Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is December 6th in the first 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 book of Isaiah, chapter 40.

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

”Behold, the savior of the world, who comes into the world with comfort, tenderness, forgiveness, and blessing. What do you think it means that Isaiah prophesied that God would enter into the world in this fashion? Do you find it strange, that a savior is described with words that feel so kind?

The character of God often surprises us: that our savior comes not with an eye-roll, filled with frustration at our inability to get things right, a sense of ‘I told you so’ in the air? Consider for a moment a time you actually needed saved: from a stupid decision, a bad choice, an error of judgement… or even from your own sin and recklessness. Consider what it means that God draws near as your savior as a comforter, with tenderness, words of peace, forgiveness, and blessing…Now enter a personal time of prayer and that God that He demonstrates is salvation power to us through love. Consider if you are following in His way...

This Advent, our world – your world – is filled with people who need the comfort of Christ. Not a word of judgement, or a condemnation. As you have received the comfort and tenderness of Christ yourself, be diligent about treating those around you with the same kindness. Ask the Lord to lead you in love: who can you serve today? Who can you pray for or offer tenderness to?…

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: "Humble King" - 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 5 – in the first 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 several verses from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15.“He calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ / ‘She calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ /

‘It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’The lost sheep. The lost coin. The lost son. For God so loved the world that He came to seek and to save that which is lost. The savior of the world enters into history not as a God who despises things that go missing, but rather as the God of the cracks, the corners, the far-off spaces… the God who seeks… and the God who then celebrates when he finds that which is precious. This is what love looks like: a willingness to get low, to get messy, to go out of His way… in order to go after ‘the one’. Take a moment and let this settle over you. That ‘lost and found one’ is you.

All of these parables tell of personal things get lost. Is there anything – or anyone - lost in your life right now? Are you seeking after them in the same way Christ seeks after you?Now enter a personal moment of prayer and pray specifically – by name if you can – for those you know who are lost, and who need to be saved and restored by love...

Advent is a time of looking forward to a celebration of joy! An event that reminds us: we are not lost! We are not alone! We are not left in the corner, stuck out of sight, unworthy of rescue! Ask God, as we end our time of prayer, to help you grow as a seeker… someone with eyes to see those around you who might be holding out hope for to be ‘found’ themselves. Ask God to give you grace to speak His words of invitation to someone who might be ready to hear 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.

Music: "The Lord Has 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

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Today is December 4 - in the first 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 Mark, chapter 1.“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

We begin this Advent with the question: what does it mean to truly BEHOLD something? Not just to notice it, or to get a glimpse… but to see, and to see deeply? Our reading from Mark says: “Behold, I will send my messenger before your face” Think for a moment: when was the last time you looked slowly and deeply at something or someone, as though to work the image of what you see deep into your mind and memory?

Now, imagine yourself standing at the ‘doorway of advent’. Slow down and consider what you are opening that door to as you step into this Holy season: to God himself, incarnate, a vulnerable infant born into a wild and reckless world. The savior of all that is, lying there in a dirty stable. Lying there, a soon-to-be refugee. Lying there: the love of God revealed as WITH US.

Now, enter into a personal moment of prayer by imaging yourself opening the door that is before you… what do you see, or feel, or hear, or smell… as you behold your savior in this scene?….“Behold, I will send my messenger before your face.” That sounds to me like a description of something that gets very, very close. In your face, it seems. As we end our time of prayer today, ask God to help you keep your awareness of His presence ‘before your face’ this Advent season.…

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: "O Come O Come Emmanuel" - 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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Today is Saturday, 2nd of December,
one day before the first Sunday of Advent.

We’ll prepare our hearts for this season of holy anticipation by praying the words of Henri Nouwen. You can repeat each line after 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.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!' Amen.


Our examen today is mean to help you pause, and to re-orient yourself yet again to the Truth of the Gospel. Our lives are full, and fast, and scattered. For a moment today can you quiet yourself?
Take a deep breath.
Welcome God’s presence, and say, “Come Holy Spirit”!

This past year, we have taken time each Saturday to look back at our weeks for signs of God’s presence and grace, and to look ahead at our weeks to prepare our hearts to meet Christ in the people and places we are near to. Today… we’ll look back over the past month. The holiday season can be a joy-filled time, but it is also often a lonely time, a time where we feel the void of things we’ve lost, or things we feel we’ve missed. Consider the state of your heart today. Do you feel full? Alone? Scattered? Tired? Expectant? Keep your breath slow and deliberate, and reflect on any areas of challenge or pain from this past month. Bring whatever comes up to the Lord.

Next… remember with me that scripture points to the coming of Christ as a light that is not overwhelmed by the darkness. As Nouwen prayed, out of scripture: we are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light… Turn your attention to the times this past month you’ve felt God’s presence. Where have you experienced the light of His grace, or guidance, or sustaining power? Do the work of slowly remembering one scene from this month where you’ve felt gratitude to God. Remember, and give thanks.

