PUT GOD FIRST. HE LOVES HIS PEOPLE AND WILL ADD TO THEM WHAT THEY NEED

PUT GOD FIRST, HE LOVES YOU AND WILL ADD TO YOU "ALL" THE THINGS YOU NEED!

 “…LOVE…THE PERFECT BOND OF UNITY….” (Colossians 3:14).

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Through the intimate attachment to God, his children can trust in and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them to live free.

“…God ...the … HOLY SPIRIT .. is the SOURCE of ...[indwelling power]…it is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of ...[HIS children]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to unite with his children) THROUGH (the indwelling Holy Spirit within) each of us (His Children) … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in [his children] … he doeth the works...[of uniting them with the bond of HIS love]…” (John 14:10 KJV).

The intimate attachment to anything ELSE, other than God, will keep God’s children limited to trusting in and depending upon the objects or finite humans, which CANNOT and will not empower them to live free from anything. “…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (spiritual death) …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son....” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

Whatever you become intimately attached to can end up CONTROLLING you!

Experiencing the intimate attachment with God is a CHOICE. You CHOOSE, each and every day, whom you want to SERVE or FOLLOW; the dictatorship of old, intimate attachments, or the indwelling Holy Spirit.

An infant reacts or responds to their caregiver’s loving care. God’s children choose to response to HIS loving care, through faith and obedience.  “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit (IF you have the indwelling Holy Spirit) guide your lives ...the [ indwelling Holy] Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature (body) desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “... Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him...” (Ephesians 4:8 NLT). “... continue ... in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

Things, outside of God, can make you feel calm and contented like a caregiver does, or a romantic partner, but it never lasts.

As an infant, you need the caregiver to survive. Over time, people come to believe they need things, other than God, to survive, particularly emotionally.

Their intimate attachment to these things, other than God, can become all consuming and deeply prevailing to the point they gain mastery over person. A person's thoughts and actions become DRIVEN by these things, other than God and they become enslaved to them. “...Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey…?” (Romans 6:16 NIV).

Without healthy human attachments, at any age, the hardwired, God-given attachment abilities will still demand and seek an attachment.

The sad thing about a person's attachment to things, other than God, is that it becomes an entrenching lifestyle. Becoming intimately bonded with things, other than God, for years and years takes control of one's mind, emotions, body, and behavior.

The interference of Satan in the attachment process is solely for the purpose of killing, stealing and destroying all opportunities for truly loving healthy attachments with God, other people, and with one’s “own” self. Individuals need to attach to something even if it ONLY offers the illusion of an intimate loving attachment.

Further, illicit sex, food, drugs, even exercise can release oxytocin, which makes a person “feel good” and can creates an illusion of an intimate loving attachment. People says: "I love sex." "I love food." "I love drugs."  Whenever humans attach to something or someone, without love, it is a “false” attachment. Real intimacy will be elusive at best.

Especially, since sex, food, drugs, etc. is ONLY physical and with the release of oxytocin one can believe it’s emotional too, since it made them, momentarily, "FEEL good."

There are many people who are only physically, not emotionally, close to another person and experience deep loneliness.

Closeness is a nearness to another person, being “One Spirit” is an undivided wholeness, experienced with God through Christ (1 Corinthians 5:17).

People accept many different levels of intimacy, some close and some distance, but if that is all they’ve ever known they have nothing better to compare it with. Dysfunctional attachment is better than no attachment at all, even if it’s lonely sometimes.

God offers an intimacy many of us have never known and aren’t even aware it exists. If God is not your standard for examining what a loving, caring attachments should be, then you may need to reevaluate who or what you in an intimate relationship with.

Intimate attachments or relationships can make you a better person or they can destroy you.

Whatever manner you’ve learned to attach – whether to a particular thing or type of person – it is what you have come to believe is love, care, and/or intimacy.

In addition, what you have come to believe is love, care, and/or intimacy has, most likely, become essential to your survival.

God is more intimate with you than you are with yourself.  God uses this intimate attachment to love you in the deepest, most caring manner, along with a continual, not-stop intention on supplying your need.

Some children of God are still running, chasing, and looking for that “One” intimate attachment that can satisfy them and have not found it yet.

God is what you are looking for, so when you do find an intimate attachment you will truly know how to bond with him or her.

No matter how old you are or how long it’s been since you’ve had a real human, intimate attachment, or if you never had one at all; God wants, desires, and has made it possible to become intimate with him through “his” indwelling Holy Spirit.

