Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is September 15

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 Habakkuk, chapter 3.

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

How are you coming to prayer today? Do you feel empty? Do you feel full? Give yourself space to become self-aware right now.

The word in this passage that I find most striking is the word: “YET”. Habakkuk first describes an emptiness, a lack, and poverty of sorts. And then comes the word YET. He writes that even in the midst of this emptiness, YET he will rejoice in the Lord. Listen again. What word or image stands out to you? What feels most resonant to how you are feeling today?

Scripture is filled with the exhortation to rejoice: despite our circumstances, despite our sense of lack, despite everything. YET I will rejoice in the Lord. Is that difficult for you? As we end prayer today, take time to either rejoice and be joyful, thanking God for His goodness..... or if feels too difficult for you, take time to be honest with God about why.

Music Credit:
"All Things" - 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 September 14

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 Matthew, chapter 12.

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Can you imagine all of the moments like this that Jesus had with his disicples...? Can you imagine what it was like to watch Jesus engage with the Pharisees, answering their questions and accusations? Put yourself in the shoes of Jesus’ disciples, and imagine watching this encounter. What feelings would it stir up in you?

Jesus tells the religious rulers: “something greater than the temple is here”. He is speaking of Himself, and the Kingdom of God. Listen to the passage again, and pay attention to what word or phrase stands out to you.

The disciples walked with Jesus in their day-to-day lives, watching him and learning from him. Are you connected to Jesus in that kind of way? Do you look for him, prayerfully, throughout your day? Do you wonder how he might respond to experiences you find yourself in? As you end your time of prayer, ask God to help you grow in your day-to-day connection with him.

Music Credit:
"Anything and Everything" - 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 September 13

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 32.

1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

It’s not easy to reflect on our own sin... and actually acknowledging our sin is sometimes even more difficult. The psalmist writes that we are blessed, though, when we acknowledge our sin, confess it, and see forgiveness. As you enter into prayer, can you invite the Lord to help you see one area of sin that is present in you? It might be an action, or an inaction. It could be an attitude, or a behavior. Take a few moments to examine your heart and your choices and see what God calls to your attention.

Scripture gives us a tool – confession – that helps us navigate our way through and past our sins, or sinful patters. Confession is the act of speaking honestly about our areas of brokenness... and is accompanied by repentace... which is the act of turning away from sin toward holiness. Listen again, and prepare your heart for the opportunity to pray a prayer of confession to the Lord.

God forgives the guilt of our sins. With this truth in mind, we’ll end our time of prayer in confession....... can you talk to the Lord about what has come to mind? …............ Take time now to ask God for His gift of forgiveness, and abide with Him as you experience His grace.

Music Credit:
"You're All I Need" - 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 September 12

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 Hebrews, chapter 3.

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” a bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

What have your thoughts been fixed on this week? What has occupied your concerns? Take a few moments of quiet now to review the worries, desires, and preoccupations that are filling your mind...

The author of Hebrews exhorts us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. He reminds us that God is faithful, that he is worthy, that we can be confident in him. Listen again to this scripture, and to the confidences the author gives us about the character of God.

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. So often we forget that it is God who holds everything together. Whare are things in your life, right now, that you feel a need to master, or control, or fix? Can you invite God, the builder of everything, into those things? As we end our time of prayer, offer them over to the Lord.

Music Credit:
"Sing His Name" - 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 September 11

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 1 Kings, chapter 3.

7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

Solomon prayed to the Lord for a discerning heart, in order to govern in wise ways... and the scripture tells us that the Lord was pleased to answer this prayer. Solomon needed wisdom, he says, because he felt like ‘only a little child’. As we enter into our own time of prayer today, what is a place where you feel that way... a situation where you are in need of wisdom or discernment for a task ahead of you that you don’t feel equipped for? Talk to God about this.

When you find yourself – like Solomon did – in over your head... is it your first inclination to be humble, and to ask God for what you need? Or is your first inclination to power through? To try to be more than you are? To fill gaps that you know you can’t fill? As you listen again to these words, listen for Solomon’s humility...

As we close our time of prayer, talk to God about places or situations where you need a wise and discerning heart. Bring any places of overwhelm to Him...

Music Credit:
"God of Rest" - 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 September 8

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 Matthew, chapter 8.

