Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary to Prophet TB Joshua and his lovely Wife, Evelyn Joshua

 

Marriage is a very beautiful gift. A happy and successful marriage is an amazing blessing from God.  Yet often, the greatest gifts in life are not always cherished the way they should be, even by men of God in the high status. The fact that we serve God doesn't equate to success in marriage or success in anything, but a successful marriage can advance our ministry tremendously. We see our sister that I often call Mama Sarah the few times I came close to her. She is amazing, beautiful, unassuming, prayerful and a mother indeed.

We sometimes come to marriage bringing along from our past what doesn’t help the institution.  Again, what works for two individuals, coping with their everyday stresses of life, may not work so well for another family. Hence comparing our marriage to the next-door neighbour isn't the correct measuring yard. We celebrate Prophet TB Joshua and Mama Sarah on their own unique merits, achievement, exemplary life and their task of caring for the Church.

An expert in the law went to test Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40).

We believe that virtually every marital problem can be traced back to one or both partners failing to abide by these two laws, irrespective of whether they are church leaders or not. The minute we begin to focus on our wants and needs over those of God or our partner; we may be looking for trouble. But if we commit our relationship to God and make a conscious decision each day to put God and our partner first, our marriage will be able to weather any storm.

Our celebrants today make us proud and hopeful despite the carnal world and their evil agenda attacking the marriage institution and the church relentlessly. God promises in (Isaiah 55:11) that His word will not return empty without accomplishing great things He sends it out to achieve. Our prayers for Prophet TB Joshua and Evelyn is in the word of Jesus in (Luke 24:49), the promise to clothe them with power from above and enable them to do God's work efficiently with accomplishment, and a reward of a happy home. Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary.  Emmanuel! GOD WITH US!

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi,University of Ilorin, Nigeria