Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is September 25  

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 Matthew, chapter 18.   
  
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.   
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.   
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  
  
In this verse, Jesus very straightforwardly tells us exactly how to deal with conflict. He doesn't even use a story to get this point across. It's that important. How do you deal with the sins of your fellow Christians? Do you point out flaws like Jesus would, talk privately, and then let God do the work in their heart? Or do you ask another person their advice, let the person know publicly, and then angrily cut them out of your life forever? 
   
"Treat them as you would a pagan or tax collector." As you hear the scripture again, consider how Jesus treated the pagan and the tax collector; like enemies? Like lost sheep in need of saving. He didn't condemn or shame. He forgave, freed and loved even people who betrayed Him, if they had faith and turned to God, because if someone is truly focuses on Him, they show up and do their best in this life to glorify Him, even though they can’t be perfect.  
   
As we close our time of contemplation think about this: 
Do you have the faith to be forgiven for your sins by turning toward God?  
Is it harder to forgive or be forgiven? Try doing one or the other today.   
  
Music: "Throne of Grace" - Vineyard Worship  
Throne of Grace 

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

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Today is September 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 Ecclesiastes, chapter 4.  
  

      9 Two are better than one,  
         because they have a good return for their labor:  
      10 If either of them falls down,  
         one can help the other up.  
         But pity anyone who falls  
         and has no one to help them up.  
      11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  
         But how can one keep warm alone?  
      12 Though one may be overpowered,  
         two can defend themselves.  
         A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 
  

Welcome to prayer. Let’s begin by getting oriented to the Lord’s presence. HE is near to you, even now, wherever you find yourself. Invite Him to draw you further into awareness of His goodness.  
   
Our reading today is a well-known passage from Ecclesiastes, that speaks to the goodness of life in community. Two are better than one, the author says. But for so many in our world today, loneliness feels like more of a reality than community does. How do you come to prayer today? Do you feel ‘kept warm’ by community? Or do you feel alone? Talk to the Lord about this as we read the passage again. 
   
“Pity the one who falls and has no one to help them up…” do you know someone who is feeling particularly alone right now? Are you ever in a place to be present to someone who has ‘no one else to help them’? our world is full of lonely people. As we end our time of prayer today, ask God for eyes to see those who need a friend. And for those who feel lonely, invite the Lord into that as a conversation, and allow Him to minister His presence to you. 
 
Music: Dwell - Vineyard Columbus - 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 September 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 Psalm 128.  
  
  
      1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,  
         who walk in obedience to him.  
      2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;  
         blessings and prosperity will be yours.  
      3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine  
         within your house;  
         your children will be like olive shoots  
         around your table.  
      4 Yes, this will be the blessing  
         for the person who fears the LORD.  
       5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;  
         may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem  
         all the days of your life.  
      6 May you live to see your children’s children—  
         peace be on Israel. 
  
  
Four times this Psalm speaks blessing. God’s desire and heart is blessing. In the Bible, blessing is the flourishing and multiplication of life. Take a moment and settle yourself in the reality that God desires to bless, to bless, and not to curse. To cause your life to flourish and multiply.  
   
Blessing is practical and multi-dimensional. In this Psalm it’s the flouishing of family, of relationship, of provision, of prosperity, and of peace. As you listen to the Psalm again, ask the Lord to draw your attention to a particular phrase that you can hold onto today, an area where you would like to see the blessing of God in your life. 
   
Blessed are all those who walk in obedience to the Lord, the psalmist writes. As we end our time of prayer today, would you invite God to draw you further into obedience? What is one area where the Lord is asking for you to trust and obey him? Pray for grace today that you might persevere in obedience and experience the overflow of his blessing.  

Music: All Things - Heaven and Earth - 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 September 22

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 59.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, LORD.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, LORD God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely.

The Psalmist had just come under attack. There were forces against him that he wasn't prepared for, and he was trapped, inside his house, which was surrounded by men waiting to kill him. When he wrote, "fierce men conspire against me," he meant it was happening to him in that moment, and in that dark moment, the Psalmist chose to connect with God. Think about what you do when you feel threatened.

This Psalm is a prayer of desperation. It doesn't even pause to offer gratitude before asking for help. Yet it ends with a hope, a renewal of strength, and a confidence that God was going to keep him safe. As we begin our time of prayer today, consider ways that you can connect with God when you're under too much pressure. Do you think about Him in those moments? Are you able to draw on his peace?

The best way to choose to connect with God under pressure is to choose to connect with Him when you're not stressed out, too. Creating a rhythm to your relationship makes it easier to call on Him in the moment you need Him. Today, as you move through your day, look for a time to add a quiet moment with God to your routine, no matter how insufficient it seems.

Music Credit:
"Slow Kingdom Coming" - 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 September 19  

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 1 Kings, chapter 10.  
 
1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king t 
o explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.   
6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”   
  
The Queen of Sheba wasn't expecting to be so impressed with King Solomon. She, a woman of great wealth, traveled very far to see this famed kingdom for herself. She had heard the rumors, but when she arrived, she was overwhelmed. "How happy your people must be!" she saw even servants wearing remarkable clothing. What she witnessed was a society that began with the creating of a temple to God, built itself up by following the instructions of God, and maintained itself by mutual trust and obedience to God. As we enter our time of prayer today, consider the connection between happiness and putting God first. 
  
