The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

As we near the end of our week on the parables, today we’re going to look at the parable of the prodigal son. Hanging in my office is a print of Rembrandt’s depiction of this biblical scene. 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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!First15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.