Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is May 8th.     
   
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 1 Peter, chapter 5.  
 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 
 

Our whole culture, and everything in us, fights against suffering. Seeking comfort and avoiding suffering is one of our highest aims. But the Apostle Peter sets a different expectation of suffering for Christians. Peter says that it’s a normal part of our human experience, and as Christians, we should expect that suffering will come our way. We are not to be surprised by or shocked by suffering when it occurs in our lives. What is your reaction to suffering when it happens to you?  
 
Peter says that we should find encouragement in the midst of our own sufferings by considering the sufferings of others around the world, especially those who are suffering because of their faith in Christ. As you listen to the passage again, call to mind someone who has been a model of Christlikeness in the face of suffering.  

Peter encourages us by reminding us that, in light of our eternal glory, our suffering will only last a little while. And Christ himself will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. As we close our time today, can you turn that into a prayer… “Christ, today I pray that you will restore me, make me strong, make me firm, and make me steadfast.”

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: "I Lift My Eyes Up" - 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 May 7.

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 93. 
 
 
      The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;  
         the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;  
         indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.  
      Your throne was established long ago;  
         you are from all eternity.  
      The seas have lifted up, LORD,  
         the seas have lifted up their voice;  
         the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.  
      Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,  
         mightier than the breakers of the sea—  
         the LORD on high is mighty.  
       Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;  
         holiness adorns your house  
         for endless days. 
 
 
The psalmist sounds so certain and full of faith in this text. How are you feeling as you come to prayer today? What handful of words might describe how you are doing?  
   
I love the psalms because they express a full breadth of human experience – from absolute faith to delight to certainty to lament to doubt. Sometimes, all in the same psalm. The psalms are a model for us of how to approach God in worship and prayer: totally vulnerable, emotions and all. Listen to the psalmist again and pay attention to one word picture that stands out to you. 
   
Consider how writing your prayers out might help to deepen your devotional life. Perhaps you could take a few minutes as we end to write out a prayer to the Lord. 

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: "Who Can Compare?" - 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 May 6.

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 Timothy, chapter 6.  
 

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 
  
 
Paul is writing to the young man he’s mentoring. He’s calling Timothy to be a ‘man of God’, and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. As we enter into prayer today, think about a man in your life who you consider a ‘man of God’, who truly reflects these qualities. Thank God for these men- young and old - around you who have demonstrated Christlikeness to you. 
   
The language in this text is pretty directive and strong: flee from sin! Pursue righteousness! Fight the good fight! “take hold of...”. Listen again to the text and pay attention to what word stands out to you. 
  
The early church was made up of women and men who pursued God with passion and strength, as well as with humility and self-sacrifice. Would you take time as we close in prayer – right now - to write a letter, or text, or an email of encouragement to someone in your life who’s inspired you to ‘fight the good fight of faith?’ We all need to hear words of courage as we pursue God. 

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: "Take My Life" - 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 May 5th.


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 31.

Psalm 31:1-5
"1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."

How are you coming to today’s time of prayer? Are you in a place of quietness or prayerfulness? Do you feel restless, or in need of rescue? What tasks lie before you? How are you feeling, today?
Praying the psalms helps us to understand our own feelings, our own experiences. The psalmists often give us the words we need to describe what’s happening in our own souls. As you listen to this psalm again, pay attention to what word or phrase stands out to you?

"1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."

The phrase that stands out to me is ‘my faithful God’. I love that the Psalmist refers to ‘my faithful God’… not just ‘a faithful God’ or ‘the faithful God’. The Psalmist has a deep sense of personal connection to God: He’s ‘mine’. For me, today, that is the phrase I will repeat throughout my day: ‘my faithful God’. As we end our time of prayer, take the phrase that stood out to you and write it down, or carry it in your heart, as you walk through your day.

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

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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 May 2nd.
   
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 chapter 34.  

   
 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.  I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken. 
 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.  I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.  The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.  They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.  I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.  You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” 
   

This Old Testament passage is painting a picture for us of God’s shalom: His peace, His sufficiency, His justice, His leadership, and His provision. The world around us is often so fast moving, so full of pain, and so unsettling. Take a moment to examine the state of your soul today. Do you feel at peace? If not, choose some words to describe how you feel.  
   
Sometimes it’s difficult to give space to our emotional reality. Lots of us never learned how to identify our feelings. Some of us prefer to ignore them. As you listen to the passage read again, pay attention to all of the “I” statements. That’s God talking about what He will do, and about who He is. Pay attention to how His “I” statements make you feel.  
   
