[What a Girl Wants]
This Material was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a student ministry audience. If you have questions or would like a copy of the original PowerPoint deck, drop me an email at robert.fox@alltel.com
[What a Girl Wants]
Slide graphic: picture of girl sitting by guy, smiling
Slide text:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
We talked last week about what guys want. Do you remember what it was? Respect. According to the Bible, men were created to serve, and to find fulfillment in the things they do. In Genesis, Adam was created and placed in the garden “to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). When Adam and Eve sinned, God described how Adam’s life would be in the fallen world:
17To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ’You must not eat of it,’ Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:17-19)
In the fallen world, men will be frustrated and unfulfilled in their work – they will not succeed in doing what they were designed to do – they will not find fullfilment. We talked about how women must understand that men are designed to be driven to accomplish things, and women need to be aware that “respect for their accomplishments” is the fuel that men run on. This is not some modern psychoanalytical theory – this is taken straight from the Bible – the Holy, Living Word of God.
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. (1 Peter 3:1-2 NASB)
Last week, we hammered the ladies pretty hard about the Biblical principle of giving unconditional respect to husbands. The guys got to sit back and grin.
This week, we’re going to turn the tables. We are going to talk about “What a girl wants.” The Bible clearly tells us men and women were designed differently, which leads to different needs. What were women designed to need? Why? In a perfect Biblical relationship between a man and a woman, how should the man act toward the woman?
Dave Barry, the newspaper columnist, writes about what women want: “To be loved, to be listened to, to be desired, to be respected, to be needed, to be trusted, and sometimes, just to be held.” Then he writes about what men want: “Tickets for the World Series.”
[Women are the Crown of Creation]
Slide graphic: Jesus sitting with the woman at the well.
Think about the Genesis Chapter one description of Creation. First the light and darkness, the water, dry land, plants, animals, and finally, the crown of creation, he created man. A lot of people think that Adam was created on the sixth day, then God took Saturday off, and Eve was created some time later as an afterthought. Not True. On the sixth day God created man in his own image (they had the same character as God) – male and female created he them. And God told “them”, not him, to subdue the earth and rule over it - together.
Chapter two of Genesis goes back to that sixth day and gives more detail. It lets us know that after creating the void, then the seas, then the land, then building up to plants and animals, God capped it off by creating Adam. Right? God created Adam and put him in the garden to work it and care for it. God made Adam in the image of himself. Men were designed to reveal the Character of God – a strength that serves.
After each new creation, God said “it is good”, right? And now Adam is here, the man everything has been building up to. Job done.
No, the Bible tells us that God looked at Adam and said, for the first time in the creation account, “this is not good.” Something was missing. There was still one step more on this journey of creation. God made Eve. Still on the sixth day, here. He made her also in his own image, to reveal God’s character in a different way. He created Adam and Eve different – male and female created he them, each unique, but each revealing the character of God in a special way. Together, the two would become whole.
So, what was Eve designed for? Adam was designed to serve and protect. What was Eve designed for? The English translation says she was designed to be Adam’s helper. That sounds pretty lame, doesn’t it. Actually, that is a VERY lame translation of the Hebrew.
The Hebrew word for Eve’s role was “ezer kenegdo”. What does this mean? The word ezer is used 27 times in the Old Testament (i.e. Psalms 20:1-2, 33:20, 121:1-2, Deuteronomy 33:26). 26 of those times refer to God. The word literally means “life-saver,” or “one who is desperately needed.” The only one of the 27 times that did not use this term to describe God was the verse in Genesis (2:20) when the Bible describes the purpose of the creation of woman. In her case, the word Kenegdo was added, which means “to come along side,” or “to partner with.”
What is REALLY interesting is that many of those times when ezer is used to describe God, it is used in conjunction with another word.
