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A time to BE STILL with God. A daily scripture reading and meditative devotional from Mondays to Fridays and a time of reflection on Saturdays through the practice of a...
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A time to BE STILL with God. A daily scripture reading and meditative devotional from Mondays to Fridays and a time of reflection on Saturdays through the practice of a weekly Examen.
show less
16 JAN 2025 · Today is January 16th.
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 John chapter 8.
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Have you ever been caught in a situation where your sin was exposed? How did you feel at that moment? When someone calls you out and confronts you over something you’ve done wrong, or some pattern in your life, what is your primary reaction—embarrassment, defensiveness, humiliation, anger?
In this story, Jesus shows that when it comes to confronting our sin, he deals with us mercifully. He drew the attention away from the woman and onto himself. He removed the fear of judgment so she could be free to change her life and leave her sin behind. As you hear the passage again, consider a sin in your life that feel has gone unaddressed for fear of being exposed. Ask Jesus for his mercy to enter into that area of your life.
As we close our time today, ask the Lord for grace that you may leave your sin behind and follow him in freedom.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: You're All I Need - Heaven and Earth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmstfH5aQOs
15 JAN 2025 · Today is January 15
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.
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.
Welcome to prayer today. So many of us are moving so quickly, even when we’re trying to Be Still, that we’re not fully present. Can you recall the scripture that we just read? Or, perhaps, were you so distracted that the words already have escaped your mind?! Take some time as we begin and offer any distractions, worries, or to-do's to Jesus.
As we listen again to these words, try to hold them in your mind or heart.... they tell you some profound things about the character of God.
What stands out to me right now is verse seven: ‘when I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me’. The psalmist knows that god will answer. He does not ‘hope’ for it. He knows it. As we end our time of prayer today I want to pray for you, that you will know God, in all of his goodness:
“Father God, we are poor and needy. Please draw near to my sister or brother and demonstrate to them your abounding goodness, forgiveness, and love. Please guard their life and their health. Jesus, be near to your people, and grow us in knowledge of you. Amen”
Music: My Soul Depends On You - Vineyard Worship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB7b2SQ4cKw
14 JAN 2025 · Today is January 14th.
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 1 John, chapter 5.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
As we enter into prayer today, would you take some time and consider what word you would use to describe how it is YOU approach God? Is it confidence? Fear? Tiredness? Are you rushed? Get quiet for a few moments and think about how you felt just now – before you hit play on Be Still? Share that feeling with God.
These words from first John aren’t meant to tell us that every single thing we pray for will be given to us. We all know that’s not the case in our real lives. It’s meant to speak to something far deeper… that God desires proximity with us. That God hears our prayers. That God’s will is sufficient for us. And most importantly: that God has granted us eternal life, with Him. John’s words are meant to bring comfort to a people who are used to God keeping them at arms length, because of His holiness. They are used to the idea that ‘approaching God’ would come with fear and trembling, like when the priest would enter into the temple. As you listen again, let yourself wrestle with these two truths: God wants us to be near to Him and He hears our prayers….. and sometimes, we feel otherwise.
What do you think it means to ‘ask according to God’s will?’ That seems to me to have to do with our prayerfulness coming out of deep connection with God. That our prayer would be informed by discernment about what God is up to. IT also seems to me that a lot of times I THINK my prayers are according to God’s will. And yet I don’t feel like I ‘have what I asked of him’. Do you relate to that tension? How do you sit with those realities? As we end today, join me in being vulnerable and authentic with God and talk with Him about things or prayers that haven’t been answered, and that I don’t understand. He loves you, and wants to accompany you as you seek Him in this confusing space.
13 JAN 2025 · Today is January 13th.
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 30, the Message version.
I give you all the credit, God—
you got me out of that mess,
you didn’t let my foes gloat.
2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
We all have moments when life doesn’t seem to work for one reason or another. The psalmist gives voice to the emotions we feel in those moments. What is one place in your life that doesn’t seem to be working at the moment? How do you feel about that?
“I yelled for help and you put me together.” When we hit a wall, when our lives fall apart, we sometimes yell at our circumstances, or even yell at God. The Psalmist, though, yelled for help from God. As you hear the passage read again, can you turn your frustration into a yell for help from God?
As we close our time today, remember that God is with you across a lifetime. Ask God to give you a long view of his love so that you may trust him in this moment.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music Credit
All Things by Heaven and Earth
youtube.com/watch?v=NaqTc8pyM-E
11 JAN 2025 · 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.
10 JAN 2025 · Today is January 10th.
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 First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 2.
Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Do you hear the Apostle Paul’s deep love for the church. He called them brothers and sisters—they were family. He intensely longed to be with them. He describes the family of God as the tangible sign of God’s goodness. Joy, hope, glory, and taste of what heaven will be like. Have you had the blessing of being part of Christian community? How was it a gift to you, a source of joy, or hope, a taste of heaven?
Paul was in a situation in his life where he was blocked from being with the family of God. But he continued to think of them even when they were apart. As you hear the passage again, consider a particular Christian who has been a source of goodness to you, and thank God for them.
What are the blocks you have from relating more deeply to the family of God? Would you pray today that God would remove those blocks and show you what step you can take to connect to God’s family.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: Familia - Vineyard Worship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdz6xAB8bH0
9 JAN 2025 · Today is January 9th.
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 John, chapter 5.
