Connections... Seasons... Time... Purpose.

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Timing... In this life, we meet many people; some brief encounters, some forming lasting friendships or relationships. And as we grow, we come to learn the difference between associates, enemies, foes, friends and family.

We inwardly search frantically for what comforts us naturally, delicately handling what appeals to our senses. We're often offended feeling defenseless, we stop letting our guard down in hopes to protect us.

But time... When we're young, we don't know what we think that we know, and when we grow older we act like we know. Yet until we've experienced the pain we don't know, that true growth comes by way of first being broke...

Into pieces, our hearts shattered in an instant; we dig deep inside for the hope just to make it, yet sometimes can't locate the strength just to fake it. So we're inevitably left just to take it, one day at a time...

Which waits for no man, we wonder what would have been if things had worked out, with loves from our pasts, which we've gone years without, speaking, some seeing, in case sometimes decades. Yet we hold in our hearts a love which doesn't fade.

Will we see them again, what would we do if we did, would we still like each other, as we did when we were kids? Perhaps it'll never happen, so we keep moving on, we drive through the path of yet another of life's storms...

We come through unharmed, for we've weathered the rain, we've grown to withstand the heartache and pain. Where is the one whom we'll walk with, together, hand in hand? We were set apart to be re-connected to love once again...

A Problem With Love...

"To have a problem with love is to have a problem with God, for it is written, "... God is love." - Erron R. Johnson

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)

"All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?  And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers." - 1 John 4:15-21 (NLT)

Being and Becoming Husbands & Wives: Preparation

"And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. ***And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.*** And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be JOINED TO HIS WIFE and THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. And they were both naked, the  MAN and HIS WIFE and were not ashamed." - Genesis 2:18-25 (NKJV)

A couple of things have been speaking to me from this passage lately... We find Adam, not really alone but amongst every creature God created, not even working for himself, but serving God in the task in which he was assigned by Him. Though Adam worked uncompensated, He was provided for solely by the favor of God. Don't get it twisted though, for as we work, so shall we eat. And until we become diligent in serving God, reaping a harvest of abundance to where we can live solely on God's favor,  we work. Nevertheless, Adam's focus was on pleasing His Father, for His eyes had seen all God had created, but one creature... We find that it was God who said that it's not good that the man should be alone,  for he had no helper; he had none other suitable to compliment him in fulfilling his God-given assignment. However, EVERYTHING he needed, God had already placed within him... Stay with me now... For in order for Adam to have a comparable helper,  God saw it meet to give him a part of himself.

God put Adam in a deep sleep; He closed his eyes. He took what He'd made and given the breath of life, and He broke it. He opened it up and exposed it's inner workings... He removed a part of it's support system; a small part with a couple of curves, which protected the most vital things He'd placed in it to sustain it's life. All the while there laid Adam in this deep sleep, his eyes closed, where he could not see God diligently working to bless him for his obedience. He was blind to the fact of God carefully selecting what was already formed, yet transforming it behind the scenes,  recreating, crafting and molding it into the most beautiful of His creations he'd ever seen. THEN, as he was awakened, his mind not on what he couldn't see, but on continuing in his assignment, he was brought this gift that God took away to Himself and prepared, all to give it back to him, as the help that was meet to be fruitful, to multiply, to have dominion, to subdue and replenish, to care not for what they would later achieve themselves, but to take care of what they'd been given by Him. Adam immediately recognized Eve, for he saw himself in her exclaiming, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

Many of us, in our searches to become espoused, have our eyes either roaming & searching, pondering the potential of many that enter our lives, or fixated on one who may indeed have slightly changed, (which ALL things inevitably change over time, TAKE HEED TO THAT,) yet there's no concrete evidence of transformation, no re-creation, nothing set apart from the natural... Even the enemy knows our desires, and preys upon our vulnerability and weaknesses.  In this season of our eyes being closed in preparation, let us ALL KEEP our eyes AND hands on God, and our ears inclined to His voice, as He speaks through His servants and His Word... WAIT on the Lord.  #Patience #Preparation

Just A Thought...

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

What do you with the love in your heart, and the passion in your soul when it seems at times, as if it weighs heavily upon you? When the issues of this life have been set behind you, the yearning and desire you have withing is a result of love, and it's the love of God... At this point, we have no sorrow, only hope. We hear, "Let go, and let God." Yet letting God is the challenge; getting out of His way, and allowing His will to be done... Operate in faith. Walk by faith, and NOT by sight. God knows our every desire and every need. Those times we feel that we "need" to be held, His loving arms are already around us. We've been given peace, we've been given rest, we possess love... Trust in Him and don't worry, for all is well; our love shall be returned to us... Be still, and know that He is God.

We've all made mistakes, and fallen short multiple times in this life. However as believers, we're often finding ourselves seeking what we already have within Christ. Far beyond the joy and peace, I've come to find that if nothing else, through Christ, we know faith, and by "knowing" God... It shall remain undisputed that we know, and grow in love. Be blessed.  ‪#‎JustAThought‬

Angelic Union...

