Be Still: Daily Devotional

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.

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 - (YouTube)

Today is January 8The 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 - (YouTube)

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. 

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[a] 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[a] 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 DOXOLOGY ANTHEM [Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship 

Today is January 5th.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 13.How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.The writer of this song feels forgotten by God. The experience of being forgotten is as old as memory. It’s something that is like a wrestling of thoughts. God you say you love me, but if you love me then why are you not answering me? Have you wrestled with doubt? What are you wrestling with today?The Psalmist says it’s also like a sorrow in the heart, a sadness, to feel forgotten. Have you ever experienced a spiritual depression in your life?As you hear the Psalm again, pay attention to how the song moves from sadness to seeking, to asking, and then to believing.As you walk through your day, can you incline your heart to trust in God’s unfailing love, can you allow your heart to rejoice in your salvation?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: Faithful One - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

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.

Today is January 2nd.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 1.The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).The first followers of Jesus were seekers. Jesus didn’t call these first two disciples to follow him. Jesus turned around and Andrew and his friend were already following him. They must have been curious whether what was said of Jesus was true—that he was the Son of God. After spending the day with him they were convinced that he was the One. If you could spend a day with Jesus, what would you ask him? How do you think Jesus might respond to your question?Jesus gave Simon a new name. He called him Peter, which means “rock.” Renaming is a way of saying, “I’ve given you a new identity. I have a purpose for you. As you hear the passage again, consider the new identity has God have given you. What name or word does Christ speak over you to redefine your purpose?Andrew’s encounter with Jesus grew into a contagious faith. He went and told his brother all about it. As we close our time, consider something that has happened recently that you are thankful for. Can you make a commitment to share that with someone today?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: Draw Me Close To You - Heaven and Earth Worship

Today is January 1The 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 Numbers, chapter 6.The Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons,‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites." Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”In the Old Testament, the act of priestly blessing was a sacred thing. A priest would stand above the people, stretch his arms over them, and speak the blessing of God over God’s people. The picture we hear in these words should call to mind favor, and blessing, and kindness. The Psalmist echos this lean when he wrote about God: “You INCLINED and heard my cry”. Consider for a moment, this first day of the new year, what it means that God’s blessing toward you is His own inclination to draw near to you? Can you quiet your heart, and turn your attention toward God to receive His presence this new year?  Listen again and pay attention to the words that the Lord gave Moses for Aaron. Words like: blessing, keeping, shining, graciousness, peace. As you listen to this short text, imagine yourself standing ‘under the blessing’ of God.  Many people start a new year with thoughts of resolutions: what is it that we can do for ourselves? Instead, consider entering this year asking God simply for the grace to remain under His blessing. We are, as the hymn goes, ‘prone to wander, prone to leave the one I love’. Can you, this new year, ask God for strength, faith, and conviction to simply remain under His grace? To be constant recipients and givers of His peace? As we end our time of prayer, I’d encourage you to pray and offer your obedience this year to the Lord, and ask for both his leadership as well as His blessing.Music Credit:"Shalom" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is December 31st for 2025.Hey friends, can we together take a moment to make some space to be thankful to all of the folks around Vineyard Columbus who helped co-create the Be Still devotional this year? This marks the full completion of Be Still – we have 365 days of devotional and it’s all thanks to the hard work of the team here. You know who you are. Thank you.  If Be Still has been a grace to you, please take a moment right now to rate us with five stars and drop a friendly comment in. When you give Be Still five stars, the algorithms make it more visible for those who are looking, so it’s simply a way of making something that’s been a gift to you easier for others to find.    Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit. May God’s peace and presence be to you in 2026. Do not fear, the Lord is near. And all manner of things shall be well. Music: "Christ The King" - Heaven and Earth Worship

Today is December 30th.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 Titus, chapter 2, the MSG version.  11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.  One of the fruits of Advent is that we are given birth to a new life. It’s not just that Christ is born. We are reborn! This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. Reflect for a moment on the places where new life is growing in you right now. Where do see have joy, or peace, or love in your life?  We think of repentance as a painful process of denying pleasures. Paul, in this passage invites us to think about repentance as embracing more of God’s new life in us. He is motivating us to repentance by reminding us that repentance actually leads to more life. He says, We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God honoring life. Consider how turning away from indulgence might actually lead you to more life in Christ. As we close our time, take a moment and ask God for more of his life to replace the old places of sin and death in your life. Ask his life to fill you and move in you so that you may be free from your old dark life and energized into this new, good life in Christ.  Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen.

