By Charles Christmas

This is the last article in a mini-series on faith ventures. Previous articles have dealt with different kinds, ingredients, challenges and the excitement of faith ventures. But I know some of my readers have felt like they did not relate to these faith projects or journeys or callings. You may be saying, “I am just trying to make it one day at a time,” or one morning or one afternoon or one night at a time, or through the next hour; or maybe right this minute!

Absolutely! I relate—maybe not exactly like your situation; maybe, sometimes, more severe than yours, and sometimes less. But the simple truth is that God knows and instructs us that life is meant to be lived one day at a time. Faith for one day is enough.

Our Lord Jesus said, “Do not bring tomorrow back into today, because each day has enough trouble of its own:” Matthew 6:34. He often emphasized that following him and his provision for us must be in one-day segments. He taught us to pray, “Give us day by day our daily bread:” Luke 11:3.

I will share some verses from God’s word which can help us with our one day, every day, faith journey: Praise to God our deliverer who daily bears our burdens: Psalms 8:19. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day: 2 Corinthians 4:16. O, Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our deliverer in time of distress: Jeremiah 21:12 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness: Lamentations 3:22-23. No testing tine or temptation has seized you except what others also have faced. But God is faithful; he will not let you be tested or tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted or tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it: 1 Corinthians 10:13. A question and two statements found in 2 Corinthians 2:16-3:6 could be helpful for our “one day at a time” venture: Who is sufficient for these things? Our sufficiency comes from God. He has made us sufficient.

Our Lord has called us to a “one day at a time” commitment. He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me:” Luke 9:23. Even the great Apostle Paul understood this and reflected it in 1 Corinthians 15:31, saying, “I die daily.”

Before my sudden voice limitation 30 years ago, Louise and I occasionally met a need at funerals by singing duets. One of our favorite songs was a poem by Annie Johnson Flint titled “God Has Not Promised.” The emphasis of the three verses was that God had never promised a trouble-free life journey. Then the chorus that followed was this: “But God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, undying love.”

This was a feeble effort by the author to summarize some of the precious promises and possessions for the true Christ-believer. “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is shown in your infirmity.” “Nothing can separate you from the love of God.” “I have learned whatever circumstance I am in to be content; because I can endure all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Therefore, I will confidently say, the Lord is my helper and I will not fear.”

We will do well to envision each day God gives us as a “faith venture” day. Plan for the day in faith and expect to celebrate an exciting victory when it is over.

—Charles Christmas is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. His column appears each Thursday.