Now I Know WHY?!

For a long time, I wanted to attend Hillsong Music College after I graduated High School. In fact, I couldn't wait! So the summer after I graduated from Lafayette Christian Academy, July 2004, I went with Pastor Tessy and Micah to Sydney, Australia to check it out. While I was there, I heard God speak so strongly in my life. He said, "Go back home." Now, I don't normally hear the audible voice of God. However, this time I did! I knew it wasn't where I was supposed to be. It was a bitter sweet moment for me though. For as long as I can remember I had dreamed of this incredible opportunity and now God is telling me NO. However, I was at peace because I heard His voice. I remember riding down the elevator with Pastor Tessy and I told her what God had told me. I knew I had heard from God, but for the first time I now know WHY?!
While we were praying for Katie Muguira in church on Sunday, I felt God's sweet presence cover me. You see, Katie is moving to Colorado to attend New Life School of Worship. I am beyond excited for her and what God is going to do in her life.....(Back to my story) While we were praying for her, God audibly told me that "Rachel I have called you to train and teach those around you and send them out- NOT YOU!
It was pretty profound to me. The Family Church is a training ground for musicians all over the world.
Looking back, I am beyond grateful for listening to God's voice 7 years ago. Because now I know WHY.

Listen for His voice this week!

You have the Power to Move Mountains

Right now at The Family Church we are in a Wednesday Night Series called "Fresh Air."
Pastor Jay is talking about Prayer. He breaks down the scripture "Our father who art in heaven"... Matt 6:9. Since Wednesday Night I have been trying to look at prayer with a different perspective. I am so quick to ask God for things, and sometimes I just need to THANK HIM for all He has done for me. While others times, just LISTEN. So yesterday was my test....When I started praying, I immediately started to ask God for things, and then I realized what I was doing. So I stopped and started thanking Him for all He has done, then instead of asking God for things I started thanking Him for the things/needs that I really didn't have.
Then God told me, "Rachel, I  have given you the power to move mountains!"....WOW! INCREDIBLE!!! actually I told God...."Sweeeeeeeeettttt."  lol!

In just two days, I have seen God drastically change some situations! At first I was in shock, then I remembered the power of my words and thoughts and what God said...."YOU have the power to Move Mountains."

P.S. IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE, PLEASE COME NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 6:30PM! IT'S AN INCREDIBLE LIFE CHANGING SERIES!!!

Are you in love with God or just His stuff?

Last night I closed worship in church service, and I had mentioned this statement, "Are you in love with God or just His stuff?" Well, this morning it is still heavy in my spirit. God is REALLY challenging me in this area. Rachel, you love me for me or what I bring? The more I think about it, the more I realize that He loves me just for being me and nothing else. He died for those that will reject Him their entire life! Now, that's love right there! God even loves people who Hate him--just for being them. Pretty Powerful. I know I can't say the same :)

The irony is that while God doesn't NEED us but still WANTS us, we desperately NEED God but don't really want Him most of the time. (This quote comes from the book- "Crazy Love")

Lord, today I choose to love you for just being YOU. If you never do another thing for me, you have done enough already. I love you God just the way you are....because you do the same for me.

Have a blessed day!

What a Coincidence?

Last week I blogged about David being broken before the Lord (Psalms 51). Well, yesterday morning when I saw what scriptures I had to read for the day (YouVersion app) Psalms 51 was there again! So, I figured there was a reason why God was bringing me back to that scripture.....yeah, for me to learn!

Here are the key things that I learned from Psalms 51.

1. God will make a fresh start in you. (Psalms 51:10)...Coincidence again? NO- It's our series at TFC!
Doesn't matter what you have done today...A fresh start is ALWAYS available for anyone who wants it.

2. God is after truth from the inside out. (Psalms 51:6)
I think of "Motives"...what is your motive? It's what's on the inside that matters.

3. Going through the motions doesn't please God. (Psalms 51:16)
I think of "Christians" believe it or not! Myself included!  It's so easy to get stuck in a rut of going through the motions of even "church" that we forget how blessed we are to freely worship Him.  Continually, do a heart check on a regular basis.

4. A flawless performance is NOTHING to Him. (Psalms 51:16)
You might be shocked on this one, but I think of Musicians! It's so easy to get caught up in the music side of things and forget the Main Thing- JESUS. You can play all the right chords and sing all the right notes and God is not even present. However, you can mess up on every note and the anointing of God fall like you've never seen before. A flawless performance is NOTHING to Him..... Lord, I pray that I would choose YOU every time.

What did David learn?...or should I say What did Rachel learn?

-What is real worship?- When your pride is shattered.
-Lives that have been shattered don't escape God's notice.
-God is generous in love and gives grace to the humble.

*It's pretty amazing how much we can learn from just ONE chapter!

Was it a coincidence? I think not..... It was God speaking!

So Be It....

Yesterday my Pastor preached one of his best sermons ever! (in my opinion ;) ....can you just imagine God saying at the end of everything you say, "so be it"

I will never get out of debt! ....so be it

I am always sick....so be it

I am healed....so be it

Its amazing how powerful your words and thoughts are!

Choose today to speak and believe in the impossible, because that's when God likes to work- in impossible situations!

I'm Awesome!.....so be it

It's NOT mine to begin with...

This past Thursday Night I honored my musicians in band practice. We had a great time of food, fellowship, worship, teaching and our media made a video just to say Thank You. I truly believe that you can never say "thank you" enough. I am beyond grateful for what each of them bring to the table. I couldn't do it without each and every one of them...

When I think of honor, I think of respect. It's so easy to sometimes take the credit and not honor those around you. And the more I think about "taking the credit"...the more I think about GOD. He is the one who has given us the talents and abilities in the first place. So any time the enemy creeps up, I think of what Christ did for me. I wouldn't even be ABLE to take the credit if he didn't die on the cross for me. So everything that I "think" is mine, is really HIS. The credit is not mine to begin with- it's His..He deserves ALL THE PRAISE AND ALL THE GLORY! He is a pretty jealous God :)

P.S. Before you pray for your needs in the morning...give Him thanks first- He deserves the credit!

Can't wait to worship MY King today!

CrAzY LOVE

In our staff meeting on Tuesday, Pastor Jay recommended a great book for us to read if we were looking for a good book- "Crazy Love"
So, I downloaded it on my iPad and started reading.
Whether you're a worship leader, musician, volunteer, or just attend a church..I firmly believe that when something is on your pastor's heart (such as: sermon topic, book, idea, prayer/fasting) it should gravitate to your heart too. There is nothing like being on "the same page." It's amazing when churches start the new year with prayer and fasting. There is just nothing like it! You have the heartbeat of the church (God's people)...
So all you TFC'ers if youre looking for a great book- read "crazy love."

There's nothing like being a part of the vision of the House!
Have a great weekend!