Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is January 13th.

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 30, the Message version.

I give you all the credit, God—
you got me out of that mess,
you didn’t let my foes gloat.
2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.


We all have moments when life doesn’t seem to work for one reason or another. The psalmist gives voice to the emotions we feel in those moments. What is one place in your life that doesn’t seem to be working at the moment? How do you feel about that?

“I yelled for help and you put me together.” When we hit a wall, when our lives fall apart, we sometimes yell at our circumstances, or even yell at God. The Psalmist, though, yelled for help from God. As you hear the passage read again, can you turn your frustration into a yell for help from God?

As we close our time today, remember that God is with you across a lifetime. Ask God to give you a long view of his love so that you may trust him in this 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 Credit
All Things by Heaven and Earth
youtube.com/watch?v=NaqTc8pyM-E

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

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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 10th.

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 First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 2.

Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Do you hear the Apostle Paul’s deep love for the church. He called them brothers and sisters—they were family. He intensely longed to be with them. He describes the family of God as the tangible sign of God’s goodness. Joy, hope, glory, and taste of what heaven will be like. Have you had the blessing of being part of Christian community? How was it a gift to you, a source of joy, or hope, a taste of heaven?

Paul was in a situation in his life where he was blocked from being with the family of God. But he continued to think of them even when they were apart. As you hear the passage again, consider a particular Christian who has been a source of goodness to you, and thank God for them.

What are the blocks you have from relating more deeply to the family of God? Would you pray today that God would remove those blocks and show you what step you can take to connect to God’s family.

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: Familia - 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 9th.

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 5.

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

We struggle sometimes knowing what God is like. Jesus tells us that we can know what God is like because when we look at Jesus we see God. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. When you think about the stories of Jesus that you know, what kinds of things do you see Jesus doing? What does that tell you about what God is like?

Jesus shares the secret of how he lived his life. Everything he did was dependent on his relationship to God. He lived a life of utter dependency and complete intimacy with the Father and is the model for how we all are meant to live. Where in your life are you dependent on the Father right now and where would you like to increase your dependency on him?

As the passage is read again, consider how the Father loved Jesus and was pleased to show him all he does. Consider how much he loves you.

As you go about your day, can you pray, “Father, give me eyes to see what you are doing, and enable me to do all things by your strength at work in me.”

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.

Heaven's Work - Vineyard Soul - (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 8

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 69.

Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.


This psalm is a cry for salvation, both from being ‘in over my head’ with something, as well as from ‘my folly, my guilt’. As you enter into prayer today, consider what it is you need to be saved from? Is there a place in your life where you feel out of depth? Is there an area of guilt, or sin that has a hold on you?
  
Do you ever forget to call out to the Lord in times of great need? Do you feel ashamed when you are struggling, or embarrassed about some ‘folly’ - some situation where you should of known better?

The Bible is full of people who feel as though they’ve ‘lost their foothold’, and who yet call out to God. Listen to the psalm again, and ask God to highlight a particular word or phrase for you to pay special attention to.
  
Our psalmist sounds so exhausted. He is worn out. His throat is parched. His eyes fail, looking for His God. And yet. He calls out to the Lord! And the Lord: He inclines, and He hears his cries. God demonstrates His love by continually inclining his face toward us, by inclining His presence toward us, by inclining his grace toward us. Allow yourself today to experience the gaze of God’s loving presence upon you. And – if you know someone who feels like ‘their eyes are failing, looking for God’... intercede for them by name this week.

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: Sing Out - 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 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 the Book of Ephesians, chapter 4.    
   

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.   
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. 
 
  
I am glad you are taking time to Be Still today. As we enter into our time of prayer, consider these three incredible words from the passage we just read… perhaps three words you missed while paying attention to everything else: Paul says that you are ‘dearly loved children’ of God. Which implies you love God dearly. How near – or far – do you feel to a dearly loved Child of God right now? 
   
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian church – giving them a specific example of what it means to ‘follow the example’ set before us by Christ himself: in our speech, and treatment of one another. You may notice that the words Paul uses in the first bit are action words. They are not only things we might feel…. They are feelings we might express in the way we treat others: being unwholesome, or crude. Bitterness or anger or rage – which all too often spill out sideways into our actions. As you listen to the reading again, I’d encourage you to do so with humility and curiosity: is your speech generally filled with compassion and forgiveness? Is the way you talk to and about others generally helpful to them? Or might you have succumbed to the temptation of anger? Bitterness? Slander or gossip? Be honest before the Lord. 
   
