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A Snippet of Faith

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Furano-shi, Hokkaido
A Snippet of Faith

� Daily encouragement and inspiration from God’s Word
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08/09/2026

🇪🇸
“ My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
—Psalm 42:2, NIV

Desperate for Worship
By Today Devotional

The Christian writer C. S. Lewis was a careful thinker. One day he was asked which of the world’s religions gave people the greatest happiness. He thought for a moment and answered, “While it lasts, the religion of worshiping oneself” would do that. He was pointing out that when we focus on our own needs and wants, it is indeed possible to find happiness in the short term—“while it lasts,” but not for long.

In the long term we discover that worship of self can never satisfy. Our appetite for more pleasure, more comfort, more possessions, and so on will lead us on an endlessly futile quest. Most troubling is that when we focus inward and only on ourselves, that cuts us off from the important voices around us, particularly God’s voice.

Many of us live in cultural settings where the focus on self has become the norm. All around us, people search for happiness as they follow personal dreams and pursue personal desires apart from God’s invitation to find life in him alone—life that brings true flourishing. We live in a thirsty world.

In this challenging environment, we hear the Lord’s invitation in Psalm 42 to meet with him in worship. May our thirst lead us, like the psalmist, to the living God, who alone can meet our deepest needs.

🙏 “Heavenly Father, many people around the world will seek you in worship today. Quench the thirst of your people, we pray, and move us to sing your praises and listen to your Word. Amen.”

05/09/2026

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“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
—Philippians 2:3-4, NLT

Practicing Humility
By Today Devotional

When I was younger, I often felt the need to prove myself. Whether it was in school, sports, or social situations, I was always striving to be the best, to outshine others, and to seek recognition. One day a mentor gently pointed out that my constant need for validation was rooted in pride and insecurity. He shared with me the importance of humility, noting that true greatness lies in serving others and putting their needs ahead of my own.

This was a hard lesson to learn, but it changed my perspective. Practicing humility doesn’t come naturally; it requires intentional effort and a heart transformed by God’s grace. It means recognizing that every good thing we have comes from God and that we are not superior to others. It involves acknowledging our limitations and being willing to learn from others, even those whom we might think are less experienced.

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Though he is God, he chose to humble himself, taking the form of a servant and sacrificing his life for us. In following his example, we learn to value others, to listen more, and to serve without expecting anything in return.

I’ve learned that humility allows us to see others through God’s eyes and to respond with compassion and grace. Practicing humility means letting go of our ego and embracing the mindset of a servant, just as Jesus did.

🙏 “Lord, teach us to practice humility. Transform us to reflect your love and grace. Amen.”

04/09/2026

🇭🇰
“ It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
—Psalm 18:32, NIV

Armed with Strength
By Joel Osteen

When David went out to face the giant Goliath, he didn’t have a chance in the natural. But David knew that the Lord his God had made him very powerful. Our strength doesn’t come just from our ability or our willpower. That’s all good, but you will face times when that’s not enough. The sickness is too strong, the trouble too great. That’s when you’re going to see the Lord your God empowering you to go further, to defeat giants, to accomplish dreams that seem impossible.

There’s a force that you can’t see, a power that’s beyond your ability. The Lord who arms with strength has breathed His power on your life. Victory starts in your mind. You can’t think weak and be powerful. You can’t think limited and be strong. You can’t think fear and have courage. Is your thinking keeping you from being very powerful? Are wrong mindsets stopping the strength, the favor, the victory that belongs to you? Start thinking power thoughts. “I am strong. I am well able. I am confident. I am full of resurrection power.”

🙏 “Father, thank You that other people and circumstances cannot keep me from what You have purposed for me. Thank You that You arm me with strength and resurrection power. I believe that You will take me through or over or around whatever stands in my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

02/09/2026

🇺🇸
“There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
— Psalm 73:25, ESV

Got Thirst?
By Our Daily Bread

Health experts tell us we should drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. It may reduce the risk of heart attack, give our skin a healthy glow, and help us lose weight. We should drink even more water during exercise or if we live in a hot or dry climate. Even if we’re not thirsty, we ought to drink water anyway.

Our thirst for God is even more beneficial. When we’re spiritually dry, we long to hear from Him through His Word, and we search for even a drop of knowledge about Him. When we’re exercising our faith in a new way, we want to be close to Him and receive His strength. Our thirst for God may increase when we see the sinfulness of people around us or when we gain a new awareness of our own sin and need for Him.

Spiritual thirst is a metaphor used throughout Scripture. Asaph thirsted for answers in his questioning psalm. When he saw the wicked prospering, he cried out to God to understand why (Psalm 73:16). He found the Lord to be his strength and realized that he desired nothing but Him (vv.25-26).

If we’re spiritually thirsty, we can follow Asaph’s example and draw near to God (v.28). He will satisfy us, yet give us a deeper thirst for Himself. We’ll learn to desire Him above all else.

01/09/2026

🇮🇱
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today.”
— Exodus 14:13, NLT

Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:1-14

The Hard Work of Standing Still
By Today Devotional

In the eyes of Pharaoh, the Israelites were like sheep fit for slaughter. His former slaves wandered about “in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.” As Christians, we sometimes feel in a daze too. Financial pressures push from one side, health problems push from another, and relationship problems charge in from before and behind. Which way do we turn? A sense of panic grips us. In despair some reach for an overdose of sleeping pills to end the misery. There’s another alternative, though, as we can see in this amazing promise: “The Lord will fight for you.”

