Be Still: Daily Devotional

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.

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Today is July 4.

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 26.  


Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  
  

The apostle Paul was consumed by the mission of God because He had experienced something so profound himself, through His revelation of Jesus as Lord. As you begin your time of prayer today, consider the sort of freedom that we are offered through Christ: not a temporal freedom, not a political freedom, not even a personal freedom. We are offered an ‘existential freedom’ - a freedom that defines our very existence. This is why Paul, even when he’s in chains, can say that he wants Agrippa to become like him. Paul has tasted the freedom found in God’s grace, and He knows how good it is. As you come to prayer today, are you mindful of the grace of God that is over your life? 
  
Is there anyone you have been praying for, for a short or maybe even for a long time? Someone you hope one day experiences the grace and freedom of God? Perhaps a good friend, or colleague, or a parent? Hold that person before the Lord as you listen to the passage again.   
  
Have you shared your faith – even in just a small way – with anyone over the past couple of months? Perhaps you offered to pray for a coworker, or you invited someone to Alpha, or you told a neighbor a story of God’s grace in your life. Or maybe not. Maybe you can’t find the words, or you don’t sense a good opportunity. As we end our time of prayer today, would you be willing to ask God for an opportunity this week to share a small word of faith? Be curious as you go about your week... knowing that there are people all around you who are hungry for a gentle word of freedom and grace. 
 
Music: Fall On Me - Vineyard Worship: Fall On Me (feat. Charlotte Naraine) (Live) 

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 3.
 
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 1st Corinthians, chapter 3.  
 

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.  
  

This passage offers us much needed perspective about who does what in the kingdom of God! Paul writes that each of us have a role to play, but that it’s only God who makes things actually grow. Are there places in your faith life where you feel a pressure to MAKE things grow? Perhaps an area of ministry? Perhaps another person’s faith? Can you offer those things back to God? 
  
The passage also reminds us that we get to be co-workers with God. We get the joy of planting and watering... and then patiently watching for things to bloom. So while growth belongs to God, we get to participate, to partner with God. As you listen to the scripture again, can you wonder about your own role? Is there a person or situation in your life where you could plant or water a seed of faith? 
  
Seeds don’t just need planted, they need to be nourished... even before you see any sign of life. As we end our time of prayer today, ask God to remind you of someone in your life who needs spiritual nourishment. Reach out to them today with a reminder of God’s goodness, and with words of encouragement that might feel like rain or sunshine to the seed of faith in their life.  
 
Music: I Lift My Eyes Up - Vineyard Worship: I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121) (feat. Matt Turrigiano) (Live) 

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 2.


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 Samuel, chapter 31. And our passage is one that tells a historical story that is filled with chaos and trouble. It tells graphically about the death of Saul, his sons, and his armor bearer. If this feels like too intense of a passage to consider this morning, go ahead and move to the end for a moment of worship. 
 

The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.  
 

Today’s reading is troubling. It tells about the tragic demise of Saul and his sons at the hands of the Philistines. Saul, facing imminent capture and fearing dishonor, chose to end his own life rather than endure the enemy's brutality. Do you know anyone who might feel at the end of their rope? Anyone who might be experiencing shame? If so, end your time of prayer now, and instead reach out to the person you know who may be feeling vulnerable. Or take a moment now to intercede for those who know who might be facing a desperate situation.  
 
Saul had been the first king of Israel, but then demonstrated a pattern of pride, disobedience, selfishness, and ego. The more he chose against the ways of God, the more he spun out of control… becoming vain, angry, and violent. Over and over, turned his back on God. His is a story of the vector of sin… how our sin, and selfishness, and pride – over time – draw us away from becoming the person God has made us to be. Listen to the story again and ask God to help you understand the story of Saul.   
   
Sometimes these stories in scripture are disorienting. Why, we ask, does the Bible include such heavy, real, painful, texts? Well… I think it’s because they are true to life. The Bible, and Christian faith, describe things as they are. Christian faith is not afraid of or in denial about reality. And reality includes some rough things. This is why the interruption of the world’s reality through Jesus Christ is such good news! He gives us a different vector. A different way. And while our way is real, and often difficult, Christ is with us. No matter the shame or despair. God is with you, and God loves you. As we end our time together, ask God to show you more about who He has made you to be. And if you do happen to find yourself in despair today, or feeling personally vulnerable, please reach out to a friend, a safe person, a pastor. You are loved. You are not alone.  

Music: The Gospel - 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 1.

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 86.  
 

      I love you, LORD, my strength.  
      The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;  
         my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,  
         my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  
       I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,  
         and I have been saved from my enemies.  
      The cords of death entangled me;  
         the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.  
      The cords of the grave coiled around me;  
         the snares of death confronted me.  
       In my distress I called to the LORD;  
         I cried to my God for help.  
         From his temple he heard my voice;  
         my cry came before him, into his ears.  
 

