Tag: family

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.

Standing in Faith 1

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Life as we all know is full of challenges but we are encouraged by Jesus to stay positive in the midst of it, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Friends, cheer up and put your hope in God because your negative disposition to life will not change the situation. Today let us take a cursory look at another interesting story about the King of Judah and his battles.
“During the time that Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel attacked Jerusalem, but the attack sputtered out. When the Davidic government learned that Aram had joined forces with Ephraim (that is, Israel), Ahaz and his people were badly shaken. They shook like trees in the wind. Then God told Isaiah, “Go and meet Ahaz. Take your son Shear-jashub (A-Remnant-Will-Return) with you. Meet him south of the city at the end of the aqueduct where it empties into the upper pool on the road to the public laundry. Tell him, Listen, calm down. Don’t be afraid. And don’t panic over these two burnt-out cases, Rezin of Aram and the son of Remaliah. They talk big but there’s nothing to them. Aram, along with Ephraim’s son of Remaliah, have plotted to do you harm. They’ve conspired against you, saying, ‘Let’s go to war against Judah, dismember it, take it for ourselves, and set the son of Tabeel up as a puppet king over it.’ But God, the Master, says, “It won’t happen. Nothing will come of it Because the capital of Aram is Damascus and the king of Damascus is a mere man, Rezin. As for Ephraim, in sixty-five years it will be rubble, nothing left of it. The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the king of Samaria is the mere son of Remaliah. If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on.”
Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Interesting facts to note here:
📍The enemy has already attempted an attack but he failed without Ajah’s knowledge
📍Ajah was fearful and destabilized when he realized the enemy was at his gate.
📍God’s strong support was reaffirmed to Him
📍God’s candid advice to all: if you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand in.
📍 The enemy has already attempted an attack but he failed without Ajah’s knowledge.

Do you realize that the enemy is always targeting to destroy you? It’s an ongoing battle that we are not aware of because God is always shielding us away from these battles. If he allows us to see and know about these battles every time we are attacked, we will have become ‘vegetables’ out of fear. God rules in the unseen realm and all you need to do is to solely lean on him because he is known as the Host of the Army of Heaven (Chief in command of all battles.)
“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

📍Ajah was fearful and destabilized when he realized the enemy was at his gate.
Fear is our greatest enemy! You lose battles to fear of the unknown and the word of God gave us 364 verses in the Scriptures each for each day as a reminder not to entertain fear. Ajah and his people were shaking like trees that are tossed by the wind. God had already stepped into the situation immediately after the enemy launched an attack and all Ajah knew to do was to run to God for help. The same story happened to another king, but he had a different approach to it.
“Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar’” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jehoshaphat was afraid quite all right because he was human but he did not stop there, he made up his mind to seek the Lord. The Lord gave him victory without him physically fighting the battle. Fear has torment and it erodes great testimonies but it can be subdued when we learn to recall the mighty wonders of God. You need to realize it’s a demonic spirit that you can take authority over and then invite the spirit of faith unto you.

📍God’s strong support was reaffirmed to Him. Having access to God’s continual support is simple, draw closer to Him. You do not have to be perfect but have a heart that desires God, and be committed and consistent.

Revealing His love
Jummy Akinjide

The Importance of Covenant Names

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Names are a set of words that you are identified by, called by, or known as. Your name speaks volumes about you.

God is interested in the names we are called by as it’s confirmed in Ephesians 3: 15 that the whole family in heaven and earth are named through God. Your name should reflect your faith and your relationship with God.

Our names according to the above scriptures should be traceable to God. Also, in the scriptures and our present-day world, it is common to see parents and relatives christening their children according to the circumstances surrounding their births. 

A good example in the scripture is ‘Isaac’ which means laughter, ‘John’ which means God is gracious, and ‘Cole’ means victory of the people.

What is the meaning of your name? This is one question I wish to ask you, my reader.

God entered into covenants with a few people in the Bible and changed their names. Abram’s name was changed by God to Abraham to reflect the covenant (father of nations) God had with him, so likewise Sarai to Sarah.

Jacob (meaning a supplanter) was changed to Israel (one who prevails with God) after his encounter.

John the Baptist was given his name at birth (Luke 1 vs 13-17) by an Angel

This is the same for Jesus, the son of God, “he shall save his people from their sins’

Emmanuel means God is with us

Also, we were introduced to a man named ‘Nabal’ whose name meant ‘a fool’ in the book of 1 Samuel 25; and this is reflected in his character and disposition in life.

How can we forget Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4: 9- 10? His mother named him Sorrow because of the circumstances surrounding his birth and that was reflected in the encounters he had which were sorrowful.

The most interesting lesson from the story of Jabez is that you can change whatever negative meaning of your name by crying to God today. God is a merciful God and He is always willing to give you a new beginning if you can call on Him.

My dear friend, it’s not too late for you to have a covenant name and start afresh with God.

