How often are you alone with God? Truly alone, pulled away from the rest of the world, in the quiet and stillness of his presence? I believe God is beckoning his people this holiday season to experience his Immanuel, God with us, nearness. Our souls need it, and God longs for it. Just as you desire to experience his presence and peace, God wants to experience your nearness too, simply because he loves you. May you be encouraged and motivated today to get truly alone with the Father in these days.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 1:14, and today's worship is Letting Go by Bethel Music featuring Steffany Gretzinger.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

In the midst of this crazy season, it is important to remain sensitive to the Spirit of God. It can be so easy to miss out on the uniqueness of this Advent season because we get busy serving, celebrating, shopping. We are all guilty of it. But I can promise you, if you commit yourself to practicing sensitivity this Advent season, you will be so blessed for it.

Our Scripture for today comes from Ephesians 5:15-17, and today's worship is Here With You by Hillsong Worship.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

Sometimes we just need a reminder that things with God are simple, and the weight of our experiencing God is not on us or dependent upon our ability to be spiritual. Jesus wants to remind us today of how he is pursuing our hearts in this life, and all we need to do is say yes. May you find God today as you open your heart to him, and experience the rest that his presence brings.

Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 4:19, and today's worship is Come Awaken Love by Bethel Music featuring Hunter Thompson.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we spend the week focusing on drawing near to God this Christmas season, today we’ll explore a fun concept. Every morning is like Christmas morning when you know and walk with God. God is so, so good. And he desires for us to walk in the gifts of his goodness all the days of our lives. May we reorient our thinking so that each morning with God is more exciting than the next as we experience afresh his love and kindness.

Our Scripture for today comes from Lamentations 3:22-23, and today's worship is Every Good Gift by One: A Worship Collective.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

The Christmas season is a powerful and unique time of year to remember that Jesus came to make a way for us to be near God. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus built a bridge between us and God allowing us to have continual, unhindered communion with our Creator. But God can’t force us into nearness with him. Even as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live as if God is still far off. So this Christmas season, may we choose to open our hearts to the living God that we might experience fullness of joy in his loving presence.

Our Scripture for today comes from James 4:8, and today's worship is Draw Near by Bethel Music featuring Jeremy Riddle.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we end our week looking to Jesus, today we’ll explore one of my favorite aspects of his nature: his humility. Jesus, the King of all the earth, the one who has every reason to boast and show his power, chooses the path of humility, of submission, of lowering himself. We have so much to learn from this beautiful King. It is my hope that you are encouraged and challenged today. But also that your heart is burst open and flooded with worship at the beauty of our Jesus.

Our Scripture for today comes from Philippians 2:5-7, and today's worship is Prince of Heaven by Hillsong Worship.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we begin to wrap up our week celebrating Jesus our King, today we’ll celebrate the justice of God. What does it mean for God to be just? Does that stir up fear in you or peace? As we take a closer look at what God’s justice means for us, I pray you are filled with immense gratitude and worship today. God has looked on us with so much love. And Jesus, our just King, has done so much on our behalf.

Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 30:18, and today's worship is Here I Bow by Brian and Jenn Johnson.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

We have spent this week looking at different aspects of Christ’s kingship. Today we’ll explore how the Lord is merciful in nature toward us and the world. May you come to treasure the mercy of God in your life as we take time today to explore it. He is truly so good to us, and it is fitting for us to celebrate him in all of his goodness.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 9:13, and today's worship is Mercy by Amanda Cook.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we continue our week exploring various aspects of Jesus’ kingship, today we’ll celebrate his triumphant nature. What does it mean for God to be triumphant? Like most things with Jesus, the deeper we look, the more we’ll find he is contradictory to the ways of this world. His victory is no different. Jesus’ victory confounded the Jews on his time, and still confounds many to this day. May the nature of Jesus’ triumph astound your heart and provoke worship and awe in you today.

Our Scripture for today comes from John 12:15, and today's worship is O Come All Ye Faithful by Hillsong Worship.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.

As we explore the gift of Jesus this advent season, today we’ll dig into what it means for him to be our Savior King. Is salvation just for a time in the future, or could it also be for the here and now? What would it look like to take hold of our salvation this side of heaven, and experience the fruit of eternal life today? May you feel your faith and desire for more be spurred on today as you encounter this Savior King.

Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Timothy 2:19, and today's worship is All Hail King Jesus by Jeremy Riddle.

First15 is a daily devotional written and recorded by Craig Denison. If you'd like to give to support First15 and help us reach our $100,000 goal by the end of this year, click here to visit our giving page. 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.