desires in false, inadequate ways. Today we’ll explore how to walk in the light by looking to the light to meet all of our needs. As we re-train ourselves to seek God first for satisfaction, may we find how abundantly beyond our imaginings the Lord’s sufficiency is for us.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 11:34, and today's worship is There is No Higher Name by REVERE.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.

As we are called to the light, we are called to be fully known. Many of us shudder at the thought of complete, total vulnerability, and fall subject to the lie that we could never be fully loved if someone saw all of us. Today we’ll explore why being fully known before God is so important and life-giving. May you walk away today free from shame and fear after having faced a holy God vulnerably and having encountered his unconditional love.

Our Scripture for today comes from Luke 8:17, and today's worship is Have My Heart by Maverick City.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you would like to learn more about the First15 app, books, blogs, videos and our other resources, please visit first15.org. You can always reach out to us on our contact page on the website. 

Click here to help even more people encounter God through the ministry of First15.