Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is November 11.
  
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.    
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”     
    
Today’s reading is from Psalm 113.


1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.  
2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.  
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.  
4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.  
5 Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,  
6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?  
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;  
8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.  
9 He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.  
  

Psalms 113-118 are often known as the Egyptian Hallel, mainly because of their connection with Passover celebrations which commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt in the Exodus narrative. The psalms were sung as part of the Passover ceremony by all the Jews thereafter. There is no doubt that these exact words were sung by Jesus and his disciples during the Passover meals. As you come to prayer today, consider that you are entering into the presence of ‘a great cloud of witnesses’ in the faith. Take a moment to become aware of the long history of our faith.  
    
Listen to this Psalm once again – the very words that Jesus himself sang: consider how Israel – the poor, needy and lowly are lifted by God who is over all things. Think of where you might feel poor, needy and lowly and think of the God who sits enthroned on high above heavens and the earth.  
    
The Psalmist declares that the unchanging God never becomes unworthy of our praise. For the child of God with open eyes, time only reveals even more reasons to praise God. For the Psalmist, what amazes him is that God is exalted so high that he stoops low to see not only the earth but also the heavens, and yet at the same time he cares for the every day person. Can you receive this truth in your heart today? In whatever areas you are feeling poor and needy, express your heart to God and know that this almighty God knows you and cares for you.

Music: "You're Worthy of My Praise" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

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Today is November 10

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 13.

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

The resurrection of Jesus sets everyone who believes free from the power of sin and death. This is the great “Therefore” of scripture, the great transition from sin to salvation, from death to deliverance, the great message of the kingdom of God… that decay has been overwhelmed and overcome by God’s plan of salvation. Consider what this ‘therefore’ means to you today…

The gospel of Jesus interrupts our decay, and the decay of the world. It puts us on a new course, a new trajectory. We are interrupted by freedom from sin, and justification through Christ. Listen to this scripture again and consider how this truth has interrupted your life.

Decay is a word that feels resonant to me these days. Even as our society trumpets great progress – we cannot keep ‘decay’ away forever. For that, we need not just progress, or some new technological advancement. We need an interruption into the very nature of things. We need God’s rescue. I need it. You need it. His great Kingdom interruption. As we end our time of prayer, take some time to remind yourself of your great need for God.

Music Credit: “
When You Come" - Samuel Lane/Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is November 7 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
 
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 11.  
 
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.  
  
This is a very encouraging passage, except when we consider the catalytic event that led to this spread of the gospel: the murder of Stephen and persecution that caused the early church to run for their lives. The Bible speaks quite a lot about persecution. The New Testament church is filled with persecution narratives. What feelings does that thought stir up in you? 
  
Listen to the scripture again, paying attention to the end results of the initial scattering that the author speaks of… 

Barnabas encouraged the believers in Antioch to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. As you end your time of prayer today, can you hear this encouragement as something spoken directly to you? That you would remain true to the Lord with all your heart? Make this your prayer today… 
 
Music: "Nothing Is Too Hard For You" - Vineyard Worship 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv61EA2CW5U  

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is November 6 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
 
Today’s reading is from the gospel of Mark, chapter 13.  
 
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.  
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ 
 
There is so much in this life that we do not know. But we do know this: Jesus tells His followers to stay alert… to stay watchful for Him. Are you feeling particularly, spiritually alert today? Do you feel like you are being attentive to spiritual realities in you, and around you? Or are you feeling sluggish? Or distracted? Talk to the Lord about this.  
  
What emotions does this passage bring up for you? When Jesus says to you: “keep watch!” – what does that bring up? Listen to the passage again and think about how it would really feel to have Jesus speaking these words directly to you, with energy and urgency in His voice.  

This text is a part of a longer discourse, where Jesus is explaining with some urgency what is to come. He’s preparing them for what he calls the last days. And he reminds them: you’re not going to know what that is. But you do know what to do, regardless: remain alert, pray, and steward the work before you with faithfulness. A lot of Christians get caught up in conversations about the end times, or the last days. We don’t know the day or the hour. But we do know our posture as we wait: Remain alert. Remain prayerful. Remain faithful. What does this look like for you? What is Christ speaking to you today? Try and keep that front of mind and heart as your walk through your day.  

Music: "Everything" - Vineyard Worship 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF3h5wJJ5eA 

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is November 5.
  
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”     
    
Today’s reading is from Psalm 18. 


25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful to the blameless you show yourself blameless,  
26 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.  
27 You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.  
28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  
29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 


This reading reminds me of some parts of the Sermon on the Mount: For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. What do you think the psalmist is saying about how God interacts with us, and about how we experience God?   
    