Oh, house of Israel, trust in the Lord – He is their help and shield. Oh, house of Aaron, trust in the Lord – He is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord – He is their help and shield. (Psalms 115:9-11)
God’s character is both the lifesaving help we desperately need, and the strength which guards and protects us. The same characteristics God placed partly in Adam and partly in Eve when he created them in his own image, so that together, they would become whole. They would reveal to each other the character of the God who made them
Then, once Eve was created, God looked again and said it was not just good, it was very good. Think about this a minute. If each step of creation was a little higher, a little closer to God’s heart, what does the Bible tell us when it makes such a point of saying that Adam alone wasn’t good, that there was one more step to take? Eve, not Adam, is called the “crown of creation.”
Is the character of Eve closer to God than Adam? Actually, I believe so. Let me tell you why.
Think about the purpose of all of this. Why did God create Mankind? Jesus’ disciples asked him this, and he told them that the purpose of man was to have a personal relationship with God. That is the deepest heart of God.
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
Man’s love is of man’s life a thing apart. Tis a woman’s whole existence. (Lord Byron)
If what Jesus said here is true, and if Eve was the final step of creation, created to reveal the character of God’s deep desire for relationships, then who is truly the crown of creation. Women.
Jesus’ regard for women was much different from that of His contemporaries. He treated them with high regard. He healed many women and cast demons out of others displaying His care for them. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. He met a widow lady who was burying her only son, and He raised that son for her. He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and in front of the religious leaders He defended and helped a woman who was hopelessly bent over for 18 years. He spoke to her, put His hands on her and caused her to stand erect. In another occasion He met a poor woman who had been ceremonially unclean for 12 long years by a bleeding disorder. This woman came up and touched Jesus in a large crowd, making Him unclean as well. He didn’t rebuke her, but bragged about her great faith, addressing her as daughter, then publicly strengthened her faith which had healed her. He then went on to the house of Jairus, who, with his wife had just lost a 12 year old daughter to death. In addition to being ceremonially unclean from the woman, He went in and touched the young dead girl and restored her to life.
Not only did He minister to their physical needs, He addressed their spiritual needs: something unheard of in a day when only boys were allowed to be schooled. Remember His meeting with the woman at the well. He gave her as much or more attention in John 4 as He did to Nicodemus, a highly respected man and ruler among the Pharisees.
The point is that, throughout history, the bible has been used (wrongly) as an excuse to treat women as second-class citizens. This is clearly not true.
So, if men are not supposed to treat women as the dust beneath their feet, how does the Bible say they should be treated, and why?
[1. Protect Her with Your Strength]
Slide graphic: Soldier taking point leading a squad through the jungle
Slide text:
For the husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23a)
Before we talk about how women are designed to work, let’s take a moment to clear up a few misconceptions. Throughout history, women have often been second-class citizens, sometimes nothing more than property. A common morning prayer for a Jewish man has been “Thank you, God, for not making me a Gentile, a woman, or a slave.” This is NOT the role God intended for women. Sadly, the church has done little to correct this wrong, and in fact has often encouraged it through misinterpretations of a few key scriptures.
One of those scriptures is Ephesians 5:23, where Paul said that the husband was to be the “head” of the wife. This has often been interpreted by the English-speaking world to mean that the man is supposed to be in charge. The man makes all the decisions. He is the head, the brain of the relationship. How many of you have heard this verse spoken of in this way in our churches?
Let’s set this one straight – that’s not what this verse means. Not even close. Guys, if you go into a relationship with a woman with the understanding that your word is the final say on all decisions, the relationship is not going to last long. And it’s not going to be the relationship God intends between a man and a woman.
When Paul said in Ephesians that the man should be the “head,” he didn’t mean “Boss”. There are two Greek words that could be translated as “head”. One is “Arche”. It means to be the first in power and precedence. This word is found today in words like archangel, archbishop, and archenemy.
The second Greek word that can be translated as “head” is “Kephale”. This is the word Paul used in Ephesians. It means “one who prepares the way”.
Greek historians often used both words in the same text when describing a battle. “Arche” refers to the General of the Army who is responsible for giving orders from the rear of the battlefront. “Kephale” refers to the point man who is responsible for leading the patrol through the jungles. He doesn’t command the troops – he goes first, the place of danger. He is prepared to “take a bullet” for the rest of the team. His role is to protect the team while getting them to their destination.
