He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:29 NIV

The disciples had tried to drive out the demon. They had watched Jesus many times before. It didn't seem like something they couldn't do. Jesus had said, "If you have faith...."

Everyone was watching, too! What would they think if they weren't able to get rid of this evil spirit?

Declares the Lord: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:3

* Esteem: to hold in high regard. * Humble: marked by meekness or modesty. * Contrite: grieving for sin or short-comings. * Spirit: the vital essence of man * Trembles: to shake with fear or respect

...thought some

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Quit tapping.

I can't, I'm bored.

What are you doing?

I'm waiting.

Waiting for what?

For Jesus to come back, didn't you read the verse? It says

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart tusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV

Can you sing? I'm not asking can you sing well, just can you sing? I know it is not something most of us do in public very often, but I encourage you to look around today. Has God blessed you?

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18 NIV

So there! Take that! Any more questions?

You know the story. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10:2 NIV

Have you ever been looking at a passage of scripture and, even though you have read through the Bible many times, you read this one verse and think: where has that one been? It seems like that passage was not in there

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

Put your nose in the air today! I know some will think you are being rude, but just for a minute get that smeller up there. Can you smell it? All around is the aroma of Christ; at least to God.

You and I, if we are God's

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 NIV

I have never boasted about anything. I am one of the most humble people you will ever meet. I can impress you with my spirituality. I am a most fascinating person. I have contributed greatly to

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him Colossians 2:6 NIV

You did receive Him didn't you? You know that the only way you will get to Heaven is by personally accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. He died as payment for your guilt of sin. Sin seperates us from God and there is no other way except for Jesus. So I am

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3 NIV

I really do, you know! I have been doing Mustard Seed Thoughts now for several months. We even changed the name a time or two. God's word, written thousands of years ago, continues to remain just as practical today. That amazes me! I find something very real from His word everytime I

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints... Ephesians 1:18 NIV

There, I said it! I tried to keep it a secret, although I really don't know why. You now know the hidden motive of my heart: I want you to be

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:1-2 NIV

Okay Lord, the rest is up to you. Do your thing! Make it happen! I'm counting on you. Don't let me down. I need you now!

I hope I don't sound irreverent, but isn't that what we want? Don't you agree

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." Luke 18:27 NIV

"Honey, let's get that box out of the attic."

"What box?"

"You know we packed up that list of things we never could accomplish."

"What do you want that for? Aren't you tired of failing?"

"Sure I am, but look at this verse I just found. Here, read it."

"Jesus

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them. John 13:12 NIV

Let me start by asking you....DO YOU? Do you understand what He has done for you?

If you say, "He never washed my feet", then you have missed the whole point (quite possibly as the

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2 NIV

It was the start of a new school year. I was 16 years old, had my first car (a little foreign job with sunroof.....didn't cost much, but sounded impressive). I worked hard at the neighborhood grocery and was able to keep

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19 NIV

...through the darkest days of my life.....where were you God.....I only saw one set of footprints in the sand.....where were you God....those were the times, my child, when I carried you.......

You are familiar, probably better

Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:5

Pretty simple. All you have to do is think like, act like, be like, just like Jesus. Everything else is a piece of cake once you master this mindset. You will change your life, your families and the world around you if you accomplish this task. All of life will be a breeze if your

He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." Matthew 13:11 NIV

Are you in, or not? I know that seems like a silly, maybe even irreverent question, but this verse (as they all are) is true. If you are a child of God, then you hold within your heart the ability to grow in the knowledge

"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3 NIV

Is there anything in your life that has come between you and your relationship with God? Don't look at me that way. This is a fair question. No, I'm not asking if you use a Ouija board to predict and plan your life. I'm not wondering if you worship your car or bow down to your TV. It is not

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven or above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." Exodus 20:4 NIV

The second commandment, much like the first, is easily dismissed as a "not meant for me" type of verse. I want to caution you right now not to close your mind to the application. Most of us, if we

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name." Exodus 20:7 NIV

What's in a name? Did you ever ask your parents why they called you what they did? My middle name is that of my great grandfather's. It is a rather unusual name, so when I was in school, I never wanted anyone to

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Exodus 20:8 NIV

The Sabbath day was a big deal to the Jewish people. It meant no work, absolutely none. It involved everyone. Rest was demanded; you had no choice. It was a statement of faith. If you loved God, you observed and honored the Sabbath.

What's changed? Has the word of God gone dull?

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12 NIV

Today's thoughts are especially difficult. You see, my mother gets these emails everyday. Now how am I going to hide from that? As with all the thoughts I do each day, these are for His glory, not mine, and when I point my