Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is MAY 23

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 Psalm 99

"1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. 2 Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. 5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD AND HE ANSWERED THEM. 7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8 LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. 9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
For the Lord our God is holy."

This Psalm centers around the holiness of God. Holiness is a characteristic that only comes from God. We tend to think of holiness in terms of morality. But it really means something much more. It means otherness. Or distinctiveness. Or separateness. It is a word that points to the absolute separateness of God from anything that is not-God. Our culture doesn't give much room for that which is holy, and even Christian culture often focuses
on the closeness of God through Christ, rather than His holiness. How does the language of holiness make you feel?

As you listen to the scripture again, consider this: what would it take to compel our totally holy, totally separate, totally exalted God – a Heavenly King – what would it take for that perfect God to descend to the mud and mess of this world.... to put on fleshly limitations... and to take on the nature of a servant?

"1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. 2 Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. 5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD AND HE ANSWERED THEM. 7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8 LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. 9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
For the Lord our God is holy."


Scripture tells us that while we were still sinners, God came near to make a way for us to stay in proximity to Him. This Holy God - found a way to come close. As we end our time of prayer, reflect on God’s love for you, and try to become aware of His nearness to you right now.

Music Credit:
"Thin 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

More at pickerill.casa

Today is May 22

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 1 Peter, chapter 4, read from The Message Version

"1-2 Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."

As you enter into prayer today, are any ‘wants’ tyrannizing you? Tyrannizing is a strong word. How do you feel, thinking about suffering as a way of learning that you can’t always get what you want?
The lesson Peter offers us isn’t as hars as it might sound. There is freedom, he says, in learning to let go, learning to offer our desires to God, learning to not be controlled by our desires as much as we usually are. Listen again for the exchange Peter is talking about: freedom, in place of tyranny.

"1-2 Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."

Do you ever find it hard to understand what God wants for you? We usually know what we want for ourselves... but today - as we end our time of prayer, take some time to invite God to speak into what He wants for you. Take time to be quiet, and just listen for His voice.

Music Credit:
Form Us - Vineyard Soul (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 May 19th.

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.”

Todays reading is from Psalm 49.

"People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. 14 They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. 16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; 17 for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. 18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— 19 they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life."

Over and over again, the scriptures warn us to not put our hope in wealth. To not envy those who are in places of power or prestige. They remind us over and over again that the mighty will be humbled and the humble will be exalted. Think for a moment about yourself—do you find that you compare yourself with those who are better off? Those who have a better position than you, or more money?
Do you wish that you have what they have?

The psalmist reminds us that the comforts of this world are fleeting. That our life is but a breath. Here today and gone tomorrow. And instead of trusting in the things of this world, we are to put our trust and hope in God. As you hear the passage again, can you re-center your hope on the reality of God rather than fleeting things?

"People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. 14 They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. 16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; 17 for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. 18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— 19 they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life."


But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. The psalmist wants us to put our sure hope in God’s power to raise us up and redeem our lives. As we close our time of prayer, take a moment and thank him for his saving power in your life.

Music Credit:
Saved - Vineyard Worship/Samuel Lane (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 May 18th.

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 Luke, chapter 10 (1-4, 8-12, 17).

"1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

In the previous chapter of Luke he sends out the twelve disciples to do his work of proclaiming and demonstrating that Gods’ kingdom has arrived in Jesus. In this chapter of Luke, Jesus sends out seventy-two others to do the same thing—to announce the good news, to heal, to deliver. He tells them, “Go to every place where I am about to go, and do the works of the kingdom.” Jesus could have done it himself—and likely done a much better job than the disciples—but he entrusts them anyway. He wants to empower them to do the work of the kingdom. Consider for a moment that Jesus wants to use you, that he sends you ahead of him, to the places where he wants to go, and he wants you to do the very work that the disciples are doing in this passage.

As you listen to the passage again, consider how you feel about God sending you—do you feel anxious, ill-prepared, lacking in faith? Or do you feel a sense of anticipation, of excitement, and faith for what God would like to do through you?
"1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”


As you walk through your day today, can you hear Jesus’ word to you? The harvest is plentiful. Go, I am sending you. Heal the sick. Tell them, the kingdom of God has come near. As we close our time of prayer today, ask the Lord for faith and obedience to step out and go where he is sending you.

