Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is June 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 Acts, chapter 27.  

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.  

Welcome to prayer today. Listen again to a few descriptive passages from our text: gentle wind, caught by the storm, driven along, violent battering, gave up all hope... The story begins with a ‘gentle wind’, and ends with all hope lost. Which image feels more resonant to you today: being guided by a gentle wind? Feeling battered and without hope? Talk to the Lord about the state of your soul.  
   
Listen again to the text, and pay attention to one word of phrase that feels instructive or highlighted for you.  
   
In the storm, they let the ship be driven along. That’s a picture of lowering the sail, and allowing the wind and waves to take control. To stop fighting the storm. If you are in a place that feels like a place where ‘neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued raging... if you are tempted to give up all hope.... i pray that the God of all power meets you in this moment. I pray you feel His hands holding you together. And I pray for mercy and relief from the storm that you are facing. God’s peace to you in the midst of the wind and waves, in Jesus’ name.

Music: Fix My Eyes - 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 23rd

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 Luke, chapter 18.

10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Can you place yourself in this familiar story. We all KNOW we’re meaning to share the heart attitude of the tax collector... but very often, we don’t. Very often we develop into accidental pharisees. Our ego rises up, and our judgment of others does, too. Holding onto true humility is a discipline – it does come naturally to most. Think about your own heart. Think about how both show up in you.

Many of us don’t often reflect on our own sinfulness. Many of us don’t regularly say: have mercy of me, God – I'm a sinner! Well, we might say the words. But all too often, in our hearts we actually feel like we’re pretty good people. Living pretty good lives. Doing pretty well with our spiritual disciplines. Listen again and pay special attention to the one sentence the tax collector speaks.

Mercy is a wonderful thing. Mercy is when, instead of being given a punishment that is deserved... the punishment is withheld. Mercy is NOT getting what we deserve. And Grace is GETTING what we do not deserve. This is the nature of God’s kingdom because it is God’s nature: mercy triumphs over judgement. Consider those words as we end our time of prayer, and in particular... consider how they might help to form your own heart, your own ego, and your own proclivity toward judgment.



Music Credit:
Have Mercy - 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 June 20.

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 Deuteronomy, chapter 31. 

Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  

When someone tells me to NOT be afraid or terrified, I usually shift right into fear & terror! I take that as a cue that whatever I’m getting myself into, it’s going to be frightening... going to stir up my anxiety with ‘what if’s’. Is there an area of your life right now that is making you feel afraid?  
  
Imagine being Joshua. Moses summons you in front of all the people. You’re watching Moses – this old, faithful leader who you trust. And you’re listening to the stirring of people whispering: “Joshua? He’s going to lead us now?” Your heart is pounding. Moses is telling you to be strong and courageous, which until this very moment, you thought you were. But now your anxious thoughts are spinning, your body is coursing with adrenaline, and your hands are trembling. Listen again, imagining Joshua’s experience in the scene.  
  
Is God calling you toward something that feels too big? Too difficult? Too impossible? Too complicated? As we end, consider that God always provides for what he invites us into. Perhaps you want to make this your prayer today: he will never leave me, or forsake me.... 
 
Music: Breathe In, Sing Out - 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 19th.
 
Today, we commemorate Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free from the institution of slavery, almost two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.  
The first Juneteenth in 1866 was celebrated at church with food, singing, and the reading of spirituals. We celebrate Juneteenth today to recall how far we’ve come, and also to remember how far there’s left to go in the work of freedom and justice for all.  
 
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 71.    
 

      In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;  
         let me never be put to shame.  
      2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;  
         turn your ear to me and save me.  
      3 Be my rock of refuge,  
         to which I can always go;  
         give the command to save me,  
         for you are my rock and my fortress.  
      4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,  
         from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.  
       5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,  
         my confidence since my youth.  
      6 From birth I have relied on you;  
         you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.  
         I will ever praise you.  
      7 I have become a sign to many;  
         you are my strong refuge.  
      8 My mouth is filled with your praise,  
         declaring your splendor all day long.


The Psalmist calls out to God for rescue and deliverance. Be my rock of refuge, he writes, to which I can always go. Consider what it might have been like to live in an age with little physical protection from the elements. Consider being pursued by an enemy and not having a place to go, or a lock on the door to your home. The psalmist writes plainly of his sense of vulnerability. Think about how such profound vulnerability, and such a righteous cry for deliverance has been repeated throughout history. 
  
As you listen to the psalmist’s words again, think about how it would have sounded to those in captivity: Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. Listen to the weight of this cry for deliverance, and for the prophetic hope found in God as refuge. 
  
