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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Philippians 2:12-18

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Daily Devotional: Called to See Clearer Than 20/20

Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Do your eyes twitch when you’re tired? How about when you’re stressed, anxious, or conflicted inside? When I’m wrestling emotionally, relationally, or even morally, the state of my heart affects me spiritually. It’s like I just can’t see straight. I’d for sure fail a vision test at the DMV on those days. I resonate with the Apostle Paul’s confession in Romans 7:15-21, “…Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” He wants to be pure in heart, but the pull of sin keeps blurring his vision. The same is true for me, and for you.

Spiritually speaking, we have no idea how far we are from having 20/20 vision. We can’t see God with our imperfect eyes. Yet, in Matthew 5:8, Jesus declares that we can see more clearly than humanly possible! There’s just one caveat: the condition of our hearts must be right. We need God-honoring integrity between what’s going on both outside and inside. It’s why Jesus confronts the pious Pharisees’ hypocrisy head-on later in Matthew 23:25-26. He’s crystal clear—a cup must be clean through and through before it’s suitable for use. Rather than blindly press on, desperately trying our best to see God, we’d all be wiser to pray Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

There’s no way around it. Our hearts’ desires must be undivided and sincere before we can see our holy, perfect, loving, and righteous heavenly Father. But because Jesus says that seeing God is possible, His truth brings me hope even when my spiritual eyes start twitching. Because Christ says we’re called to see clearer than 20/20, I’m more confident to bring my heart before God in the spirit of Psalm 139:23-24:

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Today, will you join me in taking a spiritual step toward being undivided and seeing clearly? The Jesus Way is true: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Next Steps

If you want to see God, prayerfully reading Psalm 139 is good for your heart. It’s like a spiritual vision test, and an EKG all wrapped up in one. Set aside at least ten minutes to let the Psalmist’s undivided, sincere reflection speak to you. Then, humbly ask your Heavenly Father to be candid with you about anything in your heart that’s keeping you from seeing Him clearly (Ps. 139:23-24).