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.

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 the 15th day of Lent.
 
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 95.
 

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

 
This psalm describes the bigness of God but also the tenderness of God. He holds the depth of the earth in his hand. Imagine that—the earth in his hand. And the seas are like droplets of water in his hand. He fashioned the mountains like an artist fashions clay. As you think about the vastness of creation, of the cosmos, and how God created everything, how does that make you feel?

If you feel insignificant, you shouldn’t. Because the psalmist says that God isn’t just big, but he is tender. He isn’t just the Maker; he is our Maker. He isn’t just any God; he is our God. And he isn’t just a king, but he is a shepherd. You are like a sheep under his care. As you hear the passage again, can you feel both the bigness and the tenderness of God?
   
The psalmist says, “Come, sing for joy” “Shout aloud”. As we close our time today, respond to the psalm by singing for joy, even shouting aloud to the Lord, for his greatness in your life.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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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This is the 14th day of Lent.
 
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. 

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 Colossians 1.
 

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.


Do you ever wonder, What is God like? I think we often wonder that, especially when we are walking through confusion, or through pain, or when we don’t sense God’s presence. Is God good, is he loving, does God even care? The Apostle Paul reminds us of something incredibly important—we can know what God is like because we know what Jesus is like. “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” Imagine Jesus in the room with you right now. What would he say to you? What would he do for you?

We can know what God is like because we know what Jesus was like. Paul says here that Christ has reconciled all things to himself. As you hear the passage again, think about how he has reconciled you to himself and thank him for the peace you now have with God.
   
“In him all things hold together.” As you continue your day today, thank God that he holds your life together. Thank God that he holds the universe together. And continue your day in a posture of trust in his goodness and faithfulness.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: Nothing Is Too Hard For You - 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 the 13th day of Lent.
 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy 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 Gospel of John, chapter 8.

 
Then they all went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
 

Take a moment and place yourself as a bystander in the scene. You are there in the Temple courts as an ordinary person wanting to hear from this popular teacher, Jesus. And with great commotion, the teachers of the Law, people who love God fiercely, bring in a woman caught in Adultery. What do you hear them saying? How do you feel about what you hear?

Think now about the woman who is there. What do you feel when you look at her? Embarrassment, judgment, compassion, anger at what’s happening to her?

Now look at Jesus, bending down. What do you think he was writing on the ground? As you hear the passage again, think about someone in your life who you find hard to forgive. Or someone who needs to experience God’s mercy, and ask to see them with new eyes.
 
The older ones went away first. That tells us something about wisdom, but it also tells us something about how God wants our lives to increasingly be marked by mercy. As we close our time of prayer, think of one person that you can show mercy toward today.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: O My Soul - 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 the 12th day of Lent.
 
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 Psalm 128.
 

How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
    all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
    How joyful and prosperous you will be!
Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
    flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
    as they sit around your table.
That is the Lord’s blessing
    for those who fear him.
May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.
    May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
    May Israel have peace!

 
This is a song that pilgrims would sing on the road to Jerusalem as they would travel to celebrate holy days like Passover. Take a moment and imagine what it would be like to be a pilgrim on that road filled with people. Can you hear the children laughing? Can you see the dust on your feet? Can you feel the fresh breeze coming up from the valley? Can you hear yourself singing as you walk through the gates of Jerusalem? You are finally home with God.

These pilgrims had oriented their whole lives—their personal, family, and communal life around the worship of God. The idea is that when you orient your whole life around God, God will bless you, life will go well with you. As you hear the passage again, think about how God has blessed you because you’ve oriented your life around him.

As you continue through your day, be mindful of the ways that God continues to bless you. Do you have joy today? Are you flourishing? Is your life prosperous? Do you enjoy the blessing of friendships or family? Have you been blessed with a long life? Keep a posture of thanksgiving throughout your day.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: All The Ways - 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 the 11th day of Lent.
 
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 Numbers, chapter 21.
 

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.