This psalm expresses a heartfelt expression of trust and reliance on God's strength and protection, even as it communicates the feelings of overwhelm. In times of trouble and danger, we turn to God for refuge, strength and deliverance. Talk to the Lord as we begin, and invite him into any areas of distress you’re experiencing. 
 
Do you see God as your source of strength and refuge? Are you quick to turn to him in times of distress, or do you first try to handle problems on your own? The psalmist write that he calls to God when He is in need of help. He cries out, even. Listen again to the psalm and find a few words or a phrase to hold to in your own times of trouble. 

This psalm reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God is always ready to hear our cries for help. This is true for you personally, and for us corporately. As we end of our time of prayer today, ask yourself how you might entrust a significant concern to him, and what that would mean for you practically. What might you do differently as you abide in the truth that “from his temple he hears your voice, and your cry comes before him, and into his ears?”

Music: The 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 June 30

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 23 – the MSG version.

11 That night the Master appeared to Paul: “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You’ve been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you’re going to be my witness in Rome!”
12 Next day the Jews worked up a plot against Paul. They took a solemn oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed him.
16–17 Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard them plotting the ambush. He went immediately to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called over one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the captain. He has something important to tell him.”
18 The centurion brought him to the captain and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He said he has something urgent to tell you.”
19 The captain took him by the arm and led him aside privately. “What is it? What do you have to tell me?”
20–21 Paul’s nephew said, “The Jews have worked up a plot against Paul. They’re going to ask you to bring Paul to the council first thing in the morning on the pretext that they want to investigate the charges against him in more detail. But it’s a trick to get him out of your safekeeping so they can murder him. Right now there are more than forty men lying in ambush for him. They’ve all taken a vow to neither eat nor drink until they’ve killed him. The ambush is set—all they’re waiting for is for you to send him over.”
22 The captain dismissed the nephew with a warning: “Don’t breathe a word of this to a soul.”

This is a story of a plot against Paul’s life. But interestingly, the story begins with the words “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best...”. How does this juxtaposition make you feel... these words of consolation and hope, followed by a story of impending doom?

Do you ever feel caught between faith and fear? Or deliverance and doom? Can you imagine being Paul in this situation? The Lord spoke a word of encouragement to him, and the next day, he woke up to bad news. Put yourself in Paul’s place as you listen to the scripture again. Remember that Paul doesn’t know the end of the story. He has no control over the situation. How would you feel, if you were in his place?

Is there a place in your reality that feels caught between: “the ambush is set” and “everything is going to turn out for the best”? Maybe you’re facing a frightening diagnosis or difficult treatment. Maybe you’re struggling financially. Whatever feels like an ‘ambush’ to you – can you hold that, and all the concern and anxiety it creates, alongside the truth that God is faithful to you? As we close our time, ask God to give you His peace, even when you don’t feel in control of your own circumstances.

Music Credit:
You Are God - 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 June 27

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 139.

1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Contemplate for a moment how deeply God knows you. Is that a comfort to you? Does it make you feel exposed in any sense?

You hem me in behind and before… what do you think this means? As you listen to this scripture again, pay attention to what particular phrases or words stand out to you.

The words of this Psalm speak comfort to us. In a world that often chaotic, we hear the purposes of God through the text. In a world that often feels haphazard, we hear the order of God. And in a world where we often feel lost or unseen, we hear the closeness and attentiveness of God. As we end our time of prayer.... do you need to feel the comfort of God in any particular way?

Music Credit:
Creator - 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 June 26.

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 1st Thessalonians, chapter 4.  

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.  
  
This passage speaks to death, grief, and the resurrection of all believers. It’s a passage filled with hope, and a heavenward view. How do you feel, thinking about such things? 
  
Holding a mixture of grief and hope is a uniquely Christian experience. As you listen to the passage again, think about which side of that mixture feels most real to you today: the side of grief? Or the side of hope?  
  
Can you recall a time when you experienced a deep sense of hope – a kind of hope that you know is a gift from God, because perhaps your circumstances weren’t that hopeful? As we end our time of prayer, remember that your hope is grounded in the reality of the resurrected Christ, who will come again.  
 
Music: All Things Rise - 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 June 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 book of Exodus, chapter 9.  
 
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”  
Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”  
 
Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses.  
  
"He sinned again”. What a confronting line. Pharoh had hardened his heart. He asked for a sign from God, got a sign from God, and then: ignored it. As we come to prayer today, invite the Lord to search you, and know your heart... to see if there is any hardened way inside of you. 
   
Does it feel difficult to admit that there might be a part of your heart that is hardened toward God? Does that make you defensive? Listen again to the passage and pay attention to what the Lord highlights for you.  
   
Hardened hearts are sometimes found under unforgiveness, an inability to admit fault, pride, ego, or perfectionism. As we end our time of prayer, ask God for the grace to examine your own heart, and invite Him to soften you by His spirit. 

Music: Will You Worship - 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