Jacqueline Jakes - Gods Trophy Women: You Are Blessed and Highly Favored

Copyright 2006 by Jacqueline Yvonne Jakes

Foreword copyright 2006 by T. D. Jakes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Warner Faith

Hachette Book Group

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Visit our Web site at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

Warner Faith and the Warner Faith logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group

First eBook Edition: May 2006

ISBN: 978-0-446-55688-0

Praise for GODS TROPHY WOMEN

Jacqueline Jakes has the best kind of wisdomthe kind that is earned by triumphing through experiences that turn a test into a glorifying testimony. If you are finally ready for victory over the battles of your life, GODS TROPHY WOMEN is your divinely inspired guide.

Valorie Burton, author of Whats Really Holding You Back? and Listen to Your Life

In this book, Lady Jacqueline has uncovered a great hidden treasure chest, full of much needed medicine for the soul. There is healing for those who cant even say where it hurts. There is a breakthrough for those who may not even claim to be bound. Most of all, there is a wonderful revelation of whose we are, in spite of who we are. Thank you, Jacqueline! Thank You, Jesus!

Dr. Rita L. Twiggs, preacher, teacher, author, and one of Gods Trophy Women

Praise for Jacqueline Jakes

Offers insight and wisdom of the ages to help women find balance in a quick-fix, fast-paced world.

Essence

Keep this book [Sister Wit] by the side of your bedthe more you read it, the more it will become a treasured friend.

Gospel Today

[Sister Wit] is a fine, richly textured garment that will comfort readers hearts.

Charisma

Telling her story with honesty, punctuated by Scripture and humor, Jakes opens up her life and heart.

Library Journal

This book is dedicated to the memory of three powerful women in my life: My mother, the late Mrs. Odith P. Jakes, and my two grandmothers, Mrs. Susie W. Patton and Mrs. Lorena Gray. I am blessed to have witnessed, in both sides of my family, however briefly, women who were strong, courageous, successful, and triumphant believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. These were women who made a difference in the lives of others, and this world is left better from their being here.

T here are so many to acknowledge when writing a book. A myriad of people have encouraged me and offered prayers and hope for the completion of the project.

The people who readily come to my mind are: my baby brother, T. D. Jakes. Bishop Jakes, thank you for all your brotherly, fatherly wisdom and for the inspiring work that you do for Gods kingdom. It has propelled my life all of these years. I am so proud of you.

Cheryl Thomas, you are such a consistent blessing to me. Thank you for keeping me organized, copyedited, and encouraged. Thank you for taking the time to comment on each chapter and to provide me with your words of encouragement. At times you were the midwife while I pushed, grunted, and struggled to flesh this book out and onto the pages.

Mrs. Annie Thomas (Cheryls mom) from New Beginning Church in Gainesville, Florida, I appreciate your prayers so much. Many times I hit a wall and felt empty, and Id say to Cheryl, Please ask your mother and her prayer group to pray. God was faithful to answer your prayers.

Debby Boyd, you are anointed to encourage others and you do that so well. Thank you for reading some of these chapters and providing words to support me through the process. You are a fabulous, uplifting person, and I am blessed to know you.

Tom Winters, you did it again! Thank you for making so many wonderful things happen in my life. I praise God for your wonderful heart and refreshing spirit.

Rolf Zetterson, thank you for the opportunity and the privilege of writing another book for Warner. Warner Faith is doing a great work for God, and I am glad you allowed me to be a part of the mission.

Holly Halverson, it has been delightful working with you. Ive enjoyed our conversations and I applaud your editorial skills. Thank you for shaping the pages of this book. God bless you for your kind words to me, your work on this manuscript, and your insight and spirit.

Sister Viola Mays, I thank God for each time you called my office and prayed with me about this book. Thank you for your prophetic words and your words of encouragement. You are a positive lady and a prayer warrior. Thank you for being on my side.

Mother Alice Barksdale, I praise God for you and for the many prayers you prayed over my life and for the completion of this book project. Thank you so much.

Rosa Brown, many times you passed me in the hallway or on the staircase at work and inquired about the new book. You kept encouraging me, saying that it was going to be great. Little did you know how much those words counted and helped me to press on.

Carla Williams, I appreciate you so much for your interest and belief in this book. Thank you for your prayers and the prophetic words spoken over my life.

Dr. Angeliene Stewart-Pete, you are my friend and my medical doctor too.What a blessing.Thank you for responding to my medical inquiries to help write this book and thank you for helping me to transition back into believing again in the medical profession.

I couldnt close without acknowledging the ladies who allowed me to tell their stories.

Mary Washington, I appreciate your spirit and your testimony. Each time I see you, you are beaming.Thank you for being a beautiful witness in Gods kingdom.

Paula White, you are a jewel in Gods kingdom and, of course, one of His Trophy Women. Thank you so much for graciously opening your life to my readers. Ive found you to be consistently pleasant and a real woman of God. I applaud you, woman of God, for all you are and for everything you do for Gods people.

Joni Eareckson Tada, you are an amazing woman and I am proud to share a portion of your outrageously victorious life. I know my readers will be blessed beyond measure to read your testimony.

Annette Hightower Grenz, I am so proud of you and so happy for you too. God has done so many great miracles in your life.Thank you for letting me share your life with other women. They will be blessed and renewed to learn about your faith in God.

Evangelist Juanita Sapp, I always enjoy our phone calls sharing Gods Word.Thank you for allowing me to showcase your outstanding life and give a portion of your testimony. None of us can tell it all. Keep on walking for God and preaching His Word. Your presence alone is a blessing to many, many people.

Isaac, my delightful grandson, I will always remember how you held my hands and prayed a beautiful and special prayer for your Nana and the success of this book.

Its hard to name each and every individual who impacted my life while writing this book, but to all of you, who prayed for me, or who from time to time simply asked, Hows the book coming along? I thank you.

T here I sat, on the third step of our extremely modest home, whimpering like a puppy left out in the rain. My eyes were swollen and my heart was breaking. I was maybe seven or eight years old and, yes, I admit it: I had been spanked again. Now, I was by no means the poster child for purity and righteousness. Some even said I was given to mischief, a dark version of Dennis the Menace. But to my sister I was as aristocratic as the Prince of Wales and as innocent as Huckleberry Finn. I lavished in her arms and turned to and fro, basking in her naivet. I knew she was the most awesome person I would encounter.