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Author:

Marcus A. Turner

Often when we think of a battle, we think of forces aligning themselves against the other to achieve an objective. Sometimes the opponent's intention is understood, and in other confrontations, we may not have any idea. However, once we determine that the opponent is causing us harm, we innately begin the process of defending ourselves. Now, as we grow and mature, we begin to identify enemies. Well, an enemy is anything or anybody who opposes or impedes our progress toward a goal. No matter if the enemy is visible, invisible, relatives, friends, or an acquaintance. Christ lets us know that those who opposed him were indeed the anti-christ. Jesus goes further (Matthew 6:22-24AMP): "The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God's precepts]. But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God's precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness! "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]." From this passage, we see that whatever is in your life that seeks to be preeminent is indeed the Anti-Christ. From there, one could perceive that the ultimate battle is over the hearts and minds of men.

We often speak of the majesty of God and how great and wonderful he is, but sometimes we forget that we are to be reflections of Him. King David once said, "What is a man that You are mindful of him, And the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭AMP‬‬)?" All of our church-going lives, we have heard terms like repent, or redemption; however, not thinking of the meaning of them. Of course, we know in form, but perhaps we fail to know in-depth. The word repent is filled with meaning that many scholars often debate all that the term entails. Generally, repentance is understood to mean to ask for forgiveness or to have a change of mind, and both are accurate definitions. However, we all know that to "re" anything means that we are to do it again. The suffix "pent" is also used in words like penthouse or pentacle. Therefore the word "repent" also denotes a return to a high place in an elevated position, a position once occupied. The word redemption also is full of meaning, and again the prefix "re" is used. To be redeemed is to purchase or to buy back to reassume ownership.

I know we feel overwhelmed and don't understand the significance of our lives. We ask, what is my purpose? Why didn't I get that promotion? Why did my father or mother leave? Why did I suffer the loss of my marriage or a loved one? Why must we go through this at this time? And I won't pretend to have all the answers. But, we have been prepared for a time such as this. The Apostle John noted (1 John 2:18-22 AMP): "Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming [the one who will oppose Christ and attempt to replace Him], even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour. They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out [teaching false doctrine], so that it would be clearly shown that none of them are of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error]... Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son." We are living in a time where deception abounds, and lives are being devalued. No matter how you put it, 50,000 lives in a little over six weeks is far too many. Some groups are being told that somehow their lives are of lesser consequence than others. And this is being communicated on so many different levels. I want to say to you that you are unique, and you are loved; furthermore, you are the apple of God's eye. Please know that your life is precious, and we are here to better ourselves, and in doing so, the world becomes better. God is not wasteful, and there are none breathing that shouldn't be. Remember, it is for the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. I am my brother's keeper. Not by freely giving him what they ask for, but by holding them accountable to a standard of living that perpetuates life. No matter what you are going through, there is a brighter day ahead. Please don't allow the thoughts and feelings of others to cause you to dim your light or to think lesser of you than you ought to. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers him out of them all. Be not deceived whatever a mans sows that will he reap. We must keep looking to the hills from whence cometh our help. Be vigilant, fight for your life, know who you are and whose you are. The Apostle Paul gave us instructions on how to prepare for battle (Ephesian 6:10-17 AMP):

"In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious). So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." COVID 19 is invisible. I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that it comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Therefore I know who sent it and whose side it is on. I am pro-life, and it is death. We must put our mask on, and ensure we are social distancing to ensure that we are not hurting our fellow man because he/ she is not our enemy. Neither do I need to do battle with him. However, we must understand the season and ensure that we have put on the whole armor of God.

You know that penthouses generally have a sloped roof, that is that one side is lower than the other. It's still at the top, but it's sloped. Sometimes we tend to go towards the lower ends of ourselves, we fall short, but this is not the season to do such things. Today, we must rise to our better selves and remember we have been redeemed and have been called back to our Father. We must return to our high place. As an ex-athlete, in competition, there would be a time within the game where the outcome would be in flux. The best athletes and teams always had an uncanny ability to perceive that period. The team would recognize that this is the time we must be at our best. Once you gain the upper hand, these same teams somehow knew, not to let up, to give it your all until every second had elapsed. In life and at this time in history, we must have the same ability to perceive that the outcome is in flux, and through an intense focus, belief, and effort, we can win. However, we cannot let up too soon, let's recognize our value and be the change we want to see. Stay safe and "Have A Limitless Day!" ‭

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