MUSICAL CONCERT - PRAZE MEET

“For as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 17: 23 – 24 (NKJV)

As it is popularly known, musical concerts is a live performance of music before an audience. The Oil of Gladness Choir of the New Courtyard parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God are not just performing live to entertain their audience but to exalt the name of the most high God and to bring down His presence.

The bible says in Psalms67:6-7 “Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise you. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us”. The Oil of Gladness of the RCCG invites you to a promising mouth-watering encounter with Jesus as they bring down His presence through PRAISE. Let us in one accord praise God so that the earth might yield its increase and our God might bless us beyond measures.

The Oil of Gladness wouldn’t be doing this alone as guest artists to mention but a few that will be gracing the occasion are shown at a glance below

Come and you will be glad you attend.

Shallom..!

CHOOSE THE PEOPLE GOD HAS CHOSEN

'...I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen...' Exodus 31:9

Just as a river can't rise higher than its source, no enterprise can rise higher than its leadership. When it was time to build the tabernacle God told Moses: '...I have specifically chosen Bezalel...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise...He is a master craftsman...He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood...And I have personally appointed Oholiab...to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make' (Exodus 31:1-6 NLT). Whether you are in ministry or in business, here's a plan that will bring you success: 1) Be sure that the people you choose are the people God has chosen for you. This calls for a prayerful and careful approach to hiring. Hiring isn't fun, and firing is agony. But so is trying to undo other people's mistakes! 2) Look for those to whom God has given 'wisdom, ability, and expertise.' Not only must they have the right skill set, they must have the same spirit you have; otherwise you are headed for conflict. 3) Don't stake your future on any one person, however gifted. 'I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen.' If Oholiab goes rogue or messes up, you need to have other 'craftsmen' in place to carry the vision forward. 4) Make sure the goals you have set line up with God's will. 'Make all the things I have commanded.' Ideas are important; God's plan is all-important!

GETTING 'UNSTUCK'! (2)

'...I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.' Philippians 3:14

Though you've settled the issues of forgiveness and faith, getting unstuck involves two more challenges. You will need to learn: 1) Flexibility. When your faith runs into obstacles, your flexibility keeps you in the race. You need the ability to 'roll with the punches,' to bend without breaking. Don't marry your methods! Be willing to make a mid-course correction when it's needed. Flexibility, however, isn't ambivalence or wishy-washiness. Flexibility is: a) An attitude of determination to adjust to life's challenges and stay on course; to trust God for wisdom; to fine-tune your responses to changing circumstances. b) A commitment to take action. A positive mind-set alone won't get you unstuck. You'll have to 'do something!' Remember, big doors swing on little hinges; taking small steps of faith will move you forward! 2) Firmness: resolve not to quit. You'll encounter problems that leave you no option but to stand still, like the Israelites between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. In the tightest of spots, they received this five-fold counsel: a) Don't give in to fear. Don't let it decide your response. b) Stand still. Stop your irrational, emotion-driven behaviours. c) Quit talking. Don't talk yourself into defeat. d) Look for God's way forward. Expect Him to take action that will get you unstuck. e) Be ready to move forward when He opens the way. These are simple but powerful steps you can take when you don't know what to do. And what about when you blow it? Acknowledge it. Re-label it as 'Valuable lessons learned,' and put it in your 'What not to do next time' file!

GETTING 'UNSTUCK'! (1)

'...He rewards those who earnestly seek him.' Hebrews 11:6

Ever notice how icy winters bring multiple car pile-ups, with drivers in ditches waiting for tow trucks to rescue them? We each have different reactions. Some surrender to feelings of being powerless, others get frustrated and deepen the rut they're in. But the wise think rationally of steps they can take. In life, getting stuck isn't always an option; but staying stuck is! Good news: no matter how long you've been stuck, the right attitude can get you moving again. So here are some attitude changers: 1) Forgiveness. The guilt that follows failure can immobilise you long-term, but forgiveness liberates you-freeing up your energy and creativity. Forgiveness is two-dimensional: First, you must receive God's forgiveness for your failures. Things you've done: betrayal, angry words, dishonesty, broken promises, etc. Things you haven't done: love unexpressed, responsibility avoided, a child, parent or spouse neglected, the truth withheld. Heartfelt confession always brings God's forgiveness! (1 John 1:9). Second, you must forgive those who've failed you-parents, siblings, children, bosses, spouses, friends, enemies, etc. Severing the chains to your past restores your options for the future. 2) Faith. When you've been stuck for a long time, forward momentum can seem impossible. You lack direction, energy and confidence. What to do? Getting traction requires a willingness to act in spite of your feelings. God calls this 'faith,' and He always responds to it! 'He rewards those who earnestly seek him.' When you act like you believe, God will reward your faith-and the feeling of faith will follow your action!

