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 April 12.

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 Matthew 28.
 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 
 

Matthew tells us that the women were afraid, yet filled with joy. All hope had been lost on Silent Saturday, and here they are: amazed. Terrified. Ecstatic. Can you imagine yourself, sitting with the Mary’s? It’s early, and there’s a chill in the air. The ground is wet with dew. There’s just a bit of light in the sky. You’re terrified. You’ve put all your chips on this Jesus. He valued you, as a woman, like no one you’d ever met. He’d treated you with dignity, like an honored sister. Your hopes were crushed when he breathed his last breath. You’ve no idea what to do next. Can you enter into that picture? 
   
Isn’t it interesting that the angel of the lord appeared to two marginalized women? And the resurrected Jesus did too? Women were devalued in that culture, not counted as legal witnesses. No one would believe a woman, and no one would be expected to. I love that God works this way: he’s unexpected, he’s interruptive, he throws things upside down. It’s not only miraculous that Jesus appeared to two women first, it’s ironic. Almost snarky. It’s like God saying to the world, to culture, to natural law: see. I don’t have to do it your way. I can defeat death. I can honor those who you dishonor. I can lead by serving. I can be first, by being last. Through death... I can bring all the world to life. As you listen again, consider this upside-down nature of the kingdom of God.  
   
I love the word ‘suddenly’ in vs 9. Isn't’ that so often how Jesus comes to us? When we’re least expecting Him. Maybe even when we’re not even looking, or when we’ve given up hope? Do you know someone who’s given up hope for finding Jesus. Pray the word ‘suddenly’ over them today and ask God to intersect their life with the upside-down amazingness of His kingdom.

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: Eden - 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 April 11.
 
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 Colossians 3.
 
 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
   

We get a lot of instructions in these few verses, don’t we? We're to clothe ourselves with compassion and humility and many other things. We’re to forgive one another – and not just a little bit, but as the Lord forgave us. We’re to put on love, be at peace, and practice thankfulness. It goes on and on... so... what do you think about all these instructions? What do you think about the intentional work it takes to practice all the virtues that Paul lists here? Do you find it envisioning and inspiring? Or exhausting?  
   
Paul’s point is this: we, as the church, are supposed to be filled with the fruit of the spirit, bearing the likeness of Christ. And, he tells us in other places, that does not come naturally. It comes only super naturally, and with practice. In our own nature, we’re most often grumpy, selfish, we struggle to forgive. Of course, we are nice when others are nice to us first. (Or maybe that’s just me) As you listen to the passage again, be attentive to what particular instruction jumps out at you. 
   
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus. What does that mean for you, today? In your family? With friends? At work? In traffic or on yet another zoom call with colleagues? As we end, ask God for the power of the resurrected Christ to fill you, and empower you live in the name of Jesus 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: When You Come - 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 April 10.

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 118.

 
The Lord is my strength and my defense[a]; 
    he has become my salvation. 
Shouts of joy and victory 
    resound in the tents of the righteous: 
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! 
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; 
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” 
I will not die but live, 
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 
The Lord has chastened me severely, 
    but he has not given me over to death. 
Open for me the gates of the righteous; 
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 
This is the gate of the Lord 
    through which the righteous may enter. 
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; 
    you have become my salvation. 
The stone the builders rejected 
    has become the cornerstone; 
the Lord has done this, 
    and it is marvelous in our eyes. 
The Lord has done it this very day; 
    let us rejoice today and be glad. 

 
Psalm 118 is the final piece of the liturgy of Passover, which celebrated Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Eqypt. The Psalmist is exuberant, singing songs of God’s strength, and of all the marvelous things God has done. He is also confident in God’s power, and His ability to save. How are you feeling about the reality of who God is today?  
   
 Consider what ‘the stone the builders rejected’ means. New Testament author Peter refered to Jesus as the living stone: ‘as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men... but in the sight of God, chosen and precious...’ That is such a kingdom paradox: That the material that the world rejects, God chooses, and calls chosen... and precious. As you hear the scripture read again, consider how that truth might draw you, like the psalmist, to exuberances, and confidence in the character of God. 

Let us rejoice today and be glad! Can you take time today to practice ‘being glad’? Can you take time right now, as we end, to drop someone a text, or a note, or even a call... and speak a work of thanksgiving or gratitude to them? As we end our time of prayer, enter into the rest of your day with the intention of practicing, and demonstrating, the fruit of the spirit of joy.

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: Giver of Life - Heaven & 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

Today is April 9.

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 Corinthians, chapter 10.  
 

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
 
  
Well, it seems today is a good time to think about any areas of temptation you might be facing! As you do that at the start of our prayer time, remember that God is faithful! In light of His faithfulness, and in the realization that temptation is a common part of being human, do a bit of self-examination and ask: where am I being tempted right now?  
   
Temptation takes different forms for all of us. For some, temptation centers around things like substances, or sex. For others, it’s temptation to rely on our own wisdom, solutions, or plans. Or temptation to anger, to control, or to selfish ways of living. Also, we shouldn't only think about temptation as an individualistic thing. Over the course of history, Christians have faced corporate temptations: to idolatry. To power. To self-gain. Listen to the scripture again with that in mind, and be curious about what ‘corporate temptations’ you sense trying to distract you. 
   