Today is December 29May 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 John, chapter 1.“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Think of a light that cannot be overcome, a light that cannot go out. You might think of an intense light. Maybe a spotlight shining up into the night. Or a powerful laser that has an intense beam. Or even stronger, the light of the sun. But the light of Christ starts as a different kind of light. It’s more like one of those trick birthday candles that gets blown out but then a few moments later relights on its own. Think for a moment about how the light you see in Christ is more like a candle that is fragile light, but one not easily extinguished.Isaiah puts it this way, A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. This sounds like the life of Christ in the world doesn’t it? In his death he was bruised but not broken. His light was smoldering but not snuffed out. How is that true of the light of Christ in you? Where do you see faith smoldering in your life? Where is there a small sign of smoke, even if no flame?As we close our time of prayer, ask God to breathe on that wick. Ask him to blow on those embers. Ask that the flame might burst forth again into the night of the world around you.Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen.Music: "Eternal Light" - Heaven & Earth (YouTube)

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.

Today is December 26. 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 Isaiah, chapter 9.  The people walking in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness     a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation     and increased their joy; they rejoice before you     as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice     when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,     you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,     the bar across their shoulders,     the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle     and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,     will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace     there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne     and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it     with justice and righteousness     from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty     will accomplish this.  I’m so glad you have joined us for prayer today. As we begin, consider these names given to Christ: wonderful counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Is there a particular attribute that you want to contemplate today: God’s counsel? His might? That he is your good and gracious Father? That he can bring peace that passes understanding? Take a few moments to consider this with the Lord.  Prince of Peace is what stands out to me today. So today, I will take time throughout my day to pray for God’s peace over those who are desperate for it. What do you feel drawn to Intercede for today? Take time right now to pray…  The inbreaking of Christ into our world and our history…. which is why we sing Joy to the World, and why we pray: Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Our world needs a rest that cannot be achieved by anything other than the Prince of Peace himself. As we end our time of prayer today, pray over individuals you know who are still seeking the prince of peace. Pray for areas of our world that are desperate for peace.  Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen. 

Today is December 24th in the final week of Advent. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.      Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 1.9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Consider what it means for a child to have a healthy, stable attachment to the caregiver. This passage speaks to followers of Jesus as children. And chosen children. God himself has received us, and calls us His own  This Christmas Eve, think about how God, Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, humbled himself, becoming ordinary, and subjecting himself to real humanity. All for the sake of drawing us near to Him. Pray, this evening, for those who do not know that they are loved by God. Pray for a revelation of God’s love to them.   Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today is December 23rd in the final week of Advent.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” In this passage, we witness a profound moment of divine intervention. The angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary is both startling and reassuring. Mary, a young woman from a humble background, is told that she is highly favored and that the Lord is with her. This greeting, while comforting, also brings a sense of awe and fear. As you reflect on this passage, consider how Mary must have felt. She was greatly troubled and wondered about the meaning of this extraordinary message. Consider a time in your life where you felt both startled by life’s circumstances yet reassured by the presence of God with you.    The angel's words, "Do not be afraid," offer a powerful reminder of God's presence and favor. Mary's response to the angel's message is a testament to her faith and trust in God. Despite her initial fear and confusion, she embraces her role in God's plan with humility and courage. This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives and how we respond to God's call. Is there something happening your life where God is inviting you to trust him in the midst of fear or confusion?   Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today is December 22 in the final week of Advent.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  Today’s reading is from the book of Luke, chapter 1.  And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48 for he has been mindful    of the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed,49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—    holy is his name.50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,    from generation to generation.51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones    but has lifted up the humble.53 He has filled the hungry with good things    but has sent the rich away empty.54 He has helped his servant Israel,    remembering to be merciful55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,    just as he promised our ancestors.”  Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, spills out with awe, gratitude, and praise for God’s faithfulness. Despite Mary's simple and humble position she recognizes that God has seen her, chosen her, and is fulfilling His promises through her. This passage reminds us that God lifts up the lowly, satisfies the hungry, and keeps His promises across generations. Mary's response invites us to glorify God not only for what He has done in history but for what He continues to do in our lives today... working through the humble, showing mercy, and turning the world's values upside down. How have you experienced this reality?  As we approach Christmas day, how are you experiencing the reality of Christian hope? How are you experiencing our call to love, to faith, or to joy? Is your heart feeling full, or parched? Take a moment to examine the condition of your heart right now. Offer yourself to the Lord, and ask you listen to mary’s song, find encouragement in her awareness of the goodness of God]God always remembers to be merciful. We are in a world that is in such desperate need of mercy! Is your heart inclined towards mercy? Are there places you are harboring judgement, or anger, or bitterness? Give the Lord time today to pour His mercy into you, and through you to others. As we anticipate Christmas, commit yourself towards being a person of mercy to those around you.   … Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome in…In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.Music: "Christ The King" - Heaven and Earth Worship