It is not insignificance that this Psalm was written to celebrate David’s victory over Saul. It speaks of David’s trust in the Lord throughout the tough relationship that he had with Saul. Listen again to the Psalm in the light of David’s struggle against a mighty king coming for his life and his utmost trust in God through all the challenges.  

What are some challenges you’re facing today? What circumstances seem just impossible to you in this season? Which relationships are bringing pain? If you are navigating some rough waters – will you pray this Psalm over your heart today? Will you turn your trust in the Lord today? Can you work to surrender the temptation to be devious and haughty?

Music: When We Call Your Name - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is November 4.
  
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.    
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”     
    
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 12.   


17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.   
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.   
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  
  

Today’s reading uses a weighty word, the word evil. The Apostle Paul assumes the reality of evil in our world and in our lives. How do you feel about that word? And where might you see evil in the world around you, or in your life?   
  
Increasingly, our culture makes two mistakes about evil. On the one hand, we deny evil. Things or people aren’t evil, we reason. People are broken, but not bad. Bad things may happen but not evil things. On the other hand our culture wants to make evil things or evil people unredeemable. It’s a way of making something or someone unforgiveable.  But the Apostle Paul denies both approaches. On the one hand, he says, “yes evil things happen, sometimes by evil people.” On the other hand, he says, we are to respond by trusting in God, even showing love and goodness to evil people. As you hear the passage again, consider your own response to evil in the world today.   
  
The word for evil is both personal and moral. When you experience evil, it hurts personally. And we inherently know it’s wrong, it’s bad! It’s normal to respond with hurt and anger when you experience evil or sin. But the Gospel invites us to not allow our hurt and anger to be the final word about those experiences. It invites us to a deeper work of trust in God, of forgiveness, and love. As we close our time of prayer today, consider someone who you may feel hurt or anger toward because of something they have done. Can you move toward a work of trust, forgiveness, and love through the power of Christ? 

Music: Make Us Like Jesus - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is November 3

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from Psalm 9.

7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
16 The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
18 But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Welcome to prayer. Take a few extra moments right now to quiet yourself a bit more deeply. If you need help staying focused, pray: “the Lord reigns forever” as you breath slowly in, and out. It is good for us to quiet ourselves before the Lord.

Listen again to this Psalm, and listen for one phrase that stands out. Write it down, or simply commit that phrase to memory. Regardless, I’m going to invite you to take time through your day today to stop, take a deep breath, and repeat the phrase. In this way, you’ll practice reorienting yourself to God’s word, and to God’s character, throughout your day.

The phrase I will be repeating today is: “God will never forget the needy”. This is so different than we are. We forget the needy all the time. The needy are forgotten all the time. Today, I’m going to ask God to remind me of those around me in need. I’m going to pause each hour to stop, take a deep breath, and say “God will never forget the needy”. And then I’m going to look for a way to serve or support or meet the needs of those around me. I’d like to invite you to do the same.

Music Credit:
"Form Us" - Vineyard Soul (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is October 31 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
 
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 8.  
 
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 
  
Samaria is north of Jerusalem, a little over 100km away. Googlemaps says it would have taken about 25 hours to walk from one place to the other. And yet, Peter and John set out – walking day and night – so that they could pray for the new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We often read this passage and think about it in light of baptism of the spirit… but would you instead reflect on their sacrifice for other believers in Jesus. What would it take for you to consider walking 25 hours to lay hands on and pray for someone? What comes to mind as you consider this intentional, encouraging visit from an established church, to a new community of believers? 
  
Listen again, and put yourself in the place of these new believers in Samaria. They’ve given themselves to the name of Jesus… but in some sense, it seems they’ve not yet fully understood the implications of that, or what it meant to be filled with the Spirit. Imagine their joy at seeing Peter and John, walking into town. Consider their increase of faith as they received prayer, and were drawn into this fellowship of believers. Listen to the scripture again, and pay attention not only to the words, but to what the experience itself must have been like. 
 
Because Christians become a part of a new body – the body of Christ – we are called to not only the Lord, but to one another. To walk toward one another, and towards fellowship. As we close our time of prayer, ask yourself, How deeply connected are you to Christ’s body? How often are you praying for others or receiving prayer through others? Speak to the Lord about your own desires or hesitations about being connected to the body of Christ. Some of you may thank God for the relationships you have. Some might feel hurt or wary. Talk to God and ask him to show you your place in the body of Christ.  
 
Music: "Familia" - Vineyard Worship 
FAMILIA [Official Live In Studio] | Feat. Tina Colón Williams | Vineyard Worship 

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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