Healing Service in the month of May was special, as the Rivers State Government celebrated their second year in office with a thanksgiving at the Temple. The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike and his wife, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo and her husband, Members of the Executive Council of the Rivers State Government, Commissioners, Traditional Rulers etc, were all present to thank God for His faithfulness these past  two years.

During the service, our brother, Godex Mac-Jaja testified how God healed him of running stomach, which resulted in severe loss of strength, as he had visited the restroom over twenty times that Sunday. Nevertheless, he encouraged himself and attended service and as a result, received his healing.

God’s word was brought to us by Pastor Isaac Olori, the International Director. The topic of his sermon was “Power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11). Expounding on this scripture he said, David said God spoke once but he heard it twice that Power belongs to God, which implies he heard it in two realms – head knowledge and in his heart.

In Matthew 28:13 Jesus said, "All power is given unto me", which means there is only one power, every other power is a subset of that power. Every other power therefore is derived from God and we are only delegates.  For example, God delegated the throne to Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:23).  Whatever realm of leadership you are involved in, you are sitting on God's seat (God's Delegate).

He stressed that despite the drive to stop corruption, until everyone comes to the understanding that I am here at God’s instance, their attitude will not change because the human mind is corrupt. All we need to change this nation, state or community is to know we are sitting on a borrowed seat and exercise it to His glory.

Using Nebuchadnezzar as a case study, he revealed how God could punish or show man that He ruled in the affairs of the earth. Nebuchadnezzar failed to acknowledge the sovereignty of God in his reign and was made to learn humility after God sent him into the forest for seven years. During this time, he learnt of God’s sovereignty and accorded glory to God in his reign. The Rich Fool is the New Testament example of a man who did not acknowledge that power belongs to God.

Other highlights from the sermon include:

• All power belongs to God, hence every other power is a subset to the main power. This implies that God owns every power and every other authority/power man exercises is given by God, however not everyone acknowledges this.
• We must realize that, as God’s creatures, there are areas God has given us authority and control, nevertheless, we must rule in His fear.
• When we acknowledge that power belongs to God,
  • You will not struggle for power because He will give it to us when He wants
  • You will be careful how you use the power because you are accountable to the one that placed you on that seat.
• When you realize you are only deputizing for God, your orientation will change, your approach will change, and the result you get will be different.
• Power can make or destroy a person, depending on how they use it.
• To be accountable to God, we must trust in God with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5,6).
• Everyone trusts in God, but the question is, “Is it with all your heart?” If you do not give God all, He will not be satisfied.
• Trusting in God, is to put all confidence in God.

He summarized this sermon by stating that to whom much power is given much is expected. If God in His infinite mercy decides to bestow on any man power, God expects to see the good fruits of his rule because we are accountable to Him who has given us that power.

To begin the special thanksgiving by the Rivers State Government, the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyensom E. Wike, in a speech, appreciated God for all the ups and downs during his two years in office. He also thanked God for making provision for the Government to carry out relevant projects in the State despite limited resources available to the Government, upon resumption in office. He was appreciative of God’s mercy and favour to their Government. The entire congregation joined in this thanksgiving.

Thereafter, the International Director prayed for God’s grace upon the Governor, His family and the incumbent Government.