God wants you to experience and try out your restored, God-given attachment abilities upon him. Like an infant, draws a response from their caregivers, God, the Holy Spirit, and Caregiver encourages, his children, to ask him anything. “...If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

“…This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will (his love, his choices, his desires, his heartfelt words,etc.), he heareth us (his children)…” (1 John 5:14 KJV).

 “…He (God, the Holy Spirit) has granted to [his children]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him (in Jesus, the Word of God) they are yes …also … Amen (so be it) …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God, the Caregiver, of his children is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it (for them)…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB).

“…So shall [God, the Holy Spirit’s,]… word be that goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [God, the Holy Spirit,]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God, the Holy Spirit,]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God, the Holy Spirit]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

“…The Father (God, the Holy Spirit,) that dwelleth in [YOU, through Jesus] he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “...[To his CHILDREN, God, the Holy Spirit, says to] ...ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

God is always in close proximity to you, you will feel eternally safe and protected since he is always your refuge. God, your caregiver, will “…Never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).  “…You surround … [your children] … WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).

 “…Behold, I (God, the Holy Spirit) am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I (God, the Holy Spirit) will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

“… [God, the Holy Spirit] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).

You are forever cared for through his everlasting love, and God is “always” with you. “...He (God, the Holy Spirit, your caregiver) careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…[God, the Holy Spirit, your caregiver, has] ...loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “… [Nothing]…will be able to separate us (his children) from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…I (god, the holy spirit) am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).

Humanity’s greatest need is God’s love, which restores them to wholeness through Jesus Christ. “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (RESTORES YOU AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

It is usually easier to elicit physical love than emotional love from others. It is also easy to mistake the experience of physical attachment for an emotional attachment too; since oxytocin is released in the brain, in both experiences, producing the “FEEL good” effect of calm, peace, or well-being.

Without the emotional attachment of love, the “FEEL good” moment is reduced to a physical attachment only. The emotional attachment (love), often, during the physical experience, most likely, is missing altogether.

Only Godly love, sent to the heart through Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, provides the appropriate attachment that is essential for an intimate relationship where a lasting WHOLENESS and well-being is experienced. “....God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole …” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

 In order to experience, this WHOLENESS and well-being, a CHILD of GOD trusts in and depends upon the truth that they are “new creations” in Christ Jesus. “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… I will put a “new” spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole [again]…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

Old intimate attachments, made through the sinful nature, have passed away and are no longer in control. “.. .[god’s children] ... are not controlled by ...[their]... sinful nature. (unless they choose to be) ... [they]... are controlled by the Spirit if [they choose to be AND] have the Spirit of God living in [them] …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “... Knowing this, that our old man(woman) is crucified with him, that the body of sin (and its old intimate attachments) might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin...” (Romans 6:6 KJV). “... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith (trust and dependency upon)... of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

God has restored your original God-given attachment abilities like NEW. “... old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Therefore, like a new born baby, we are brand new, born again. "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV). “...all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

The child of God has intimately attached to God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus and he will forever be their caregiver“… [God, the Holy Spirit, sent the] …one … who can [REUNITE] God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus (WHO comes to DWELL WITHIN)…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “...we were reconciled (intimately attached) to God by the death of his Son (if you choose to believe in him)...” (Romans 5:10 KJV).

“...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV).  “…I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…” (ACTS 8:37 KJV). “...confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

“…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT).  “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, is your Caregiver forever. He will lovingly care for you and meet your every need, generously. “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…The LORD “WILL” accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).

“…I (God, the Holy Spirit) will supply all [the] NEED [of his children]…” (John 12:32 KJV). ). “...He careth for [his children].” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God (the Holy Spirit) is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).  “…God (the Holy Spirit) will generously PROVIDE all [his children’s] need …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

Jesus’ death upon the cross was proof that he wants to heal every emotional pain you have ever experienced in your entire life. “…Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—“ (Isaiah 52:14 NIV). “…he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed…” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV).

“…Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

Jesus’ directs you back to God, who cares about your heart more than anything else. “… [Jesus is the way that will] direct your hearts TO the love of God…” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB & Romans 12:3). “…May the Lord (Jesus) lead your hearts INTO a full understanding (awareness, knowing) and EXPRESSION of the love of God …” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT). “...the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “…Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).  

The heart has been damaged more than anything else, not just with sin, but with pain, heartache, curses of low self-esteem, lack of intimate love, disappointments, mistakes, rejections, abuses, betrayals, misunderstandings, lack of attachment relationships, and many other experiences.

