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.
17
Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, "Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces.
18
If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons,
19
but if you're slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn't the same mud stick to your own exorcists?