Have you ever wanted something so bad only to finally get it and be disappointed by it? Maybe that thing that you wanted so badly even became a source of pain for you? So much so that you would do anything to get rid of it, or to wind the clock back and do it over? I wonder if that’s what the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites was like. “God, if this is what you meant by the promised land, then take me back to Egypt!”

Think back to a time when God began something new in your life. Maybe it was when you first trusted on Christ for salvation. Or perhaps a moment when you felt like you heard him calling you to something much bigger than yourself. Or maybe God you heard God speak an unspeakable promise to your heart. Have you seen the fulfillment of that work? Or is it a work in progress? Or have you given up hope? Maybe you’re even disappointed at God about it. As you hear the passage again, bring that thing to Him in prayer.

Just because you aren’t yet in the promised land doesn’t mean that God isn’t faithfully working out his good plans and purpose for your life. As we close our time in prayer, ask God to increase your faith that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: Patient Work - 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.

Today is the 9th day of Lent.   
    
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.    
   
    
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 2nd Timothy, chapter .   
    
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.   
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.   
   
Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him that his own faith was deposited in him through his mother and grandmother. Was there a person in your life, maybe a family member, who was intentional to instill the gift of faith in you? Or maybe someone else that God brough into your life who had a role in shaping your faith? Take a few moments to recall that person, and to thank God for them.  
   
This passage reminds us that our faith is passed on to us through others, and needs to be passed on by us to others. Who are you passing your faith on to right now? A child perhaps? A friend? A colleague? Perhaps there’s no one who comes to mind. Could you pray for that person, or pray that God gives you someone to pass your faith along to?   
    
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.   
   
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.   
   
Paul writes with such encouragement to Timothy. Who can you encourage today? As we close our time, ask God for a spirit of power and love, that you might be an encouragement to someone around you today.  
    
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   
   
  Music: Fall Afresh - Vineyard Worship/Samuel (Bb Major) 


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 the 8th day of Lent.   
   
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy 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 Exodus, Chapter 34   
    
34 The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”   
   
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord.6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”   
   
8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”   
   
This is the story of the ten commandments. But it’s part two, because the first time around… the whole thing turned out to be a disaster. Moses left the people to meet with God, but they started to worship an idol and when Moses got back to them with the law of God, he became so angry He threw the tablets and broke them. It’s funny, isn’t it: that what was meant to be such a holy moment got turned around and filled with impatience, idolatry, and anger. How do you imagine Moses felt?  
    
Think about a situation in your life where you’ve been slow to hear God’s word to you, whether a new direction or a word of correction. Maybe God has had to come back to you again and again to accomplish his purpose in your life. As you listen to the passage again, consider not only how God is patient with the Israelites, but how patient he is with you.   
    
34 The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”   
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”   
8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”   
   
Moses learned to be courageous with God. He prays: God… even though we are stubborn and wicked and sinful… even though we couldn’t get this right the first time… can we still be your people? Will you still take us as your inheritance? As we close our time, take heart because no matter what your track record is with God, his track record with you is consistent: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”     
     
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   
   
Music: What Can Separate - Vineyard Worship


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 the 7th day of Lent.

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 Hebrews, Chapter 4

"14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus, the son of God was tempted in every way, just as we are, but did not sin. Consider how you may have been tempted recently: to lie, to cheat, to gossip, to malign someone, to explode in anger… Have you ever imagined that God Himself, as Christ, was tempted in precisely those same ways? How does that make you feel?

Christ can empathize with us in our temptation. But He did something we can’t do: he persevered through temptation without sin. As you listen to the reading again, contemplate the profound truth that God, in Christ, can identify with you in your temptation, and he has mercy on you as you are tempted.

"14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Imagine that for a moment—Christ giving up His protected power and privilege so that he might be able to empathize with us. Can you imagine, right now, the God of the universe looking on you with empathy, mercy, and grace? As you walk through your day today, ask God to so fill you with his mercy that it overflows to someone in your life who needs it.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music Credit:
Throne of Grace - 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