Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is January 1

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 6.


The Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons,‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites." Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”


In the Old Testament, the act of priestly blessing was a sacred thing. A priest would stand above the people, stretch his arms over them, and speak the blessing of God over God’s people. The picture we hear in these words should call to mind favor, and blessing, and kindness. The Psalmist echos this lean when he wrote about God: “You INCLINED and heard my cry”. Consider for a moment, this first day of the new year, what it means that God’s blessing toward you is His own inclination to draw near to you? Can you quiet your heart, and turn your attention toward God to receive His presence this new year?
  
Listen again and pay attention to the words that the Lord gave Moses for Aaron. Words like: blessing, keeping, shining, graciousness, peace. As you listen to this short text, imagine yourself standing ‘under the blessing’ of God.
  
Many people start a new year with thoughts of resolutions: what is it that we can do for ourselves? Instead, consider entering this year asking God simply for the grace to remain under His blessing. We are, as the hymn goes, ‘prone to wander, prone to leave the one I love’. Can you, this new year, ask God for strength, faith, and conviction to simply remain under His grace? To be constant recipients and givers of His peace? As we end our time of prayer, I’d encourage you to pray and offer your obedience this year to the Lord, and ask for both his leadership as well as His blessing.

Music Credit:
"Shalom" - 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 December 31st.
 
Hey friends, can we together take a moment to make some space to be thankful to all of the folks around Vineyard Columbus who helped co-create the Be Still devotional this year? 
 
To the production crew: Richard Smith, Drew Nichols, Abram Murphy, Logan Stone... and to Pastor Paul Cullen who selects the worship, AND to volunteer writer Emily Selvey AND to Marsha Martin who holds us all together with dates and recording and the managing of many projects: massive thanks! 
  
If Be Still has been a grace to you, please take a moment right now to rate us with five stars. The only reason we ask you to do this is that your ratings will help Be Still show up for others who are searching for daily devotionals. When you give Be Still five stars, the algorithms make it more visible for those who are looking – so it’s simply a way of making something that’s been a gift to you easier for others to find.  
    
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit.  
 
May God’s peace and presence be to you in 2025. 


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

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Today is December 30th.

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 Titus, chapter 2, the MSG version.

  
11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness. 
 

One of the fruits of Advent is that we are given birth to a new life. It’s not just that Christ is born. We are reborn! This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. Reflect for a moment on the places where new life is growing in you right now. Where do see have joy, or peace, or love in your life?  

We think of repentance as a painful process of denying pleasures. Paul, in this passage invites us to think about repentance as embracing more of God’s new life in us. He is motivating us to repentance by reminding us that repentance actually leads to more life. He says, We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God honoring life. Consider how turning away from indulgence might actually lead you to more life in Christ. 

As we close our time, take a moment and ask God for more of his life to replace the old places of sin and death in your life. Ask his life to fill you and move in you so that you may be free from your old dark life and energized into this new, good life in Christ.  

Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen. 


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 December 27.


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 Psalm 96.  
 

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

One of the ways to think of Advent is a baby being born after a long, arduous pregnancy. There have been bouts of morning sickness. There have been sleepless nights. There have been uncomfortable car rides with baby bearing down with each bump. There have been uneasy conversations with the doctor or midwife. There have been many long contractions and birthpains through the night. And then, this psalm. Like the first words out of a mother’s mouth after holding her new baby. Sing to the Lord a new song! Praise his name! Declare his glory! This Christmas week, consider the places in our world, or the people in your life, that are in birth pains, still waiting to sing this song. Pray for them.
 
Now, take a moment to consider places in your life where you are waiting to see God break in, places where you are in waiting.  

Finally, turn to give God praise for the places you’ve seen God’s goodness break in after a long and arduous wait. Over what can you declare, Let the heavens rejoice. Let the fields be jubilant. Let all creation rejoice! Think of something that God has brought to birth in your life that you are grateful for and thank God for that now.  

Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen. 


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 December 26.
 
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 9. 
 

The people walking in darkness 
    have seen a great light; 
on those living in the land of deep darkness 
    a light has dawned. 
3 You have enlarged the nation 
    and increased their joy; 
they rejoice before you 
    as people rejoice at the harvest, 
as warriors rejoice 
    when dividing the plunder. 
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, 
    you have shattered 
the yoke that burdens them, 
    the bar across their shoulders, 
    the rod of their oppressor. 
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle 
    and every garment rolled in blood 
will be destined for burning, 
    will be fuel for the fire. 
6 For to us a child is born, 
    to us a son is given, 
    and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called 
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace 
    there will be no end. 
He will reign on David’s throne 
    and over his kingdom, 
establishing and upholding it 
    with justice and righteousness 
    from that time on and forever. 
The zeal of the Lord Almighty 
    will accomplish this. 
 