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
We struggle sometimes knowing what God is like. Jesus tells us that we can know what God is like because when we look at Jesus we see God. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. When you think about the stories of Jesus that you know, what kinds of things do you see Jesus doing? What does that tell you about what God is like?
Jesus shares the secret of how he lived his life. Everything he did was dependent on his relationship to God. He lived a life of utter dependency and complete intimacy with the Father and is the model for how we all are meant to live. Where in your life are you dependent on the Father right now and where would you like to increase your dependency on him?
As the passage is read again, consider how the Father loved Jesus and was pleased to show him all he does. Consider how much he loves you.
As you go about your day, can you pray, “Father, give me eyes to see what you are doing, and enable me to do all things by your strength at work in me.”
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heaven's Work - Vineyard Soul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcc1v9nS3G8
8 JAN 2025 · Today is January 8
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 69.
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
This psalm is a cry for salvation, both from being ‘in over my head’ with something, as well as from ‘my folly, my guilt’. As you enter into prayer today, consider what it is you need to be saved from? Is there a place in your life where you feel out of depth? Is there an area of guilt, or sin that has a hold on you?
Do you ever forget to call out to the Lord in times of great need? Do you feel ashamed when you are struggling, or embarrassed about some ‘folly’ - some situation where you should of known better?
The Bible is full of people who feel as though they’ve ‘lost their foothold’, and who yet call out to God. Listen to the psalm again, and ask God to highlight a particular word or phrase for you to pay special attention to.
Our psalmist sounds so exhausted. He is worn out. His throat is parched. His eyes fail, looking for His God. And yet. He calls out to the Lord! And the Lord: He inclines, and He hears his cries. God demonstrates His love by continually inclining his face toward us, by inclining His presence toward us, by inclining his grace toward us. Allow yourself today to experience the gaze of God’s loving presence upon you. And – if you know someone who feels like ‘their eyes are failing, looking for God’... intercede for them by name this week.
Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: Sing Out - Heaven and Earth - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAVipfxMlUo)
7 JAN 2025 · Today is January 7.
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.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.
I am glad you are taking time to Be Still today. As we enter into our time of prayer, consider these three incredible words from the passage we just read… perhaps three words you missed while paying attention to everything else: Paul says that you are ‘dearly loved children’ of God. Which implies you love God dearly. How near – or far – do you feel to a dearly loved Child of God right now?
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian church – giving them a specific example of what it means to ‘follow the example’ set before us by Christ himself: in our speech, and treatment of one another. You may notice that the words Paul uses in the first bit are action words. They are not only things we might feel…. They are feelings we might express in the way we treat others: being unwholesome, or crude. Bitterness or anger or rage – which all too often spill out sideways into our actions. As you listen to the reading again, I’d encourage you to do so with humility and curiosity: is your speech generally filled with compassion and forgiveness? Is the way you talk to and about others generally helpful to them? Or might you have succumbed to the temptation of anger? Bitterness? Slander or gossip? Be honest before the Lord.
One the one hand, our culture today can sometimes be experienced as a purity patrol…. Where our speech gets policed and we’re afraid to say the wrong thing! On the other hand, our culture today has a problem with angry and bitter and untrue speech – social media platforms and online comment sections are proof of that. Paul doesn’t just tell Christians to ‘be nice’ or ‘don’t say mean things’. Paul says: you’re supposed to have the same heart for others that He has for you: a heart of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. This week, and maybe forever – when you go to open your mouth or post online… as yourself: is this kind? Is it compassionate? Is it helpful? If not… do I need to practice forgiveness in some area?
The Bible says that the things that come out of our mouths reflect the state of our heart. That’s not always a pretty picture. This year, if you struggle with your patterns of speech, with coarseness, with anger, or with gossip… be serious about your commitment to follow the way of Christ – as God’s dearly loved children.
6 JAN 2025 · Today is January 6th.
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 Christians throughout history have celebrated the Epiphany, the commemoration of the Magi’s visit, the first manifestation of Christ as savior of Gentiles as well as Jews. Epiphany is among the church’s oldest and most important celebrations.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2.
Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23171a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him…
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The Magi were the wise and learned of the day. They were astronomers and astrologers—the two were one in the same in the ancient world—who believed that what they saw in the heavens were a sign of God’s activity on earth. The larger point is that from the beginning, Jesus wasn’t just born king of the Jews—he was king of Kings, one who is worthy of worship of all people. As you think about your relationship with God, have you seen something, a sign perhaps, that brought you to your knees to worship Jesus? What brings you to worship Jesus today?
The Magi brought treasures to Jesus that were costly. They brought the finest gifts and presented them to Jesus. They took considerable time and risked their lives to travel many miles. As you hear the passage again, consider, What costly offering can you joyfully give to Jesus today?
Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23171a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him…
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
As you continue through your day, consider how you might seek Jesus and worship him with the gifts that you have.
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: Doxology Anthem (Lord We Praise You) - Vineyard Worship
https://youtu.be/PRj6yXDvpqo
A time to BE STILL with God. A daily scripture reading and meditative devotional from Mondays to Fridays and a time of reflection on Saturdays through the practice of a...
show more
A time to BE STILL with God. A daily scripture reading and meditative devotional from Mondays to Fridays and a time of reflection on Saturdays through the practice of a weekly Examen.
show less
Information
| Author | Vineyard Columbus |
| Organization | Vineyard Columbus |
| Categories | Christianity |
| Website | vineyardcolumbus.org |
| vineyard.web@vineyardcolumbus.org |
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