Category: relationship

Building a Lasting Marriage: Beyond Binge Culture

~ jummyakinjide ~ Leave a comment

We live in a culture of bingeing

Binge-watching shows.
Binge-scrolling feeds.
Binge-consuming experiences.

And unfortunately, many people have begun to approach relationships the same way.

They start fast.
Enjoy the excitement.
And when things become difficult… they move on to the next episode.

But marriage was never meant to work like entertainment.

Marriage is not a show you watch.

It’s something you build.

Marriage is sacred work.

It requires commitment, patience, humility, forgiveness, and deep partnership. And when we look at Scripture, we discover something important:

God never designed marriage to be effortless.

He designed it to be purposeful.

Let’s Be Honest for a Moment

Before we go deeper, pause and think:

Do you think modern culture prepares people for real marriage—or just for romantic moments?

Think about it.

Movies highlight the wedding day.
Social media celebrates the highlight reel.

But very few conversations focus on the lifelong work of love.

Let’s explore what God actually intended.

The Origin of Humanity: Designed With Intention

The story of marriage begins with the creation of humanity.

In Genesis 2:7 we read:

“Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.”

Human life began with divine intention.

God didn’t randomly assemble humanity.
He formed man carefully and breathed life personally.

From the beginning, humanity carried both:

  • God’s breath
  • God’s purpose

Yet something surprising happened.

Even in a perfect garden, something was missing.

God’s First Observation About Human Life

In Genesis 2:18, God makes a powerful statement:

“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

This is fascinating.

Up until this moment, everything in creation had been declared good.

But suddenly God says something is not good.

Isolation.

Human beings were designed for relationship.

But notice the wording carefully.

God didn’t just promise Adam companionship.

He promised the right companionship.

A helper suitable for him.

Not Every Relationship Is Meant to Be a Covenant

Before creating Eve, God allowed Adam to meet every animal in creation.

Scripture says in Genesis 2:19–20:

Adam gave names to all the animals… but none proved to be a helper suitable for him.

Adam encountered many living creatures.

But none were right for him.

There is a lesson here many people discover in life.

Not every connection is meant to become a covenant relationship.

Some relationships are temporary.

Some are teachers.

Some help us discover what isn’t right before God reveals what is right.

Waiting is often part of God’s process.

The Power of Rest While God Works

After Adam recognized that none of the animals were suitable companions, something remarkable happened.

God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep.

This moment reveals an important spiritual principle:

Sometimes while God is working, we are called to rest.

Many people try to force relationships.

But God’s design shows something different.

The right relationship is often prepared by God, not manufactured by human effort.

Waiting on God is not wasted time.

It is a season of trust.

The Master Builder at Work

Then Scripture uses a fascinating word when describing the creation of woman.

In Genesis 2:22:

“The LORD God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman.”

Notice the word built.

God approached this moment like an architect constructing something sacred.

He was not improvising.

He was designing.

Even more profound is what He used:

Adam’s rib.

The Hebrew idea suggests not a tiny fragment, but an entire side of Adam’s being.

This reveals something beautiful.

Woman was not created as an accessory to Adam’s life.

She was created as his significant counterpart.

The Powerful Symbolism of the Rib

The location of Eve’s creation carries deep meaning.

She was not taken from Adam’s head to rule over him.

She was not taken from Adam’s feet to be trampled beneath him.

She was taken from his side.

Which shows:

Beside him — partnership
Under his arm — protection
Near his heart — love

Marriage was designed to be a relationship of mutual honor and unity.

The First Love Poem in History

When Adam first saw Eve, his response was immediate.

In Genesis 2:23 he declares:

“At last! This one is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh.”

This moment is often overlooked.

But it is actually the first recorded love poem in Scripture.

Adam recognized something profound:

Eve was not just another being in creation.

She was part of him.

This moment established what Scripture later calls the one flesh union.

Marriage Points to Something Greater

Marriage was never just about companionship.

It carries a deeper spiritual meaning.

The union between husband and wife reflects the relationship between Christ and His people.

The apostle Paul the Apostle explains this in Ephesians 5:31–32. He calls marriage a profound mystery. It is connected to Christ and the church.

