We know the Bible says “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and that He loved us first. But if we’re honest, many of us spend more time wondering, “Does God really love me?” than asking the deeper, more revealing question: “Do I truly love Him?”

That’s the heart of today’s message. God’s love for you is unshakable, unchanging, and eternal. The real question is whether your love for Him is genuine—and if it’s showing up in your life the way true love always does: through sacrifice.

Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years but can’t remember the last time you felt God’s love. You’ve read the verses. You’ve prayed the prayers. But it’s like you’re in a spiritual drought.

The truth? Feelings aren’t the measure of His love. But there’s often a missing link when we feel disconnected from God—and it’s not that He’s holding back. It’s that our love for Him hasn’t moved from words to action.

Jesus said plainly, “If you love Me, keep My commands” (John 14:15). Love isn’t just warm feelings or goosebumps in worship—it’s obedience. And obedience requires sacrifice.

That sacrifice may look like:

• Giving up your comfort

• Laying down your need for control

• Surrendering your demand to understand everything before trusting

• Releasing opinions that don’t align with His Word

It’s the same principle in marriage—love grows deeper when it’s willing to lay self aside for the other’s good. Our relationship with Jesus is no different.

In Matthew 13:45–46, Jesus tells of a merchant who sold all he had to buy one pearl of great value. That’s what loving God looks like—letting go of everything else so you can fully hold onto Him.

You don’t get the pearl without selling all. You don’t experience the fullness of God’s love without the surrender that real love demands.

Some of us have had that powerful, early experience with God—a “honeymoon” season where His presence felt constant and overwhelming. But just like in marriage, the relationship matures. The emotions may not always be intense, but the love grows deeper as it’s proven through daily, intentional sacrifice.

If you want a fresh revelation of God’s love, start here:

1. Ask Him to show you where He’s calling you to surrender.

2. Choose obedience in that area—even when it costs you.

3. Trust Him with the outcome.

When you give Him your heart in this way, you’ll discover what you can’t manufacture through feelings alone: the deep, abiding joy of walking in step with His love.

Blessings,

The Delight Your Marriage Team

PS - If you’re ready to take the next step toward real transformation in your marriage, I’d love to invite you to a free Clarity Call. It’s a safe, judgment-free space to share your story, discover what’s been holding you back, and see if our program is the right fit for you. Don’t wait—your next season of connection, joy, and hope could start today.

PPS - Here is a quote from a recent grad:
"I have daily devotions now, I practice gratitude daily now. I have more confidence and less anxiety around people or stressful situation. I feel closer to God now...what could be a bigger impact than that?"

After nearly four decades of marriage, Kim and Russ had done the hard work. They had raised five children, invested in professional counseling, read marriage books, and sought spiritual guidance.

And still, something was missing.

The breakthrough moments they experienced through the years never seemed to last. They still longed for a deeper connection and the kind of love they had always dreamed of.

Kim felt emotionally unsafe for far too long. Arguments were frequent, and intimacy had become something to endure rather than enjoy. She said, “We spent tens of thousands of dollars on counseling… but nothing stuck.”

They had learned communication tools, gone on retreats, and practiced new habits—but it felt like patchwork. They both feared they’d never experience the closeness they longed for.

When a close friend experienced radical transformation in her marriage through our program, Kim and Russ took notice. Russ joined the men’s program first—not out of crisis, but out of conviction. He realized he hadn’t been loving Kim as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5), and he wanted to grow.

As Russ surrendered his old ways, Kim noticed a clear shift. He was more present, more loving, and no longer reactive. Over time, her heart softened too.

Though initially hesitant, Kim eventually joined the women’s program, encouraged by the changes she saw and her own desire to grow.

"I wanted to catch up," she shared with us.

What set this experience apart wasn’t just the information—it was the biblical framework, practical tools, and deep community that made lasting transformation possible.

Together, they:

• Ended their cycle of arguing

• Rebuilt emotional safety and trust

• Restored intimacy in every sense—physical, emotional, and spiritual

• Learned how to love and respect one another as God intended

Russ shared with us, "I’ve been in church all my life, but I never really learned how to live out Scripture in my marriage. This taught me how.”

Today, Kim and Russ say their marriage is “a 9 or 10.” Not because it’s perfect—but because they’ve been changed from the inside out.

They speak with laughter and warmth. They tease each other. They still work through conflict—but without yelling, shutdowns, or spirals that last for days or weeks.

Now? They hold hands again. They share their hearts freely. They support each other’s needs—spiritually, emotionally, physically.

Russ opens the car door for Kim every time. And she waits for him to do it.

The impact of their transformation has rippled outward—into their relationships with their grown children, with friends, and even in their church.

What used to feel tense or guarded has become relaxed. Warm. Full of grace.

When asked to describe their marriage today, each responded with one word: 'Delight' (Russ) & 'Thankful' (Kim).

That’s not where they began. But by God's grace—and a willingness to grow—they now live in daily gratitude.

For the peace in their home. For the tenderness in their marriage. And for the God who redeems all things.

