Ladies, please forgive me for the delay in posting our winners! But, here we go…
The two winners of the commentaries are: (Drum roll please…)
1. Shannon Velasquez
2. Laura Hauser
And the 20 winners of Praying God’s Word are…
1. Dawn Kaser
2. Amy Sappington
3. JoAnn Janik
4. Beth Miller
5. Miranda Arnold
6. Andrie Baker
7. Teri Cowan
8. Becky Dixon
9. Chantell Lodge
10. Paulette Carson
11. Erica Rhodes
12. Maren Brandsma
13. Lezlie Steiner
14. Jennifer Dove
15. Corie Reynolds
16. Barb Touchette
17. Tania Larson
18. Michelle Killpack
19. Sarah Sykes
20. Holly Hackney
Congratulations, winners! We love you! You should get an email from me (Lindsee) with instructions on how to receive your book!
*Comments are now closed, ladies! We’ll let you know as soon as possible who the winners are. Happy Friday!
We have the ecstatic joy at Living Proof of serving a mighty wide and delightful demographic: W-O-M-E-N. Bless You, Lord! That leaves us gorgeously wide open to do all sorts of fun things around here like the Autumn giveaway with candles, eye shadows, and boot socks. I love that kind of thing! And you have certainly proved to be a tad fond of it as well. Did you see how many women entered that drawing?? Sister-friend, you know good and well that I’d send every one of you a pound cake for Christmas if I could! Don’t tell me that can’t minister. Lots of things can spice up the life of a God-pursuing woman and spread a grin across her darling face. But we exist to do one thing here at Living Proof that drives and pervades everything else. It’s the only reason our doors are open. We exist to invite women to come to love the Savior of the world more and more through the study of His Word. NOW WE’RE TALKING.
SO, drum-roll please! Here is our Christmas giveaway! Now, listen up carefully because I need you to let me put some conditions on these so that the people who will use them most get the best chances to win. That’s a win for all of us! First on the agenda of Living Proof Christmas giveaways are…
TWO 12-volume sets of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
Woooooohoooooooo! I’m so happy! Women often ask us what set of commentaries we’d recommend to someone starting to get serious about studying on her own and building a Bible-resource library. I especially keep an ear out for you young Bible teachers just beginning to fan the flame of God’s gift in you. We are serious about you around here and you stay on my radar. We want to be good big sisters in the faith to you, intentional and involved. I usually recommend this set of commentaries to someone beginning to get serious for several reasons: it’s obviously far more helpful and instructional than a 2-volume (Old Testament/New Testament) set but not as overwhelming or technical as the sets that have a commentary for almost every book of the Bible. You also don’t need any background in ancient languages with Expositor’s though they give pretty regular insights into original words. And they’re interesting! That, Sister, is a big plus…and one you might not want to take for granted. I write these words with a grin. Lastly, a 12-volume set will give you a really good taste of commentary-style research so you’ll know if you want to keep filling your plate. One huge way you’ll discover that you really want to go on and invest further into a wider (higher dollar!) set is that you’ll use these to no end.
SO, here’s the deal! If this sounds like something you know for a fact you’d put to good use and you promise that you wouldn’t let it collect dust on a shelf AND you also do not have this set on any Bible software (please check!), ENTER THIS DRAWING!!! Since we’re giving away another item as well, be sure and say that you’re entering the drawing for the commentaries. You can let us know with just one little extra word like this:
Beth, commentaries!
Well, you don’t exactly have to put an exclamation point after it but I’m liable to think you’re more enthused about it if you do…and you know that we’re big on enthusiasm around here. It’s a random drawing so I’m really just kidding.
Before I tell you the second item in the giveaway, I have to give you a little background information about why we’re including it, especially since it won’t be new to many of you. Last week two of my good friends from B&H Publishing Group in Nashville came to see us at Living Proof and surprised us with a stunning piece of artwork they’d had commissioned to capture the heart of the book Praying God’s Word. These pictures do not do it justice, especially because you can’t see the stick figures – for lack of a better term – of the women behind the overlay of life-jarring words, Freedom Comes Through Taking Thoughts Captive to Christ. This will be in my possession for the rest of my life. It represents so much to me. Well. It represents liberation. It’s a Physician’s prescription for anyone willing to go to the trouble of getting it filled. And it symbolizes to me the most intense process I’ve ever been through with Jesus beyond my salvation.
Here are my friends Selma Wilson (president at B&H, standing to my right) and Jennifer Lyell (executive editor at B&H) and I holding the picture:
We learned from them that a staggering one million people have been impacted by the message and method of the book, whether in its original book form, day-by-day version, devotional journal, or Scripture cards. We are floored by the grace of God. We take no credit for it. It’s His Word put to prayers to demolish 14 different strongholds ranging from unbelief to food related issues. If you’re familiar with Praying God’s Word, you know it’s not a book you read. It’s a book you use. And, Girlfriend, I still get mine out.
About 18 months ago, I was nearly drowning in an assault that wouldn’t recede no matter what I did in my usual daily practices. If I’ve got half a brain working, that’s when I start stacking up Scriptures and turning them into very focused and faith-filled prayers. When we’re in a long-term battle, praying straight out of the Word can be the perfect answer because it puts the burden on the strong shoulders of Scripture rather than on the weary limbs of a bruised-up warrior. Because it’s God-breathed rather than man-breathed, the Bible has a way of rejuvenating the soul rather than depleting it. I looked all over my house for a copy of Praying God’s Word so that I could get serious and turn up the volume on some victory. I couldn’t find one anywhere because, every time I have one at home, I end up giving it away. I marched myself into work the next Monday and snagged me a new copy and the Scriptures became a loaded canon to me all over again. And, boy, did I take aim and SHOOT.
