Marilyn Riggien
It doesn’t matter to me what you make of it and whether you want to receive it or not, but this is what G_d is telling me.
5 February 2005
Early in the year 2005, I wanted to receive tongues from the Lord – it seemed to be the next step, although I did not really understand anything about it or really knew why. It was just the thing other Christians kind of expected of you as you grow your relationship with the Lord. It was on the 5th of January 2005 that I asked G_d for the first time to grant me tongues.
Through a little book on tongues that someone at our prayer group gave me, I started studying the scriptures in the book of Acts - all the scriptures referring to receiving tongues. Whilst studying these scriptures, I realized they spoke a lot about baptism and I started wondering if it was necessary to be baptized as an adult. Not being very keen on the subject, however very bothered by it, I decided to make it my study in order to get to a conclusion. I was baptized as a baby and it was never a discussion in our home that it might have been misunderstood. I was quite surprised not to find any reference to the baby baptism in my Bible, but after my 'thorough' studies, I concluded: I have no need to be baptized; it is not a MUST and definitely NOT for me … definitely NO.
The following scripture jumped out at me from reading my devotional:
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands...so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
At the time I was considering giving up work in the city and do my own thing, working from home, creating my 3D cakes for an income. Michaela was going to be in Grade 1 and she would need to be dropped off and picked up from school, and I did not want her to go to aftercare after school. This was my confirmation to start my cake business and work from home!
9 February 2005
We were at Gwen's home, and I shared with the girls my terrifying dream about demons the previous night. I have been having many similar dreams and terrifying experiences the past year and it instilled great fear at the time.
Gwen felt G_d was prompting her to anoint me with oil. I remember her pulling up a chair, asking me to sit and the girls stood around me with a bottle of sunflower oil. We were making a couple of jokes and giggling trying to find anointing oil and then decided that sunflower oil would do just fine! Next, Gwen felt in her heart to pour the full bottle of oil over my head! It was running down my face, over my eyes, and down my chest and shoulders and we had a bit of a giggle because it was funny! It was however a very special moment and something that G_d took me back to many years after to encourage me and remind me of His faithfulness. Gwen said, 'herewith, G_d is depositing great wisdom and knowledge of the Word into your life.'
After I left and cleaned myself up I had this urge to go to CUM book stores to get a book. At home, I opened it on the following scripture, and one that I received on 11 November already:
Isaiah 45:3-4:
"I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the LORD,
Who called you by your name,
Am the G_d of Israel.
For Jacob My servant’s sake,
And Israel My elect,
I have even called you by your name;"
I was taken again to Psalm 92 but this time my attention was drawn to verse 10: "I have been anointed with fresh oil."
My devotional for today read: If you maintain an intimate walk with G_d and remain sensitive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, you will soon be in harmony with G_d's will. This requires the discipline of prayer and meditation. We must learn to be silent in the Holy presence of the Lord.
G_d also caused me to read Isaiah 51:13
You have feared continually every day , because of the fury of the oppressor.
Wow, only G_d can guide you to the right scripture at the right time!
10 February 2005
Our small group friends got together again to pray. Myself, Cath and Anthia stood in a circle and prayed and worshipped. I felt a prompting in my heart to remove my shoes however, I thought I was imagining it. At some point, I opened my eyes and I saw the other ladies were already without shoes! I quickly kicked off my shoes quietly and then I saw a bright light appear around my feet and I felt light as a feather as if I could fly!
When I got home I opened my Bible on this scripture, and I wrote the date next to it in pencil:
2 Samuel 22:34
“He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.”
Six days later, on the 16th of February, I saw Gwen
(she was not with us on the 10th) and she apologised and told me that
it had been a few days since the Lord placed on her heart to give me a specific
scripture and she had not yet done so. She gave me:
2 Samuel 22:32-34!
“For who is G_d, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our G_d?
G_d is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on high places.”
The same scripture!?!
A few days later we got together again as usual, and we were talking and sharing around a cup of coffee and cake. Out of nowhere, completely off the subject, my friend Cath looked at me and asked: “Have you been baptised yet?” Now, she had no idea that I had been doing my research on this subject. It was a firm and kind of pushy tone. I don’t know why but immediately the cake got stuck in my throat, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up! I explained that I had done my studies on this subject and no, there was no need for this. She continued and said: “G_d is telling me to tell you that you need to be baptized.”
I don't know why I felt so much resistance in me but Cath continued: “It doesn’t matter to me what you make of it and whether you want to receive it or not, but this is what G_d is telling me.” I was very aware of everyone’s eyes on me.
Then Glenda, a lady who never really opened her mouth during these sessions said: “G_d is telling me to say this to you: ‘the only reason why I need you to be baptized is to be cleansed so that I can start the work through you.’ "
Poor Glenda was shaking as she shared this with me and I realised that this girl could not have said anything unless it was from G_d! I calmed myself down as I accepted those words and I said that I would be obedient even though I didn’t completely understand.
The scripture that came to mind was that wisdom is kind and quiet, it doesn’t get upset and is willing to be taught.
James 3:17
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
13 March 2005, 16h00 – THE DAY OF MY BAPTISM
People present:
Garth and Children
Cath
Anthia
Gwen
Glenda
I still cannot fathom how it came that my husband decided to be there…a miracle and what a blessing! It just wasn't the kind of thing he would do.
I was baptized first; the water was cold but it was over very quickly. I experienced so much joy in my heart! I went into the bathroom to dry off and get dressed. I heard Cath calling my name and she came in to pray with me - truly special. After the baptism that evening, I went to church with Cath and as I walked into the church I felt like a bride walking down the aisle to meet her husband!
Anthia gave me this scripture at my baptism:
Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine:
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
After I received the above scripture from Anthia, I realised that the little card I bought from a homeless person at the traffic lights a few weeks prior was the same scripture!
Other scriptures I received:
Isaiah 58:10
“then your light shall dawn in the darkness.”
Psalm 112:4
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness.”
Jeshurun = the upright one
Gwenie spoke about this scripture at my baptism (I could not remember why or what she was saying about it):
The Floating Ax Head and Elisha (I noted this in my Bible)
14 March 2005, I received this scripture:
Psalm 45: 10-12
Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house; So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him. And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favour.
I did not understand the above scripture but I knew it was for me so I wrote it down.
15 March 2005 - Vision of Jesus meeting me on the stairs
I closed my bedroom door behind me, closed my eyes and waited. I wanted to praise Jesus and move into His presence. As I sat in silence for a while, I saw myself walking toward a set of stairs. I wanted to go up the stairs but I got stuck halfway up - my feet just didn't want to move. I looked up and saw Jesus waiting at the top of the stairs, seated, looking at me. I didn't see his face but I knew it was Jesus and I knew he was smiling! The place looked like some kind of a dwelling or palace (a piece of it), yet in the middle of a forest-like area. It was a big set of stairs that stretched out wide across and it was made out of white stone. On my left were tall pillars made from the same stone.
I was halfway up the stairs when Jesus got up to meet me where I was stuck. He took my hand and hugged me and we sat down together on the stairs. We were just talking, as friends, it was wonderful! He got up and I knew He wanted to show me something.
We made our way through the pillars on the left to a bushy area adjacent to the palace/dwelling bit that I saw. There were big boulders on the land and we were elevated high up on a mountain or cliff overlooking a gorge. Jesus took me to the edge of this cliff. It was very high and one could see very far across, and He raised His hand and pointed to the horizon; the far land…as far as I could see. He showed me the land. I do not know why and what it meant but it was an amazing experience!