Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is January 24th.

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 Gospel of John chapter 12.


Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”


The sisters Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus and were known for their demonstrations of hospitality to Jesus. In this story, Martha is practicing hospitality by serving the meal, which would have been expected. Mary is practicing hospitality in an unexpected and extravagant way: she anoints Jesus’ feet with perfume that was incredibly expensive. Imagine that you are in the room during this dinner. Imagine your surprise at Mary spilling out such expensive perfume. Imagine how you’d feel watching her use her own hair to wipe his feet. If you were there, how would you likely have reacted to Mary’s interruptive act of extravagant hospitality?

As you hear the passage read again… imagine again that you are in the room. But instead of picturing yourself as an observer, put yourself in Mary’s place. Many of us may struggle to express our love and devotion to Jesus in such a public and intimate way. Is that true of you? Can you imagine being in Mary’s place in this story?

Jesus speaks words of blessing over Mary and her extravagant demonstration of worship. Even among the other disciples, she seemed to have a rare perspective about who Jesus was. As we end our time of prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to increase your awareness of who Jesus is, and to grow a gift of worship in you.

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: Mary's Song - Vineyard Music/Cindy Rethmeier - (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 January 23rd.

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 Jeremiah, chapter 22.


This is what the Lord says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and proclaim this message there: 2 ‘Hear the word of the Lord to you, king of Judah, you who sit on David’s throne—you, your officials and your people who come through these gates. 3 This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people. 5 But if you do not obey these commands, declares the Lord, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.’”

The Prophet Jeremiah is communicating the heart of God to the palace of the King of Judah: to do what is just and right in the eyes of God… to rescue the oppressed and protect the vulnerable. The power of God is demonstrated in counter-cultural ways throughout scripture, and in this case, Jeremiah is speaking the truth about power to the people in power. He is reminding them that the power they have is meant to serve those who are vulnerable—orphans, widows, refugees, children…

Jeremiah is speaking a warning to those in power about how they prioritize these people. What might Jeremiah say to us today? As you hear the passage read again… ask God to help you hear these words in your own life. Consider what it means for you to ‘be careful’ to carry out His commands to do what is just and right with vulnerable people in your life.

There are times as Christians when we will be called to say or to do something that is counter cultural. Can you recall a time that you’ve stepped out or taken a risk to demonstrate the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God? Ask God to give you both conviction and courage to ‘do what is just and right’ in His eyes 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: "Roll Like A River" - 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 January 22.

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 46.


God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Welcome to prayer today. As you come to pray, consider how it is you are drawing near to the Lord. Do you come seeking refuge or help? Do you come full of fear? Do you come with a sense of victory, or strength? Talk to God about the condition of your mind, your body, and your heart.

Listen to the scripture again allow the words to strengthen and encourage you... Is there an image that stands out to you?

The Lord Almighty is with us. He is with you. God – the uncreated creator of all that is, the eternal and almighty God: he draws near to you. He is your fortress. He is your strong tower in times of trouble. AS you end your time of prayer today, ask God for His protection – for his ever-present help over your family or friends, over your local church, and over your sisters and brothers in faith... Pray in particular for those who are vulnerable, who are in trouble. And as you pray, offer God your time, money, or energy toward situations that are in need of practice acts of mercy or justice.

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: 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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Today is January 21.


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 145.   
 

The Lord is good to all; 
    he has compassion on all he has made. 
10 All your works praise you, Lord; 
    your faithful people extol you. 
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom 
    and speak of your might, 
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts 
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
    and your dominion endures through all generations. 
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises 
    and faithful in all he does. 
14 The Lord upholds all who fall 
    and lifts up all who are bowed down. 
 
  
I’m going to read this section of Psalm 145 again, from The Message translation: 
 

God is good to one and all; 
    everything he does is soaked through with grace. 
10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God; 
    your holy people bless you. 
They talk about the glories of your rule, 
    they exclaim over your splendor, 
12 Letting the world know of your power for good, 
    the lavish splendor of your kingdom. 
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; 
    you never get voted out of office. 
God always does what he says, 
    and is gracious in everything he does. 
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck, 
    gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. 
   

Sometimes reading scripture in different translations can really help us hear it with new ears. This year, in your time of reading the Bible, you might consider doing that. In this text for example, I so love the Message’s translation of the lines: God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. Listen again to the first version and find a word or phrase that sticks out to you. 

Is there any area of your life where you feel ‘ready to quit’? Maybe school has just started up and you’re feeling down about it. Maybe an area of ministry feels dark and unsuccessful. Maybe a relationship with a parent is pulling you out of sorts. Could be your faith feels threadbare right now. Whatever it is, bring that area to the Lord. Speak honestly to Him about your weariness. And ask him to ‘give you a fresh start’, ‘to lift you up where you feel bowed down’.  


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

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Today is January 20th

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 John chapter 10.

John 10:11-16
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

What image comes to mind when you think of Jesus, the Good Shepherd? Jesus with a little lamb over his shoulder in a idyllic green pasture, with a big smile on his face? That’s not the image in today’s reading. It’s a dangerous picture, with wolves intent on killing the sheep. What does this image tell you about what it means to be a follower of Christ? What are the dangers around you?