Music Credit:
Heaven's Work - Vineyard Soul (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 May 17th.

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 Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.

"1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

The writer of Ecclesiastes is well versed in reflecting on the breadth of experiences of life that life brings to us. We now commonly refer to seasons of our own life. We may say it’s a hard season or a good season. Try and be more specific about the season you are in. Is it a time of planting or uprooting? Weeping or laughing? Silence or speaking? Loving or hating? Keeping something or throwing it away? Embracing or refraining from embracing?

The writer does a lot of reflecting on what he calls the “meaningless of life” on earth. That the seasons of life, our experiences of the here and now, don’t fulfill us, no matter how good. In response to that the author says that god has set eternity in the human heart. As you hear the passage again, can you feel the longing for eternity?

"1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."


He has made everything beautiful in its time. No matter what season you are in, can you turn to God in prayer? Can you ask him to make everything beautiful... in it’s time?

Music Credit:
All Things - 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 May 16th.

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 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 been said that the keys to Christian wholeness are repentance and forgiveness. Turning from our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. This psalm is all about the gift of confession, which is the act of putting words to the wrong we’ve done, before God and others. Think back to something that you know you’ve done wrong at some point in your life. How did you feel about the possibility of that sin being exposed before God or other people?

Our human tendency is to minimize our sin, to deny our sin, to deflect our sin onto others. But the psalmist reminds us of what our unconfessed sin does to us—it makes us sick. Spiritually, and sometimes also physically. But when we confess, we find health and wholeness. As you hear the psalm again, listen to the freedom of confession.

"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."


Take a moment and think about a sin that you are carrying with you—something that you haven’t confessed and released before God and with another brother or sister in Christ. Can you turn from and ask God to forgive you of that sin? Can you ask someone to pray a prayer of forgiveness over you today?

Music Credit:
Kyrie Eleison - 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 May 15th.

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 1 John chapter 3.

"1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

The first Jewish rabbi to address God as Father was Jesus. There is not one reference to God as Father in all the biblical and extra-biblical literature before Jesus. It was Jesus who introduced this radical notion, first by calling God his Father. But also by teaching his disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.” How do you feel about the Christian practice of calling God, Father?
It was world shattering at the time to call God Father because God was not this reachable, this close, this loving. God was and always is holy, but now he is also here with us, caring for us like a parent cares for a child. As you listen to the passage again, listen for holiness of God—purify yourself, just as he is pure. But also for the tenderness of God—what great love the Father lavished on us.

"1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

We know that when Christ appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Today’s passage is a contrast to what it was like to live under the first covenant. Under that covenant, nobody could see God because of his holiness. Now, under the new, when we see God in Christ,
we will become like him. As you continue through your day, consider what great love the Father has lavished on us.

Music Credit:
"Sons and Daughters" - 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 May 12th.

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 Jude (1:3-4, 17-21).

"3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

Jude, like many early Christians, is warning us about the various philosophies, ideas, and teachings that will lead us away from the truth found in the Gospel of Christ. Jude says that one common perversion is that grace gets turned into a license for immorality. The writer Deitrich Bohnoeffer called it “cheap grace.” Another perversion is that Jesus is denied his divine status. He becomes just one of many sources of inspiration. And his authority, his Lordship, in our lives is diminished.

As you hear the passage again, consider how these ideas have tempted you. How have you cheapened grace by not taking sin seriously in your own life? In what way have you not taken Jesus’ teachings seriously and not been obedient to his commands?

"3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."


Jude encourages us to build ourselves up in the faith. Consider what you can do to build yourself up in the faith. What practices have you done in the past that have built up your faith? Could you commit to do something today to build your faith? Jude also encourages us to pray in the Holy Spirit. As we close our time of prayer, take some time and pray in the Holy Spirit. Welcome God’s presence and ask him to strengthen your faith.

Music Credit:
Room At the Table - 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