Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is October 30 

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 10.  
 
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.  
  
I love what this story tells us about the heart of God. As we begin to enter into prayer today, center yourself on this phrase, spoken by Jesus, to his very followers: “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them….” Imagine you’re in the crowd, watching this situation unfold. How do you respond to Jesus?  
  
I also love what this story shows us about the heart of God. Imagine again, this crowd. Imagine unruly kids running around. Imagine the disciples, trying to get everyone under control. Now imagine Jesus: not just speaking into the situation, speaking welcome to the kids… but then actually leaning down, getting himself low, and lifting up one of the wild kids in his arms. Imagine a huge smile on his face as he holds this child. Imagine hearing his quiet word of blessing spoken over him or her. Listen again, and enter the story…  
  
Receiving the kingdom of God like a little child means receiving the kingdom through grace: not through our own works, but through the work of Jesus. Jesus did all the work necessary for us to come to him, and for us to enjoy the welcome of His kingdom. As we end our time of prayer today, invite God to give you a fresh experience of His Father’s heart – for you, and for the least… the last… and the lost around you…   
 
Music: "As Children" - Vineyard Worship 
AS CHILDREN [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Sarah Elmer 

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

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Today is October 29.


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 9.   
  

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.  
  

The book of Acts are about the acts of the disciples after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. You could also call it the acts of the Holy Spirit because God continued to act through signs and wonders, including healing like the one in this passage. When you read about stories of healing in the Bible, what is your reaction? Is it belief? Is it faith? Or is it doubt?  

Miracles are indeed a spectacular way that one can come to believe but was not necessary for one’s faith and trust in Jesus. In fact, we see that Jesus was sometimes frustrated by people seeking miracles as proof of his authenticity. Yet there were many who were “never healed” yet believed in Jesus. Let’s listen again and consider the purpose of the miracle in this story.  
    
All those who saw turned to the Lord. Miracles like healing were called “signs” because they were pointers to the reality of God. All of us doubt and struggle to believe. Where is it you need a pointer today to the reality of God? To the reality that he loves you? To the reality that he is active in your life? As we close our time, ask God to again show you a sign today that he is with you and that he loves you, so that your heart might be turned toward the Lord again in faith and trust.

Music: Now Until Forever - 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 October 28.
  
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 28.   
  

      1 To you, LORD, I call;   
         you are my Rock,   
         do not turn a deaf ear to me.   
         For if you remain silent,   
         I will be like those who go down to the pit.   
      2 Hear my cry for mercy   
         as I call to you for help,   
         as I lift up my hands   
         toward your Most Holy Place.   
       3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,   
         with those who do evil,   
         who speak cordially with their neighbors   
         but harbor malice in their hearts.   
      4 Repay them for their deeds   
         and for their evil work;   
         repay them for what their hands have done   
         and bring back on them what they deserve.   
       5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD   
         and what his hands have done,   
         he will tear them down   
         and never build them up again.   
       6 Praise be to the LORD,   
         for he has heard my cry for mercy.   
      7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;   
         my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.   
         My heart leaps for joy,   
         and with my song I praise him.   
       8 The LORD is the strength of his people,   
         a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.   
      9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;   
         be their shepherd and carry them forever.  
  

The text today shows the Psalmist crying out for justice against his enemies. We might ask, didn’t Jesus command those who follow him to not avenge themselves or try to "get even?" Aren’t we told to “love our enemies?” Revenge is simply not an option for us – right? The answer, is yes – and the Psalmist today sheds light then how we might respond to injustice: He calls out to God for mercy and justice.  
    
We see throughout scriptures in the Old and the New Testaments that God has always declared his intention to make things right in the world. To demonstrate true justice. The Psalmist points us to trust God's timing and power to deliver justice as he sees fit. Do you feel the strength, and the challenge, of that call to trust? Listen to the text again and pay attention to the psalmists emotional intensity, as well as the direction of that intensity toward God.  
   
The Psalm ends with a surrender to trust in God and find joy and strength in God. It simply points us to trust that God knows all and will not remain silent toward injustice. Can we trust in such a God today? Who has dishonored you and caused pain unjustly? Where have you felt slighted or offended lately? Can you bring those things to God, as the psalmist teaches us to do? 

Music: Faithful One - 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 October 27

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 gospel of Mark, chapter 8.

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

How do the words ‘deny yourself’ feel to you? Start your prayer today by thinking about the discipline of self-denial… and do a bit of evaluating regarding yourself, and how well you engage in this particular discipline. If you’re like me, you’re not very good at it! Allow the Lord to search your heart for places where he is inviting you to deny yourself.

I often think how funny it is that we followers of Jesus love to read his words as metaphor. Ah, they may be thinking as they listen to him: ‘take up our cross’. Okay… that means we’ll do some difficult stuff. Imagine how they felt a few years later, remembering these words, as they watched Jesus stumble through the streets, beaten and bloody, carrying His cross. Listen again, and try to put yourself in their place. How would that moment of reality shift their metaphorical understanding of this text?

“Whoever lives their life for me and for the gospel will save it…” Let’s recall: what is the gospel? How would you summarize it up for yourself? If you can, take time to remind yourself of the gospel. If you have trouble finding the words, then ask yourself, How has the good news of Jesus changed my life and how can I live for him today?

Music Credit:
"This Is Love" - 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 October 24.

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 3.  
 
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 
  
Welcome to prayer today. As we begin, take time to consider how you are showing up today... are you showing up like the man who was lame... aware of your own weakness and infirmity? Are you showing up like Peter and John, clearly filled with gifts of faith? OR are you showing up like everyone else... going about their day without a lot of thought... 
  