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

As we enter prayer today, I’m going to ask you to enter into this story as well. Imaginative prayer helps for us to read scripture not just as familiar stories… but as actual events. Can you call to mind a picture of a small boat? Nothing fancy. Nothing modern. It’s small, handmade, and probably rickety. Imagine the waves picking up, and the wind driving rain into your face. Try to smell the stormy air. Imagine the fear of lightening, as the furious storm pounds you and your friends. Have you ever felt terrified? Have you been out in nature, subject to the elements with no shelter. Imagine that. You’re afraid for your life. Take a few moments to imagine this scene, and to try to become connected to this fear and sense of being out of control, with both your senses, and emotions.

Now comes an interruption. In their desperation, the disciples wake Jesus. Perhaps in their anger: how is this guy sleeping through such an all-hands-on-deck-moment? Save us, they cry. We’re going to drown!, they cry. Have you ever prayed a prayer like this? A prayer that feels like a last-ditch-effort? Listen again… and imagine now the frantic tone of their call to Jesus:

The Greek work that translates to: you of little faith is used multiple times in Matthew. We perhaps read it as an insult. Or a judgement. But read in context it has the ring of a something one dear friend might say to another… like a nickname of sorts. Now keep in mind, Jesus uses this word to describe his disciples – those who would become saints and martyrs. Their faith – though maybe little – was clearly sufficient! As small as a mustard seed, we might say. But the gospels remind us that even the tiniest seed of faith is all we need bring to God. Even the frustrated and frightened cry of ‘Lord save me!’ is sufficient. AS we end our time of prayer today, reflect on the goodness of God, and how Christ is present to all who call on His name: no matter the ‘size’ of faith we bring to Him.

Music Credit:
Peace Be Still - 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 September 7

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 Psalm 19.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

The Psalmist uses some beautifully descriptive words here to describe the law of the Lord. As you enter into prayer today, reflect on these truths: that the law of the lord is…. perfect, refreshing, trustworthy. It’s right, radiant, and pure. God’s law is enduring, firm, and righteous.

The Psalmist knows something important about who God is, and about what God commands… and he is speaking this truth to all who can hear. In our world, the idea of God’s law is often seen as suspect. Irrelevant. Harsh. As you listen to this scripture again, would you examine your own feelings about God’s law? About the narrow way that Christ calls you to?

What do you look to, to refresh your soul? Is obedience to God’s word on the list? Talk to God right now about His instruction in your life. And listen for his voice of guidance… for that is the voice that will refresh your soul…

Music Credit:
Holy - 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 September 6

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 Micah, chapter. 4.

1 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3 He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
4 Everyone will sit under their own vine
and under their own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
5 All the nations may walk
in the name of their gods,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD
our God for ever and ever.

‘We will walk in the name of the lord our god for ever and ever…’ As you come to prayer today, take some time to get oriented to the state of your heart, your mind, and your ‘walk’ with God…

Listen again to the prophet Micah, and ask God to draw your attention to a particular word or phrase to meditate on today…

This part of Micah is pointing the hearers toward the promise of coming restoration. Just as we live in between the now of the kingdom, and the not yet… the people listening to Micah’s words were living in a time of exile, listing to words of hope and anticipation about a coming kingdom. As we end our time of prayer, asking God to help you turn your eyes toward Him in faith, hope and love… and to fill you with anticipation of his restoration.

Music Credit:
God of All Glory - 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 September 5

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.

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

Today’s reading is from the book of Ephesians, chapter 4.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Paul’s writing to the Ephesians paints a picture of a collection of Jesus-followers who are interconnected, who each know their giftings, and who hold together in their collective journey toward unity, maturity, and love. As you come to prayer today, take some time to think about how connected you are right now to the whole body of Christ?

The early church was clear that corporate followership of Jesus – not individualistic spirituality – was a marker of maturity. Paul is writing to a group of people in Ephesus… not just individual Christians. Our culture is highly individualized, and more and more… a sense of belonging to the church is diminishing in the world around us. Listen to Paul’s words again, paying special attention to the fact that he wrote them to the corporate body of believers…that we are each meant to be in meaningful connection to.

Here is Paul’s vision of the church: that the whole body grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. As we end our time of prayer today, what part of this statement might God be inviting you to consider more deeply in your life? Is it how you engage with ‘the whole body’? Might it have to do with how you ‘build up in love’? Or about how every part is meant to ‘do its work’? Talk to God about your relationship to His church, and listen to where He draws your attention.

Music Credit:
Make Us 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