When a husband and wife walk in love, sacrifice, and unity, they become a living picture of the gospel.

A Powerful Reminder for Husbands

The New Testament reinforces the sacred responsibility within marriage.

In 1 Peter 3:7 we read:

“Husbands, treat your wives with tenderness… honoring them as co-heirs of the grace of life so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

Think about that for a moment.

How a husband treats his wife can affect his prayers.

Marriage is not just emotional.

It is deeply spiritual.

Honor. Respect. Tenderness.

These are not optional qualities.

They are part of walking in God’s grace.

Marriage Is Sacred Work

Modern culture may treat relationships like disposable experiences.

But God’s design is very different.

Marriage requires:

• intentional love
• daily sacrifice
• patience
• forgiveness
• spiritual unity
• lifelong partnership

It is not passive.

It is not casual.

It is sacred work.

And when two people commit to building a marriage God’s way, something beautiful happens.

Their relationship becomes more than a personal story.

It becomes a living testimony of God’s grace.

Let’s Talk

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Consider on these questions:

1. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing marriages today?

2. Do you believe culture helps or harms our understanding of marriage?

3. What do you think makes a marriage truly thrive?

Your perspective matters. Let’s start a meaningful conversation.

Because marriage isn’t just a relationship.

It’s a sacred assignment.

Confronting Corruption in Houses of Worship

~ jummyakinjide ~ Leave a comment

So much has been happening in the Church in recent years that one can’t help but ask:

“What happened to the faith of our fathers?”

These realities make it even more heartbreaking. They are not only damaging the witness of the Church, they are causing many to lose their faith. They are also preventing countless others from ever seeing the true light of the Cross.

Almost daily, we hear disturbing reports—
So-called pastors are involved in sexual immorality with church members. They are embezzling God’s money and practicing rituals. Additionally, they are blending paganism with the Gospel.

These things ought not to be named among us.
Yet, they persist.

But this is not new.

When Jesus Faced Merchants in God’s House

Even in Jesus’ day, He confronted corruption and exploitation in the temple—the very place meant to honor God.

John 2:13–17 (TPT)
When the time was close for the Jewish Passover to begin, Jesus walked to Jerusalem. As he went into the temple courtyard, he noticed it was filled with merchants selling oxen, lambs, and doves for exorbitant prices, while others were overcharging as they exchanged currency behind their counters.
So Jesus found some cords and made them into a whip. Then he drove out every one of them and their animals from the courtyard of the temple, and he kicked over their tables filled with money, scattering it everywhere!
And he told the merchants, “Get these things out of here! Don’t you dare commercialize my Father’s house!”
His disciples remembered the Scripture: “I am consumed with a fiery passion to keep your house pure!”

This is painful.
It is shameful.
But it is also a wake-up call—one that points clearly to the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What Should Believers Do in Times Like These?

We must not be shocked or distracted.
Instead, we should pray earnestly. We must ask God to uphold us to the end. This way, we are not swept away by the sinful trends and moral decay all around us.

How Do We Recognize False Ministers Among Us?

1. Deception
They rely on charisma, signs, wonders, and smooth speech to mislead—even the elect.

2. False Teachings
They subtly shift the Gospel from Christ and eternity to money, power, and material gain.

3. Self-Serving Motives
They serve their own appetites, not God.

Matthew 24:24 (TPT)
“For there will be imposters falsely claiming to be God’s ‘Anointed One,’ and false prophets will arise to perform miracle signs to lead astray, if possible, those God has chosen.”

Jeremiah 14:14 (NIV)
“The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them… They are prophesying false visions and the delusions of their own minds.”

A Warning Against Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

One of the most grievous patterns is how these wolves creep in quietly. They deceive, lure, and exploit women under the cloak of spiritual authority.

2 Timothy 3:6 (MSG)
“They smooth-talk their way into the homes of unstable and needy women… They get exploited every time and never really learn.”

Jesus warned us clearly:

Matthew 7:15–20 (MSG)
“Be wary of false preachers… Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook.”

God Is Sanitizing His House

This season is not accidental.

God is sanitizing His house.
And the cleansing has already begun.

Before pointing fingers outward, we must examine our own lives.
What sin are you holding onto?
Let it go—before it catches up with you.