I love how this text pulls both weakness and faith into the same space. The two meet in this unnamed man, at the gate called Beautiful. Listen again and consider a place in your life that feels weak, or infirm.... and then consider a place where you feel filled with faith.  
                                
“Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.” Do you notice that this healing doesn’t happen until AFTER Peter & John help the man up? When they reached down to help him up, he was still lame. Can you imagine that moment of faith and trust in the power of God? Can you invite that kind of faith and trust into your life today?  
 
Music: "Invitation Fountain" - Vineyard Worship 
Vineyard Worship | Invitacion Fountain (ft. Kyle Howard & Alexandria Faison) [Official Live Video] 

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 October 23.

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 James, chapter 1.  
 
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  
 
Sometimes, even when we try to enter into times of attentiveness, we struggle to actually pay attention! What do you recall from the scripture we just heard? Can you recall the main theme, a phrase, or word? Our minds are often full! And we are so often distracted! Take a moment to get present to what’s on your mind right now. As you get present to that thing, I want you to close your hand around it as if you’re holding on to it.  
 
Now, I want you to open your hands and release that thing, or those things to God. Say, “I give this to you, Lord and ask you for an exchange. What I have for what you have.” As we read the scripture again now, so take a moment and prepare yourself to really pay attention. Ask God to draw your attention to these words from James.  
  
James tells us that it is the ‘word planted in us, that can save us’.  Christ Himself is the word who is planted in us. And scripture, when breathed full of life by the Spirit, is the word which is planted in us. James reminds us that ‘looking intently’ at these things brings freedom. Would you consider a question today: What is a word that he has planted in you? What might it mean for you to take time today to cultivate the word of God that he has planted in you? Carry that word in your heart today.  
 
Music: "I Bless The Lord" - Vineyard Worship (UK) 
I BLESS THE LORD [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Jodie Alexander-Frye

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 October 22.


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 Hebrews, chapter 6.   
  

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.   
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.  
  

In this passage… which is about covenant, keeping promises, and the trustworthiness of God, we heard: ‘we have his hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure’. As you come to prayer this morning, how would you describe the state of your soul? We’ll take a bit more quiet time than usual now… so settle in, maybe close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Ask the Lord to help you be still, and aware of your spiritual condition this morning  
  
The writer of today’s passage is concerned that the persecuted Christians he is writing to are in danger of running out of patience in their race of faith amidst persecution. These Christians might be doing okay for now, but there is a danger they might lose confidence in God’s promises. The writer is reminding them that God is absolutely trustworthy. That we can anchor our hope in Him. Listen again to the text and be attentive to a single word or phrase that stands out to you.  

All of us wrestle with spiritual doubt; everyone struggles at times to trust God. God is firm and secure, scripture tells us – so we can hold to him in the midst of our own times of spiritual tenderness, struggle, and doubt. If we ignore those things in our own souls, we are holding a part of ourselves away from God. Instead, we are to bring our full selves to Him, so that He might be our anchor. God tells us the unchanging nature of his purpose: to seek and to save that which is lost. To be our firm foundation in times of trouble. As we end our time of prayer today, bring your full self to God.

Music: This Is Love - 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 October 21.
   
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 75.   
  

      1 We praise you, God,   
         we praise you, for your Name is near;   
         people tell of your wonderful deeds.   
       2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;   
         it is I who judge with equity.   
      3 When the earth and all its people quake,   
         it is I who hold its pillars firm.   
      4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’   
         and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.   
      5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;   
         do not speak so defiantly.’ ”   
      6 No one from the east or the west   
         or from the desert can exalt themselves.   
      7 It is God who judges:   
         He brings one down, he exalts another.   
            9 As for me, I will declare this forever;   
         I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.   
  

This Psalm describes God as the ultimate judge – a judge who is righteous, fair, holy and most importantly, trustworthy. The Psalmist declares that God is the only one we can trust to always do the right thing without partiality. When you consider the wrongs in the world, or in your own life, how does it make you feel to hear that there is a perfect judge?   
    
This God, contrary to popular understanding, isn’t a spiteful God who wields his power from heaven favorably toward people who does what he says and destroys people who are disobedient and sinful. If that were the case, there would be no one left on earth. Listen to the Psalm again and see if you can hear what the Psalmist is declaring.   

The Psalm draws us over and over again to hope. No matter what injustice you have experienced or may be experiencing even now, God is the perfect Judge and he will one day overturn every wrong and make everything right and good again. Think about one thing today that you’d like to be put right again, and as we close our time, can you put your hope in God to make that thing new again, in his time?  

Music: Who Can Compare - 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 October 20

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 Isaiah, chapter 2.

2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

As we open our hearts to the word, take a minute to think about what you just listened to. Imagine this world ruled by absolute righteousness. Imagine a world where people from every country seek the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. People will flock to see, and learn, and know Him, and all will live in accordance with the scripture, trying their hardest to walk the same path Jesus walks. Conflict will still exist, but will be resolved according to the laws of Zion, not the whims of humans. With a peaceful, uniform way to deal with conflict, there will be no more war, or need to defend ourselves from outsiders, because if someone is wronged, there will be true justice.

As you listen again, think about the equality and compassion that will exist between every man woman, and child.

There are things that can be used for both good and evil. Words can be used as both weapons and tools. So can knowledge or information. As you move through your day, look for times when you can choose to use something as a sword or as a ploughshare, and make a conscious effort to make the Christlike choice, even if you don’t want to.

Music Credit:
"They Are Yours" - 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

More at pickerill.casa