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30)
What does this mean for you guys today (we’re pounding the guys today, remember?) Notice that the Bible says the husband is to be the point man for his wife, not the point man for his work. Your wife is to be the most precious thing in your life, your highest priority. You are to use your strength to protect her. A woman need have no fear of the strength of a good man.
Adam was right there when Eve was being tempted. The Bible says she offered the fruit to Adam, who was beside her. The word used doesn’t mean “nearby” – it means right there at her shoulder. And he didn’t say a word. Adam failed to protect her. He failed to step up and take point.
How does this role of protector translate into action? What does this mean? Men are to act like to women?
I have two daughters. I’ve kidded them for years about “the talk” I was saving for the first serious boyfriend they bring home. All kidding aside, though, I have thought a lot about what I would want to say to this boy. It goes something like this: “So, you want to take my daughter out. Up until now, I’ve been the man in her life. Among other things, being the man in her life means that it is my responsibility to protect them from physical harm. If she and I were walking down the sidewalk and someone grabbed her and tried to kidnap her, I would protect her at any cost, laying down my life if necessary. Before I let you take her out, I need to know if you accept that responsibility. Yes? Good, but it doesn’t end there. I am also responsible for protecting her morally. If I see her in a situation where she could be morally compromised – someone gives her a beer, offers her drugs, tells her dirty jokes, asks her to a movie that has sexual content, it is my responsibility to protect her from that, at any cost. Do you assume that responsibility also? Fine, but there’s one more thing. I am not only responsible for protecting her physically and morally, I’m also responsible for protecting her spiritually. For good or bad, I can’t “save” her spiritually, but I can protect her. I can make sure she is in a church where the word of God is alive and spoken. I take responsibility for making sure that she knows where the spiritual land-mines are. Before I relinquish my responsibility as the man in her life, even for an evening, I have to know that you will take up the role. You will go before my precious daughter and be her protector - physically, morally, and spiritually”
That’s what it means for a man to be the “kaphale” of a woman. That’s what Christ did for the Church. Just a two verses after this one on the screen, Paul tells men
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)
Being the head isn’t about being in charge, it’s about being responsible to protect. Being the head isn’t about telling a woman the right thing to do, it’s about taking the lead in doing the right thing. Being the head isn’t about the love of power, it’s about the power of love.
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, "What will you give me if I release you?" "The half of my wealth," was his reply. "And if I release your children?" "Everything I possess." "And if I release your wife?" "Your Majesty, I will give myself." Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, "Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!" With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, "I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you-the one who was willing to give himself for me."
[2. Let her Watch Over and Inspire You]
Slide video: Clip from the beginning of “Pirates of the Caribbean” where the young Will Turner is found adrift at sea, ending with Elizabeth telling him that she is watching over him.
In the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, the young Elizabeth tells the young Will when he is found shipwrecked that she is “watching over him.” We find out later that he dedicated his life to becoming her protector. She inspired him to greatness.
Women watch over us guys. As Tammy Wynette put it, “after all, he’s just a man.” I’m not talking about a woman who nags and complains – that’s not biblical, as we learned last week. I’m talking about a woman who protects the ones she loves. We’ll talk about how fierce and protective women can be in a minute. First, I want to talk about how the simple knowledge that a woman who loves him is watching over him can inspire a man. Inspire him not only to physical feats, but inspire him to be a better person.
One question I expected someone to ask last Wednesday night was “how did you know they were the one?” I fell in love with Tammy’s beauty and character, but I knew that she was the one woman God had planned for me when I suddenly realized that just knowing she existed made me want to be a better person. Like the Jack Nicholson character at the end of the movie “As Good As It Gets.”
This inspirational quality in women is part of the character they were given by God. Just knowing God exists should make you want to be a better person. The closer you become to God, the better you strive to become. You’ll find this same inspiration in the right woman.
