First15 Devotional
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We have a great High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf. The Son of God and Man loves you more deeply than you can fathom. He prays for you, that you might walk in the abundant life his death affords you. And in John 17 we get a glimpse into the fullness of his desire for all those who would believe in him. As we dive deeply into the riches of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer this week, may your heart be awakened and your life be transformed by the riches of God’s love. SUPPORT FIRST15 FOR GIVING TUESDAY! http://supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we finish our week on vision and boundaries, today we’ll focus on having vision for eternity. The glorious truth is that this world is not the end for us. In fact, through Jesus, we will see a kingdom that has no end. Christ desires his people to be those that live with fresh vision for heaven and eyes fixed upward. May you be newly envisioned and encouraged today as you’re reminded of the world that is to come through Christ our King. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we begin to wrap up our week on boundaries and vision, today we’ll explore having clear vision for community. All of us will likely fall in different places with this topic today. It is my prayer you discover what is healthy and God-ordained for you in regards to community—and that may look completely different than someone else! We all have different capacity, and it’s very important to remember that as we discuss living life with others in community. May our hearts be open today to whatever the Lord might speak. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
Many of us are in a very necessary need of vision for and boundaries around our work. This may be one of the most important topics we discuss all week. We spend so many hours a day working, this time must surely be important. May you discover God’s heart for your work, and find deep purpose and joy today as you submit to God’s vision and boundaries for it. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we continue our week on vision and boundaries, today we’ll explore what it looks like to have vision for loving and serving others well. Is loving people something you do intentionally? Or is something you believe will happen effortlessly as you live your life? Sometimes God is asking us to intentionally discover vision for certain seasons, and is specific about ways we could minister to or bless someone. Today may we learn how to serve people in a healthy, intentional way with good boundaries and vision. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
In today’s First15, 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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we near the end of our week on the parables, today we’re going to look at the parable of the prodigal son. 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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.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 today in prayer and honest worship. I want to encourage you to be open and vulnerable as you approach the Lord today. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.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. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
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. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we wrap up this week looking at the longings of the human heart we all share, we’re going to look today at the longing to make a deep and lasting impact. God has a plan to use you in ways far beyond what you could ask or imagine, a plan for you to make a deep and lasting impact in the world. As we make space for God to speak and lead today, may he give us a deeper sense of purpose and calling in him. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
In today’s First15, we’re going to explore the longing we all share to be wholehearted. Everyone of us desires to give our lives to something, our passion to something that truly matters. And God has given us all that desire with a perfect plan to satisfy it in a unique way, a way he’s perfectly wired each of us for. May each of us get a greater sense of how we can live more wholeheartedly in him today. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
In today’s First15 we’re going to look at the longing we all share for intimacy without shame. You and I were made to be fully known, and fully loved. And pursuing that sense of knowledge and love from the world has left so many of us wounded. But the good news is that God has a path for healing, relationship, and love that’s void of shame, and wants to guide us down that path today as we create space and follow him together. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __
Today as we continue our series looking at 7 longings of the human heart, we’re going to take time to recognize and satisfy our longing for greatness. The longing for greatness within the heart of man has produced tremendous and terrible things. It’s produced peace and war, advancement and destruction. And as we look at this longing today, I pray that God reveals the purity and power of it as well as his plans to satisfy it moment by moment, day by day. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we continue our week-long focus on 7 longings of the human heart, today we’re going to look at the longing we all share for beauty. God has created beauty all around us, beauty we can see and beauty we can feel. And in a world so inundated with false notions of beauty, today my prayer is that God reveals the purity within this longing that resides within each of our hearts, and his perfect plans to satisfy it. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
In today’s First15, we’re going to look at the longing we all share for fascination. We serve an absolutely fascinating God – a God who has created a whole world to fascinate us. May we set our eyes on him today by the power of the Holy Spirit, that our longing for fascination would be satisfied in relationship with our powerful and good God. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
All of us have insatiable longings that can only be satisfied in communion with our heavenly Father. The longing to be enjoyed, fascinated, to gaze upon beauty, and to be someone great are driving forces within each of us. The longing to experience intimacy without shame, to be wholehearted, and to make a deep and lasting impact resound within each of us at the foundation of who we are. God created these longings knowing that they can only be fully satisfied in him—that they would be avenues to deeper relationship with him. As we look at each of these longings individually this week, I pray your heart would find its fulfillment in the loving nearness of your heavenly Father. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we wrap up this week focusing on tilling the soil of our hearts, today we’re going to look at the role of hearing God’s voice in living open and responsive to God. I know for a lot of us the idea of hearing God speak can be a confusing, sometimes too far out there subject. But as God’s children, he wants us to live in communication with him. And through the Holy Spirit, you and I have the ability to hear God speak to our hearts. May we discover today that we serve a communicative God who loves to talk to his people. And may his voice soften our hearts to receive all the he longs to give us. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
In today’s First15, we’re going to continue our week long focus on tilling the soil of the heart by looking at the power of prayer. There is no better way to soften our hearts towards God than making space to have a real conversation with him. His voice breaks down our walls. His answers give us the peace and direction we need. And his presence, simply resting in him, builds a solid foundation of connection we need to live open and responsive to him throughout our day. May God do a mighty work in us today as we discover the power of prayer. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we near the end of our week focusing on tilling the soil of the heart, today we’re going to look at the role of community in positioning ourselves to receive all that God longs to give. God is calling us into a deeper commitment to love others, and be loved by others. He wants to use us and those he’s placed around us to guide us deeper into fullness of life. So as we set our eyes on him, may he fill our hearts with compassion and love, and desire to be fully known and fully loved by our communities. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we reach the middle of our week-long focus on tilling the soil of our hearts, today we’re going to look at the power of Scripture in receiving all that God longs to give us. Within the pages of Scripture there is a wealth of stories all conveying how God has met with and restored his people from the beginning of civilization. And these stories are powerful resources in softening our hearts towards God, inviting him to meet with us and mold us into his likeness. As we look at the power of Scripture today, may God stir our hearts to spend time every day in the pages of this transformative book. And may Scripture guide us deeper into true relationship with it’s author. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we continue this week-long focus on tilling the soil of our hearts, today we’re going to look at the power of worship in opening our hearts to receive all that God longs to give. For most of us, worship is something we engage in in a corporate setting. It’s a collective expression of adoration and relationship. But worship can be so much more than the songs we sing together. It’s a powerful avenue to softening our hearts towards God that we can, and should journey down every day. As we make space to focus on the power of worship today, may God stir up each of our hearts to worship him with all we are and all we have. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
As we continue this week focusing on tilling the soil of our hearts, today we’re going to look at the role of thankfulness in opening our hearts to receive all that God longs to give. While Scripture is filled with encouragements to be thankful, I think our own lived experience tells us that being thankful is essential in the pursuit of an abundant life. So may God remind us of all we have to be thankful for today as we make space to meet with him. And may our days be better as the result of taking just a few moments to be thankful for who we are, what we have, and all God has done for us as his beloved children. MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
This week we'll look at a vital spiritual practice to all those seeking to grow in God: tilling the soil of the heart. Jesus spoke in Matthew 13 of two different types of soil—hard and soft. God longs for us to till the soil of our hearts that we might be receptive to the seed of his word and bear fruit. May your heart become more responsive to the presence, will, and love of God this week as you cultivate good soil with the help of the Holy Spirit. Click here to get your copy of "The Perfect Christmas" today! http://www.supportfirst15.org MORE FROM FIRST15 __ __ http://www.denisonministries.org/
