Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is June 14.

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 Luke, chapter 23.

There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.

This text says many things about Joseph of Arimathea: he was a member of the High council. He had a good heart, and good character. He had resisted the plans to kill Jesus. He lived in ‘alert expectation’ for the kingdom of God... and when he saw Jesus, he begain to follow him, perhaps quietly, perhaps in total secrecy. And then: he took responsibility for the proper burial of Jesus. Try to put yourself in his place... how do you feel, taking the body of Jesus down from the cross?

Followership of Jesus can look like a lot of things. As you listen again, think about what Joseph’s followership looked like:


Joseph’s faith in Christ was quiet, but it motivated him to take action in this tender space. After the death of Christ, and before the resurrection... in the quiet, in between space, Joseph demonstrated a tender faithfulness. Contemplate that as today’s time of prayer comes to a close.

Music Credit:
Bless Your 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

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Today is June 13.

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 Acts, chapter 14.

8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

This passage is one of many miraculous physical healings found in the book of Acts. Often times we Christians – even though our faith is full of mystery and miracle – struggle to understand the miraculous. What thoughts does this passage bring up for you?

This story, after the section we heard, the crowd begins to worship Paul and Barnabus as gods themselves. The disciples spoke against the worship that was directed toward them, but even then, scripture says... they had a hard time getting the crowd to stop. They had been convinced by what they saw – and thought that something sacred was going on. Listen again to what the crowd was eyewitness to.


As we end our time of prayer, can you sit with the Lord and consider the state of your own faith? Do you feel full of faith today? Or perhaps, empty? Can you be honest with the Lord about the condition of your faith?

Music Credit:
Healing Presence - 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 June 12.

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 Ezekiel 17.

22 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender spring from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

“ ‘I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’


There is so much hope to be found in these words. Do you need a word of hope today as you come into prayer?

I have seen a plant that looks 100% dead come back to life... first, a single brown stalk, totally dry... and then a bud, and again: a leaf! Listen to the scripture again, and think about the difference between something that is dead, and something that is simply dormant: that which is dormant holds deep within it both the power for and the presence of life.


This scripture reminds us that nothing is beyond hope. No season is too dry, no heart is too hard, no soil is too infertile for the Lord. It also reminds us that our hope comes from the Lord. Only he has the power to restore that which looks lost to hope. As we come to a close, pray for God’s hope to come alive in you. If there is a situation in your life that feels beyond hope, ask for God to give you the gift of intercession towards it.

Music Credit:
You Speak - 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 June 9.

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 Psalm 96.

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

This Psalm is overflowing with worship to God! It’s the kind of worship you’re supposed to listen to with the volume up, singing your heart out in community, dancing... clapping... singing... when was the last time you entered into a moment of worship that felt like that?

Worship is obedience, and a discipline, and also a freeing joy. So often, we feel freer at football games or concerts than we do during corporate worship. Listen to the psalmist again, and try to imagine yourself in a sea of God’s people, singing and dancing these words to the Lord.


Each line in this Psalm holds so much. As we come to the close of our time of prayer, meditate on these words: the world is firmly established, it cannot be moved.... Does that truth bring joy, or consolation to you today?

Music Credit:
You Are Good - 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 June 8.

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 Acts, chapter 11.

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

There seems to be so much busyness in the early church: so many people, so much coming and going, so much activity, and so much fruitfulness. And all this fruitfulness, all this work, was initiated by what the writer says was a scattering due to persecution. Think about that for a moment. What feelings or thoughts rise up in you?

Christians have a funny relationship to busyness and activity. Decades ago, Christian's said things like “I’d rather burn out than rust out”. These days, we’re all about boundaries, listening to podcasts to help us say NO. What is your relationship to activity within your church? Are you serving? Are you afraid to commit? Listen to this passage again, and listen to all the names and places listed.

Some of our work for the Lord is simply discipline – being obedient. Some is simply service – meeting needs. And some is passion - doing what makes us come alive. Most people love passion, and struggle with discipline and service. As we end our time of prayer, bring these ideas to the Lord, and listen for his leading.

Music Credit:
Be the Centre - 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 June 7.
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 Luke, chapter 21.

1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Sometimes we give to God out of an abundance, and sometimes, we give the very little we’ve got left. How are you coming to prayer today? Do you feel like you are able to be abundantly present to the Lord? Or do you come feeling very small, or impoverished?

Take time to imagine yourself in the place of the poor widow. You are standing in the temple, waiting to give your ridiculously small offering, You are a woman, a widow, and poor, which likely means you feel out of place among all the rich. Can you imagine how she is standing, eyes downcast? How others might be looking at her out of the corner of their eyes? Can you imagine, how very small she might be feeling as she places her coins into the treasury? Listen again and try to feel the smallness that she may have felt.


Jesus ends with words that draw us back to the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God: to the rich, she gave almost nothing. To Jesus, she gave close to everything. Jesus sees things with different eyes. He sees YOU with different eyes. And He sees what you give, and how you give it, in an upside down sort of way. As we end, that about what it means to give to God out of abundance, vs what it means to give out of poverty. Ask Him for eyes that see what He sees in this world: where two very small coins can amount to extravagant and honored worship.

Music Credit:
Above All Else - 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 June 6.

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 Ezekiel 11.

19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

That’s quite a picture: God removing a heart of stone, and replacing with a heart of flesh. Can you meditate quietly for a moment and hold a picture of each sort of heart in your mind? Can you consider: what’s the condition of your heart today as we enter into prayer?

I once heard someone say that we like to think we can build picket fences around our hearts: to let some things IN, and keep other things OUT. But, they said, we can’t do that. We either keep our hearts soft to all, or they become hard to all – not like a picket fence, but like a concrete barrier. Sometimes, our hearts grow hard from good use. They become spiritually calloused, as it were. Listen again, and listen for the invitation of God.


We used to pray for our children, when they were young, to be soft-hearted and thick-skinned. A soft heart sees beauty in the world, it allows for vulnerability and tenderness, it invites communion. A hard heart is often cynical, walled-off, judgmental, and in pain. End today's prayer by getting curious about the condition of your heart. If you don’t feel self-aware, perhaps ask a good friend, a close colleague, or a family member like your kids how they are experiencing you right now. Give them permission to speak honestly, and do the work of listening in humility.

Music Credit:
I Will Hold On - 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 June 5.
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 86.

1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

The psalmist says that among the gods, there is none like you, Lord. Our secular culture has plenty of gods: money, lust, power, fame, cynicism, freedom, individualism. Do those god’s answer the call of the poor and needy? Do those gods show mercy? Do they answer those in distress?

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord: a god – THE GOD – who is so absolute in His love for His creation that he answers, he rescues, he forgives... Listen again, and wonder a bit about why we so often forget how good and gracious our God is.


How do you come to prayer, today? Are you poor and needy? Are you in distress? Take these last few minutes and allow God to remind you of His goodness, His graciousness, and His love.

Music Credit:
Thanks and Praise - 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