Assume the shooting position.
Nock the arrow.
Draw and anchor the bow.
Aim.
Release the string.
Follow through.
These are the steps to shooting a bow and arrow. God spoke to me and said sometimes our life can be like these six steps of shooting a bow and arrow. Now God would represent the shooter because He has all power to hold things in this life steady and of course He has great instincts on where He would like for us to go. We would be the arrow, and the bow would be the position of life we are currently in. Let's break this down step by step shall we?
Step 1: Assume the shooting Position
Now with God being well....God, He is always in a position to place us where we need to be at any time. Due to Him being the Almighty, He has all authority to direct us to where He wants us to be and what place would be best for us. His stance or "position" is being holy in our lives.
Step 2: Nock the Arrow
Honestly, I had to look up what this meant. Basically this step is positioning the arrow in the bow. So we as the arrow would be positioned by God in this very moment of our lives. Now remember, the bow represents where we currently are. Now can this place be uncomfortable? Absolutely, because ultimately this is not where we are headed. We are just put into position of where we are going to be!
Step 3: Draw and Anchor the Bow
This step is very important! Drawing the bow is where the shooter pulls it backwards in order to get in position to release. When God is drawing us in life, it may seem like nothing is going the way that it should. We may feel like we have taken a few steps back, and well we have! We may feel forgotten and abandoned and it may be dark and feel lonely, but that's not the case! As the Shooter is drawing the bow, He is also anchoring it. He is holding it steady, so that it won't be released prematurely. We are right where we need to be!
Step 4: Aim
God will begin to open doors and position you to right where you need to be. We may be here for a while, and that's ok. Sometimes the target isn't quite ready to be hit. Pray constantly and seek Him.
Step 5: Release
Now He has released you to the very place He wants you to be in. Remember, It has to be at the proper time. If He releases too early the target place will be behind you and pass you up, and if it's too late...well we know how that goes.
Step 6: Follow Through
Watch God protect you and enable you to walk through His desired place in this life for you.
I hope this has encouraged you as it has encouraged me. This gives me hope that God has way more in store than where I am at this current point in my life. Hey...#WontHeDoIt?!?! Share this with someone who needs it a dose of hope.
Loving You,
Chelsea Elizabeth
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Sometimes vs. All The Time
Sometimes, I just can't wrap my head around how good You are.
Sometimes, I can't see how you could bless someone like me.
Sometimes, I wish I was better for You.
Yet, all the time, Your grace envelopes me.
Yet, all the time, Your blessings are abundant.
And
Yet, all the time Your love for me never changes.
Thank You for finding me in my shades of sometimes.
There, I find You waiting patiently for me.
There, Your iridescent presence puts my darkness to shame.
And
There, my sometimes evaporate in your, all the time, love.
Sometimes, I can't see how you could bless someone like me.
Sometimes, I wish I was better for You.
Yet, all the time, Your grace envelopes me.
Yet, all the time, Your blessings are abundant.
And
Yet, all the time Your love for me never changes.
Thank You for finding me in my shades of sometimes.
There, I find You waiting patiently for me.
There, Your iridescent presence puts my darkness to shame.
And
There, my sometimes evaporate in your, all the time, love.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Signature of the Redeemer
Hey all,
There has been a slight change...yes, I have changed the title of my website. I had been seeking God one night and I felt a tug in my heart to change the name to something more personal. I want to explain this reasoning because it is so dear to me.
Honestly, I felt a little convicted by the last title, Our ashes to beauty. I felt that I was making it all about us, when in reality it's all about Him and what He has done for us. Our Redeemer. I want everything in this life to point to Him. I am not declaring that what I was said in previous posts was not about Him; because it was all God breathed and written. However, I want the very essence and the very title, subject, thesis, and conclusion to be directed towards His presence.
As I was sitting and reading a book by an amazing man of God (more on that next time), I shared my heart with the King and asked Him to change the name. Signature of the Redeemer. The name brings tears to my eyes because it reminds me that I have been bought with an expensive price and that I am loved beyond measure!