Thankfully, God will “…restoreth [your] soul…” (Psalms 23:3 KJV). God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV).

God, therefore, restores your God-given attachment abilities so you can enjoy and receive his everlasting love. “...For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).

Here are some truths about your Caregiver, God, the Holy Spirit. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…I will do whatever you ask in my name (Jesus, the Word)…” (John 14:13 NIV). "… [Depend upon me and] …what [you] say will happen [and]…will be done for [you]….” (MARK 11:23 NIV). “…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

There is nothing you do or nothing you have done that will stop God from loving you, in this way, each and every day. “…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?...Who will separate us from the love of ^[Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...[NO] …But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. …[Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” His powerful love works with you and helps you through your weaknesses and mistakes. “...My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). 

. ^“…God …works in you TO WILL (to “want” to be intimate with Him) and TO ACT (to “actually” experience that intimacy) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…God … equip[s] ...you with everything good for doing his will …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me (his redeemed children, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

In fact, his “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).

No matter where your struggle with the intimate attachments from the old nature has increased in your life. No matter where those struggles have caused you to fall, or stumble, in the last few seconds,  minutes, over the past few hours, days, weeks, months, or years, GET UP!  God’s loving grace is sufficient to cover you and empower you to overcome the struggle STILL, because HIS “…mercy triumphs over judgement...” (Romans 5:20, James 2:13 NASB). “…where sin increased (continues to be a struggle over time), grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20 NASB).

God doesn’t just want you to know “about” his love as a collection of facts, but he wants you to “know” his love as an authentic, intimate attachment experience. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

“…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).  “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT).

“…When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). “…[God’s] strength is made perfect (is in full force) in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

“… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD... YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

God’s love is the perfect “bond” of unity, which is the truest and holiest (without sin) experience of intimacy. “…[God’s] love …is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “...But he (she) that is joined (attached) unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

“….[Nothing]…shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God (the intimate bond of UNITY) which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV).  “….the…faithful love of the Lord, never ends...” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). 

When the “good news” of the gospel is heard, people come to God, because his incredible love draws them. “...No one can come to Me unless the Father (who “is love and) who sent Me draws him...” (John 6:44). “....for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

Like a magnet, our original attachment abilities are powerfully restored as NEW CREATIONS. God’s children are, again, intimately attached to God, the Holy Spirit, through Christ.  “…There ... [is] … …one … who can reconcile (intimately attach) God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “… [The person who]… is joined (attached) unto ...[Christ Jesus]... is ONE spirit… [with God, the Holy Spirit, again]...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). They are INTIMATELY ATTACHED to God, the Holy Spirit.

God so loved every single person, upon earth, that he sent his magnetic love through his only Son, Jesus. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life...” (John 3:16 KJV).

“... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ (provided PROOF of God LOVE and CARE when he) ... suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God (to love) …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV). “....for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

When Jesus (the Word) is lifted up from the earth he causes all men(women) everywhere, that hear and believe, to be powerfully and magnetically drawn (directed) to God’s love. “… [Jesus, the living Word, is the way that will] direct your hearts TO the love of God…” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB & Romans 12:3). “…May the Lord (Jesus) lead your hearts INTO a full understanding (awareness, knowing) and EXPRESSION of the love of God …” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT).

Jesus, the Son of God, had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).  “...if I (Jesus, the Word) am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself...” (John 12:32 KJV). “…  It is (the word is) the power of God at work (miraculously), saving  (drawing, directing, etc.) everyone who believes (who trusts in and depends upon the Word)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

“...No one can come to Me (Jesus, the Word) unless the Father (who “is love and) who sent Me (Jesus, the Word) draws him...” (John 6:44). “....for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

 “…There ... [is] … …one … who can reconcile (intimately attach) God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus (the Word)…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “… [The person who]… is joined (attached) unto ...[Christ Jesus]... is ONE spirit… [with God, the Holy Spirit, again]...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

“…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). 

Salvation is a critical and miraculous moment, for the new convert, for it is the moment where their soul is intimately attached to God, the Holy Spirit, again, through Jesus Christ. “ …[Salvation comes] by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…” (Titus 3:4-6 NIV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

Jesus is the door, the path, and the way that opens up the opportunity to experience intimacy with God, the Holy Spirit, again.  “…I am THE DOOR…” (John 10:9 KJV). “…I am the way …” (John 14:6 KJV). “…God …opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles…” (Acts 14:27 KJV). “…behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it…: (Revelation 3:8 KJV). “…I have opened a door for you that no one can close…” (Revelation 3:8 NLT).

