CHAPTER 8 - HOLDING BACK
I just remembered that when we had first got to Columbus Ohio, I had made a friend named Christie, and she gave me a ride to a thrift store to buy a few things. And on the counter as we were checking out, was a small town news letter. So I took one and while driving away, I read a scripture that was on it, and it was Acts 5:1-5. It is about how Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession and instead of bringing all the money they got for it to the Apostle, they kept some of the money and lied and said they gave it all. And when I read that, my spirit jumped within me and I told my friend "that is what God is doing! That is what He is doing!" And the next time we went to church, there was a guest speaker that night. And his message was on how we have not given God our best. That we are holding back the best. And he gave the same scripture that was on that newsletter! People were flooding to the altar and bringing all kinds of things and leaving them at the altar. They were even going home and getting stereos, shoes, jackets, and lots of big things; the altar was overflowing with offerings and sacrifices of people giving their best! This is a big 5000 seat church with a big long altar, and it was full! And then God reminded me; I did not give my best. I still kept out of all the things I got rid of, a large bag of jewelry. It was the size of a man shaving bag and heavy, filled with lots of real diamonds, gem stones, silver and gold. I didn't have a car at this time, so the next day, I brought it to the church and gave God my best things that I was holding back. I was also surprised to see lots of other people coming back the next day, still bringing God their best!
Wow, that was an absolutely awesome experience to see all those people hearing God at the same time! If He told me what He was going to do, He was also telling them. That is why no one hesitated to give their best, God was already speaking to them even before they got there.
So I'm sitting here thinking even about when he called me and said "repent". I thought I was already good, when I wasn't. And then I even thought that I had given up everything to follow Him, and I hadn't. Just goes to show how our minds can deceive us. We need to stay constantly in that intimate relationship with Him to lead us and teach us. Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
We were starting to thrive and enjoy Columbus, Ohio. I wasn't able to continue bible college due to finances, so I got a full time job as an Apartment Community Manager. God gave us a car for only $200, it burned oil pretty badly but it got us around. Mandy was still going to 1st grade at World Harvest Church and doing well. We even had a picnic at the park with her teacher, so fun.
Another awesome thing that happened when we first got to Columbus was Amanda saw an angel. I had memorized Psalm 91 when we lived in Phoenix because we had so many supernatural things going on. And I was in the habit of saying it every night before bed. But this particular night in Columbus Ohio, we were both sleeping on a borrowed twin mattress on the floor. I forgot to say Psalm 91 over us that night and Amanda woke up in the middle of the night crying and scared. I was so tired, so I just told her its okay honey go back to sleep. And she kept crying, still scared. And then as we were laying there facing each other, she looks past me and behind me and says "I see an angel, I see an angel and she said DO NOT BE AFRAID." And she went right back to sleep. The next day we are sitting in church and the Pastor is preaching on Mary, when the ANGEL GABRIEL SHOWED UP AND TOLD HER "DO NOT BE AFRAID." Amanda and I looked at each other with our mouths wide open in amazement! And then after that happened she would occasionally tell me that she sees a light following her! Praise God!
I will never forget seeing an angel!
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