LOVE Fourth Sunday of Advent Today, this final Advent Sunday, we reflect on the love of Christ. Paul exhorts the Colossian church… 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Above all these, put on love.Reflect now, on How God demonstrated His love To you. Consider the act of God becoming human. Taking on flesh. Not just becoming human, but becoming an infant. A vulnerable, needy, dependent infant. The birth of Jesus is a love story – God demonstrating to us His desire to create a way for us to be near to Him. Just like a loving parent desires nearness with a child… or a loving friend desires togetherness. God Himself chose nearness to us. Because He loves us. God loves you.Consider this love – love that is of God, and love that IS God. For you. For the whole world. For all the ordinary people, in all of their ordinariness. Take a moment to reflect on the ways you have experienced the love of God toward yourself?In the beginning, the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? For God so loved the world that He gave his only son. Because God IS love. As we consider the fourth Advent candle, let’s reflect on the love of God toward us, and how the light of His love is meant to overflow from our lives toward others.Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Amen

This is the Saturday examen for the season of Advent. I’m glad you’ve joined us for a time of reflection and prayer. Pray along with me.Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things… look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.Now take a moment to quiet yourself, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit!Look back over this past week and ask God to draw your attention to moments where you’ve felt dissonant, agitated, or where you’ve lacked the fruit of the spirit toward others. Where have you experienced the darkness of your own heart? Or of the world around you?Now offer those moments to the Lord. Invite Him to lead you toward engaging in a way that might bring relational repair or reconciliation. Ask God to help move you into action in whatever way He leads.Consider the week ahead: What are you feeling joyful about as we approach Christmastime? Who do you want to pay special attention to this week? What do you want to be particularly present to? Ask God to help draw your attention to these things. If people came to mind, pray over them by name.Behold… the psalmist tells us… God is our helper… he is our sustainer… he does not merely bring good news, Luke says… he IS good news…Behold… he stands at the door of our heart and knocks… he will pour out His spirit on you…Behold… we read in 1 John… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! As we end our examen, ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent and to give you a heart that longs for Him.Ask God for grace to behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!Come, thou long expected Jesus,born to set thy people free;from our fears and sins release us,let us find our rest in thee.Amen.Music: "Emmanuel" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 19th in the 3rd week of Advent.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 2.   “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”   Simeon, scripture tells us, had been waiting his whole life ‘for the consolation of Israel’. To be consoled means to be comforted in grief. We might think of the Greek word paraclete – the word we use to describe the Holy Spirit. Paraclete literally means ‘one called alongside’. Or comforter. Israel was waiting, as was Simeon, for that comfort that only a savior would bring. In what ways are you waiting for the comfort of Christ today? In what ways do you see the world longing?  Somehow – Simeon recognizes that the Christ child was God, come alongside of humanity. Luke tells us that “Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God”. Take time to prayerfully imagine this scene: they’re at the temple courts, fulfilling the standard duty of all Jewish parents to consecrate their child to the Lord. All of a sudden, and old man comes toward them. I imagine tears in his eyes. I imagine his praise coming out like a hushed and holy whisper. I imagine Simeon, holding the Christ child close, maybe resting forehead to forehead, feeling some sort of unexplainable relief: GOD IS WITH US.  Take time now in personal prayer and imagine this scene. What is the Lord drawing your attention to? Our world remains desperate for consolation. We have in Christ the coming of the kingdom of God, and yet… we remain in between the now and the not yet of the kingdom. Intercede now for those who are desperate for consolation. Pray that the holy spirit – would draw near to those who live in shadows, that they might know the light of Christ.  This is how I pray: God of all comfort, please come alongside the brokenhearted, and rescue those who are crushed in spirit. And make me not only watchful and prayerful, but also faithful in my call to be your body in this world.  Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.