Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is June 12.

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 Ezekiel 17.  

“ ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender spring from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.  
“ ‘I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’  

There is so much hope to be found in these words. Do you need a word of hope today as you come into prayer?   
  
I have seen a plant that looks 100% dead come back to life... first, a single brown stalk, totally dry... and then a bud, and again: a leaf! Listen to the scripture again, and think about the difference between something that is dead, and something that is simply dormant: that which is dormant holds deep within it both the power for and the presence of life.
  
This scripture reminds us that nothing is beyond hope. No season is too dry, no heart is too hard, no soil is too infertile for the Lord. It also reminds us that our hope comes from the Lord. Only he has the power to restore that which looks lost to hope. As we come to a close, pray for God’s hope to come alive in you. If there is a situation in your life that feels beyond hope, ask for God to give you the gift of intercession towards it.  
 
Music: You Speak - Vineyard Worship:(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 June 11.

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 18.  

Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” 
  
This story sounds strange to our ears... a trash-talking battle between prophets... and then, after a lot of drama that feels straight from an HBO miniseries.... a miraculous demonstration of power from God, ‘so that these people will know God, and so that they will know God wants their hearts to turn back to him’ from idols. Is there any place where you are praying: “answer me, Lord, answer me....”? 
   
Listen to the story again, and allow the Lord to draw your attention to a simple word or phrase. 
   
Demonstrations of the power of God always points us to His presence. End your time of prayer today contemplating God’s presence and power in your life and thanking Him for his faithfulness to you.

Music: You Are Worthy Of Our Praise - 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 10.

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 7.  

So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” 
 
Samuel is directing the Israelites to turn away from idolatry... Baal and Ashtoreth were popular idols of the time. Sameul calls the people of God to repent from their sin of looking to idols instead of looking to God. Idols are things made of human hands, things that are not God, but that take the place of God in our lives. Idols are things we give our attention, energy, and emotions toward. As you come to prayer today, are there things in your life that perhaps have taken the place of a modern day idol? Things that you spend a lot of energy, attention, and energy on? Things that you rely on and trust in... instead of God? 
   
Confession is a powerful tool. Confession is when we say what is real, and allow God to meet us in that real. The Israelites confessed: we have sinned. That was real. Is there anything in your ‘real’ right now that you have not brought to the Lord intentionally? If so, take time right now to speak that thing out loud to the Lord. 
   
Samuel calls the people of God to return to the Lord with all their hearts. As we end our time of prayer today, turn your heart toward Jesus, and make time through the rest of your day to continue to reorient yourself toward Him. 

Music: Kyrie Eleison - 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 9.

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 96.

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

This Psalm is overflowing with worship to God! It’s the kind of worship you’re supposed to listen to with the volume up, singing your heart out in community, dancing... clapping... singing... when was the last time you entered into a moment of worship that felt like that?

Worship is obedience, and a discipline, and also a freeing joy. So often, we feel freer at football games or concerts than we do during corporate worship. Listen to the psalmist again, and try to imagine yourself in a sea of God’s people, singing and dancing these words to the Lord.


Each line in this Psalm holds so much. As we come to the close of our time of prayer, meditate on these words: the world is firmly established, it cannot be moved.... Does that truth bring joy, or consolation to you today?

Music Credit:
You Are Good - 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 6.

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 Ezekiel 11.


I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.


That’s quite a picture: God removing a heart of stone, and replacing with a heart of flesh. Can you meditate quietly for a moment and hold a picture of each sort of heart in your mind? Can you consider: what’s the condition of your heart today as we enter into prayer?

I once heard someone say that we like to think we can build picket fences around our hearts: to let some things IN, and keep other things OUT. But, they said, we can’t do that. We either keep our hearts soft to all, or they become hard to all – not like a picket fence, but like a concrete barrier. Sometimes, our hearts grow hard from good use. They become spiritually calloused, as it were. Listen again, and listen for the invitation of God.

We used to pray for our children, when they were young, to be soft-hearted and thick-skinned. A soft heart sees beauty in the world, it allows for vulnerability and tenderness, it invites communion. A hard heart is often cynical, walled-off, judgmental, and in pain. End today's prayer by getting curious about the condition of your heart. If you don’t feel self-aware, perhaps ask a good friend, a close colleague, or a family member like your kids how they are experiencing you right now. Give them permission to speak honestly, and do the work of listening in humility.

Music: I Will Hold On - 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 5.

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.


Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.


The psalmist says that among the gods, there is none like you, Lord. Our secular culture has plenty of gods: money, lust, power, fame, cynicism, freedom, individualism. Do those god’s answer the call of the poor and needy? Do those gods show mercy? Do they answer those in distress?

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord: a god – THE GOD – who is so absolute in His love for His creation that he answers, he rescues, he forgives... Listen again, and wonder a bit about why we so often forget how good and gracious our God is.

How do you come to prayer, today? Are you poor and needy? Are you in distress? Take these last few minutes and allow God to remind you of His goodness, His graciousness, and His love.

Music: Thanks and Praise - 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 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 Psalm 99. 
 