Blessings,

The Delight Your Marriage Team

PS - Are you were Russ & Kim were before? 35+ years into marriage and feeling defeated and discouraged? You are not alone and your marriage story isn't over. Schedule a free Clarity Call to take the next step.

PPS - We are launching a Church Training pilot program this Fall! All the incredible material of DYM, created for weekly church trainings. It's going to change lives and we are so excited to see it! If you'd like your church to participate, check out our Church Training page for more info.

PPPS - Here is a quote from (another) recent graduate:
"Often my wife would complain that I wasn't listening, didn't understand her well, and that she was walking on eggshells all the time (that feeling was mutual). Even though we were good friends and we had regular dates and romantic times together, she didn't see any depth to 'us'...I realized that more than our intimacy, God wanted to meet me and change my heart…Finally God had my attention and He started working in many different areas of my life, that had just been swept under the carpet for far too long…[I] learned to truly put myself on the cross, to draw close to my wife and seek to minister to her needs first."

Exciting news!

We're extending a $500 savings on our coaching programs until this Friday.

Due to the wonderful services and support our coaching clients receive and the fact that we have maintained our coaching programs for 4 years though our services, technology, and results have improved, we are having to increase our coaching prices.

But before we do, we'd like to give you a chance to get in at the lowest opportunity it'll ever!

This is your chance to transform your marriage with our proven system before prices increase.

Sign up for a clarity call at delightym.com/cc and be part of the next transformation story.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to invest in your relationship and witness the miracles happening every day. Act now and take the first step towards a thriving marriage!

Until THIS Friday 7/14/25 sign up at: delightym.com/cc
(Or if you know someone who needs this, send it to them!)

Bart is a Christian leader. He’s the head of a childcare agency working with traumatized children and teens. He’s been married for nearly 20 years and has four beautiful kids.

And by his own admission?

He was tired. Burned out. Irritable.
Or, in his words—“crusty.”

He wasn’t in crisis. His marriage wasn’t “on the rocks.”
But it wasn’t thriving either.

And Bart knew something had to change.

One Saturday morning, Bart’s wife tried to be playful with him—and he snapped.

He didn’t mean to. He was just worn out, juggling too many roles, feeling the pressure of leadership, family, and ministry. But his wife’s gentle confrontation was a turning point.

She didn’t yell. She didn’t threaten.
She just called it what it was.

And Bart—rather than shutting down—responded with humility and self-reflection.
Not because he had to…
But because he wanted to grow.

Bart described his marriage as “a 9 on a bad day.”
No major fights. No betrayals. No one was threatening to leave.

But deep down, he knew something wasn’t right.
The joy was fading.
The connection was inconsistent.
And his presence at home was… thin.

Too many leaders settle for “fine” because there isn’t obvious brokenness. But lack of crisis doesn’t mean abundance of health.

Bart didn’t just learn new tools—he let God change his posture.

He took a long, hard look at his own heart.
He asked his wife, with full honesty, "Have I made intimacy feel transactional to you?"

She said no. But Bart still made changes.
He apologized for things from 20 years ago.
He went to his kids, one by one, and asked for forgiveness for being emotionally absent.

And the impact?
Laughter returned.
Confidence rose.
Connection was rebuilt—at home, where it matters most.

Bart’s job requires emotional intelligence, patience, and deep listening.
He gives that to kids, to employees, to families in crisis.

But when he got home?

He was depleted.
He admits, “I was giving my best to strangers—not to the people who mattered most.”

The CIRQUE listening framework helped him shift.
Not just in knowledge—but in behavior.
He started seeing his wife again. Not as someone who was “doing fine,” but as someone he was called to serve and cherish.

One of the most striking moments in Bart’s story?
The first time he walked around the car to open the door for his wife in years.

She paused.
Surprised.

It had been that long.

But it wasn’t about the door.
It was about intentionality.
About pursuit.
About loving her like the daughter of the King she is.

Friend, maybe your marriage isn’t “bad.”
Maybe no one knows how empty or tired you feel.
Maybe your congregation thinks everything’s fine.

But you know.

You know you’re not showing up the way you want to.
You know she deserves more.
You know God is calling you deeper.

Don’t wait for a crisis to choose transformation.
Don’t wait for regret to become your motivation.

Start now.
Invest now.
Lead your home like Jesus—by going first.

With love,

The Delight Your Marriage Team

PS - Are you ready to take the leap? Schedule a free Clarity Call with one of our Clarity Advisors at delightym.com/cc

PPS - Our prices are going up after July 15th! Schedule a free Clarity Call before then to save $500+ on your Coaching program.

PPPS - Here is a quote from (another) recent graduate:
Being in ministry together and having raised 5 children under the pressure-cooker stress of the mission field, much of our life and conversation related only to family, ministry or solving "issues”…[Now,] there have been so many [celebrations] it's hard to list the biggest! I celebrate the peace in my heart that has allowed me to be non-reactive and non-explosive in some very difficult and high-tension situations…I celebrate the new playful way that we are connecting in the bedroom…I celebrate that my wife is now telling my children that "Dad is different!"