December 12, 2012 … God’s Tapestry of Life

Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 347

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Review: Acts, Chapters 24-26 To review these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passages: Acts 24 : [NLT] … {Using the link above you can read Chapter 24 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, where the Apostle was taken for trial by a mob of Jews to Caesarea, where the Roman Governor, Felix, resided and would hear Paul’s case. A Jewish advocate/orator, Tertullus, argued the case for the Jews, trying to have Paul killed; but Paul gives a staunch and righteous defense; and Felix becomes under conviction and begins to fear what Paul was preaching about Christian values. Paul was held in custody in Caesarea for two years, where Festus finally became the new Roman Governor; and we pick this up in Acts, Chapter 25. } …
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Highlight Passages: Acts 25 : [NLT] … {Two years later in Paul’s unjust jailing in Caesarea, Festus becomes the new Roman Governor in the province of Judea; and the Jews are still after Paul to kill him; and at this time Paul, being a Roman citizen, demands that he be heard by Caesar in Rome. And while all this is going on, the Jewish regent, Agrippa, comes to Caesarea to visit, and Festus, not believing that Paul is guilty of anything, but having to respond to Paul’s demands to go to Rome, asks Agrippa to help him document the charges against Paul to send to Rome.} … ============

Highlight Passages: Acts 26 : [NLT] … {In Chapter 26 of Acts we read of Paul giving his appeal before Agrippa, Festus, and the Roman court in Caesarea; and Paul’s oratory and Spirit-led testimony comes out, with Paul powerfully giving his own personal testimony to Agrippa and the Roman Governor, Felix. And Felix, after hearing Paul’s testimony and witness to the Gospel merely thinks Paul is crazy, not seeing anything to hold against Paul legally. So, Paul’s request to go to Rome and appeal before the Caesar was granted. This, of course, gives Paul the opportunity to go to Rome to share the Gospel there as he had so desired and expressed in his letter to the Romans, which we have documented in our Bible Book of Romans.} …

My Journal for Today: Have you ever seen an elegant and beautifully-woven tapestry, woven by a skilled artisan and rug-maker, which, if you look on the working side of the tapestry looks like a mish-mash of threads, knots, and gnarls? Well, many times when one gives his/her testimony, it plays out as a beautifully woven tapestry of God, leading one through various ups-and-downs and the story taking the person through various complicated paths, … but coming out with a beautiful story – a tapestry – which gives honor and glory to God. But while God is weaving that testimony, that person’s life, being shaped by God, on the working side of the tapestry, it definitely does not seem to be a pretty picture.

That was Paul’s story – his life tapestry – in Acts, Chapters 24-26 - where Paul’s life was slowly being woven by God in Caesarea over several years, where God was weaving the events of Paul’s life with various threads and knots being brought together by God in the lives of men like Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, finally putting the tapestry together Paul would take to Rome. This was a bucket-list dream of Paul’s, so that he could see the Roman Christians and share the Gospel in Rome. What a tapestry we read in these three chapters of Acts, so beautifully shaped, as God wove it into Paul’s life, … but so gnarly on the working side of the tapestry as God was weaving all the details into Paul’s life tapestry.

Perhaps you, as I can, look back on your life, with many incredibly complex turns and twists, knots and gnarls, … God weaving your life to become the picture others see in you now. I look back and see me making choices, which on one side would look so twisted and certainly didn’t seem to reflect God’s workmanship in me; but now the tapestry of Bill Berry actually is beginning to take on an image which is beginning to look more like the tapestry God is weaving into my life. Paul wrote about this process, which preachers call “sanctification” in Phil. 1: 6 … "… I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” 

My friend, don’t be discouraged if your life seems – to your view (on your side of the tapestry) – to be gnarly and very un-beautiful.  Remember, God is the Master Weaver; and as long as we are pursuing the relationship He desires for us, He will weave our lives for others to see a tapestry which is beautiful and honors God, the Father, with His workmanship.

My Prayer Today: … Lord, let my life be a tapestry where others see You, no matter how gnarly the weaving seems to me. Amen