The Good Shepherd is the one who defends the sheep, even at the cost of his life. Jesus laid down his life on the cross for you to save you from many dangers to your soul. And he continues to protect you today. As you hear the passage again, can you thank Jesus for all of the ways that he defends and protects you?

John 10:11-16
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he
abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

As we close our time today, pray for the sheep that are not yet gathered in. Bring before the Good Shepherd one person that’s not yet under his care and protection.

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 Credit:
Good Shepherd (Lead On) - Vineyard Worship/David Ruis
GOOD SHEPHERD (LEAD ON) [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. David Ruis

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 January 25th.

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 Christians remember and celebrate of the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Today’s reading is the story of the Apostle Paul’s Conversion from Acts 9.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

The Apostle Paul was also known by his Hebrew name, Saul, and before his life was interrupted by a vision of the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, he antagonized the early church, persecuting followers of Jesus. Paul’s conversion was marked by both a miraculous new vision of the resurrected Jesus… as well as by a loss of his natural sight for three days. What do you think Paul experienced during those three days of blindness, during which he neither ate nor drank? What do you think Paul learned about the character of God, through His vision of Christ on the road to Damascus?

As you hear the passage read again… Consider that the conversion of Paul reminds us that no one is too far off, or too antagonistic, to be interrupted by the love of God or by the call of Christ. Is there someone in your life who feels ‘too far off’? Were you too far off, before you met Jesus?

“Who are you, Lord?” is one of the most important questions we can ask God. Scripture tells us that we can know God by looking at Jesus. Reflect on ways that you have learned about the character of God. Have you ever felt interrupted by the love of God?

As we end, ask God to reveal himself to you in fresh ways, and pray for one person by name… who might feel ‘too far off’… pray that Jesus would interrupt both you, and them, with the love and the calling of 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: Faithful Father - Vineyard Music/Brian Doerksen - (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 January 16th.

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 Gospel of John chapter 8.

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. 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.”

Have you ever been caught in a situation where your sin was exposed? How did you feel at that moment? When someone calls you out and confronts you over something you’ve done wrong, or some pattern in your life, what is your primary reaction—embarrassment, defensiveness, humiliation, anger?

In this story, Jesus shows that when it comes to confronting our sin, he deals with us mercifully. He drew the attention away from the woman and onto himself. He removed the fear of judgment so she could be free to change her life and leave her sin behind. As you hear the passage again, consider a sin in your life that feel has gone unaddressed for fear of being exposed. Ask Jesus for his mercy to enter into that area of your life.

As we close our time today, ask the Lord for grace that you may leave your sin behind and follow him in freedom.

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: You're All I Need - Heaven and Earth - (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 January 15

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. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Welcome to prayer today. So many of us are moving so quickly, even when we’re trying to Be Still, that we’re not fully present. Can you recall the scripture that we just read? Or, perhaps, were you so distracted that the words already have escaped your mind?! Take some time as we begin and offer any distractions, worries, or to-do's to Jesus.

As we listen again to these words, try to hold them in your mind or heart.... they tell you some profound things about the character of God.

What stands out to me right now is verse seven: ‘when I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me’. The psalmist knows that god will answer. He does not ‘hope’ for it. He knows it. As we end our time of prayer today I want to pray for you, that you will know God, in all of his goodness:

“Father God, we are poor and needy. Please draw near to my sister or brother and demonstrate to them your abounding goodness, forgiveness, and love. Please guard their life and their health. Jesus, be near to your people, and grow us in knowledge of you. Amen”

Music: My Soul Depends On 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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Today is January 14th.

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 John, chapter 5.   
 
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 
 
As we enter into prayer today, would you take some time and consider what word you would use to describe how it is YOU approach God? Is it confidence? Fear? Tiredness? Are you rushed? Get quiet for a few moments and think about how you felt just now – before you hit play on Be Still? Share that feeling with God. 
 
These words from first John aren’t meant to tell us that every single thing we pray for will be given to us. We all know that’s not the case in our real lives. It’s meant to speak to something far deeper… that God desires proximity with us. That God hears our prayers. That God’s will is sufficient for us. And most importantly: that God has granted us eternal life, with Him. John’s words are meant to bring comfort to a people who are used to God keeping them at arms length, because of His holiness. They are used to the idea that ‘approaching God’ would come with fear and trembling, like when the priest would enter into the temple. As you listen again, let yourself wrestle with these two truths: God wants us to be near to Him and He hears our prayers….. and sometimes, we feel otherwise.  

What do you think it means to ‘ask according to God’s will?’ That seems to me to have to do with our prayerfulness coming out of deep connection with God. That our prayer would be informed by discernment about what God is up to. IT also seems to me that a lot of times I THINK my prayers are according to God’s will. And yet I don’t feel like I ‘have what I asked of him’. Do you relate to that tension? How do you sit with those realities? As we end today, join me in being vulnerable and authentic with God and talk with Him about things or prayers that haven’t been answered, and that I don’t understand. He loves you, and wants to accompany you as you seek Him in this confusing space.   

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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