Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is July 29.


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 Philippians, chapter 4. 


I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 
 

I know we all KNOW we are supposed to love this verse, but it’s a hard one. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What are your circumstances right now? Take some time to orient yourself to what is real in your life: relationally, emotionally, spiritually, vocationally….  
   
Does the word content describe you? If not, what word would you use to describe the state of your heart related to your situation? Listen again to the text, and pay special attention: what in this text tells us ‘the secret of being content’? 
   
The secret of contentedness is found in the grace we find through the spirit of God, who lives in us. We don’t get good at being contented because we’re virtuous people. We get good at becoming content because we learn, day by day, to trust God to be present in our areas of weakness, loss, and pain. As we close our time of prayer, talk with God about any struggles you have with feeling content in life right now. Be honest with Him – tell him how you feel – and then take some time to quietly hear how He might be leading you forward. 

Music: Arms of 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 July 28

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 71.

17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.

For how long have you followed the Lord? take a moment to remember when it was you first gave your life to Christ?

Perhaps you are a sage… someone who has followed God since your youth, and who are now – as the psalmist writes – old and gray. American culture doesn’t do a very good job of honoring our elders… but it’s the patience, endurance, resilience, and faithfulness of sages in the church that inspires the next generation of believers. Listen to the psalm again, and note what word or phrase stands out to you.

The psalmist wants to declare God’s power and mighty acts to the next generation. Have you shared your faith story with anyone from the next generation? As we end our time of prayer, invite God to speak to you about who He might have for you to share your God story with.

Music Credit:
You Don't Have To Lose Heart - Vineyard Worship, Joshua Miller (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 July 25.


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 Gospel of John, chapter 3.   
  

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  
   

John tells us that Nicodemus, who was a member of the ruling council, approaches Jesus at night. He was a curious man, and had several observations and questions for Jesus. Why do you think Nicodemus came to talk with Jesus in the quietness and hiddenness of night?   
   
John shows us how Jesus reacts to those who are curious, who ask difficult questions. Are you surprised at Jesus’ answers? Are you surprised that Jesus doesn’t mind the questions? Listen again, and pay special attention to the back and forth of their conversation. 
   
This conversation reminds me of two men playing chess in a park. There is a respectful rhythm to their dialogue. There also seems to be a mutual recognition that they are talking about something beyond this world: something of the spirit. Do you bring any questions to Jesus today? Do you trust Him to answer you with kindness and generosity? End your time of prayer by placing a question before the Lord. Then sit quietly, and wait for his response.

Music: As Above, So Below - Vineyard Music: As Above So Below 

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 July 24.

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 Nehemiah, chapter 2.   
  

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”   
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?”  Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
   

This short passage from the Old Testament story of Nehemiah is full of a wide range of emotions: sadness, curiosity, fear, courage…  Nehemiah was sad, and – as the saying goes – he was wearing his sadness on his sleeve. So much so that the king even noticed, and inquired. As you come to prayer today, can you get present to the emotions swirling inside of you?  
   
Nehemiah’s heart was saddened because something dear to him had been destroyed, and was in ruins. He longed to see the thing that had been damaged, be restored. As you listen to the passage read again…. Think about this: Is there anything in your past, or even in your present, that feels damaged or destroyed? Perhaps a friendship? A relationship with a parent? A hope you held close to your heart? Is there anything that is causing you a ‘sadness of heart’?  
 
The king’s question to Nehemiah is ‘what is it you want?’. It reminds me of the types of questions Jesus asks in the New Testament: questions that seems obvious. He asks a sick person: what do you want? And we think: Jesus, they want to get well! The king asks Nehemiah: what do you want? And it seems straightforward – I want to rebuild the thing that was lost! In our relationship with God though, there is something connecting about these patterns of questions and answers. There is a vulnerability that comes by admitting what we want. There is a courage we demonstrate in asking. Can you come before God today in vulnerability and courage, in response to God’s question: “what is it you want?” 
  
Music:  You Make Everything New - 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 July 23.

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 61.  
 