Let me encourage you strongly to wait for this. If you find a woman that you believe you are falling in love with, put yourself to the test. Of course, there are many factors, most important that she should be a Christian. But somewhere along the line you should ask yourself this - If being with her is changing you into a person you know you should not be, if you find yourself doing things you are vaguely ashamed of, then this is not the right woman at the right time for you. Wait for the woman that makes you want to be a white knight for her.
[3. Treat her as an indispensable equal partner in the great shared adventure]
Slide text: Wives, submit to your husbands (Ephesians 5:22a)
Slide video: scene from “Gladiator” in the roman coliseum where Maximus calls for the men to gather into formation. He keeps yelling “come together!”, and “as one!”
Here’s another verse that has been used improperly for many years. What does this verse mean? Does it mean that men get to tell women what to do, and a good Christian wives does anything her husband wants? Sorry – nope. This is right in the middle of the passage we talked about last week, where wives are told to respect their husbands and husbands are told to love their wives. Do wives not have to love their husbands, then, and do husbands not have to respect their wives? No, as we showed last week, men are designed to naturally respect each other and to respect their wives, but they must be told to be loving. Women are design to love naturally, but must be reminded to show respect.
This verse is reminding women to submit, because women need reminding in this area – all part of showing respect. In fact the verse immediately before this tells both men and women to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). It goes both ways.
And what does “submit” really mean anyway? The Greek word is “huppotasso,” another military term used to emphasize the idea of working together towards a common goal – standing in the ranks. The way the word is used in this verse (passive middle voice) makes it clear that Paul is pleading for wives to give their allegiance to their husbands, to work as a team – not for the husband to control the wife.
At this time in history, the Roman army was conquering the world. Not with smart bombs, armored tanks, and satellite imagery, but with the courage and strength of men working together in military formations. One of their most famous formations was the “tortoise,” where the men gather into a tight formation, shoulder to shoulder, and lock shields to make themselves an impregnable formation. This formation could wheel and move as a single unit. The individual gave up his individual rights to protect and strengthen the legion. The word huppotasso – (submit) means to stand and support in the ranks.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
The curse is rescinded by grace, and she is placed on the same level as her husband that she might be joint-heir with him in the responsibilities and grace of life (1 Peter 3:7)
In this scene from Gladiator, Maximus is encouraging the men to come together, to work as one unit. This was the only way they could survive. The movie was in English, but if it had been in Greek (even though Romans would have spoken Latin, not Greek), Maximus would have been shouting “Huppotasso! Huppotasso!” The bible says that a husband and wife are to work “as one”.
[4. Don’t Think She is Weak]
Slide graphic: street graffiti of Mona Lisa holding a rocket launcher
Slide Text:
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)
Your beauty should … be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit… (1 Peter 3:3-4)
Here’s one last verse I wanted to make sure we look at. Remember that today we are talking about how guys need to treat girls. Many men use this verse to say that women are weak. Weak not only in strength, but morally and intellectually as well. Men are made of stronger stuff.
Plainly, this is not true, and this verse means nothing of the sort. This verse would be better translated “finer” or “more precious.” The same word is often used when referring to plates. There were the plain, rough, heavy-duty earthenware plates you used everyday, then there was the fine porcelain china that you protect and save for special occasions.
God created both men and women together on the sixth day of creation. He told “them” to subdue to the earth, and rule it together. He told “them” to be fruitful and conquer. This verse underscores that joint partnership, and reminds men that women are made of finer things than he. They should be protected.
There is no arguing that women seem to be, on average, less physically strong than men. The Bible doesn’t claim differently. Women are precious and should be protected. But the Bible also clearly says that women are also fierce warriors, and history agrees with them. Did you know that during the civil war there is documented evidence of over 400 women disguising themselves as men in order to join the battle?
Men say “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”. And “the female of the species is more dangerous than the male.” I enthusiastically agree. If you have the choice between making me mad at you and making Tammy mad at you, you should choose me. Tammy is fierce, especially in defense of those she cares about. If you need someone to watch your back, Tammy is your choice, not me.
