The Path to Fervent Grace

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge (or submit) to him and he will direct your paths (or make your paths straight)” (Prov. 3:5-6).
 
Stepping out in faith to follow the Lord’s leading is not always easy.  Those of us who struggle with fear and insecurities find ourselves second-guessing what initially seemed like a clear calling from the Lord.
 
I shared my vision of starting a blog with a couple of women in my Bible study group.  One of the ladies started to pray and she asked  the Lord to show me a straight path to his will.  She then spoke of flowers and beauty.  I had a vision of a Peaceful Path canvas I had seen just a couple of hours before.  I felt a sense of peace and awe.

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I have been thinking of God’s grace toward me.  I have been thinking about what “brand” I should use as I start my blog.  “Fervent Grace” keeps coming to mind. 
 
As I was reading Isaiah 55:8-13 today I saw a vision of the Peaceful Path again.
 
God wants to send the cleansing power of his grace to overflow and seep into every fiber of my DNA so that I am infused with the peace that passes understanding.  Once that peace takes hold of my heart and mind, I will overflow with the joy of the Lord.
 
The path that was once overgrown with briers and thorns has been cleared of all that once obscured the path from view.  Now, I can confidently step forth in joy and be led in peace.  Because my Heavenly Father is leading me with his loving and righteous right hand, I have nothing to fear.
 
Where he steps, I step.  When he stops, I stop.  When he runs, I run.  When he rests, I rest.  When he sings, I sing.  I never grow tired or weary because I allow him to lead me.  I do not try to run ahead or ask him to change direction.  My hand is secure in his and the path is clear and straight.
 
The mountains and hills start to burst forth into song; the trees of the field are clapping their hands.  The thorn bush has been uprooted and destroyed.  In its place are beautiful cypress trees.  The briers have been replaced with crepe myrtle and flowers of vibrant colors.  The path has been cleared by God’s fervent grace for his eternal glory and as a sign for generations to come.
 
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
 
How does all this lead into confirming the brand “Fervent Grace”?  Fervent means “without ceasing.”  What could be more appropriate to proclaim the Lord’s grace in my life than a phrase that reflects what I know to be true of his grace toward me – it has been with me every day of my life, even when I did not recognize what it meant.   My Heavenly Father leads me along the path of life with grace that never ceases.

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