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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan:  Matthew 7:7-12

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

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Daily Devotional: Give Thanks in All Circumstances

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6-7  

I was 60 years old when my husband died and I inherited his Ram 1500 pickup truck. That truck was so “him” that I couldn’t trade it in. As I was attempting to get proficient at handling this extra-large vehicle, I prayed a lot. One time, I was supposed to meet a group of photographers at a park in Charleston, South Carolina. All the street parking on the blocks leading up to this city park were full. I was getting worried in this unfamiliar city, and began praying specifically for a double space to parallel park my beast. I smiled broadly when I saw an open space right across from the gazebo meeting point.  I looked for fire hydrants and “no parking” signs, but it was simply God looking out for a new widow. 

This happened three more times, double parking spaces appeared on crowded streets. As I thanked God for His good gifts, tears filled my eyes and a smile stretched across my lips. When I mastered the vehicle, the parking “presents” ended. I will always treasure the moments when my husband’s memories surrounded me and God’s favor made it abundantly clear that His presence went before me, sat beside me, and filled me.

I see God’s hand in the little things as well as the big things. I thank God for the strange things because I feel God is helping me avert a bigger catastrophe. Discovering a tiny puddle from a leaky valve in the basement, two days before leaving town, and a plumber who came within hours for non-emergency pricing. A flat tire within walking distance of a repair shop and a  nearby pay phone (that dates me). An exterminator who set mouse traps for possible field mice in the attic and informed me there was a moisture problem I didn’t know about. The more I see His good gifts and express gratitude, the more He showers me with them. 

As a landscape and wildlife photographer, I constantly marvel at His creativity. He covers the earth with so much beauty and variety—it’s too much to hold in our limited minds. His gift to all humanity to behold. I remember standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon and telling Him, “Well, now you’re just showing off.” I felt His chuckling favor because I believe He likes it when we recognize His good gifts to us personally and mankind as a whole.

Next Steps

Here’s a song to lead you in thanking the Lord for every facet of your life.