What Did God Say?

By Faith Koki Munyua

Perhaps you have asked or heard someone ask, ''How do I hear God or how does God speak?'' Maybe you have or have been asked, ''How do I know she/he is the one to marry?'' This book answers the above often asked questions.

 

In addition, the book tackles topics one should gain knowledge and wisdom in before saying ''I DO''.

 

It concludes by answering the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on dating, courtship and engagement.

 

It is a resourceful instrument in the hands of;

• A teenager and youth to help them know how to hear God and shape their mindset early enough on godly dating and courtship.
• A parent to equip them to train and guide their children on holistic living
• A Premarital counselor to enrich their counseling materials
• Anyone who desires to hear God and enhance their Personal Development

• Language: English
• Publisher: WordPower Publishing Kenya
• Release date: Dec 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215889817

Faith Koki Munyua

Faith Koki Munyua is an author, blogger and a Risk Engineer. Her site, https://www.brideinwaiting.com, has resources to enhance readers' personal development. She is born again, a wife and a mother. She enjoys reading inspirational books and strolling. She is passionate about sharing life, touching lives, inspiring purpose and passing on a godly inheritance. She enjoys doing so through writing, one-on-one, inspirational speaking and prayer.

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I wish to acknowledge my caring, loving, encouraging and sacrificial husband, Edward Munyua Nthiga. Your support in my life is immeasurable. You have taught me how to love and I admire you.

My handsome son, Osborn Baraka Munyua and beautiful daughter, Favour Neema Munyua. You have taught me to slow down and given me a deep understanding of God’s love for me in the way I love you. You are loved and you have a purpose. May you grow to hear God clearly and involve Him in all aspects of your lives.

I also wish to appreciate my parents, mentors, mentees, Premarital Counseling counselors, best couple, interviewees, those who have endorsed the book, editors, the people I have learnt from through their written or spoken word, friends and those who have directly or indirectly made this book a success; may God bless you abundantly and enrich your destinies.

Above all, I thank and appreciate the all-knowing, wise, good and loving God; who speaks and listens to His children. I am grateful to God, the author of marriage, for giving me ideas, strength, revelations, guidance and connecting me well to make this book a reality. Without Him in whom I live, move and have my being, it could not have been possible. To Him be the glory, honour, praise and majesty.

DEDICATION

To my son Baraka, daughter Favour, your future siblings and all singles who want to marry well. May the wisdom in this book help you transit well into marriage in a way that will glorify God and edify the church.

To my husband, whom we sought God for each other, to lead us well to marriage.

FOREWORD

What Did God Say? Hearing God was, has been and will remain the greatest human need for all time and for all generations. The author of the epistle to the Hebrews said, In the past God spoke to us through the prophets at many times and in various ways… (Hebrews 1:1). The implication being God has never been silent, either in the past or present. His voice is available for every ear; loud enough for the deaf to hear, bold enough for the blind to see, strong enough the lame to heal, clear enough to guide the seeker and high enough the lost to find. Above the storms of passion and murmurs of self-will, God’s voice can be heard by those who care to listen!

What Did God Say? Is not a sermon title or an essay question, but a book title! Faith Koki, (now Faith Munyua) the author, was known to me and my girlfriend, in her single years as an undergraduate student pursuing Electrical and Electronic Engineering. She was a committed and passionate servant as she is today. She would later become the Chairperson of the Christian Union in the University. But that did not deter her desire to seek personal growth and walk with God. Faith, alongside others, would faithfully attend a small discipleship meeting we used to run on marriage and family.

What Did God Say? Though not written in a narrative form, sounds like Faith’s personal account, of walking in faith, faithfully waiting on God and finally reaping the benefit of hearing God in every situation; especially with regard to finding a marriage partner. Learning to hear God is a discipline we each must learn, cultivate and practice. The author challenges us to be active listeners rather than passive readers of God’s word.

God’s word is the primary way God speaks to us. The word confirms other ways in which God may speak to us. The word is so ancient, yet so true and current.

