The Twelve Year Old Astounds the Crowd

Sitting in traffic, I watched as a very small car inched into the left-turn lane and then slowly proceeded. A bigger car was coming down the hill fast. My heart beat faster. Suddenly the bigger car barely veered to the right as the small car came to a complete stop. Tires squealed loudly, and the bigger car barely missed the smaller car. My own car was still stopped, and my hands immediately went up to Heaven praising God for the near miss!

Living in the heart of the Bible Belt, I doubt anyone thought twice about my response. Giving thanks to God in a moment like that simply flowed from my heart. It reminds me of the Apostle Peter as he witnessed Jesus speak the words, "Talitha koum!" ("Little girl, get up!"). The twelve-year-old girl, who had been dead, arose. I can easily imagine Peter's hands immediately lifting toward Heaven in praise to God. Yet the people were not watching Peter—they were watching the twelve-year-old! Scripture tells us they were astounded.

Peter never forgot the power and compassion of Jesus Christ. Later, the greatest astonishment of all came through Jesus' Resurrection. Peter became a steadfast witness, proclaiming Christ and passing His teachings on to new believers who were strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Read First and Second Peter, and you can almost hear his warm, friendly voice—a disciple who learned through both triumph and tragedy. Without hesitation, Peter calls people to place their lives into Christ's hands with a deeper, practical faith.

Peter also gives us a "hands lifted to Heaven" understanding of God's Grace—the very Grace he personally received from Jesus. He teaches that Grace is Christ's compassion at work within us, correcting, restoring, and transforming us for holy living. His words continue to guide believers today:

"Grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

As we grow in His Grace, our hearts become more grateful, our faith grows stronger, and our hands naturally rise toward Heaven in praise to God.

Throw Your Hands Up to Heaven!

Rev. Patricia E. Walker, AlphaChurch.org

Prayer Requests link https://www.alphachurch.org/.../the-faith-that-prepares...

Abundant blessings in Jesus Christ!

Alpha Church Inc

PO Box 33097

Tulsa, OK 74153