Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is December 18 - 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 2.


“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”


This is a very subtle record of the coming of Christ into the world, don’t you think. One verse! As we begin our time of prayer, consider Mary. She’d traveled to Bethlehem late in her first pregnancy. She gave birth in a stable. Her firstborn was laid in a food trough. And then we read: there was no guest room available for them. Here we have the Son of God, and the hope of the world. And the world already has no room for him. Take some time to contemplate whatever this brings up in you.

We are in the last week of Advent-time now. How much room in your mind, your heart, your schedule… is open, for you to abide with God this week? How difficult is it for you to slow down and quiet yourself today?

Take time now in prayer – perhaps, even pause this devotional. Welcome God into your week. Try to still you to-do lists, and instead prayerfully imagine Mary – in the midst of a chaotic mess – beholding her newborn son, Jesus. Try to organize the scene in your mind, and take time to wander through it.

Make room in your heart today, for Christ’s presence to enliven you. And make room in your day today to be His body in this world, where there is all too often no room made for Him.

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.

Music: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" - 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

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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

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Today is December 15 - in the second week of Advent.

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 Isaiah, chapter 60.

“The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.”

The king of peace comes to us as an everlasting light, an everlasting glory. And yet, as we wait for the Coming of Christ, we still live in ‘days of mourning’. Can you bring all of your emotions to the Lord today in prayer… from feelings of brightness to experiences of sadness or mourning?

Advent prepares us to celebrate the birth of Christ. And yet even as we behold this King of Peace… we walk through days of mourning.

Take time to talk with Jesus about all that you are carrying today as you begin a shift toward the final week of Advent. What is making you feel weary or weighed down?

The King of peace says to you: come to me, and I will give you rest. And not a rest that requires us to check out of our daily life. But a rest that we can find, through Him, in the midst of it. Ask God to draw your attention to Him, and to His rest, as you continue through advent.

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.

Music: "I Love 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 December 14 - in the second week of Advent.

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 Ephesians, chapter 5.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

The New Testament writers often refer to Christ as ‘the light of the world’. Here, Paul urges the church in Ephesus to recall their movement, in Christ, from darkness… to light. And he reminds them that the ‘fruit of light’ is found in all that is good, right, and true. He also reminds them that disobedience to the light is serious business…. Bringing about wrath. Consider this as you move into prayer: God is serious about the fruit of the light… about what is good, right, and true… How does that make you feel?

“Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord…” How often do you meditate on what pleases God? This season of Advent, have you taken time to invite God to lead you in ways that please Him?

As you begin to pray, ask the Lord what it means for you to ‘walk in the way of light’ today… invite Him to help you turn from ‘unfruitful works of darkness’…

This Christmas, the world is full of ‘people walking in darkness’… who are experiencing the impacts of ‘unfruitful works of darkness’. Pray that you would be a bringer of light this Advent season to those around you. Pray that God would fill you with ‘all that is good, right, and true’… and that you would spill out good fruit this season of Advent.

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 in…

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

Music: "Jesus Beautiful" - 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 December 13 - in the second week of Advent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 3.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

This is something to behold, indeed: God sent his son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved. Consider this as we begin our time of prayer this advent-time: God so loved the world…

John tells us that God so loved the word in the same breath as he says that the world loved darkness more than the light of Christ! Scripture tells us that while we were still sinners, God loved us and gave himself for us. Consider now what it cost God to come into a world, to become man, to bring us His light and peace EVEN WHILE we embraced the darkness…

Talk to the Lord now about any of your deeds that may need to be exposed. Be honest with him, and enter into a place of confession about where you might tend to prefer darkness over light…

How do you experience ‘coming into the light of Christ’? Does it bring you peace, to bring your confessions to Jesus? Ask God to fill you with his light and peace as you offer up your confession and walk in repentance today.

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.

Music: "Silent Night" - 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 December 12 - in the second 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 book of Isaiah, chapter 60.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Think about all that darkness hides, and the relief that comes with the light of morning. Have you ever felt afraid of the dark? As we begin our time of prayer today, call to mind a time you felt anxious, or worried, or covered by a ‘thick darkness’ of mind or body or soul.