We cannot down play the place of the scripture if we are going to hear God and walk in His will. Whenever God uses other ways like visions, dreams, prophecies, revelations among others to speak to us, the scripture becomes the standard to measure and evaluate every means.

In this book, Faith Munyua tells us what areas of marriage and family life we need to seek counsel in even before we get there. Understanding the gift of singlehood, courtship and engagement, wedding, marriage, family, sex, what more can one ask for in a book? Indeed, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. We don’t have to wait till we are married to learn about marriage. Just the same way we don’t enroll for a job then go to study for it.

What Did God Say? is more than book, it is a gem in the hands of all singles, parents, pastors and anyone who cares about reclaiming the place of God in their lives and marriage.

Gichimu Kariuki

Trinity Fellowship

Regional Ministry Coordinator

ENDORSEMENTS

I am honored that my niece, Faith Koki Munyua, asked me to endorse this book.

My niece and I bonded since day one, being my senior brother Benjamin Mutuku’s first born, I was directly involved in her formative years of her life; and I can attest to her wise thought patterns even as a young girl.

The grace and favor of God has been with her to date. I must confess I have witnessed God’s pursuit of my niece, for His eternal glory.

As a born again (Christian) she is a true representative of Christ’s kingdom for as the bible says: We receive our salvation in a moment but we are never meant to stop there and settle for living life on the surface. Faith is living her godly purpose to the fullest through inspiring and teaching others by word and deed.

Faith lives the word and it’s the same she is passing through this informative book. She is funny, smart, pretty, fun to be with, and she loves Jesus. She knows Scriptures up and down, backward and forward. Most of all, I love the way the Holy Spirit and she join up to teach and inspire people to live a godly life.

It wasn’t a surprise to me then, when she asked me to review her write-up on What Did God Say?. This is an all-round book for all people at all stages of their life. Its well themed topics are cutting a cross family step wise development, from premarital counselling to preparation for starting a godly grounded family to establishing godly altars for godly living.

This book is rich in word and wisdom. Join with Faith and me, grab your copy and be empowered to an eternal godly lifestyle.

—Patricia Mumbi Wambua

Principal Environmental Education, Awareness &Training Officer – NEMA Headquarters, Nairobi.

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I like the way Faith has written this book. She is a passionate writer who has poured her life into this book sharing godly insights and scriptural inspirations. I highly recommend ‘What Did God Say’ book to any young and old person who wants to be shaken from their comfort zone. I look forward to her future books as the Lord instructs her.

- Josephine N. Musamali

Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN)

Kenyatta University Teaching Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH)

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I haven’t come across a book that has combined both the aspect of walking with God and loving Him through obedience in the area of marriage, with such simplicity and able to relate to examples.

Faith breaks down premarital counselling topics with such vividness like never before. Quite a read it is.

I would say, this is more than just a book, it’s a conversation between the author and the reader.

- Edward Munyua

Mechanical Engineer Consultant

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Faith Munyua gifts us a breathtaking and riveting book. A must read for every young person who not only desires to get married or marry but also experience a Christ-centered marriage.

- Geoffrey & Jackline Kombo

Lawyer and Teacher

INTRODUCTION

Perhaps you have asked or heard someone ask, ‘‘How do I hear God or how does God speak?’’

Perhaps you have also asked or have been asked, ‘‘How do I know she/he is the one to marry?’’

In this book, What Did God Say? Hearing God, Marrying Well and Key Premarital Counseling Topics, I will answer the above often asked questions.

I have desired in life that in whatever decision I make, I inquire from God and be at peace executing it knowing that He is with me. This is because we err and face unpleasant consequences when we do not involve God in all aspects of our lives. Identifying a marriage partner is one of those key decisions we need to make in life and it is essential knowing what God is saying about it.

I have realized when talking with those who are courting or when someone tells me they have identified someone to marry, I ask them how they confirmed from God about that gentleman or lady they would like to marry. This inquisitiveness has always been driven by my own experience and with a desire to see those marrying being confident and sure of their choice and that it is the best.

