Even Through It ALL...God Still Blessed Me!

I know it has been a minute since I've written a blog post. But I believe I have good reasons. :-) The last few months have been busy to say the least. In June of this year, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary in Miami, FL! And what a blast we had! But I also went back to school and had been in school since early part of 2011. Going back to school is no joke, but this time instead of going to a secular graduate school, I decided by the unction of God to go into seminary. I know right?! Well, I did, and finished, praise God, my Doctorate in Christian Education, from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in June of this year. Here's a pic standing outside of the school.

When God called me to the role of Pastor and Teacher, little did I know He would give me a heart for women. I can attest to you that being around a bunch of women has never been my passion, for prior to the ministry, I had always been to myself, with only 2 or 3 close friends (who live in different states) in my inner circle. And I was cool with that. :-) Nevertheless, God brought a passion and a mandate to speak to the inner workings of a women, flaws and all, and promote sisterhood on a completely new level. Well this last July I had the opportunity with a team of 9 other women to put on the first retreat sponsored by Lily Jenkins Ministries entitled, 'Women Who Love God & Each Other'. It took place right here in Atlanta, one weekend, and God showed up and showed out at the Hyatt Hotel-Perimeter Center. Here's a couple of pics from the event. Thirty-one women from 14 different states took part!

Immediately after that wonderfully blessed time, Lily Jenkins Ministries was on the move having back to back engagements in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. I teamed up on two occasions with my husband, Apostle Donald Jenkins to speak to the voids of marriages in an effort to ignite Purpose on the inside of them through our Married on Purpose Ministry. Here is a picture during one of these engagements.

Once on one stop, in Tampa, FL, God showed us our future covering in the ministry. We are so thankful and looking forward to having Apostle Mark Jones and the Center for Manifestation Family as a resource and a vehicle to push us into the next move of God which is our new church location starting October 7, 2012 at The Pursuit of Purpose Church, 200 Hannover Park Road, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30350 at 10AM. Why don't you join us! In Durham, NC, I went to speak during a Women of Wisdom Conference on the subject: 'Reveal Your Glory in Me: Releasing Your Passion for My Purpose!' Here's the pic below...

And now I have come to this DAY! A day I have been waiting to see for a long time. Months turned to years of writing this new book and now it is here! My new book was released two days ago...'There's Hope for the Weary: God's Promises Through Life's Greatest Storms'. It is available in Kindle format, and Paperback at Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com! It is truly a 30 Day Testament to the love God has for you. Here are the various links where you can order. There's Hope for the Weary

I showed this visual depiction of this year because after all I've been through, my life as I used to know it, will never be the same. God has blessed me beyond what I ever thought it could, despite my faults, despite my past, despite my previous doubts and failures. He did it! It was nothing I could do on my own. He saw fit to use me...and for that I am grateful! In His Service,

There will be GLORY after this!

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope... Romans 5:1-4

Just because you are going through, you are tested on every side, oppressed, stressed, depressed, and can't understand why God won't or when is God going to bring you through, doesn't mean that God is not concerned nor that He already knows about your situation. There's a reason for your testing, and He allowed you to go through because on the other side, there will be a strong testimony. He determined that you would be able to handle it. And He knows that through this process, you will remain faithful.

Do you know the enemy thinks he has the upper hand, but he does not? Do you know he feels he has won the battle every time it seems you have been defeated? But do you know that God even has the enemy under wraps? God will never let the enemy get the upper hand in your life. It may seem in the natural that you are under water in your situation, but God is your life guard and He has thrown you the life jacket and expects you to put it on and float your way to the surface. Hallelujah! God will never let you drown, whether in debt, depression, sickness, hurt and pain--it doesn't matter.

At the end of the day, there will be GLORY AFTER THIS! Your testimony will be a catalyst for someone else's breakthrough! Know that God is not through with you! You are a prime candidate for DOUBLE for your TROUBLE! Just keep the faith, hold on and allow God to be the remedy to all of your sorrows! He counts every tears and has engraved your name in the palms of His hands. He cares for you! Keep praising in the midst of it! There will be GLORY! His WAY, His WILL, His GLORY!

God bless you!

Elder Lily