First15 Devotional First15

As we near the end of our week on loving people, today we shift to loving those we don’t know. We are all so busy, and most often unaware of those around us, becoming too focused on ourselves to notice others. Perhaps today God would shift our focus upward to see the faces we pass on the streets or on the elevator. How much could a kind word or smile help someone out having a rough day? Let’s try to take our eyes off ourselves and see those we pass every day and don’t seem to notice. Could God want to use you to minister to someone you don’t even know? Let’s find out.
Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 13:2, and today's worship is Love God Love People by (ft. Michael W. Smith) - Danny Gokey (Lyrics). 
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In today’s devotional, we’ll be learning about what it means to be a friend who loves well. Think about your dearest friends. What role have they played in your life in the best and in the worst times? Does your heart fill with thankfulness as you acknowledge what a good gift God has given you in them? May we pinpoint exactly what it means to intentionally love our friends well today. May we be filled with the love of Jesus and grace of God to go out of way to love and minister to those special people in our lives today.



Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 17:17, and today's worship is 
Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith.
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As we continue in our week of loving people well, today we’re going to learn about loving family. For some this is an easy task, but for many this is a little more difficult. The beauty of it is, our God is with us every step along the way. He has purpose and power for you in loving the family in which he’s placed you. Our families have the potential to be our greatest place of influence. How might he use you today to minister for his goodness and glory? Let’s take a closer look.
 
Our Scripture for today comes from Exodus 20:12, and today's worship is The Blessing by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes. 
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As we continue our week on loving people well, we’re going to fix our eyes on Jesus. What better example or model is there for how to love than the One who laid his life down for the world? Today may you catch a glimpse of this beautiful King who loves perfectly. May you not only get a picture of how you could love others, but experience his incredible love for yourself afresh.
Our Scripture for today comes from 1 John 3:16, and today's worship is Jesus You're Beautiful by Jason Upton. 
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When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity. 
However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.
 
The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come. 
 
And that means becoming more like Christ every single day. 
 
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.       
 It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.
 
Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.”
 
While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully.
 
To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.
 

We are all broken people, living in a broken world. It’s that simple. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from the effects of sin. The good news for all of us is that Jesus steps into the midst of our brokenness, is near to us and makes us whole in his love. What’s even more amazing is God wants to use you to see past the broken exterior to the hearts of the people in your life. Brokenness can often make us hard, bitter and difficult to deal with. But we’ve been given the call to see past that hard exterior and love people in the midst of their pain. In today’s podcast, we’re looking together at how we can see past the brokenness in others to love them well.



Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 34:18, and today's worship is Providence by United Pursuit.
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When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity. 
However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.
 
The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come. 
 
And that means becoming more like Christ every single day. 
 
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.       
 It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.
 
Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.”
 
While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully.
 
To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.
 

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, needy, and broken people. We constantly have to deal with our own wounds and the wounds of others. But if we can learn to love others well; rich, life-giving relationship will be our reward. May you receive the love of your Father given you by his grace, and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love others.
Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 19:11, and today's worship is Forgiveness by Jason Upton.
--
When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity. 
However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ.
 
The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come. 
 
And that means becoming more like Christ every single day. 
 
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples.       
 It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world.
 
Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.”
 
While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully.
 
To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.