The Greatest Automatic Renewal Plan Ever


I love free samples. Hitting Costco at the right time is like a gourmet buffet for me. Then there was the single greatest day of my life when I received a free sample of Nutella in the mail. It was hard not to check my neighbor’s mailboxes for more. (Don’t do that. I’m pretty sure taking Nutella from someone else’s mailbox is a federal offense).

I hate free trials though. I can’t remember to return things or cancel subscriptions so I end up paying for things I don’t even want. I have actual conversations where I turn down channels, services, or other trials because I know I’ll forget.

Customer Rep: “And we can give you every channel in the world for free for the first 3 months.”
Me: “What happens after 3 months?”
CR: “We start billing you automatically. But I’ll give you a toll free number to call to cancel if you don’t wish to continue.”
Me: “No, thank you. I’ll lose that number before this phone call ends, and you’ll bill me for months because I’ll keep forgetting to contact you to cancel.”
CR: “That’s what we’re hoping.”
(If only they were that honest)

There is one thing that automatically renews that I love.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

This has to be the most awesome automatic renewal plan of all time.

Ever have a day where you just really didn’t measure up? Perhaps you really blew it, but it may also be you were just a jerk. Maybe you were irritable all day, snapped at the kids too much, or didn’t show kindness when you should have. Whatever it was I have good news for you. It’s called mercy. And it automatically renews every morning whether you slept last night or not. Every day it’s there again.

This should do a couple things for you.
  1. Sleep when you go to bed. Tomorrow’s a new day, a fresh start, a chance to start over. Sure there will be consequences on earth for our choices, but even in dealing with those consequences we get to do so knowing that our sins are covered and God’s mercy is new.
  2. Approach each day as a new opportunity. Because it is. Today’s another opportunity to love our spouses and children, to be a light in the darkness, to resist temptation, and to live as more than a conqueror.

I normally don’t like anything that automatically renews, but I love this one. To sign up for it you just need a relationship with Christ. Ask God to forgive you of your sins, and invite Jesus to live within you and be the Lord of your life. When you sign up for a relationship with Jesus this is part of the plan. New mercy every morning, and it never expires. There are a lot of other awesome benefits as well, and if you’re unfamiliar with them you can learn all about them at a good local church. Let me know if you need help finding one.

I’m so grateful God’s mercies renewed this morning. I love that they’ll renew again tomorrow morning. Now if I could just remember to cancel the sock of the month club.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more