“21 Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.
23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do You have to do with us, Jesus — Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrews house with James and John. 30 Simons mother- in- law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon- possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.”
Mark 1:21-34
—

How funny is it that we come to a New Year, a time for initiating change while reflectively looking into the past and looking hopefully into the future? How many Christians spend their walk in Christ always looking backwards, always hung up on what used to be? This man who was possessed by a demon was given a fresh new start, just like all the sick and possessed people in Capernaum. I guarantee you they weren’t all spending the next days obsessing and hung up over what used to be, but instead they were looking forward to what was now possible since Jesus had touched them and changed their circumstances. But so many Christians sit restricted, tied up by their past, almost forgetting that Jesus has done the work, removed the evil influence and broken the fever brought on by sin.

We sit with the power, might and strength of God at our side and we act like circus elephants with a band around our ankle, falsely thinking we’re “trapped” but actually free. What a shame that so much could be done, but we listen to the lies of the enemy, self-doubt and ignore the rich inheritance given to us in Christ. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God with us, and we act like an invalid who has been abandoned by their caretakers.

It is long since past time for the church to rise up and be the church. How many generations have spoken these words, passionate, emboldened, and then we kowtow to fear and culture and quiet down again? When will we listen, take up our crosses and follow Him? When will we grasp a hold of our renewal, own it and live it out?

The time is now. The day is here. The hour and minute are upon us, and the world cannot afford for us to stay quiet.
Stand up.
Claim your inheritance.
Be bold.
Ignore the enemy’s incessant lies and live as Christ.

Christ has spoke into our lives with His authority. He has commissioned us to GoLove, and there is no question about whether or not we should, it’s just a matter of how & the Holy Spirit has already gifted all who have been baptized into His death, burial and resurrection to do the work that is required of us. BE bold. BE the Church.
Abide in His love and let the Gospel message flow from your lips and lives!