Jesus explained to a Pharisee called Nicodemus in John 3vs 1-5 how he could get a new name and the man was confused. “How can someone be born (get a new name and start all over again when they are old?) and Jesus simply explained how that transformation can occur; it starts from starting a relationship with God. Jesus said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh but Spirit gives birth to spirit”. God is committed to giving you a new name as you enter a covenant “by new birth with Him.”

“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.”

Isaiah 62:2 KJV

Examine your ways, be truthful to yourself, and make up your mind to reconcile with God through His son Jesus Christ today.

If you are ready for an encounter with Yahweh, repeat after me:

Lord Jesus, give me a new heart and a new name.

I want to have a relationship with you through Christ who died for my sins.

Come into my heart and make me your child.

I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again to reconcile me with you.

I receive the new birth and I receive a new name

Thank you, Jesus.

DON’T fix your attention on the problem

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When issues of life arise, we naturally tend to worry and that is the only thing that occupies our mind for that moment. We just can’t focus on any other thing until we get it sorted out in one way or the other.

Sometimes, it does not get better, sometimes it either fizzles out or other times the intensity of the pain/ worry only reduces a little.

In all these, God has a different approach for us to look at and learn from. I can boldly tell you from experience and from the scriptures that, the quickest solution to overcoming attacks, worries, or unpleasant situations in life is to shift our attention from the situation to God; which is God’s way of helping us realize that He is in charge and to help us experience victory.

The story of Stephen in the book Acts of the Apostles is an eye-opener to shifting your attention far away from the problem to God.

“When they heard these things, they were overtaken with violent rage filling their souls, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, overtaken with great faith, was full of the Holy Spirit. He fixed his gaze into the heavenly realm and saw the glory and splendor of God—and Jesus, who stood up at the right hand of God.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭54‬-‭55‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Everyone was against Stephen, he was not sure of leaving that place alive. But one thing was sure, he knew how to get God’s attention and experience His supernatural intervention. The scripture recorded that he had great faith in the ability of God to save and deliver, he activated the spirit of God within him( he was full of the Holy Spirit) and also shifted his attention from the noises around him to God( he fixed his gaze into heaven).

This same verse also reveals the outcome of his responses to an unpleasant situation; which is “ he saw the glory and the splendor of God”.

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you want to experience God’s glory and splendor? Then, let your eye be on God and God alone. Trust in His ability, His capability, His strength, and His supremacy over all, and show it by faith.

Interestingly, it is not only you that will experience His glory and splendor, your opposition will also experience the opposite of that. That is how the Lord of the hosts of heaven will respond to your situation when you learn to shift your focus from your problems to Him.

“His accusers covered their ears with their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs to drown out his voice.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭57‬ ‭TPT‬‬

That means while you will experience His glory and splendor, your enemies will be thrown into confusion and end up in disgrace.

“His enemies will I clothe with shame: But upon himself shall his crown flourish.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭132‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But thou hast saved us from our enemies, And hast put them to shame that hated us.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭44‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Take a bold step today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus on Jesus, and ensure you have not been entangled again with the yoke of worry and problems of life.

So friends rejoice forevermore ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16), for the lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle for you- Hallelujah

Grace be multiples unto you.

THE HOME AND MOLESTATION (Part 2)

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Weddings!

We all love to attend them. Love stories and their attractions for all of us. Cakes! Dance! Laughter! Light and decors!

I love the father daughter dance whenever I attended weddings, I’m sure you do as well. It is beautiful to watch and more so, to see the bonding between a father and his daughter. I’m a very emotional person, so when I see that; I could just shed some tears.

I want to give some closure on my last week article, let’s explore the roles fathers play in their daughter’s life.

Firstly, fathers help their daughters to prepare for and know the kind of man to look out for marriage.

Sometimes if you are not careful, it is what most ladies do not want that they end up getting attracted to. Some might start attracting the type of Dad that they have. I believe that a girl can learn how a man treats a woman from her dad.

Secondly, it helps her to know a man is supposed to protect her.

A father is suppose to be as Christ is to the church, He is supposed to shield and protect his family from evil.

Thirdly, she can also learn to achieve her goals through words of affirmation from her father. This is part of what propels her to be great in life. If a child does not get that, it might take determination to achieve greatness on time. A girl is supposed to know that the sky is her beginning.

Lastly, we cannot deny the facts that only few men have been awesome with their daughters. However, if you never had a father figure in your life, how do you manage this seeing how important this is for your emotional growth.

One of the ways you can manage the situation is if God leads you to a father figure for your life. We have a lot of single mothers; they can never take the place of a father. Hopefully and prayerfully, if the child gets a father figure in somebody else, like a Godly pastor, it might be a better way.

Moreover, there is a father in God and he wants to father you more than any father would have done. Give Him your heart today and let him introduce you to the father-daughter dance

Thank you for reading, like comment and share.

Cheers!