We’ve seen or heard stories of painful break-ups of romantic relationships and marriages in social media and our surroundings. Maybe you have observed some people trapped miserably in romantic relationships, which is sad. Due to this, many are hurting and have lost faith in romantic relationships and marriages and they say that ‘real’ love doesn’t exist. Others are at crossroad, confused and do not know what is right and what to do.

I have been at crossroad too. God comforted me and I identified the right path to take and with the comfort I received from God, I would like to comfort you too. All is not lost, there is hope. Romantic relationships can begin joyfully on a godly foundation and grow to a good marriage. It is possible to thrive in a romantic relationship and enjoy a good marriage. This book will help you envision and bring this to reality in your life.

This book is divided into three parts;

Part One: This section answers the question, ‘‘How do I know she or he is the one to marry?’’ It does so by addressing how to hear God. How one should position themselves to hear God and the different ways through which God chooses to communicate with us. It also highlights benefits of hearing God. It addresses those who are hurting from past relationships through forgiveness for their healing to be able to clearly hear God. This book begins with this part because it is God who can best show you who to marry. Hence it can only be easy if you know how God speaks to you and how you hear Him. Hearing God begins with an intimate relationship with Him; Him speaking to you and you hearing Him in your life such that when it comes to identifying your future marriage partner it will be easy because hearing God has been your lifestyle. In addition, there are needs that only God can meet and not your marriage partner; hence the necessity of first having a good relationship with God your maker.

Part two: This section equips you with knowledge to ensure you are prepared to marry well after identifying the person to marry. It prepares you by discussing aspects of life and marriage that one should gain knowledge and wisdom in as they prepare to get married. The areas of discussion begin from singlehood, courtship, engagement to marriage. They are often called Premarital Counseling (PMC) Topics. You may ask, ‘‘Why do I need to prepare?’’ You need to prepare to ensure the foundation of your marriage is strong for proper establishment and growth. In addition, you prepare because marriage is not based on emotions or feelings which come and go. Knowledge and wisdom are key in marriage when one is not feeling like doing it.

Part three: This section offers responses to the frequently asked questions on identifying marriage partner, dating, courtship and engagement.

It is my desire to see marriages built on a strong foundation of the fear of God, knowledge, wisdom, truth and godly character to stand the test of time. If this can be done, then marriages will stand. This book contains knowledge, insights, inspirations, revelations and wisdom gained in life; through experience, reading the Bible and other books, discussions and advice by others. The content has been practically helpful and I am grateful to God for His grace and help. I have shared my life experiences; I hope they will inspire, add value and build you.

PART ONE

HEARING GOD

It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

– Isaiah 65:24

How do you hear God? This is a question I have asked and have been asked. Very interesting indeed! When I was young, whenever I would hear someone say God told them something or they were sure it was God, I really wondered how it happened. I would think that they were different from me or better than me. Since then, I have heard God well, sometimes acted on His word with fear, some other times with faith and sometimes I have done my own things and regretted it. The wonder as to how people hear God has reduced as I have learned and gotten enlightened in God’s word. But I can confess I have not yet encountered Him as I desire. I am a work in progress and so are you. We can never have enough of Him.

Along their way to the Promised Land, at some point the Israelites feared to enter God’s presence and yet it was in His presence that they could obtain the fear of God. Most of us just as the Israelites, fear to enter God’s presence or we are just too busy to long for Him and dwell in His shelter. Most people spend time worrying or trying to work out their own plan. When it fails or they feel far from God, they dwindle and wallow in self- pity, fear and worry. This makes someone restless and it is difficult to hear God in this state.

As we cast our fears to God, our souls enter rest and our spirits are able to receive instructions from God. This is an area I am working on and trusting God to help me to fully enter His rest. The times I have heard God’s instructions, that ‘this is the way, walk in it’, and I have obeyed, I have been peaceful and satisfied. Who would not like to