      From the ends of the earth I call to you,  
         I call as my heart grows faint;  
         lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  
      For you have been my refuge,  
         a strong tower against the foe.  
       I long to dwell in your tent forever  
         and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  
      For you, God, have heard my vows;  
         you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.  
       Increase the days of the king’s life,  
         his years for many generations.  
      May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;  
         appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.  
       Then I will ever sing in praise of your name  
         and fulfill my vows day after day. 
  
I’m struck today how often the psalmist refers to himself as ‘growing faint’. He writes about eyes that are weak with sorrow, a soul that yearns, a heart that is dismayed. The psalmist here models a wonderful sort of strength that is a combination of emotional vulnerability, humility, and resilience and persistence. As we begin our time of prayer, could you take a few moments now and, in vulnerability, bring yourself before the Lord?  
   
Do you struggle to share negative emotions with the Lord in prayer? Do you often come to God feeling like you’ve got to put a happy face on? As you listen to the psalm again, consider his constant impulse to share his thoughts and feelings – good and bad – with God.  
   
That line strikes me: “For you, God, have heard my vows.” Could you take a few moments and ask God if there is something that he wants from you, something he wants you to give your word to in your life? Some act of sacrifice, or obedience? Maybe something you’ve already made a commitment to that is not yet fulfilled? As we close our time of prayer, could you again affirm your word to the Lord and trust in his grace to enable you to fulfill it?

Music: Invitation Fountain - 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 July 22.

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 13.  

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.  
 
Well, this might feel like a tricky one for way too many people: have confidence in your leaders. Some of you might find that simple, but others have been hurt by bad leadership. Can you orient yourself to your own reaction to the word ‘leader’? Do have you a good example of a leader in your life you can thank God for?  
   
This text teaches us something incredibly important about a Christian definition of leader. A leader is someone who ‘keeps watch over you AS someone who must give an account’. In other words: leaders care. They protect. They nourish. And they lead. And how do they do those things? As folks who will have to open their books – to be accountable – for everything they do. Listen again to the text and consider any area of leadership you have in the faith community…   
   
Leadership, for me, is a joy. It is a joy to care, to protect, to nourish, and to lead. And it is also weighty. Leadership means I am accountable, and not just to anyone. I am accountable to God. I reflect on that often: those I care for belong to God. They are His flock. The sheep of His pasture. My work is to tend well to those He loves. Including myself! As we end our time of prayer today, think of some leaders in your faith community who model attentive, accountable, and joy-filled leadership… and pray for them. Perhaps you might even send someone a note of encouragement. 

Music: We Say 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 July 21

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 2 Corinthians, chapter 4.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Paul uses such great descriptors in these few verses that can give language to how we might be feeling…. What feelings are you bringing to God today? Do you identify with feeling hard pressed? Or perplexed? Or persecuted? Or struck down?

Hard pressed on every side, Paul says. BUT – not crushed. If you’re old enough you might remember the famous trash compactor scene from Star Wars. They were being hard pressed on every side! But they weren’t destroyed. At the last minute, they were saved. It’s a silly analogy, maybe, but memorable. He is with you in the pressing, and he is at work to save and help you. As you hear the passage again, listen for God’s saving help in the midst of your circumstances.

I love the phrase ‘but not’ in these verses. Paul is keeping it real, He’s not afraid to share frankly and honestly, but he’s able to retain the power of faith. It’s difficult, BUT NOT impossible. How do you think Paul is able to hold on to faith in this place? When the walls seem to be closing in around him? Talk to God about how you can hold on to faith as we close our time of prayer.

Music Credit:
"The Hidden Place" - 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

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 July 18.

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 Ezra, chapter 6.  

In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:  Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, 10 so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons. 
  
  
Can you imagine what it would be like to follow a religion that demanded burnt animal sacrifices on a daily basis? For most of us, it’s is a very strange thing to think about. How do you feel about that? 
  
Consider that today, you’re coming to prayer not in a temple, and not with any sort of sacrifice. You’re coming as you are, covered by God’s grace, following in the way of Christ who was the last sacrifice needed, and who gave Himself up for us. Listen to the text again and think about how different your experience with God is, from the one we’re reading. 
  
In the Old Testament, God tells His people that the kind of sacrifice he desires are those that bear the fruit of justice, humility, and mercy. Are there ways that you can, today, made sacrificial decisions in your own life that bear such fruit? Talk to God about this as we end.

Music: I Am 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

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