6
An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have a thing on hand.'
7
"The friend answers from his bed, 'Don't bother me. The door's locked; my children are all down for the night; I can't get up to give you anything.'
8
"But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9
"Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open.
10
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.
11
If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?
12
If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?
13
As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing - you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
14
Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise.
15
But some from the crowd were cynical. "Black magic," they said. "Some devil trick he's pulled from his sleeve."
16
Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.