Innocent Okonkwo
20 November 2008
Lagos — Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo has said the emergence of Mr. Barack Obama as the United States of America (USA) President-elect was part of fulfillment of God's plans for changes that were currently shaking the world.
Okonkwo, who stated this last Sunday during the opening ceremony of this year's Kingdom Life World Conference of TREM at the headquarters of the church in Lagos, said that Obama's victory was an indication that whatever men had built were collapsing for God's word to stand sure forever.
"You have been hearing what men said but this time round, you will hear what God has said, whatever men had built are collapsing, for the first time, against all odds, a blackman is elected the president of America," he said.
The cleric said that the week conference which has as a theme "And God Said" was to position individuals for the changes that were taking place in the world.
He told the congregation that God has revealed His Power through His word, adding that there was nowhere the Word of God could not reach.
"I want to let you know that whatever God has declared about you must come to pass. The devil has been ambushed," he said.
He stated further that God who created man in His image and likeness also gave man the authority and dominion and the right to command, lamenting that most Christians have ignored their authority thereby allowing the devil to do whatever he liked.
"God gave man the authority and whatever Adam named those things that were brought to him, the heaven said yes. God has stopped speaking and He has handed the assignment of speaking to man. He is waiting on you to say anything. You either authorise life or death.
"Devil has ability, that is why Jesus said He has given us authority over devil's power. Devils power is to put you under pressure for you to look for an alternative. His desire is to make you feel that God has failed but God cannot fail," he said.
He told the worshippers not to cut corners but to be mindful of those they follow as their spiritual leaders, noting that the devil could give 99 per cent truth but always introduce one per cent lie that would destroy the 99 per cent truth.
"Who is your man of God? If God wants to speak, He speaks through your pastor, be careful. The prophet of old always says and the word of God came to me even in the valley of the dry bones God told Ezekiel to speak to the dry bones. Also the devil cannot speak directly because he recognises that man has authority," he said.
The cleric charged Christians to take their rightful place as God's children.
This year's conference took off in a carnival-like manner with songs rendered by the TREM mass choice representing different cultures of Nigeria.
Notable ministers from other churches witnessed the ceremony while America based Rev. Genet Chenier ministered in songs as part of the opening ceremonies.
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