The Wagley GroupJanuary, 2026 – Faithful Living® ~
January 2026
Faithful Living®
Joe Wagley
On 01.09.26 our youngest Jennifer was married on Long Island, NY to William DeVito.
What a way to begin the New Year! The celebration that many witnessed was a great testimony once again this side of Heaven, of the extravagant love of our Lord and how that love is poured out upon us through the beautiful mystery of holy matrimony. The union of Jenn and Will and the joining together of untold numbers of couples over time…where men and women pledge and promise to hold inviolate their sacred vows…formally seals and binds them from two into one. Marriage was instituted by God for us on earth and this human estate is but a profound foretaste of the ultimate marriage that will be revealed in the age to come.
Husbands and wives are analogous to Christ and His church as noted by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5: 25-32. Eugene H. Peterson from 1993-2002 in his own words, brings the Bible to life in a contemporary vernacular entitled, The Message [MSG]. Below is his version of
Paul’s verses above from the book of Ephesians:
“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.”
“No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.”
A good friend and I were chatting at the welcome reception for arriving guests the evening before the wedding. He shared two wise statements with me. First, “Now you have another man to watch over Jenn.” And second, “You are not losing a daughter, you’re gaining a son.”
In mentioning these words in my remarks at the reception, I almost lost it. I shared with Will before we enjoyed dinner, that his mother-in-law and I prayed before Jenn was born that God would be gracious, and at the proper time, He would reveal and present to her a suitable help mate to travel life’s path together.
I also quoted Proverbs 18:22 NLT with him which states, “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord.” It’s amazing that the Lord brought them together. His timing is always perfect.
It was God that orchestrated the first introduction of this couple and it was our Lord that lit the spark by weaving through their dating and engagement periods, the desire to commit in forging a lasting relationship that extends now, throughout their natural lives together.
He knew that they would ultimately connect and through their courtship and engagement, God was faithful to nurture and build this mutual alliance to the point that their souls have become knitted together as God has ordained it to be.
On that Friday afternoon, they became yoked together through the covenant of marriage. I used props during my speech. First, was a small wood & metal yoke. I conveyed to them that pulling in the same direction would be way more enjoyable and I encouraged them to allow Christ to lead their “cart” which is in essence, their marriage. And if they do—they will be unstoppable.
The second prop was a piece of rope that was lashed with dental floss on the base as well as the three frayed ends. Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The strength and support that a tri-fold cord provides, is analogous to the unity they experience now with the Lord. As they embrace the bonds of trust, confidence and stability, while lashing themselves to the promises Jesus has for their marriage—they will be unstoppable.
The last prop, an engraved bottle of red wine. The first miracle Jesus performed by turning water into wine was actually at a wedding reception. I shared that their individual lives before becoming husband and wife was in effect the “water” of their relationship. However, from the “I do’s” moment forward, Jesus has reserved the “best wine” for them to enjoy not only as husband and wife, but throughout their existence in the world to come.
May our Lord bless Will and Jenn as they embark on this exciting adventure and may our faithful God continue to bless all current marriages including those couples whom our Lord will intentionally bring together in the days and years ahead.
Best wishes for good health, contentment and joy, throughout this New Year!