I’m so glad you have joined us for prayer today. As we begin, consider these names given to Christ: wonderful counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Is there a particular attribute that you want to contemplate today: God’s counsel? His might? That he is your good and gracious Father? That he can bring peace that passes understanding? Take a few moments to consider this with the Lord. 
 
Prince of Peace is what stands out to me today. So today, I will take time throughout my day to pray for God’s peace over those who are desperate for it. What do you feel drawn to Intercede for today? Take time right now to pray… 
 
The inbreaking of Christ into our world and our history…. which is why we sing Joy to the World, and why we pray: Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Our world needs a rest that cannot be achieved by anything other than the Prince of Peace himself. As we end our time of prayer today, pray over individuals you know who are still seeking the prince of peace. Pray for areas of our world that are desperate for peace.  

Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen. 


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 December 24th in the final week of Advent.
 
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 1.


9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 


Consider what it means for a child to have a healthy, stable attachment to the caregiver. This passage speaks to followers of Jesus as children. And chosen children. God himself has received us, and calls us His own 
 
This Christmas Eve, think about how God, Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, humbled himself, becoming ordinary, and subjecting himself to real humanity. All for the sake of drawing us near to Him. Pray, this evening, for those who do not know that they are loved by God. Pray for a revelation of God’s love to them. 
 
 
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 


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 December 23rd in the final week of Advent.

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 Luke, chapter 1. 


28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 


In this passage, we witness a profound moment of divine intervention. The angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary is both startling and reassuring. Mary, a young woman from a humble background, is told that she is highly favored and that the Lord is with her. This greeting, while comforting, also brings a sense of awe and fear. As you reflect on this passage, consider how Mary must have felt. She was greatly troubled and wondered about the meaning of this extraordinary message. Consider a time in your life where you felt both startled by life’s circumstances yet reassured by the presence of God with you.  
  
The angel's words, "Do not be afraid," offer a powerful reminder of God's presence and favor. Mary's response to the angel's message is a testament to her faith and trust in God. Despite her initial fear and confusion, she embraces her role in God's plan with humility and courage. This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives and how we respond to God's call. Is there something happening your life where God is inviting you to trust him in the midst of fear or confusion?  
 
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
 
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 


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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LOVE Fourth Sunday of Advent Today, this final Advent Sunday, we reflect on the love of Christ.

Paul exhorts the Colossian church… 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Above all these, put on love.

Reflect now, on How God demonstrated His love To you. Consider the act of God becoming human. Taking on flesh. Not just becoming human, but becoming an infant. A vulnerable, needy, dependent infant. The birth of Jesus is a love story – God demonstrating to us His desire to create a way for us to be near to Him. Just like a loving parent desires nearness with a child… or a loving friend desires togetherness. God Himself chose nearness to us. Because He loves us. God loves you.

Consider this love – love that is of God, and love that IS God. For you. For the whole world. For all the ordinary people, in all of their ordinariness. Take a moment to reflect on the ways you have experienced the love of God toward yourself?

In the beginning, the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? For God so loved the world that He gave his only son. Because God IS love. As we consider the fourth Advent candle, let’s reflect on the love of God toward us, and how the light of His love is meant to overflow from our lives toward others.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Amen

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 Saturday examen for the season of Advent. 

I’m glad you’ve joined us for a time of reflection and prayer. Pray along with me.


Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things… look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.


Now take a moment to quiet yourself, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit!


Look back over this past week and ask God to draw your attention to moments where you’ve felt dissonant, agitated, or where you’ve lacked the fruit of the spirit toward others. Where have you experienced the darkness of your own heart? Or of the world around you?


Now offer those moments to the Lord. Invite Him to lead you toward engaging in a way that might bring relational repair or reconciliation. Ask God to help move you into action in whatever way He leads.


Consider the week ahead: What are you feeling joyful about as we approach Christmastime? Who do you want to pay special attention to this week? What do you want to be particularly present to? Ask God to help draw your attention to these things. If people came to mind, pray over them by name.


Behold… the psalmist tells us… God is our helper… he is our sustainer… he does not merely bring good news, Luke says… he IS good news…

Behold… he stands at the door of our heart and knocks… he will pour out His spirit on you…

Behold… we read in 1 John… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

As we end our examen, ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent and to give you a heart that longs for Him.

Ask God for grace to behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!


Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Amen.

Music: "Emmanuel" - 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

More at pickerill.casa