This week we’re going to focus on the simplicity the Christian life is meant to be marked by. Jesus summed up our purpose with two statements: love God and love people. But in our humanity we have made complex what God designed to be peaceful, purposeful, and simple. A. W. Tozer remarks in The Pursuit of God,

“Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all. If we would find God amid all the religious externals, we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity.”

May we discover the peace and joy that come from pursuing a simple Christianity this week.

Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 22:37-38, and today's worship is How Great Is Your Love 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. 

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Reimagine what love looks like  

Jesus summed up our purpose with two statements: love God and love people. Love is at the center of our Christian faith, but in this season of COVID-19, it can be more difficult than ever to experience it, much less live it out. 

This is why we are launching volume 5 of our First15 Devotional Series, Love.

Within this 4-week journey, you will:

• Learn how to stand firm on God’s love in every circumstance.
• Receive lasting comfort in the goodness of God’s immense love for you.
• Find ways to love others out of the overflow of God’s love for you, even from a distance.
• Watch your faith come alive as you love God in word and deed. 

If you are longing to experience God’s love in a deeper way, please request your copy of Love today.

CLICK HERE