One of the reasons we do the Be Still podcast is because learning to slow down and abide in God’s Holy presence  - despite our circumstances – is of immeasurable importance to a Christian faith that is mature, emotionally healthy, and sustainable. God’s shalom is present to us through His Holy Spirit, but we are surrounded by so many distractions. As we end, could you consider a few ways to practice ‘being still’ and listening to God’s voice, abiding in God’s shalom, throughout your day. Something as small as taking three slow, deep breaths before each meal can help you learn to continually reorient yourself to God’s shalom.  

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: "Be Still" - 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 May 1st.
   
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 100.   
 
  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 
Worship the Lord with gladness; 
    come before him with joyful songs. 
Know that the Lord is God. 
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; 
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving 
    and his courts with praise; 
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; 
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. 
 

The Psalmist refers to God’s goodness and love and faithfulness enduring through all generations. Think about your own faith generations. Who went before you? Who led you to the Lord? And who is coming after you in your spiritual family tree? Who are you leading toward the Lord? 
   
Christians are all called to be a part of a spiritual family tree. None of us are meant to be the last entry…we’re all meant to pass our faith on. Listen to the psalmists worshipful language! Listen to the peace and joy and sense of security he has! Listen… and consider… are those things spiritual truths that you are actively passing on to someone else who’s younger than you are?  
   
The scriptures are clear: Christians are all called to the next generation. We’re called to pass on to others what we ourselves have received. Look for a place this week to invest in the next generation. Look for a place to pass along the truth of what the psalmist is celebrating: that the lord is good, and his love endures forever!

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: "God Of Our Mothers And Fathers" - 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 April 30.

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 Isaiah, chapter 32.  
 

      The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert,  
         his righteousness live in the fertile field.  
      The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;  
         its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.  
      My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,  
         in secure homes,  
         in undisturbed places of rest.  
      Though hail flattens the forest  
         and the city is leveled completely,  
      how blessed you will be,  
         sowing your seed by every stream,  
         and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. 
 
 
This passage from Isaiah is an image of peace, of shalom. As we enter into prayer, can you bring the state of your heart to the Lord? Are you at peace? Distressed? Talk to God about how you are doing today? 
   
The kingdom of God filled with God’s peace, His mercy, His justice and His righteousness. The passage tells us that ‘the fruit of God’s righteousness will be peace, it’s effects will be quietness and confidence forever.’ So many in the world right now are longing for peace, for quietness and confidence. For undisturbed places of rest. As you listen to the scripture again, intercede for all those in the world who are trapped in oppressive or impossible situations.  
   
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Part of our work as kingdom people is to lean toward the ‘not yet’ of God’s kingdom, in order that his kingdom would come in THIS world. Is there one thing you can do to lean toward the kingdom today? Perhaps give your time or finances toward practical acts of justice or mercy? As we close ask God to speak to you about how you can be a kingdom-bringer today.

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: "Presence and Peace" - 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 April 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 Galatians, chapter 5.  
 

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 
  
  
As we enter into our time of prayer, chose one of the fruits of the spirit to meditate on: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 
Consider now how that fruit is demonstrated in the life of Jesus. Think of one New Testament story where you remember Christ showing us what it means to live by the fruit of the spirit... 
   
I think of Jesus’ invitation once to some children to come to Him. He was kind, and gentle. The disciples were shooing the kids away, but Jesus took time to switch things up. He seemed to want to use the moment to remind everyone around Him how to walk in the Spirit. Look for a time today to intentionally practice the fruit of God’s spirit. As we end our time of prayer, ask the Lord to lead you into that time, and to give you insight into how you can be like Him in any particular moment.

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: "Empowered" - 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 April 28th.

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 1 Peter 2.

"13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

There are several tricky words in this text: submit, ignorant, slaves, fear, respect. What do you usually do when you come across parts of scripture that seem outdated or feel problematic? Do you dig in, research, and work to understand more deeply? Do you just skip over hard sections? Or do you feel offense, and immediately stop reading?

As you listen to the text again, can you listen to it from a curious vantage point? What is Peter telling the church about how to live as Christians? What tensions do you hear in the passage? Where do you personally feel challenged by Peter?

"13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

There’s something in this text about how our attitudes and actions as Christians are meant to be a reflection of our faith in God. Peter says elsewhere that we’re a peculiar people. A chosen people. Christians are meant to be non-conformists. Stand out, Peter tells us, but for the right reasons… and in all we do, our actions should bring honor to God. We’re free, Peter tells us, but not for our own sake. For Christ’s sake. As we close our time of prayer ask yourself: how does your life demonstrate the peculiar nature of a follower of Jesus? Are there places where your decisions, your behaviors, your attitudes… look more like the rest of the world than like a follower of the narrow way of Jesus?

Music Credit:
"You Have Our Yes" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

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

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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