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” - Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT)

We wait... We ask in prayer, and stand in faith awaiting the day that we may embrace.

It would seem that as if time has been delayed...

For many years we've yearned to feel and taste, the essence of intimacy, intriguingly

seeking this thing that many learn to perceive and cleave to as love.

Only God in heaven knows whom He's chose... The ones He carefully, intelligently,

crafted, created and designed to unite as one, only the Father, not even the Son...

Just as in the beginning... To become what He bestowed upon the earth to have dominion,

to be fruitful, multiply, subdue and replenish... the earth.

Man... Woman... Do you know your worth?

Vehemently disobedient to the ordination set forth in the Garden of Eden,

it appears that demons are having their way, taking us off course.

From happily married husband and wife, to frivolous foolishness ending in divorce, 

then of course there's the children...

Instead of keeping God in charge of what we were building, we neglect adding ceilings,

no protection from the ravaging storms, and we have no remorse...

But simply let go... Turn away when the winds, rain and snow, envelop our families in the cold,

It's written that the righteous are bold...

As a lion... Yet we come to find the father of lies where he always abides, in deception and neglect,

but what ever happened to respect?

From friends, to lovers, to spouses, to strangers to the thought of, "DAMN! What's next!?!"

Love cannot fail... it will ALWAYS prevail, so we pray and we seek God's best...

He tells us, "Come here, be patient, be still, I'll heal you, and give you rest."

We reflect and remember His care & and compassion, His love always stands the test...

Of time... We don't all go through blindly aiming at nothing, a few of us find the path...

When it's all said and done, we look back and laugh, gaining peace from our horrid pasts.

Only when we let go, when we give God our ALL, when we put EVERYTHING in His hands,

will we come to lay hold of the blessings, unfolding, after having done all, to just stand.

In seeking Him first, we're led to the first love we had 'fore we knew what love was,

In Christ shall we all find our husbands and wives, and be met with agape love.

There's a union that's built on God, blessed of God, and in which God is the head. We must keep Him first in our relationships, for a threefold cord is not easily broken.

DATING... Based On Kingdom Principles

Here's A Lesson In Applying Wisdom In Dating: The following passage and scriptures have been derived from the YouVersion Bible App "Dating" 7-Day Reading plan, yet don't think for a second that you'll know everything about dating by reading the following. Keep in mind that each & every individual, and relationship differs, yet these are universal, Kingdom principles, or instructions on how to date. The commentary that follows is by myself, Erron SavedbyGrace Johnson... Be free, be blessed, and grow in wisdom, knowledge, understanding.

 This topic ranges from those who say it's wrong to date anyone unless you plan to marry him or her to those who date all the time just for fun. While the Bible doesn't use the word dating, it does offer some pretty direct principles for how to treat those of the opposite sex or a brother or sister in Christ. As always with the topic of relationships with the opposite sex, it's a good idea to know your motives before the situation arises. What is the point of dating? Why do you want to get involved with this person? How does this relationship honor God? It's not too late to learn how to date!

  - "Honor your father and mother,”  which is the first commandment with promise:  “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” - Ephesians 6:2-3

 - "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For  what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?"- II Cor. 6:14-15

 - "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?" - Job 31:1

 - "Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the  Lord , And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Ps. 37:3-4

  - "My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep,  they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress." - Pro. 6:20-24

 - "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - II Timothy 2:22

 - "Let no one despise your youth, but be an  example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12

Allow me to make this EXTREMELY VITAL point first... "WE DON'T DATE TO MATE, WE DATE FOR DATA." This is a very interesting topic for we in the Kingdom, especially for those of us who've had our share of unhealthy relationships, broken engagements, failed marriages, infidelity, promiscuity, and REALLY bad decisions made in our choices of dating, or "messing around." It's not ironic at all that the first scripture refers to honoring your father and mother, for that's a quality we should look for in a possible, husband/helpmeet. How one responds to the parents that reared/raised them, reflects on how they'll treat you in that relationship, or marriage. If they disrespect, don't love, honor or admonish their parents, regardless if one parent was in their lives or not, then THEY WILL TREAT YOU THE SAME. This doesn't come out right in the beginning, for you're still in that, "getting to know" stage, and there are a whole lot of liars around that are only interested in lying down with you, naked and unashamed after getting what they wanted, leaving you naked and feeling played, to get there they'll tell you what they think you want to hear... Be not deceived.

More importantly... If you are saved, it's vitally important that this person ALSO be saved, of like-minded faith, growing in your relationships with Christ... DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED. We find in 1 Cor. 7:10-16 the scriptures, "Now to the married I command, yet not I but the  Lord:  A wife is not to depart from  her  husband.  But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce  his  wife. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. ***For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise  your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.  But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such  cases.***  But God has called us  to peace.  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will  save  your  husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"... However, if you are NOT MARRIED, THAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. You cannot save anyone, let them go and let God draw them closer to Him.