FORGIVENESS (1)

'We love because he first loved us.' 1 John 4:19

One author writes: 'Think of an area of unforgiveness and see if any of these reasons to hold a grudge resonate with you. a) Anger keeps more potent emotions at bay; once it's gone you fear the emotional flood that may follow. b) A grudge takes time and energy, and you're not sure who you'd be without it. c) You've replayed your 'personal-betrayal-and-hurt movie' so often you know it by heart. d) The idea of moving on is terrifying, whereas misery is familiar. e) The offender has done nothing to deserve forgiveness. f) Harbouring resentment stops you from getting hurt again because nobody can get close.' Jesus said, 'Why...look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own?' (Matthew 7:3 NIV). This author says, 'I've banged my plank into walls and around corners so often I'm certain I have retina damage!' Now consider these Reasons for releasing a grudge. a) Relinquishing past hurts frees you to embrace the present and future. b) When you're not spending time and energy feeding a grudge, you can nourish new, healthy ideas. c) The offender can't keep hurting you when you shake off the shackles and move on. d) Holding a grudge feels like a form of control, but actually you're the one being controlled. e) Once you lower your defences you can start to heal, love, and be loved. f) Feeling angry feels good temporarily, but being healed feels so much better. g) God mandates us to love 'because he first loved us.' You've held onto it long enough; it's time to let it go and enjoy the freedom that comes from forgiveness.

MARITAL HAPPINESS

'Blessed (happy, to be envied...) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves Matthew 5:3

When the rosy glow diminishes and reality sets in, what makes some marriages happy while others slide into misery? Luck? Good genes? Hanging tough? Hardly! Marital happiness that transcends changing circumstances is built on the qualities Jesus taught. Let's look at them: 1) Happy are the humble. 'Blessed (happy...) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant).' Pride that's self-promoting and always demanding its rights brings misery, while humility, self-denial and considering your mate's needs brings happiness. 2) Happy are the meek: the gentle, patient and kind. Handling your spouse's struggles with kindness, sensitivity and long-suffering is an expression of love that brings healing into the painful chapters of life and marriage. 3) Happy are the merciful. Sooner or later we'll inflict injury on one another. Hurt, disappointment and anger will rise up, followed by a desire to make them pay. But just as revenge begets revenge, mercy begets mercy. Mercy isn't 'letting them get away with it.' Treating your spouse mercifully is reciprocal. It creates an atmosphere, where, when you fail, you 'shall obtain mercy.' Mercy ends disputes when nothing else works! 4) Happy are the peacemakers. The need to be 'right' and 'win' only intensifies conflict. In marriage, when one 'wins,' both lose! Giving up personal victory to be a peacemaker is ultimate victory. You'd be eternally lost if Jesus hadn't willingly surrendered His rights for your wrongs. The ring is not the sole symbol of Christian marriage, but the cross superimposed on the ring. Christ-like surrender of our uncrucified self promotes marital happiness!

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT LEADER

'They nominated...Barsabbas...and Matthias.' Acts 1:23

When Judas committed suicide, the team of apostles was one man short. So what did they do? 'They nominated two men...Barsabbas...and Matthias.' To decide which one was called to take the place of Judas, they used a method known as 'casting lots.' It was a system used in biblical times when only a few select people could actually speak with God or hear from Him personally. As a result, Matthias was chosen. You say, 'But I've never heard of Matthias.' And nobody else has either! He is not mentioned again in Scripture. But Barsabbas, the man who didn't get the vote, is referred to as one of the leaders who steered the church through some treacherous waters of doctrinal error (Acts 15:22-23). There are two important lessons for us in this story: 1) You can know God but you will never be able to figure Him out. So stop trying. You can't reduce Him to a formula and say, 'This is the way He always does it.' Casting lots was a system God may have honoured in the past, but when the apostles tried it they didn't get the results they hoped for. 2) God will speak to you if you are willing to listen. Before leaving them, Jesus had told His disciples that the indwelling Holy Spirit would guide them. 'All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, "The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me"' (John 16:15NLT). You say, 'But how will I know the Holy Spirit has spoken to me?' Because it will produce the results that God wants!