Kill it before it kills you,
for the wages of sin is death.

Now is the time for the Body of Christ to wake up to righteousness. It is the moment to shine as light in this dark world.

Beloved, this cleansing starts with you.

Go forth and show His glory.
You are the Jesus the world sees.
You are the Jesus the world longs to emulate.

Note: You can read more on this topic from my book “Unassailed.” I dedicated a chapter to the vulnerable women in the church. It tackles difficult topics like sexual abuse, God’s boundless grace, and the transformative power of forgiveness. It chronicles the powerful journey of a woman’s rise from brokenness to beauty. This book offers hope and restoration to those who have suffered in silence. : Get your copy now: https://a.co/d/8ALFWgD

Let’s Talk

💬 What are your thoughts on the state of the Church today?
🙏 How can believers stay pure and discerning in this season?

Share your reflections in the comments and pass this message on—someone needs to read it.

With the love of Christ,

Jummy Akinjide

SACRIFICE: THE PRICE OF ENLARGEMENT Introduction: When Sacrifice Meets Promise

~ jummyakinjide ~ Leave a comment

“After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land… to you and your descendants as a permanent possession… Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Then Abram… built another altar to the Lord.”
— Genesis 13:14-18 (NLT)

God revealed a breathtaking promise to Abraham—unlimited territory, generational blessings, and supernatural multiplication. What was Abraham’s response? He built an altar. Why? Because every divine promise demands a prophetic response.

But here’s the key: an altar without a sacrifice is like a car without an engine. Motionless. Lifeless.
💡 The Power Behind the Altar

An altar is only as powerful as the sacrifice placed on it. When God prepared to make Abraham a father of nations and the foundation of faith for generations, He tested him with a costly demand:

“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest… and offer him there for a burnt offering.”
— Genesis 22:1-2 (KJV)

Abraham’s obedience wasn’t casual—sacrifice is never convenient. It cuts deep. It costs.

Today, many are stuck at the level of comfortable giving—tithes, offerings, what we can afford. But there are levels in God you cannot access without sacrifice.
🧱 The Builders and Their Heart for God

God rebuked His people through the prophet Haggai for prioritizing their luxury while neglecting His house:

“You live in luxurious houses while My house lies in ruins... You plant much but harvest little… Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes.”
— Haggai 1:2–8 (NLT)

When you build God’s house sacrificially, He becomes personally invested in building yours.
⚔️ Sacrifice as a Weapon of Warfare

Sacrifice is not just for blessings—it is a weapon in spiritual warfare.

“As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near… but the LORD thundered with a great thunder… and they were smitten.”
— 1 Samuel 7:10 (KJV)

They had prayed and fasted, but when the sacrifice was made, heaven responded with divine intervention. There are battles that will not shift until something costly is laid on the altar.
✝️ Even Salvation Cost Something

Salvation is free to us—but it cost God His Son, and Jesus His life. Nothing truly powerful is ever birthed without a price.
📖 Scriptural Patterns of Sacrificial Giving

The Widow of Zarephath gave Elijah her last meal (1 Kings 17), and divine provision followed.

The woman with the alabaster jar broke it for Jesus (Matthew 26:7)—a gift worth a year's wage.

The early Church sold properties to care for one another (Acts 2:44, 4:32).

The Macedonians gave beyond their means with joy, despite poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2-3).

Sacrificial giving opens supernatural doors.
💰 Sowers Are Supernaturally Supplied

“God gives seed to the sower…”
— 2 Corinthians 9:10

If you’re short on seed, ask yourself: “Am I truly sowing?” God funds sowers, not hoarders. You can’t block heaven’s flow and expect a flood. Be a river, not a dam.

“Let him labor… that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
— Ephesians 4:28

Your wealth is not just for your needs but for meeting kingdom needs.
🌍 Kingdom Financiers & End-Time Wealth

There is a financial expansion coming in this season—not just for luxury, but for missions and ministry. God is raising men and women to finance the end-time harvest.

“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD… My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad.”
— Zechariah 1:17

But “horns”—demonic systems, ancestral altars, and economic limitations—stand in opposition. Yet God is releasing angelic carpenters (Zechariah 1:18–21) to terrify and cast them out.