It's written, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust after her, has already committed adultery in his heart." It's natural, normal, and perfectly fine to notice someone's pretty face, nice shape/physique, for that's how we ascertain our physical attraction to them. However... When the mind starts to wander, undressing them with your eyes, getting mental pictures of sexual positions, etc... LUST IN THE HEART HAS TAKEN PLACE. We are to KEEP God first, viewing one another as our brother/sister-in-Christ.

The next one is self-explanatory... KEEP GOD FIRST IN ALL THINGS.. DELIGHT IN HIS WILL, AND IN HIS WAY... THEN shall the desires of your heart be fulfilled.

What I'll do with the remaining scriptures, is give them to you from The Message Bible, for I love the way it explains them. Ladies & gentlemen, apply it to one another, for God is no respecter of persons. Simply put, I'm saying that there are men that are whores too... "Good friend, follow your father's good advice; don't wander off from your mother's teachings. Wrap yourself in them from head to foot; wear them like a scarf around your neck. Wherever you walk, they'll guide you; whenever you rest, they'll guard you; when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next. For sound advice is a beacon, good teaching is a light, moral discipline is a life path. They'll protect you from wanton women, from the seductive talk of some temptress. Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty, nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes. You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread, but a wanton woman may well eat you alive." - Prov. 6:24 (MSG)

"Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God." - II Tim. 2:22 (MSG)... Being on your own, independent, providing for oneself, does not make them mature. Especially if they're 30-40-50+ years old, still posing in pics in the club, talking about how they're about to get their head bad. Having children doesn't make you grown, neither mature, when you could be "in the spot," (the club/house party) "getting loose/jiggin'" (dancing,) WITH your children, at any given point in time... Lead by example. LEAVE that person to their own foolishness, on the path of self-destruction.

"And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity." - 1 Tim. 4:12 (MSG)... Simply put... LIVE FOR GOD, AND LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE HIM IN YOU... DARKNESS CANNOT DWELL WELL THERE IS LIGHT, FOR IT MUST FLEE... IF YOU CANNOT SEE GOD IN THAT PERSON... PLEASE DEPART.

WE DON'T DATE TO MATE, WE DATE FOR DATA... ONE PERSON AT A TIME, NOT MULTIPLE SUITORS.

Just as it's written, "YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS, for YOU WILL LOVE ONE, and HATE THE OTHER. You CANNOT SERVE GOD & MAN/MONEY..." The SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES IN DATING. For how can you "get to know" one person, if the attributes of others keep them in comparison, vying/competing for your "approval."

THESE KINGDOM PRINCIPLES ARE IN ORDER TO LEARN, RECOGNIZE AND KNOW THE PERSON THAT GOD HAS SENT or PLACED IN OUR LIVES... RESPECTING HIM, YOU, AND THEMSELVES BY GOING WITHOUT SEX UNTIL MARRIAGE, THE WAY THAT GOD WANTS IT ACCORDING TO HIS WORD, FOR HIS WILL & PURPOSE TO BE FULFILLED IN OUR LIVES WITH ANOTHER, NOT FOR WHAT WE WANT OR WILL. WHOSO FINDS A WIFE FINDS A GOOD THING, AND OBTAINS FAVOR FROM THE LORD... MARRIAGE SHOULD BE THE GOAL, REASON, AND DESIRE YOUR HEART, NOT JUST SOMEONE TO "KICK IT" WITH, or "MESS AROUND" WITH WITHOUT A COMMITMENT, DON'T BE STRUNG ALONG FOR THE RIDE FULL OF LIES... REMEMBER THAT THE SPIRIT IS INDEED WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK, AND IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE, YOU WILL GET BURNED, SO DON'T PLACE YOURSELVES IN SITUATIONS WHERE TEMPTATION CAN BRING FORTH SIN. RESISTING ISN'T ALWAYS EASY, NEITHER ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY ACHEIVED... TAKE HEED...

I'M AWARE THAT SOMETIMES THE TRUTH CUTS DEEP, AND IT HURTS, FOR I'D BEEN GOING ABOUT IT THE WRONG WAY MYSELF, UNTIL I REALIZED THAT I WAS REPENTING AFTER SEX EACH TIME, EXPRESSING MY HEARTFELT EMOTIONS PHYSICALLY, OUT OF NOT WANTING TO BE ALONE. YET GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US, SO WE'RE NEVER ALONE... DON'T EVER GET MARRIED, JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE SEX AND FULFILL YOUR LUST. BUT BE MARRIED OUT OF OBEDIENCE TO ONE THAT ADDS TO YOUR FAITH, BUILDS YOU UP, AND BECAUSE YOU'RE IN LOVE... THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH PUTTING A "PAUSE" IN THE SEX IN YOUR CURRENT RELATIONSHIP TO OBEY THE FATHER, AND IF YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER CAN'T RESPECT THAT, THEN THAT'S ABOUT THE BIGGEST RED FLAG THAT YOU CAN GET... SEEK HIM FIRST.

I LOVE YOU ALL... AND I WILL THAT YOU BE FREE FROM ALL YOKES & BONDAGE... BE BLESSED