Finally… focus your attention to this coming season of Advent, which begins tomorrow.
Take a deep breath. Ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent. Offer to Him any distractions you anticipate in this season of faith, hope, peace, and love. Pray for those you love, by name…

Thorough our Advent Examens, we’ll pray a brief prayer, out loud, together. I’d invite you to pray it over the course of your day…. By yourself, with a small group, with a child, with family, or by yourself along with me now. The prayer is the first line of a hymn written by Charles Wesley, and I’ll introduce it to you now. I’d encourage you write this line out, and place it somewhere where you’ll notice it daily:

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.

As we end this time of examen, our reading is from Isaiah, chapter 9. These are the words of the Lord, thanks be to God:

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
 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.
 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.
 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
 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.
 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.


Amen.

Music Credit:
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" - 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 1
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 9.

18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

As we enter into prayer today, think for a moment about YOUR answer to this question… Not the proper Sunday school answer, or the answer that your pastor might say… But what’s your answer, in real life? Who do you say Jesus is?
 
Why do you think Jesus asked his disciples this question… What do the crowds think about me? Who do they say that I am? What do you think he’s trying to get them to think about? We know a couple of things to be true… first Jesus knows exactly who he is. Second the disciples should know exactly who he is! But they often seem confused. Listen to the text again, and wonder why Jesus is having this conversation with them.

Peter is always a great one to raise His hand and answer the question first! You are God’s Messiah, he calls out! Imagine you’re in the room with disciples and Jesus. Imagine this conversation. And imagine what happens when Peter speaks this truth. As we enter time of prayer, ask God to reveal more of himself to you… more of who HE is…

Music Credit:
"The God You Truly Are" - 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 November 30
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 gospel of John, chapter 1.

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “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.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Think about all that lies underneath the phrase, “come, and you will see”. Do you think, if the disciples had ANY idea what that meant for the rest of their lives, that they would’ve followed Jesus so quickly? Have you responded to Jesus invitation to come and see? Where has it taken you? What have you seen because you’ve responded to that call?
 
As you listen to the passage again, look back and consider what it was about Jesus that first drew you to him? Was it something that you learned, something that you heard, something that you saw in someone else? What was it that caused you to “come and see?”

The early church was filled with people who had encounters with Jesus, that were so life-changing, that their first reaction was to grab a friend and introduce them to Jesus as well. When was the last time you shared with someone else the story of your first encounter with Jesus? Ask God to give you even an opportunity to invite someone else come and see what you’ve seen? Perhaps there’s someone who might be well served by a warm-hearted invitation to church this Advent season, or to join your small group? Ask God for an opportunity to say, “come and see.”

Music Credit:
"The Hidden Place" - 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 November 29
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 Isaiah, chapter 42.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the nations will put their hope.”


This is a familiar passage for many, with two powerful images. A bruised reed… and a Smoldering wick. Imagine a plant, growing tall, that is broken halfway up. The top half hanging down limply. imagine a candle that’s just been snuffed out, still a few embers lit, still smoking. These are images of who we are. We are tender, wounded, weak… And Isaiah tells us that even to those in these conditions, the Christ will bring forth justice. He will bring forth hope? How does that make you feel?
 
Jesus sees value in us, even in our weakness. And God is gentle and compassionate to us even when we feel almost entirely burned out. Listen to the text again and try to rest in this truth of where our Hope lies.
 
Scripture tells us that it is the kindness of God that leads to repentance. As we under time of prayer today, consider how radical that is. Consider how upside down that is. An invite God to make you more into that kind of person… a person who is kind, compassionate, full of mercy…

Music Credit:
"Your Love" -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 November 28
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 Luke, chapter 8.

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

Let’s enter into this story for a moment… Luke tells us that a large crowd begins to gather as people are following Jesus around, trying to understand who he is, and what he’s doing. All of a sudden Jesus stops, looks up and begins to tell a story about a farmer and some seed. Most folks in the crowd are farmers, so this is familiar territory…

This passage of Luke is familiar for many of us. Can you try to hear it with fresh ears? As you listen to the passage again, think about the soil of your heart and life that the Gospel seed is falling into. Consider, is the seed of faith being choked out by something? Is it falling on a hard heart? Is the seed being choked by dry ground? Or is it falling on moist soil? Bring the condition of your heart to God.
 
We all want to be good soil for God’s word to grow. Sometimes we need to do some work to cultivate the soil. To dig up the ground. To water it. To clear away some weeds. To scatter the birds. As we close our time of prayer, ask God if there is one thing you can do to cultivate the soil of your life today?

Music Credit:
Prayer of Consecration - 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 November 27
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 71.


14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.

This psalmist… remembering the days of his youth, all the way to his present… he says he is old and gray. What season of life are you in right now? Single? Newly married? Great-Grandparenting? Or somewhere in between? How do you feel about this season of life? Talk to the lord about where youre at

What season of faith are you in? Perhaps you’re a young believer or are re-constructing your faith. Or maybe you’re a sage… having followed Jesus for half a century! What unique things are real for you in this season of faith? Listen again…
 
Is there any place in your life where you are declaring God’s power to the next generation? If so: thank you! It means so much! If not, why? What are you waiting for? What is holding you back from serving the next generation in the same way that someone served you? Talk to God about this as you end your time of prayer.

Music Credit:
"God Of Our Mothers And Fathers" - 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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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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