The Bible has many strong women in it. In Judges, chapter 4, a woman named Deborah was a senior advisor to the government on matters of economics, finance, and warfare in the days after Israel moved into the promised land. Barak, Israel’s general, refused to go into battle if she did not lead the men. She did, but she prophesied that because he had abdicated his responsibility, then the victory would go to a woman, and Sisera, the general of the enemy, would be killed by a woman. Deborah totally routed the opposing army of over 900 chariots with courage, strength, and an ingenious battle plan. The Israelites killed every single man in the army except General Sisera, who escaped the battlefield on foot and fled into the dessert, finally taking refuge in the tent of Jael, “the most blessed of the tent-dwelling women.” She gave him water and let him fall asleep in her tent while she watched at the door. But when he fell asleep, she took a tent-stake and hammered it through his temple, nailing his head to the ground.
Does the Bible say women are fearful? Does it say they have no part in the battle for the world? No, a godly woman is fierce and dangerous, created by God that way to rule shoulder-to-shoulder with men as we, together, subdue, conquer, and rule the world.
Does the Bible say women should be meek? No! The verse in 1 Peter talks about a gentle spirit – secure and at ease. It has nothing to do with the personality. Some women are mild mannered, but many are wild-eyed, dancing, can’t sit still, buoyant women, created that way by God. God did not design all women to be reserved, but he did design all women to be at peace I their heart, even while they are vivacious on the outside.
[5. Pursue Her Passionately]
Slide text:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the dessert and speak tenderly to her (Hosea 2:14)
Slide video: clip from “Last of the Mohicans” under the waterfall, when Nathaniel says “I will come for you! No matter how far! No matter how long it takes!”, then dives through the falls.
It is said that a man’s worst fear is being thought a failure, and that a woman’s worst fear is to be abandoned and alone. Women define themselves in terms of their relationships. Men often think that this is a weakness, that it is lame to place so much of your self-worth upon the strength of your relationships with other people. But, remember, this desire for relationships reflects the heart of God. God’s greatest desire for us isn’t for us to be obedient or righteous. His greatest desire is a relationship between us and Him. Women are designed to reflect the heart of God’s central desire. This is not a weakness.
Men, you need to be a part of this. You need to work on the relationship. Women want you to communicate with them – not just about the weather, but about everything. Deep, intimate things. You need to get your act together and be a part of this. This isn’t an irksome task – remember, this is a picture of the kind of a relationship God himself wants with you. Do you think that spending time with God getting to know Him is a bother to Him? Is it an interruption of His busy day? Or is it the single most important thing that you can do?
Remember the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was preparing the dinner, and Mary was spending time getting to know Jesus. Martha accused Jesus of being uncaring, and told him to make Mary help. Jesus’ reply was that Mary had chosen better (Luke 10:42). Relationship is better than service. My point? Women were designed just like God in this respect. Guys, women want you to pursue a relationship more than they want your service.
Women can’t read your minds. Talk to them. You can’t read their minds. Talk to them. When you meet after you’ve been away from each other, find out what has been going on. Not what just they accomplished, but how they have felt, what they’ve been through.
I will give them a heart to know me, … They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)
[6. Show Her That You See Her Beauty]
Slide graphic: pictures of me and my bride
Slide Text:
I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes. (Song of Solomon 4:9)
Women don’t have to try to be beautiful – all women are created unique and beautiful by God. Women do get to choose whether or not they can safely reveal their unique beauty to the world. That only happens when they are in a trusting relationship, it only happens when they believe they have beauty to offer. Men should not try to conform women to any pre-conceived idea of what beauty is supposed to be. Men should provide the security and protection women need to reveal the unique, God-given beauty they already have. This is what the strength of a good man is for in a relationship, to free a woman’s spirit – to say, “you don’t have to be tough, you don’t have to be hard. I will protect you. I won’t hurt you. You are beautiful and special and I adore you. You will never have to go through anything alone. You can trust me to take care of you. You can be yourself.”