“...Dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.  By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place...” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

Here is an example of what happens: “...One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord OPENED her heart to respond to Paul's message...” (Act 16:14 NIV).

“…The sower (Paul) SOWETH THE WORD (the message) …The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR (Lydia’s) HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

 “... The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ...” (Galatians 3:16 NIV). “… [Jesus Christ’s name]... is called The Word of God (the SEED)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “...The seed is the word of God...” (Luke 8:11 KJV).

Lydia was listening and worshipping when God “opened” her heart to respond to the “good news” of the gospel through Paul’s preached message. “...The Lord OPENED her (lydia’s) heart to respond to Paul's message...” (Act 16:14 NIV).

“…The sower (Paul) SOWETH THE WORD (the message) …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

“……The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD (the message)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… [Jesus Christ’s name]... is called The Word of God (the SEED)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “...The seed is the word of God...” (Luke 8:11 KJV).

“… THE WORD (Jesus) …was sown in THEIR (Lydia’s) HEARTS (like a seed)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

Jesus says:  “…I am THE DOOR…” (John 10:9 KJV). “…I am the way …” (John 14:6 KJV). “...Jesus opened a new and life-giving way (for Lydia)... into the Most Holy Place...” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

Paul’s message lifted up Jesus, the atoning sacrifice, for Lydia’s sin. “...if I (Jesus, the Word) am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself...” (John 12:32 KJV). “…  It is (the word is) the power of God at work (miraculously), saving  (drawing, directing, etc.) everyone who believes (who trusts in and depends upon the Word)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

Paul’s message let Lydia KNOW God loved her and “HIS” love was the reason he SENT Jesus. “…THIS is LOVE… [God]… sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 4:10 NIV). Powerful truth!

If you noticed, Lydia’s heart had to be opened, unlocked, released, or unfastened, by God, the father & Holy Spirit, BEFORE, she could RESPOND to the message Paul preached. “...No one can come to Me (Jesus, the Word) unless the Father (who “is love and) who sent Me (Jesus, the Word) draws him(her)...” (John 6:44).

Earlier, I wrote that a baby is born with God-given attachment abilities that enable them to draw a response from their caregivers and react to their caregiver’s stimuli. 

The infant needs to “draw a response” from their caregivers in order to get their needs met, be cared for, and to experience loving intimacy with them.

And they also need to “react to stimuli” from their caregivers in order to communicate their needs have been met, they are cared for, and that they are experiencing the loving intimacy between them and their caregiver(s).

Lydia was able to “react to stimuli” since she was a worshipper, but her ability to attach and experience true intimacy with God, the Holy Spirit, had to be healed. Thus God, miraculously, opened her heart through Jesus, the way to an intimate, covenant relationship to HIM.  “...The Lord OPENED her (lydia’s) heart to respond to Paul's message...” (Act 16:14 NIV). Jesus says: 

“…I am THE DOOR…” (John 10:9 KJV). “…I am the way …” (John 14:6 KJV). “...Jesus opened a new and life-giving way (for Lydia)... into the Most Holy Place...” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

Apart from Jesus, Lydia would have never been able to experience an intimate relationship with God, the Holy Spirit.  “….Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing (You can’t experience an intimate relationship with God)...” (John 15:5 NIV).  “…BY GRACE (undeserved favor) have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH(trusting in and depending upon God); and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS (jesus is) THE GIFT OF GOD; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “… [God, the Holy Spirit sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

God, the Holy Spirit, didn’t send his Son for the sun, moon, stars, earth, universe, or galaxies....he sent him FOR YOU, ME, and Lydia! “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...” (John 3:16 KJV). “…[God, the Holy Spirit]... delivered him  (his son) up for us all….” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to [himself (back to love)] …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

“…He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was (LOVING) his plan from before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

 “… [His Son]… gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

AND“...to show us his GRACE  (LOVE and undeserved FAVOR) through Christ Jesus...who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV & 2 Timothy 1:9).

Pauls’ message helped Lydia SEE God’s love for her. “...This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…” (1 John 4:10).

God saved Lydia through Jesus and opened up an opportunity for her to experience a true and authentic intimacy with HIM. “...Jesus opened a new and life-giving way (for Lydia)... into the Most Holy Place...” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

God wanted Lydia BACK.  “…the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to [himself] …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

Paul’s message DIRECTED Lydia BACK to God’s love so he could restore her soul, through Jesus and open the door to an intimate covenant relationship with HIM. “… [May God’s righteous people] direct your hearts TO the love of God…” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB & Romans 12:3). “…May the Lord (the Word) lead ...[their]... hearts INTO a full understanding (awareness, knowing) and EXPRESSION of the love of God …” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT).

