Are you looking for a really inspiring story to read? I came across one today. This week I have been reading verses throughout Scripture with the word directed in them. One of the verses for today was Acts 10:22. That one verse led me to read Acts 10 and 11. I highly encourage you to read those two chapters. I've read over them before, but as God's Word always does it taught me something new and different today. Here's a summary of the story:
God spoke through a vision to a centurion named Cornelius who believed in God. This vision gave Cornelius direction about someone to help his people - Peter. Cornelius took heed to God's instruction and sent some men to go bring Peter back to Caesarea. While the men were journeying to see Peter, Peter had a vision about meat that was once unclean being made clean. Verse 10:28 reveals the meaning to this vision: Peter should not call any man unholy or unclean. This vision was part of God preparing Peter to speak to people the Jews said were unclean, the gentiles. When the time arrived for God to use Peter in Caesarea, God told him so and sent the messengers for Peter to lead him there. The messengers explained that Cornelius was directed by God to hear a message from Peter. Peter went to Caesarea. When Peter arrived at the place God had called him to, Peter was obedient and available to share the gospel and God gave Him the words to speak. Peter shared a simple gospel presentation with a crowd of gentiles and they received the Holy Spirit. This led to their baptisms, and people began to share Christ with other gentiles. They realized that Christ is for everyone, not just the Jews. Some people went to Antioch and established a church there. That is also when "Christians" was first used.
As a result of people being so obedient and available, people were saved, churches were established, and a barrier was broken. This is an amazing story of the Lord displaying His grace to the gentiles, providing divine direction to His people, bringing about opportunities through obedience, and showing His powerful hand in everything!
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