Success Nwogu
The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, has said that Nigeria, in spite of its current challenges, will have a positive switch which leads to a turnaround in a few years.
He assured Nigerians that God is highly interested in the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens and residents of Nigeria, adding that God has spoken to him that things will change for the better in the country.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians not to despair or be despondent over the current national challenges, such as insecurity, high unemployment rate, inflation, infrastructural decay and inadequacy, hunger, poverty, the poor state of institutions, and systems in the country.
According to him, God has assured him that in a few years from now, things will get better in Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians not to hastily run away from the country in search of the golden fleece, except they were directed by God, adding that they should be creative enough and transform the challenges of the country to wealth creation opportunities.
He spoke at TREM International headquarters at Obanikoro, Anthony-Oke, Lagos during on Sunday during a service which coincidentally is Boxing Day and the last Sunday service of 2021.
Okonkwo said, “I would rather stay in this country with God than go abroad and start washing plates. I will not wash plates, I will stay here. God will visit me here in Nigeria. Unless I specifically hear instruction from God to go, I will not leave this country because of a temporary situation. Nigeria is not going to remain like this. I have been telling some of you who are relocating, do not disengage completely from this country oo!! Because you may regret it.
“I am telling you. In the next few years, there is going to be a switch. There is going to be an overnight turn-around. You could be shocked. The people you left behind will leave you behind. Nigeria is not going to be like this ooo!! You do not discern that the problems of Nigeria are a blessing. It is money waiting to be harvested.
“The problems of this country are money waiting to be harvested for people whose eyes are open to see that these are opportunities. Big opportunities! There is nothing anyone can tell me that this country will remain like this. It is a lie! Because anyone who is going to be a hindrance to what God has perfected, God will take him out. God’s agenda must be accomplished.
“I do not want to live a routine life. I like a life of adventure. Here, with the challenges, it will strech your imagination. It will stretch your creativity. It will stretch your concepts to reach out and pull out your wings as far.
“You watch what I have told you. If I did not know that this country will change, I would not be here. I know what Jehova has said. A nation can be born in a day.”
The bishop said Christmas is a special season. He urged peoples of the world to remember the essence of Christmas while celebrating it.
He stated that Christmas is about Christ, adding that anyone who accepts his offer of salvation will be saved.
He also called on people to imbibe and exhibit the virtues of Christmas, which include love, sacrifice, forgiveness, godliness, and charity.
He urged people to believe firmly in God’s words and promises concerning them, adding that God does not fail.
The cleric also admonished people to accept Christ in their lives and be saved from sin and satanic oppressions.
According to him, God is interested in the salvation and wellbeing of mankind and therefore gave Christ who came to the world, died from mankind’s ’salvation, later resurrected, and went to heaven.
Okonkwo said, “When Christmas comes, everywhere lights up. Even the weather tells you that it is Christmas. The streets tell you that it is Christmas. Today, you see decorations and Christmas trees all over.
“With all the parties and celebrations, we should not forget the main essence of Christmas. If you miss the essence of Christmas, you miss everything. You should not forget. Because when you miss the takeaway, you miss everything. But when you understand this takeaway, you have gotten it right. Christmas is about a person. One of the things I want you to see is that God’s word came to pass. There are several prophecies concerning the birth of Christ thousands of years before he came. And they were given at different times and different places and they all came to pass.
“One thing I want to assure you is that it does not matter how the challenging situations around you are trying to contradict what God has said, God’s word concerning you will come to pass. God’s word does not fail. Unless He has not spoken it, if He has said it, He will do it. If He has spoken it, He will bring it to pass. God is not a man that he will lie. Heaven and earth will pass away but the word of God will not pass away.
“When you are celebrating, remember that God’s words always come to pass. Any word that He has spoken to you that is waiting will still come to pass. Remember that He came to save man from his son and because you have accepted his price or sacrifice, you are saved and your sins are forgiven. So it calls for celebration.”