Living Without Offense

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the undercurrent of everything we do as followers of Jesus. Without faith we lose all that Christ died to give us while here on earth. It is by faith we access the peace, joy, guidance, love, and purpose that comes from restored relationship with our heavenly Father. In this week's First15, we’re going to seek an increase in faith in response to God’s faithfulness. May you experience a greater depth of intimacy with your living, Almighty, and loving heavenly Father.Support First15 and double your gift!More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

In our final day of this week-long series seeking to put our faith to action, today we’re going to look at the victory we have in God’s love.As God’s people, he’s inviting us into his victory, a victory we so desperately need. May God establish us in his power today, and may chains fall off us and others as God guides us into a lifestyle of victory 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.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

As we near the end of our series on love does, today we’re going to look at the role of hope in putting our faith into action. You and I need hope more than ever. We need God to give us fresh vision for the work he’s doing and will do in the world around us. And we need him to empower us to share that vision with others, that our perspective would be grounded in his goodness. May God fill us as his people with fresh hope in his presence 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.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

In today’s podcast, we’re going to look at the role of forgiveness in putting our love into action. In God we have forgiveness for every sin we can commit. And that forgiveness not only washes us clean, but empowers us to become like our great Forgiver. Every day we’re wronged in some way. And every day is an opportunity to show others forgiveness, not because they deserve it, but because loving forgiveness is the way of our Good Shepherd, the author and founder of our faith. May God empower us to forgive as he does today.

In today’s podcast we’re going to look at the role of encouragement in putting our love into action. In a world that constantly seems to beat us down, we’re in need of some real encouragement. God has an encouraging word to speak to everyone around you. And if we’ll make space to listen, he longs to share that word with us that we might see his kingdom advancing in the heart of another. May God encourage us today, and empower us to encourage another as we make space for his loving presence.

In our third day of this series exploring how to put our faith into action, we’re looking at how we can love others by simply making time for them. The busier our schedules get, the harder it can be to make time for the needs of others. But we see in Jesus someone who while holding the power to save and heal the world, made time for the one. May God grant us his perspective and fashion us into his likeness 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.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

As we continue this week’s focus, seeking to put love into action, today we’re going to look at how simply being present can make all the difference in the life of another. As our world becomes more and more distracted, and takes less time to notice what’s happening in the life of another, may God empower us as his people to simply be present 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.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

James 2:26 tells us, “Faith apart from works is dead.” If we are going to experience the fullness of life offered to us through our faith we must be those who put our words into action. We must not profess to love God on Sundays and live as if he isn’t present, real, or good on Monday. May your faith come alive this week as you seek to be a doer of the word.Request your copy of our new kids devotional!More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

As we wrap up our week on loving people, we look today at how we can love the Church as God does. Jesus says we will be known by the way we love each other. Would people know you’re a Christian by the way you love your brothers and sisters? People are messy, it’s true. We all are. And yet Jesus saw our worth and loved us in the midst of our messiness. How can you mimic that same love today as you seek to love his Church? Today we’ll look at the perspective and affections of Jesus for his people. May our hearts and minds be transformed as a result.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.

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 minster to someone you don’t even know? Let’s find out.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgFirst15 is a brand of Denison Ministries.