Paul makes clear that the power and presence of God strengthens us to stand firm. One thing I’ve found to be true in following Jesus is this: when it comes to temptation, small yesses end up snowballing into big yesses. In other words, it’s the small, wise choices that defend us from falling into big, unruly temptations. Are there some small areas in your life where you are not practicing wise choices. Small areas where you’re not demonstrating self-control, or patience, or faithfulness? As we close in prayer, can you make a commitment to say Yes to God today over one area of your life?

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 One - 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 April 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 the book of Exodus, chapter 15.  
 

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”  
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”  
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.  
 

This is an interesting Old Testament passage. It comes after the miraculous story of the rescue of the people of God from slavery in Egypt. They’ve just spent a good bit of time in worship and celebration for the amazing deliverance through the Red Sea. And then: into the desert they go. No water for three days. And so, it tells us... the people grumbled. Three days is a pretty short time to forget a miracle as defining as the crossing of the red sea. Are there things in your own own life: signs of grace of God, works of his power, that you have perhaps forgotten?  
 
What role does ‘grumbling’ play in your life? Maybe we call it cynicism these days. Or being entitled. Or critical. We grumble against one another, against leaders against family members, against pastors. What does all of that grumbling do to you? On the other hand, think about the role of thanskgiving, and of gratitude. Listen again to this passage and pay special attention to how it wraps up. The Lord tells them: I am the Lord, who heals you. And he places them beside quiet waters. Listen, and consider the state of your own heart: leaning towards grumbling, or towards gratitude? 
   
It is so easy to be distracted from the goodness of God in our lives. We forget that it is He who holds all things together – it is He who sustains us, who delivers us, and who refreshes us. Consider today your practices of gratitude and thanksgiving. When do you intentionally stop, move your attention toward God, and say thanks? Work at building times like that into each day... and right now: have a practice. Name things that come to mind that you may have forgotten come from 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 - You're Always With Us - 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.

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 April 5.

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 book of Hebrews, chapter 9.  
 

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.  
  

The writer of Hebrews tells us that if Christ appeared the first time to bear our sin, his second coming will be to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. As you enter into prayer today, I imagine there are plenty of things you are waiting for. Some of those things might feel trite. Others, though, probably feel very weighty in the waiting. Can you bring those things before the Lord? 
   
Jewish Christians would have been use to, from their Jewish tradition, a constant need to make sacrifices to atone for sin. What do you think it meant to the Hebrews to be reminded that Jesus came ‘once for all – to do away with sin’? 
 
Think about this interruption of their pattern of non-stop sacrifice... Non-stop guilt... Listen to the text again and consider what it would have been like to really understand that Jesus is your ‘once and for all’ salvation?  
   
God, through Christ, brought salvation to all who are waiting for Him. That means that no matter what else we’re waiting for... we can hold onto the truth that we have been saved into a relationship with God that is eternal. That is often a difficult tension to hold: to wait, to experience the ‘not yet’ of the kingdom... and yet to trust in God. As we end our time today, invite God into any areas of waiting that are difficult for you. Ask Him to teach you how to trust Him in the ‘not yet’ of waiting.

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 But The Blood - Joshua Miller

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 April 4.

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 1 Corinthians, chapter 3.  
 

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  
 

As you come to prayer today, consider Paul’s words about ‘foundations’ and ‘building with care’. Think about how you are ‘building’ your own spiritual life? Paul says that he was a wise builder. He was a careful builder, and intentional builder. Take a moment and think through your own spiritual building. Can you identify places that you are intentionally building your spiritual life? Consider how you are building inwardly in practices of prayer, worship, and reading the Word. Or outwardly in spiritual relationships and service toward others. Where do you feel encouraged by what you are building?   
   
Consider now areas of your spiritual life that feel weak, or in need of repair. Are there spiritual disciplines that you are struggling with? What might it mean to invest more deeply in those areas? Listen to Paul’s words again and consider what it means to build wisely and with good materials. 
   
Sometimes we forget to set spiritual aims for ourselves. We do that in so many other areas: set goals, or targets, and we work toward those things. Is there a person you know who might serve as a model for you of spiritual maturity? Someone about who you think: they seem so much like Jesus!? As we end our time of prayer today, think about some of the qualities you see in them, and imagine those same qualities in yourself. What do you want to look like, to sound like, to be like... ten years from now? Ask the Lord for grace to grow into the person He made you to be.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Music - I Lift My Eyes Up - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)


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

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 April 3rd.

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 1 Peter, chapter 2.  
 

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house c to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:  
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,  
a chosen and precious cornerstone,  
and the one who trusts in him  
will never be put to shame.”  
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,  
“The stone the builders rejected  
has become the cornerstone,”  and,  
“A stone that causes people to stumble  
and a rock that makes them fall.” 
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.   But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
 
 
This text is so rich in meaning and depth. Let me pick out one small phrase for us to consider now... as Peter describes Jesus as: “the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him”. As we come to prayer today, do you identify with a sense of feeling rejected by humans? By family? By the world around you? Do you identify with being chosen and precious? Take time to share your sentiments with the Lord in prayer.  
   
Listen again to the reading, and try to be very focused on each thought. Is there a word or phrase that stands out to you?  
   
Peter calls us—his children--precious, a special possession, the people of God. Can you imagine that the God of the universe has such great love and affection for you? Do you live out of that identity? That you are kept in the care of God? That you – and all of your brokenness – can come to God and ask freely for forgiveness and acceptance? Talk to God as we end and speak honestly with Him about areas of your life that feel like they need mercy. Ask God for mercy 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 - Who Is Like Our God - 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