 
      The LORD reigns,  
         let the nations tremble;  
         he sits enthroned between the cherubim,  
         let the earth shake.  
      Great is the LORD in Zion;  
         he is exalted over all the nations.  
      Let them praise your great and awesome name—  
         he is holy.  
       The King is mighty, he loves justice—  
         you have established equity;  
         in Jacob you have done  
         what is just and right.  
      Exalt the LORD our God  
         and worship at his footstool;  
         he is holy.  
  
  
The psalmist is reorienting us to something deeply powerful: God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth... is exalted far about the nations. What does that mean, when the nations of our world seem to be in such disarray? What does it mean that we don’t trust in our nation, any nation, any politic? What does it mean that we trust in God, the king, who is mighty, who loves justice, who establishes equity, and who does what is good and right? What does it mean for you, today, to put your trust in the Lord? 
   
What are things, on a national level, that fill you with anxiety, or frustration, or fear, or even anger? What makes those negative feelings worsen? Perhaps social media? Watching the news? Arguing with family members? Could you imagine giving those things up? Could you imagine instead using that time to abide with Christ, the risen King? To pray and meditate on His kingdom? To commit your trust – over and over and over again – to Him... in faith, hope, and love... instead of in any nation or leader or earthly kingdom? Let’s listen to the scripture again: 
   
We don’t use the word exalt a lot these days, but I think of it like this: what I give my attention and my emotions and my energy to, I’m exalting. Sometimes we exalt athletic teams. Or influencers. Or politicians. To exalt the Lord our God means to give him the best of your attention, your emotion, and your energy. As we end our time of prayer today, consider one way you might need to reallocate attention, emotion, or energy toward the Lord today. Here is a pro-tip: unplug from social media and reduce your screentime. You’ll be amazed how much space you may find...

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Music: "Exalt The Lord" - 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 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 1 Samuel, chapter 2.  
 

Then Hannah prayed and said:  
          “My heart rejoices in the LORD;  
         in the LORD my horn is lifted high.  
         My mouth boasts over my enemies,  
         for I delight in your deliverance.  
       “There is no one holy like the LORD;  
         there is no one besides you;  
         there is no Rock like our God.  
       “Do not keep talking so proudly  
         or let your mouth speak such arrogance,  
         for the LORD is a God who knows,  
         and by him deeds are weighed.  
       “The bows of the warriors are broken,  
         but those who stumbled are armed with strength.  
      Those who were full hire themselves out for food,  
         but those who were hungry are hungry no more.  
         She who was barren has borne seven children,  
         but she who has had many sons pines away.  
       “The LORD brings death and makes alive;  
         he brings down to the grave and raises up.  
      The LORD sends poverty and wealth;  
         he humbles and he exalts.  
      He raises the poor from the dust  
         and lifts the needy from the ash heap;  
         he seats them with princes  
         and has them inherit a throne of honor.  
          “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;  
         on them he has set the world.  
      He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,  
         but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.  
          “It is not by strength that one prevails;  
          those who oppose the LORD will be broken. 


Hannah’s prayer reminds us of the strength and faithfulness of God, and of way the kingdom of God interrupts the kingdom of this world. In the kingdom of God, the needy and the poor are lifted up. In the kingdom of god, it is not by our own strength that we prevail. Draw near to the Lord in this moment and try to center yourself in His strength and faithfulness, instead of in your own capacities and power. Pay attention to one area that you are feeling particularly self-reliant about. 
   
Are there things going on in your life, or in the world around you, that feel impossible? Do you ever feel overwhelmed or in need of God’s deliverance? Let the words of scripture speak to you, and remind you of God’s power and provision.  
   
The foundations of the earth’s are the Lord’s. Scripture roots us deeply in the reality that the earth and all that is in it were made with intention, are held with intention, and are imbued with intention. When we are reminded that the foundations of the earth are the Lord, and when we’re reminded that the Lord’s character is good and perfect and just... we can be reminded that he rescues, and He redeems. Perhaps God’s redemption feels far off today for some who are listening. Would you pour out your heart to the Lord, and invite Him to tend to your soul in this time of waiting?

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Music: "Here In Your 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

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Today is June 2.


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 16. 
 

35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” 
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. 
 

This boldness teaches us that faith isn’t passive. It's active, wise, and courageous. Paul used his legal status not for selfish gain, but to protect the gospel’s reputation and strengthen the believers around him. He understood that how he left the prison would speak just as loudly as why he was there. Is there a situation in your life where God might be calling you to speak up—not for your own comfort, but to protect others or uphold what is right?  
 
Paul and Silas didn’t just walk away quietly—they stood for justice, and then they went straight to encourage the church. Even after being wrongfully imprisoned, their focus was on building up others. This is a powerful reminder that our trials are not just about us. God often uses our experiences to strengthen the faith of those around us. As you listen to the passage again, consider someone in your life needs encouragement today? How might your story, your presence, or your words be a source of strength for someone else? 
  
Today, reflect on where God might be calling you to stand with courage and integrity. Is there a situation where you need to speak up? Pray for courage. And who can you encourage today? Reach out to someone with a message of hope, a prayer, or a simple reminder that they are not alone.  

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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