A new year of school started yesterday here in Georgia, and It made me think of when I was in school years back. The fresh smell of new crayons and a new backpack, and I remember my mom would put my initials on all of my belongings. She would say this is to let others know that this backpack and these supplies belong to you. Throughout the years, I started getting in the habit of writing my name on things that belonged to me so no one would take them.
When we accepted Jesus our Savior, God initialed us with the blood of His Son, and now we belong to Him. We are forever His! Nothing can separate or pluck us from His loving hands.
"neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39 NIV)."
I don't know about you, but my favorite part of school was going on field trips! It was the joy of knowing for an entire day I would not have to sit in somebody's boring classroom! Usually, there was two vital pieces of information that was needed in order to attend one of these fields trips: 1. A small payment or fee and 2. A Permission slip with you parent or guardian's signature.
The money could be used for transportation, entrance fees, food, etc. and the permission slips, as we all know was to make sure that we had the okay from our parents saying that we could go. Then there was the attachment of the allergy form, the emergency contact information, and the outline of consequences for unsatisfactory behavior. You know, for our protection and all that good stuff.
As much as I looked forward to all of the field trips, there were some aspects of the trips that I couldn't control. For example, the kid with motion sickness, my over talkative partner in the buddy system, my under expressive partner in the buddy system, getting lost, losing my wallet, and on and on it goes.
Life is sort of like a field trip. It can be adventurous and something to look forward to day in and day out, but it can also have it's challenges. As Christ followers, we go through this life with two vital pieces of information. 1) Being able to live this life victoriously due Jesus paying a fee, with His blood, for our freedom. We have been redeemed!
"For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. (1 Corinthians 7:22-23 NIV)"
"You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. (Lamentations 3:58 NIV)"
2) Through Christ's death and resurrection, we now have the signature of our Redeemer as promise that we will never see the pits of hell in spite of our unsatisfactory behavior (sin), and we have a Father we can call on when in need. He is worthy to be praised!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
"He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." (Psalm 145:19 NIV)
"...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14 NIV)
I thank God for our Redeemer and our King in our lives. My prayer today is that His signature is on every aspect of your being and that His presence will flow in every area of your life. I speak peace and love and joy through Him on you today and forever more. Seek Him for He has redeemed your life!
"Our Redeemer—the Lord Almighty is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4 NIV)
Loving you,
Chelsea Elizabeth
There has been a slight change...yes, I have changed the title of my website. I had been seeking God one night and I felt a tug in my heart to change the name to something more personal. I want to explain this reasoning because it is so dear to me.
Honestly, I felt a little convicted by the last title, Our ashes to beauty. I felt that I was making it all about us, when in reality it's all about Him and what He has done for us. Our Redeemer. I want everything in this life to point to Him. I am not declaring that what I was said in previous posts was not about Him; because it was all God breathed and written. However, I want the very essence and the very title, subject, thesis, and conclusion to be directed towards His presence.
As I was sitting and reading a book by an amazing man of God (more on that next time), I shared my heart with the King and asked Him to change the name. Signature of the Redeemer. The name brings tears to my eyes because it reminds me that I have been bought with an expensive price and that I am loved beyond measure!
A new year of school started yesterday here in Georgia, and It made me think of when I was in school years back. The fresh smell of new crayons and a new backpack, and I remember my mom would put my initials on all of my belongings. She would say this is to let others know that this backpack and these supplies belong to you. Throughout the years, I started getting in the habit of writing my name on things that belonged to me so no one would take them.
When we accepted Jesus our Savior, God initialed us with the blood of His Son, and now we belong to Him. We are forever His! Nothing can separate or pluck us from His loving hands.
"neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39 NIV)."
I don't know about you, but my favorite part of school was going on field trips! It was the joy of knowing for an entire day I would not have to sit in somebody's boring classroom! Usually, there was two vital pieces of information that was needed in order to attend one of these fields trips: 1. A small payment or fee and 2. A Permission slip with you parent or guardian's signature.
The money could be used for transportation, entrance fees, food, etc. and the permission slips, as we all know was to make sure that we had the okay from our parents saying that we could go. Then there was the attachment of the allergy form, the emergency contact information, and the outline of consequences for unsatisfactory behavior. You know, for our protection and all that good stuff.