This is your season to arise and partner with heaven.
🧭 Stewardship: Beyond Tithing

In the New Testament, giving is not about percentages—it’s about ownership. God owns it all. He tells you how much to give and how much to keep.

“If God can get money through you, He’ll get it to you.”

When you put God’s kingdom first, you tap into heaven’s economy, not the economy of your nation.
🌬️ Let the Winds of Opportunity Blow

“Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you… Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon…”
— Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 (NLT)

You don’t need to understand everything—just obey. Plant consistently. Sacrifice intentionally. You will reap.
🙏 PRAYERS FOR ALIGNMENT & ENLARGEMENT

“His God teaches him order; He instructs him.”
— Isaiah 28:26

“This also comes from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.”
— Isaiah 28:29

Let us pray:

Lord, help me to hear and to obey.

Prune me, Jesus—remove what hinders my sacrifice.

What is the price tag for my enlargement this season? Reveal it to me.

Open my eyes, Lord, to divine opportunities and instructions.

Let the gates of business, ministry, and wealth be lifted on my behalf.

I release the carpenters of heaven—let them terrify and destroy every horn resisting my financial destiny.

Blow, O wind of God, and carry me into prepared opportunities.

Teach me discretion in planting, and wisdom in harvesting.

🧨 Final Word

Your sacrifice is the currency of destiny.
Don’t give God what costs you nothing. Sow sacrificially, build prophetically, and the Lord of hosts will enlarge you supernaturally.

🔥 This is your season of enlargement through sacrifice. Step in. Obey. Build. Give. Reap. 🔥

Mounting Your Watch Tower

~ jummyakinjide ~ Leave a comment

Dear child of God, 

This message is coming as a reminder and an encouragement to you, not to forget that that Christ is coming when we least expect it. For you, child of God, we are not left in the dark not knowing the signs of his coming  which should not catch you unawares.

I remember a story while growing up in Lagos,Nigeria that the residents of our community did receive threats letters from armed robbers of their plans to raid the community. The letters were never specific on the exact date but only  give information of their plans to visit the area soon and that they should prepare to receive the “August visitors”. Oh, the house owners were usually destabilized on receiving these letters, they began having late night meetings and strategizing on how to gear up  their security efforts.

My dad and other community members became emergency vigilantes/ area watchmen. After long days work, they only  sleep for few hours and by midnight, they are banging on gates,  blowing whistles and  move  from one streets to another, well prepared for the thieves.

 After weeks of keeping watch without any trace of the expected “August visitors, they began to get tired, reduce in number of attendance and eventually relax or take a break from it.  What I noticed as the trend even as a child was that, it seems the armed robbers were also on the watch for this “ emergency vigilantes. They strike when they knew the house owners were tired and no longer mounting their  watch towers. 


I also remembered that these thieves only  raided  houses that were completely out of sight/ light, close to the bushes where there was thick darkness. So that they are not easily noticed when they arrive and carry out their  attacks . This was really a sad one to behold the event of things because the house owners were tired, sleepy and had  given up on their watches. 

Wow! How this story brought a better understanding of Christ’s return  to me this morning and how I need to mount my watch tower. 

We are not left in the dark, we have his letters written to us of the signs of his coming, the events that will happen and how we should be ready.  The only thing we are not told is the exact date and hour which is only known by God the father, not even Jesus

In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 

As a child of God, we need to WATCH and PRAY and be ready to meet with the master. It should not meet us unawares if we are mounting our watch towers. 

Be careful where you lay your treasure, be careful where your heart is, be careful what is most important to you, be careful of the messages you are feeding your self with, be careful of your associations, be careful not to slip away and also be careful not to be like the foolish virgins that were sleeping and slumbering when they should be watching and praying. 

““When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God has not brought you this far with Him not to abandon you. He did not save you to lead you into destruction but to prepare a place for you. Jesus is not sleeping neither is he slumbering but he is praying and watching out for you. He is preparing a place of abode for you in heaven and also preparing to come back for his bride. 

Be encouraged  by these words and get up, be on the watch towers.

“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In His love,
Jummy Akinjide