WHY did God want Lydia back? “…. [So she would, personally and intimately,] know that [HE is]... the Lord (who personally and intimately, loves her)...” (READ Exodus 7:14-25). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...He careth for you (and Lydia)...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).  “… [He has] done [the miracle of sending his son] … so you (and Lydia) will know that [He is] the Lord [your god, who loves you(her)]…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT).

God wanted Lydia to be WHOLE. “…Jesus Christ maketh thee (Lydia) whole [again]…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).  “…God ...makes everything holy and whole, make you (and Lydia) holy and whole, put you together [again]—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

God SAVED Lydia and opened the door, for her, to experience intimacy with HIM. Lydia was restored to HEALTH and HEALED of her wounds. “...For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).

God returned Lydia’s SOUL and our souls back to WHOLENESS. “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB).

Restore it (soul) to what wholeness? Bring it back to what wholeness? Return it to what wholeness? The restoring of the soul is the REUNITING of the soul and the SPIRIT. “…God ...makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together [again]—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

Restoration makes you into a NEW CREATION similar to the original created glory of mankind back in the Garden of Eden, God said, “….LET US MAKE man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..GOD CREATED MAN in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).

This is what the bible says about God: “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “….THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE…” (DEUTERONOMY 6:4 KJV). “…THERE IS NO GOD, BUT ONE…” (1 CORINTHIANS 8:4 KJV).

Therefore, God said, “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

The scriptures say, “…I pray …your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 KJV).

“…the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow (body)…” (HEBREWS 4:12 KJV). “…the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “…..GOD CREATED MAN in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).

Restoration is simply a part of the salvation process where you are restored to God’s Holy Spirit. You become spiritually ALIVE again. “…the body without the spirit (apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit) is dead!!!…” (James 2:26 KJV). God “….made [you]… ALIVE …” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

Lydia was a NEW CREATION, immediately, but it would take time, for her mind, to transform, so God also prepared the process of sanctification. “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and faith (trust and dependency) in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind ….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

God helps with the process of sanctification by empowering the righteous through the indwelling Holy Spirit, by faith, and the washing power of his Word. “...Every branch (every Lydia)... that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye (the righteous) are clean (sanctified) through the word which I have spoken unto you....” (John 15:1-10 KJV). “...the will of God (his heart’s desire.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “…God (the Holy Spirit) ... Himself SANCTIFY you entirely…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...You [Lydia, the righteous, etc.]... were washed (cleansed from sin), you were sanctified (made holy), you were justified (made right with God again) [through Jesus, the Word and the indwelling Holy] Spirit of our God...” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV).

Every way in which past intimate attachments have hurt you, restricted you, wounded you, or caused you to struggle, God will heal every one of them to the last drip drop and will restore you to emotional health.

In fact, IT IS ALREADY DONE! God has already healed you through Jesus and wants you, his children, to give HIM every hurtful experience. God has already absorbed it, for you, through his son, Jesus. Jesus took upon himself EVERYTHING, you’re facing, as if it happened to him, so YOU can walk in FREEDOM. Jesus said, “….Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT TO ME.” (Matthew 25:40 KJV).

When you do that by faith (trust in and depend upon the truth), then the painful intimate experiences, from the past, becomes his and no longer yours. “...For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places...” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).

“...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).

He will right every wrong done to you. That’s why the bible says, “...Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay)," saith the Lord...” (Romans 12:19 ASV).

“…all things work together for good to them that love God…”(ROMANS 8:28 KJV.

God is protective of ALL his children, even you, letting no one “…do them wrong...” and says “….touch not mine anointed (his holy children who are set apart for his service) and do…[them] no harm.” (Psalm 105:14-15 KJV).

Another example of God taking your hurtful experiences and absorbing them for you is Paul on the road to Damascus. If you have ever read the biblical story you know Paul was killing and persecuting God’s disciples and Jesus took it personally, as if Paul was doing it to him.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man...” (Acts 9:1-7 KJV).

God is your ETERNAL Caregiver. Jesus opened the WAY to have an intimate attachment to God, the Holy Spirit. Because of that intimate attachment, God’s children are ALL New Creations in Christ Jesus. They are FREE to live a VICTORIOUS life, overwhelmingly, in all things!