God was at the center of their existence and they followed him faithfully. Think of the unity they felt, the way they were thriving by trusting and serving God, and maintaining justice and righteousness. Think about what would it be like to live in a society that was so just it was overwhelming. 

When we put God first in even the smallest ways, things fall into place. As we close our time of prayer, ask yourself, What is one thing I can do to today put God first in my life?   

Music: "Christ Above Me" - Vineyard Worship (UK) 
CHRIST ABOVE ME [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Kate Cooke 

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 September 18  

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 Hebrews, chapter 9.   
  
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  
  
The Israelites did all of these things to cleanse their consciences. They had to atone somehow, for the way they were disappointing a perfect God. But, it didn't work. All of the sacrifice, all of the effort, all of the blood, and they still had to carry the weight of their own sin and shame with them every day. Take a moment and reflect on any of that kind of weight you might be carrying today. 
  
We don't have to present sacrificial blood for our sins anymore. And we don't need to carry the burden of sin and shame. Jesus came so we didn't have to do either. He came so that you and I could walk around with our heads held high, as his followers, serving Him. Listen to the passage again with this in mind… and consider the freedom Christ brings to us… 
   
Jesus’ will was perfect, and no part of him was subject to doing the wrong thing. What do you think it would be like to walk through life knowing the Father abided in you and guided your every step. Since Jesus lived a perfect life, we pay attention, and try to live as close to the way He did as possible. Some people struggle to feel like they are enough, because they still carry the weight of the sin and shame that Jesus sacrificed himself to free us of. They race and climb, trying to make themselves feel like they've made it. But what if that feeling never comes? All the money, and power, and friends don't satisfy our need for enough of God's love. Why do we just keep pushing ourselves until we break, to get more of these things? Should we slow down for a second, and think about what truly makes us enough? 

Music: "Nothing But The Blood" - Joshua Miller 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC5tuDuJka8 

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 September 17.


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 Colossians, chapter 3.  
  

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  
  

This scripture points up... listen to the words: you have been raised. Set your heart on things above. Do you find that all too often, your mind and your heart gets pointed down, on what this passage calls ‘earthy things’? Give the Lord some space right now to reorient you. You might want to begin by listing things out to the Lord that are occupying your heart and your mind. 
   
I often forget that my life is ‘hidden with Christ in God’. I may know that verse by heart…. And yet not allow it to be a foundation for my day-to-day life. Listen to this brief passage again, and pay attention to a single word or simple phrase that stands out to you.  
   
This scripture reminds us who we are: what is true of Christ is true of us. He was raised, so we are raised—already. We are hidden with Christ, we are made alive in Christ. Even now, our minds and our hearts are meant to be directed toward this eternal reality. What are some ways you can interrupt your day with a reminder to re-direct your heart and mind toward Christ. Maybe an alarm on your phone? Maybe a midday walk and prayer? As we end, think of one way you can practically remind yourself today to set your mind and heart on things above.

Music: You're All I Need - Heaven and Earth - (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 September 16.


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 3.  
  

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:  
  
         “There is no one righteous, not even one;  
         11      there is no one who understands;  
         there is no one who seeks God.  
      12 All have turned away,  
         they have together become worthless;  
         there is no one who does good,  
         not even one.”  
      13 “Their throats are open graves;  
         their tongues practice deceit.” 
         “The poison of vipers is on their lips.”  
         14      “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”   
      15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;  
         16      ruin and misery mark their ways,  
      17 and the way of peace they do not know.”   
         18      “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  
  
 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 
  

As we come to prayer today, let’s begin with a consideration of ‘becoming conscious of our sin’. Remember: we do this only under the covering of God’s grace! Take a few moments right now and invite God to search you, to know you, and to reveal to you any area of sin or proclivity to sin that might be under the surface of your life. 
   
This text tells us that the law is useful not to help us be obedient, but to help us recognize our LACK of obedience. The law gives us a test that we simply cannot pass on our own strength. Listen to the scripture again and pay attention to the strong way it speaks to our sinful nature. 
 
Do you often consider the power of God’s grace? Take time right now to recognize how wonderful and freeing it is to be a people who are forgiven by grace… not by works. Consider the love of God toward you that He would offer Himself to pay the debt you cannot pay. And allow God to convict you of any area – any hidden or secret ways – that need to be confessed to the God of all grace.

Music: You Have Our Yes - 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 September 15

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 Habakkuk, chapter 3.

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

How are you coming to prayer today? Do you feel empty? Do you feel full? Give yourself space to become self-aware right now.

The word in this passage that I find most striking is the word: “YET”. Habakkuk first describes an emptiness, a lack, and poverty of sorts. And then comes the word YET. He writes that even in the midst of this emptiness, YET he will rejoice in the Lord. Listen again. What word or image stands out to you? What feels most resonant to how you are feeling today?

Scripture is filled with the exhortation to rejoice: despite our circumstances, despite our sense of lack, despite everything. YET I will rejoice in the Lord. Is that difficult for you? As we end prayer today, take time to either rejoice and be joyful, thanking God for His goodness..... or if feels too difficult for you, take time to be honest with God about why.

Music Credit:
"All Things" - Heaven & Earth (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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