As we end, consider what it means that God is our rescuer, our liberator, and our deliverer... both personally and through history.... and what those things mean for the work before followers of Jesus today. What does it mean to extend those parts of God’s character in your own life? What might it look like for you to take up the Kingdom work of justice?  
 
Music: The Lord Is My Shepherd - 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 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 Jeremiah, chapter 21.  
 
“Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says to you, house of David:   
         “ ‘Administer justice every morning;  
         rescue from the hand of the oppressor  
         the one who has been robbed,  
         or my wrath will break out and burn like fire...”  
           

It’s always so interesting to me to hear God’s passion for justice, for rescue, and for restitution. And on the other hand, to hear about the wrath associated with injustice and oppression. The very frame of justice and mercy and fairness and goodness comes from the character of God Himself. God is offended when His character isn’t expressed in this world. And not just offended, but God’s wrath burns toward injustice. This is why, as Christians, we are called to be kingdom people. Our work is to partner with God as He ushers in the coming kingdom... and to resist the ways of the world like injustice and oppression. Talk to the Lord about His heart for true justice, and take a moment to allow Him to speak to you. 
   
Listen to the text again and consider what it is instructing you to do when it tells us to ‘administer justice every morning’. What space are you in that you might be able to ‘administer justice’? It’s not just judges that do this. Is there any space in your life where you have authority to administer justice towards the vulnerable or oppressed?  
   
Perhaps you feel like you’ve got no way to be an ‘administer of justice’ in your life. Perhaps you do: you're an employer, you manage a team, you work in areas of social policy, your work in housing. As we end our time of prayer, ask God to speak to you about what it is for you to ‘administer justice’ in your normal day-to-day life and work.

Music: Restored - 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

Today is June 17.

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 1 Samuel, chapter 14.  

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.  
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.  
 
Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”  
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”  
Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands.”  
So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”  
So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.”  
  
Welcome to prayer. As you orient yourself to the Lord today, consider Jonathan and his armor bearer. Young, impetuous, full of faith, ready to take a risk and trust in the Lord’s provision. We might even call them: unwise. How is it that you come to prayer today? Are you full of faith? Ready to step out into mission? Talk to the Lord about how you’re feeling right now. 
   
Listen to the story again and pay attention to my favorite line: Jonathan says to his servant: come on, let’s go over to that enemy encampment. ‘perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf’. I love the ‘perhaps’ in this story.  
   
This is a story about courage, risk, and trust in the provision and providence of God. Jonathan has a sense of God’s power that compels him toward the enemy. Compels him toward the place of risk and total dependency on God. Ask God for the gift of courage today as we end our time of prayer.

Music: We Come Alive - 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 16

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 Joshua 23.

After a long time had passed and the LORD had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, 2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. 3 You yourselves have seen everything the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the LORD your God who fought for you.

14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Joshua, this scripture tells us, is a very old man who is preparing for his transition. He speaks to all of Israel words of consolation. He reminds them what they already know: God is faithful. Sometimes – oftentimes – being reminded of truth by one who goes before us is profoundly encouraging. Is there a sage in your life – someone older – who brings you great courage?

There are a few sages in my community who regularly send me notes of encouragement through the post, pray for me, or take me to lunch. My parents, as well, speak encouragement to me about who God is. This intentional presence in my life of sages is incredibly meaningful. Listen to the words of Joshua again. Imagine all he’s seen and done. Imagine his massive failures. Imagine the time God passed right in front of him! Imagine yourself, as a very old person – some might be closer to that than others - reflecting on everything the Lord has done for your sake...


Joshua says to them – and to us - : you know heart and soul that God’s good promises do not fail. But sometimes, it doesn’t feel like we know that! Sometimes, we need a word of courage to remember who God is, and all He’s done. As you end your time of prayer, remember some of God’s good promises to you, and see if you can find the sort of ‘heart and soul’ knowing Joshua talks about.

Music Credit:
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

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 13.
 
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 14.  
 

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 
 

This passage is one of many miraculous physical healings found in the book of Acts. Often times we Christians – even though our faith is full of mystery and miracle – struggle to understand the miraculous. What thoughts does this passage bring up for you?  
  
This story, after the section we heard, the crowd begins to worship Paul and Barnabus as gods themselves. The disciples spoke against the worship that was directed toward them, but even then, scripture says... they had a hard time getting the crowd to stop. They had been convinced by what they saw – and thought that something sacred was going on. Listen again to what the crowd was eyewitness to.  
  
As we end our time of prayer, can you sit with the Lord and consider the state of your own faith? Do you feel full of faith today? Or perhaps, empty? Can you be honest with the Lord about the condition of your faith?  
 
Music: Healing Presence - 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