Our house backs up to a tree-covered mountain. In the spring, when the sun begins to set, there is a point when it disappears behind the trees and the ground is dark, while the sky is still light. There is a clearing at the very top of the mountain, up and to the right as you look out the back of our house. There is a magical minute or two when the sun is behind the trees from where we are, but is still sending long shafts of light down the slope, through the trees. The forest is tall and old, and there’s not a lot of undergrowth, so these beams of light are like searchlights, slowly moving through the forest as the sun sets. In the spring, these last sunbeams of the day pick out and seem to linger over the occasional dogwood, whose tiny new leaves are just appearing. This is a beautiful sight – the dark mystery of the forest, the golden beams of light, and the fresh green life of the new leaves. After a crazy day at work, I can come home to that vision, that moment, and all the stress fades away. It satisfies me, it calms me, and it gives peace to my soul. It puts everything into perspective. But most of all, that color, the golden light and spring green leaves against a background of veiled mystery – that’s exactly the color of Tammy’s eyes. I love to look into her deep, deep eyes.
Go ahead, after we break, ask her if you can look in (not at) her eyes, and you will see what I see. But make sure you have someone to hold your hand – you might fall in. I did twenty years ago, and I’m still lost.
You’ve heard me tell the story of the time I was in Siberia for three months. This was just after the communist wall went down, and Russia at that time was a cold, dark, dirty place. I remember riding the subway, passing thousands of Russian faces, not one of them smiling, not one of them laughing. The streets were covered in a dirty grey slush. It was bitter cold inside and out. We didn’t see the sun all of February. No warmth. No Passion. No Hope. You know what I missed most? My Ezer Kenegda – the life-giver I desperately need by my side. I missed Tammy’s eyes.
Guys, have you ever noticed that women can break down your defenses, make you an emotional basket-case? The same thing is true of God. You’ll find, if you haven’t already, that as you draw closer to God, your heart becomes very soft – an emotional puppy. That’s uncomfortable for us guys, but it is good. We can learn about the character of God as we learn about the women He has created.
Guys, it won’t be a surprise when I tell you that God made women very beautiful. We are drawn to their beauty like a moth to a flame. Beauty is attractive. This, too is a character of God, one given to women. Men ask themselves, “Do I have what it takes?” Women ask themselves, “Am I worthy of being loved?” Your job, men, is to show her, not just tell her, that she is.
And a word here to our young women. Be careful to make sure that it is your own inner beauty that you give to men, you do not get your beauty from men. You are beautiful and uniquely loved by God. Whether or not a knight rides up on a white horse for you, God is there for you, and you are beautiful.
Do you ever wonder why Satan attacked Eve and not Adam? Remember that before the fall, Satan was the most beautiful of God’s creations (Ezekiel 28:12-14). He thought himself to be worthy of worship, apart from God. Then God created Eve, beauty incarnate, designed to be desirable, designed for relationships. Satan has a particular hatred of women. “There will be enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers” (Genesis 3:15). Satan is the destroyer of all that is beautiful. Satan brings death – Women bring life. Women are especially hated by Satan, and especially loved by God.
[7. Give Her Your Heart]
Slide text: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life ( Proverbs 4:23)
Slide video: scene from the end of the A&E presentation of Sense and Sensibility where Edward finally proposes, ending with “I am, and always will be, yours”
Men, there is a place in your heart only a woman can fill. Women learn how to be feminine from other women, but they learn the value of being feminine from men.
What does a woman want?
[Prayer]
There is a place in our heart only God can fill. God made us unique, each crafted for a special relationship with Him. There must be a place in God’s heart that only we can fill. You’ve been pursuing us since our first breath to win our hearts.
Being a follower of Christ is not about being disciplined and obedient, and boring. It’s about heart-a-fire, eyes-blazing passionate pursuit of a personal, intimate relationship with you.
May we find love on earth, father, the kind of love you intended. But whether or not we find love on earth, I pray that we will not be satisfied with that, that we recognize that this is merely a taste of our true purpose, a relationship with you. May we, shoulder-to-shoulder with our beloved mate, or in a journey alone, pursue you passionately to the end of our days.