One the one hand, our culture today can sometimes be experienced as a purity patrol…. Where our speech gets policed and we’re afraid to say the wrong thing! On the other hand, our culture today has a problem with angry and bitter and untrue speech – social media platforms and online comment sections are proof of that. Paul doesn’t just tell Christians to ‘be nice’ or ‘don’t say mean things’. Paul says: you’re supposed to have the same heart for others that He has for you: a heart of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. This week, and maybe forever – when you go to open your mouth or post online… as yourself: is this kind? Is it compassionate? Is it helpful? If not… do I need to practice forgiveness in some area?

The Bible says that the things that come out of our mouths reflect the state of our heart. That’s not always a pretty picture. This year, if you struggle with your patterns of speech, with coarseness, with anger, or with gossip… be serious about your commitment to follow the way of Christ – as God’s dearly loved children. 


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 6th.  
  
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 Christians throughout history have celebrated the Epiphany, the commemoration of the Magi’s visit, the first manifestation of Christ as savior of Gentiles as well as Jews. Epiphany is among the church’s oldest and most important celebrations.  
  
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2.  
  
Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him… 
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 
  
 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 
  
The Magi were the wise and learned of the day. They were astronomers and astrologers—the two were one in the same in the ancient world—who believed that what they saw in the heavens were a sign of God’s activity on earth. The larger point is that from the beginning, Jesus wasn’t just born king of the Jews—he was king of Kings, one who is worthy of worship of all people. As you think about your relationship with God, have you seen something, a sign perhaps, that brought you to your knees to worship Jesus? What brings you to worship Jesus today?   
  
The Magi brought treasures to Jesus that were costly. They brought the finest gifts and presented them to Jesus. They took considerable time and risked their lives to travel many miles. As you hear the passage again, consider, What costly offering can you joyfully give to Jesus today?  
  
Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him… 
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 
  
As you continue through your day, consider how you might seek Jesus and worship him with the gifts that you have.    
  
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: Doxology Anthem (Lord We Praise You) - Vineyard Worship 
DOXOLOGY ANTHEM [Lyric Video] | 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

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

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

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

More at pickerill.casa

Today is January 3rd.

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 Genesis, chapter 3.

Genesis 3:6-10 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

This is the story of the fall from grace. Two common experiences that accompany us when we sin are shame and fear. In shame, we try to cover ourselves, try to make ourselves presentable, to pretend that everything is fine when really it is not. With fear, we hide. We hide from

ourselves, we hide from others, we hide from God. As you think over your life, where have you experienced shame from sin? Out of fear, how have you tried to hide from yourself, or others, or God?

When we sin, we sometimes think that God has left us, that he has withdrawn his presence from us. But God hadn’t left Adam and Eve. They had left him. He is still there in the Garden, lovingly searching for them. He called out, “Where are you?” As you hear the passage again, consider how God is present to you, even when you haven’t wanted to be present to him.

Genesis 3:6-10 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Today, when you sin as we all do, can you remind yourself that God is seeking you? Can you bring your whole self into his presence, knowing that he covers your shame and forgives your sins?

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.

Today's worship song:

You're All I Need
Heaven & Earth Worship (Spotify)
Vineyard Columbus

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 2nd.

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 1.

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).


The first followers of Jesus were seekers. Jesus didn’t call these first two disciples to follow him. Jesus turned around and Andrew and his friend were already following him. They must have been curious whether what was said of Jesus was true—that he was the Son of God. After spending the day with him they were convinced that he was the One. If you could spend a day with Jesus, what would you ask him? How do you think Jesus might respond to your question?

Jesus gave Simon a new name. He called him Peter, which means “rock.” Renaming is a way of saying, “I’ve given you a new identity. I have a purpose for you. As you hear the passage again, consider the new identity has God have given you. What name or word does Christ speak over you to redefine your purpose?

Andrew’s encounter with Jesus grew into a contagious faith. He went and told his brother all about it. As we close our time, consider something that has happened recently that you are thankful for. Can you make a commitment to share that with someone 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 - Draw me close to you - H & E

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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