A Devotional Thought For A New Year – Renewed In Jesus

01 Jan A Devotional Thought For A New Year – Renewed In Jesus

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

Here is a novel thought for a new year: to make all things new isn’t the same thing as simply making new things. You see, making things new is a work done in the heart while making new things is a work done by the hand. So, whenever Jesus sits on the throne of a heart he does something nobody else can do: He makes all things new. I say that this is such an amazing thing because He does this without changing or altering something from the outside. It is first and foremost a work of the heart – of love.

Think about this. The majority of this world is painted and colored from the inside. This means that it’s deepest; most vibrant, colors are conveyed from the heart to the eye. So, when the heart’s affection begins to fade, all of creation begins to pale. But, when Jesus sits on the throne of your heart, it is He who colors all of creation. He brings the ruby, red roses to the field and the brilliant blue to the morning sky. He doesn’t dabble or meddle in making new things. Rather, He excels at making things new.

I believe that many times we fail to understand just how much a thing’s value is determined by a thought. For example, what is the difference between a cut that comes from the surgeon’s scalpel, and one that comes from an assailant’s blade? It’s a thought. It is the difference between one whose purpose is to help, and another’s intention to hurt. I believe this the part of the tremendous change that Jesus makes in this world. It is as the apostle Paul once wrote, a renewing of the mind that totally transforms the way we see things.

There was a time when I viewed the “bad things” that came into my life as the hostile acts of a vengeful God. Too often, I pictured Him tossing thunderbolts from Heaven whenever I dared to step out of line. But, when Jesus took His rightful place on the throne of my heart I began to see things from a new point of view. Now I understand that the fires that I often face are there to cleanse me, not consume me. Surprise is now the evidence of my growing patience. Clouds come only to test, and in reality strengthen, my faith. Poverty just helps to prove my love. Pain is there to help heal sickness, and one day even death will be sent to carry me safely home to Heaven. This is just a simple glimpse of the stunning glory that comes to your life when Jesus reigns on the throne of your life and makes all things new.

What are some “things” you pray that Jesus “makes new” in 2015?