Have we overlooked the Lord, who stands at our side? Have we forgotten God is ready to do battle for us? And what is our task? “You need only to be still.” This is no small matter! What a challenge it is to keep our focus and trust that God will rescue us! Some of us may be in despair today. Sinful patterns of life may be pinning us down. Temptation easily crumbles our resolve. Problems stagger us. But God has gone on the offensive for our sake—ultimately on a hill called Calvary. God’s own Son engaged the armies of the devil and triumphed over them by giving his life for us. Today we share in his victory, for he is still on the move for his people. Stand strong in the knowledge that the battle belongs to the Lord.

🙏 “Lord, “greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world.” By your grace, give us the victory today over the pressures that threaten us in our journey of faith. In Jesus, Amen.”

31/08/2026

🇫🇷
The Master said,
‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
— Matthew 25:23, NLT

Well Done
By Joel Ostee

In Jesus’ parable of the bags of gold in Matthew 25, the master entrusted one servant with five bags, another with two bags, and the third with one bag. Each received according to his ability. The point of the parable was not how many gifts God has given us, but that we be faithful to use whatever gifts are ours. He’s saying that you can’t wait for the perfect time or when you’re in your comfort zone. You have to take steps of faith now, and if you don’t use your gifts, you’ll lose them. God is expecting You to stir up what He has put in you, develop those gifts, and use them to give Him a return on His investment. Keep using what you have and He will give you more. Don’t compare your gifts to someone else. You’re not in a competition with them. Be the best that you can be with what you have. Take the gifts you have, be faithful to develop them, and God will give you more ability, more skill, more favor, more influence.

🙏 “Father, thank You that You are sovereign in the gifts and the calling You have given me. Thank You that I can take steps of faith today to stir up my gifts and be faithful to use them. I will celebrate and develop all that You have given me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

29/08/2026

🇦🇺
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace...”
—1 Peter 4:10, NIV

Gifted to Serve
By Today Devotional

Discovering our gifts, talents, and skills is a journey of self-awareness and purpose. Each of us has gifts and abilities meant to be used to benefit others and to honor God.

Reflecting back, I wish I had understood the value of identifying and using my gifts when I was younger. Contributing positively to the world and fulfilling God’s plan for our lives is important.

Identifying our gifts involves looking carefully at ourselves, seeking feedback from others, and exploring areas of passion and interest. When we recognize our strengths, we can channel them into meaningful service for the Lord, bringing joy and fulfillment to others as well as ourselves.

Using our gifts to serve others is an act of stewardship—a responsibility to manage and use God’s blessings wisely. As we step into our roles as good stewards, we align ourselves with God’s purposes, glorifying him through our actions and impact.

Let’s not delay in using our gifts for service. Whether our gifts are in teaching, helping, creating, leading, or another area, each has a place in God’s kingdom work. By serving others with the strengths God has given us, we reflect his love and bring honor to his name.

🙏 “Heavenly Father, thank you for gifting us with many abilities. Help us identify and develop our gifts to serve others and glorify you. May our actions and talents bring honor and praise to your name. Amen.”

28/08/2026

🇮🇪
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
— Proverbs 1:7, NIV

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7

Wisdom, Life’s Essential Element
By Today Devotional

During my seminary training over forty years ago, my Old Testament professor wisely cautioned us not to preach from the book of Proverbs too early in our ministry. He said we needed to have considerable life experience in order to bring its spiritual insights to our congregations. His advice still seems right to me as we aim this month to learn about living as followers of Jesus from a book of the Bible that never mentions his name. In addition, we’ll need to turn to Jesus regularly as the one who lived the perfect life, the life of wisdom-in-the-flesh.

When I was a young pastor, eager to do the right thing, “the fear of the Lord” meant submitting my life to Christ’s lordship and applying his Word to every situation. But I didn’t always know how to do that wisely. For example, after a long discussion by the church elders one evening about dealing with someone in a certain way, one elder asked, “Pastor, it may be right . . . but is it wise?” I was frustrated by that, but this wise question still comes to mind regularly.

Living in a world with information at our fingertips, we must learn that the knowledge we need is really wisdom applied with the compassion of Christ. It includes an awareness of God’s laws and a concern for life calling for obedience and discipline even when doing so may be difficult. Jesus showed the way by submitting to his Father’s will. He is our example.

🙏 “Lord, help us to be wise in this world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”

25/08/2026

🇵🇭
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.”
— 1 Peter 3:12, NIV

The Only One
By Our Daily Bread

As a teacher with many years of experience in high school and college classrooms, I have observed many kinds of students. One in particular is what I call the “just me and the teacher” student. This pupil has a kind of one-on-one conversation with the teacher—almost as if no one else were in the class. The teacher’s rhetorical questions, for instance, result in verbal answers from this student—oblivious to anyone else’s reaction. While the class is filled with other pupils, this one seems to think it’s “just me and the teacher.”

As I watched one of these students recently and saw him command the teacher’s attention, I thought, He’s on to something. He has the focus we all need to have when we pray.

The thought that millions of other Christians are talking to God as we pray should never cause us to feel that we are less important. No, as we talk to our everywhere-present, all-knowing, all-powerful God, we can be confident that He is giving us His full attention. David said, “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him” (Psalm 34:6). God directs single-minded attention toward our praise, our requests, and our concerns.

When you pray, to Him you are the only one.

❗️Though millions are bending God’s ear in prayer, He listens to each individually.

住所

Furano-shi, Hokkaido