January 6, 2026

Matthew 7:7-12 (HCSB)
Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking
7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.

Jessica Collier
“God is not like a genie in a bottle.” I bet I’ve said that phrase to my kids at least 20 times this year, especially to the one who keeps praying for a puppy. On the surface, these first few verses kinda sound like God will give us whatever we want, if we ask. But reading on, we find Jesus comparing gifts from the Father to gifts from earthly parents to our children. My husband and I know, without doubt, that our kid doesn’t need a puppy. She’s bright, talented, and witty, but also the type to walk outside wearing only one shoe and not notice. I repeat. She does NOT need a puppy. We know what would be a good gift for her, just like God knows what's good for us. I have to remind myself of that a lot when my prayers don’t get answered. I’ve asked God for plenty of my own proverbial puppies in my time and always got something back that was so much more than I asked for.