Can you recall the sense of relief, or peace you felt when the Lord met you in that place? When the darkness lifted? Try to remember what it felt like to move from darkness into light… Our text from Isaiah might call to mind the Genesis 1 narrative… where we read that God’s spirit hovered over darkness and voice… and that God spoke order into disordered… first speaking: ‘let there be light’.

Turn to the Lord in personal prayer, and pray for places in your own life, or in the world around, where you experience darkness. Pray for specific people and situations who need an interruption of the brightness of the peace of Christ.

All too often, holiday seasons are frenetic and not calm, chaotic and not peaceful. Work today to find a situation that you can interrupt with the brightness of the peace of Christ. Perhaps at work, during a family meal, or even in your own heart. Be intentional about being a person of brightness, and of peace, today, by the grace of God.

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.

Music: "Oh Holy Night" - 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 December 11 - in the second 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 Matthew, chapter 4.

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

When Jesus heard that John – his cousin – had been arrested, Jesus withdrew, leaving one small, backwater town for another. Jesus came as a king, preaching about the kingdom of heaven. And yet he didn’t show up much like one would expect a king to show up. Often, to look deeply at Jesus is to be surprised, or to have your expectations interrupted. As you come to prayer today, how is Jesus interrupting you, or your expectations, about who He is?

Kings and leaders of this world usually get to peace through power. Jesus came as a different sort of King of Peace. He gave up power. Gave up privilege. He didn’t ride into town on a war horse, but on a humble donkey. He didn’t demonstrate his kingship by might, but in humility. He wasn’t born into a palace, but into a refugee family holed up in a barn.

Reflect for a few moments on what all of this speaks to the way Christ comes as our King of Peace. Does he come and get rid of our darkness in one fell swoop? Or does he come and walk with us in the midst our darkness? Ask God for eyes to see where he is slowly pushing back the darkness in your life with the dawning light of His kingdom.

Take time to welcome Christ’s light and peace into that space, trusting He can be present to you in His peace this Advent, even if you’re walking through the valley of the shadow.

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.

Music: "Behold" - 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

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: "Behold" - 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

Today is December 8 in the first week of Advent

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 Luke, chapter 3.

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile’ne, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

We have reflected this week on God our savior, who came to seek and to save, who came to make a smooth path toward salvation, who came to demonstrate the love of God through the forgiveness of sins by the Grace of God. We began with the image of a door, and we prepared our hearts to open the door in order to BEHOLD THE SAVIOR, lying in a manger, the God of the universe not only with us – but with the least of us, the last of us.

Take a moment to quiet yourself and bring that image back to mind. Contemplate this paradox: it is through this infant: poor, vulnerable, a baby in the middle of the mess of a barn... that ‘all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ John the Baptist tells us that this salvation comes through a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.Take time in personal prayer to consider your baptism, your own repentance, and the forgiveness of sins that is yours. Consider that this advent, you are not only waiting to behold the savior of the world, but YOUR savior as well.

Our repentance comes in a moment, and in a lifetime of moments. When we behold the goodness of God, His compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, and blessing, we are reminded all too often of our distractions, our ridiculous irritabilities, by all the way we do not love the way He loves. Ask God to strengthen the gift of love in you, that in this season of Advent those around you might behold a glimpse of God’s celebration every time He saves that which is lost



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.

Music: "Go Tell It On the Mountain" - 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 Dec 7 in the first week of Advent.

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 Isaiah, chapter 55.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

Again, the call of scripture is to Behold – to look deeply at our God and the way He has interacted with us through history. The prophet Isaiah wants us to look deeply at something that God has brought to his attention: he tells us to ‘incline our ears, and come to God, listen to him, that our souls may live’… We’re living in a world where the souls of many are weary and worn, unsure of the compassion of God. As you enter into prayer, consider with the Lord the state of your own soul today. I am aways so thankful to be reminded that God’s ways are not my ways. My ways are not very loving. My ways are not very compassionate. My ways are not very steadfast. The goodness of ‘my ways’ too quickly have an edge. The goodness of ‘my ways’ don’t go to the cross. Take a few moments of prayer now and talk to the Lord about the length of His saving love: that God not only comes near to us to demonstrate His love, but that He went as far as death as well. What implications does that have for you this Advent? For the way you love?

Take time today to ask God to reveal His thoughts, and His ways to you… Ask Him to lead you towards those whose souls may need a word of refreshing from Him, through you.

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.

Music: "Holy Child" - 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