As much as I looked forward to all of the field trips, there were some aspects of the trips that I couldn't control. For example, the kid with motion sickness, my over talkative partner in the buddy system, my under expressive partner in the buddy system, getting lost, losing my wallet, and on and on it goes.
Life is sort of like a field trip. It can be adventurous and something to look forward to day in and day out, but it can also have it's challenges. As Christ followers, we go through this life with two vital pieces of information. 1) Being able to live this life victoriously due Jesus paying a fee, with His blood, for our freedom. We have been redeemed!
"For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. (1 Corinthians 7:22-23 NIV)"
"You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. (Lamentations 3:58 NIV)"
2) Through Christ's death and resurrection, we now have the signature of our Redeemer as promise that we will never see the pits of hell in spite of our unsatisfactory behavior (sin), and we have a Father we can call on when in need. He is worthy to be praised!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
"He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." (Psalm 145:19 NIV)
"...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14 NIV)
I thank God for our Redeemer and our King in our lives. My prayer today is that His signature is on every aspect of your being and that His presence will flow in every area of your life. I speak peace and love and joy through Him on you today and forever more. Seek Him for He has redeemed your life!
"Our Redeemer—the Lord Almighty is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4 NIV)
Loving you,
Chelsea Elizabeth
Friday, August 1, 2014
The Amazing Promise
Hey Guys!!
I accidentally took the month off! It's been a crazy four weeks of relocation, job changes, and lots of prayer. I didn't forget about you! That totally reminds me of my devotional this morning. God spoke to me today and said that I have not forgotten you. I still see you, even when you can't see what's going to happen next.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. " (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV).
I don't know about you, but I totally needed that awesome reminder, in this season of transition, that I am not forgotten and that He still sees and cares for me. Sometimes, when God doesn't speak, I feel as though He doesn't care. I know that this lie is associated with seeing God as my parent.
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6 NIV)
You may or may not know this about me, but I don't have a great relationship with my parents. Like, we don't even speak on a regular basis. They have their own lives and I have mine. I still pray for them and forgive them for abandoning me, but it is still an often painful reality.
However, my Abba is nothing like my earthly parents! He is the King of the universe and the Creator of all things!! The Creator of the moon, seasons, and oceans is my DAD!! How cool is that?
His word says, "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. " (Joshua 1:5 NIV)
What an amazing promise! Thank Him, today, for His constant presence, even if you don't feel Him near. He is always with you. He loves us!! I don't know who this was for today, or maybe it was for me and I just needed to share the joys of it, but I hope this truth will be a constant reminder to your soul and will give you immediate strength and peace.
I missed y'all. There is so much I have to share with you. Buckle up!!
Loving you,
Chelsea Elizabeth
I accidentally took the month off! It's been a crazy four weeks of relocation, job changes, and lots of prayer. I didn't forget about you! That totally reminds me of my devotional this morning. God spoke to me today and said that I have not forgotten you. I still see you, even when you can't see what's going to happen next.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. " (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV).
I don't know about you, but I totally needed that awesome reminder, in this season of transition, that I am not forgotten and that He still sees and cares for me. Sometimes, when God doesn't speak, I feel as though He doesn't care. I know that this lie is associated with seeing God as my parent.
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6 NIV)
You may or may not know this about me, but I don't have a great relationship with my parents. Like, we don't even speak on a regular basis. They have their own lives and I have mine. I still pray for them and forgive them for abandoning me, but it is still an often painful reality.
However, my Abba is nothing like my earthly parents! He is the King of the universe and the Creator of all things!! The Creator of the moon, seasons, and oceans is my DAD!! How cool is that?
His word says, "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. " (Joshua 1:5 NIV)
What an amazing promise! Thank Him, today, for His constant presence, even if you don't feel Him near. He is always with you. He loves us!! I don't know who this was for today, or maybe it was for me and I just needed to share the joys of it, but I hope this truth will be a constant reminder to your soul and will give you immediate strength and peace.
I missed y'all. There is so much I have to share with you. Buckle up!!
Loving you,
Chelsea Elizabeth
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