As I try to make clear in the introduction to the book, it’s not the only way to pray but when I really want both barrels loaded, whether I’m interceding for someone else or praying for my own aching soul, it’s the method God has taught me to take. It keeps me from wearing out in longer-term prayer demands or in a crisis where my emotions are stirred up and raw. The approach helps me keep my head on straighter when I’d otherwise probably lose it.
All that to say! To celebrate what God has done out of His grace and for His own purpose, we want to give away 20 copies of this resource to 20 women who have never before had any form of the book Praying God’s Word. We knew instantly that we wanted to give copies away to commemorate the occasion, but when we told B&H that we were going to do the giveaway, they beat us to the punch and insisted on providing the copies themselves. We love and appreciate them so much. I cannot begin to voice my gratitude enough to LifeWay and B&H (a division of LifeWay) for partnering with me on a number of themes that were pretty outside the box (OK, WAY outside the box) for all of us at the time. In so many ways, it’s just a new day.
A good day. We’re talking about some things these days that were basically off limits to people from my denominational background when my parent’s generation filled the pews. As Paul told the Thessalonians, we have to test what is good but open dialogue for testing the spirit is a beautiful thing.
So, how many of you do not own a copy of this book in any form and you know for a fact that you’d put it to good use? That means you wouldn’t just read it, you’d USE IT. Then, Girlfriend, ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE DRAWING, and this time just add the letters PGW to your comment line.
We are beside ourselves to provide these for you. Anything we have to give you is from the bounty of God’s grace to us. You do not know anyone who has lived in more defeat in the course of her life than I have. You do not know anyone who has loathed herself more or has suffered with deeper, nearly lethal regret. Jesus is the difference between the blackest, bleakest night and the wide-open, beaming sunshine to me. I inhale His mercy every single morning.
I am honored to serve you.
OK, Girls. Let’s have a giveaway! Drawing closes at noon on Friday and winners will be announced soon after! Look for instructional post for SSMT on Monday.
Beth, commentaries please!! I have recently resigned my position as Women’s Ministry Director at our church because I have heard the Lord directing me to focus my energies on teaching! Commentaries would be awesome! I would much rather hold a book than read from a computer screen! Oh, thank you for your generosity!
Beth, Commentaries!!!
PGW
Beth, commentaries!!!!! notice the extra enthusiasm.
What if we’ve never had either?
Praying God’s Word would be amazing as well.
Cara
Commentaries Beth!!!!
Holly-PGW! 🙂
Dear Mama Beth, PLEASE COMMENTARIES!!! In a nutshell you have inspired me to become a bible study teacher, even though I am still in college. I will be joing the Air Force shortly after graduation two yrs from now, and I have had some spiritual attacks against my family lately since I have decided to go full force for God. I know my mission is not only to serve my country but be a servant to fellow military women and ladies who have gone through the similar stuff I have. I have never been able to purchase any of your material because I can’t currently afford it right now, Bur I want you to know I look forward to getting your emails on your blog. Whether you choose me or not, God Bless.
Commentaries please! Would love theses for bible study and to prepare to teach just can never afford them. What an awesome gift. So wonderful to do these give always. LPM is awesome!
Beth Commentaries! I have a ministry with hispanic women around the world called “El Rinconcito de la Paz” (elrinconcitodelapaz.com). These commentaries will be a huge help as I teach Bible studies every week. I am planning to share messages on video through the internet. I have been praying for resources and if I were to win these, the Lord knows they will bless not only me but thousands of women. I love the Word of God. Beth, you have been an inspiration to me. This ministry is the fruit of the work the Lord has done in my life through your ministry. I just finished writing my first book in Spanish. Praise the Lord! He has done great things.
Beth, PGW please! 🙂
Commmmmmmmentarrrieeeessss, Pleeeeeease! Love You. Merry Christmas <3
Debbie, Commentaries.
PGW! 🙂
Thank you for being used by God to be such a blessing. I am always encouraged by your teaching. I recently purchased Get Out Of That Pit, and I look forward to drawing from it!
God Bless you and your family during this Christmas season!
Beth, commentaries!! I promise I’ll use them! :o)
Beth, Commentaries please!
I am a pastor’s wife and just graduated December 7 from the Baptist College of Florida. The commentary set would be a huge asset to our growing library. I would love to have them to use for personal study and for preparing Sunday School lessons and lessons for our middle school youth.
Beth commentaries please!! I’m in seminary and these would come in handy!!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
Beth, Commentaries please!!! Pretty please! Merry Christmas!!
I would love Praying God’s Word!
Beth, commentaries! I have done 10 of your studies and led most of those and would love to be able to dig deeper into the Word as I prepare questions for my ladies’ study (we are currently doing Breaking Free and taking 9 months to do it!). I have served as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators overseas for nearly 30 years and I know my husband would use these too, since he is a Bible translator/linguist. We are on an extended furlough in the US for family reasons, and all of our books are overseas (in Papua New Guinea), and we only have a couple of single book commentaries, nothing like this. These would definitely be used! Thanks for having this contest, and blessings to you and your team at LPM!
Commentaries please!!!!!!!
Commentaries would be awesome!!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to submit an entry for PGW!
Commentaries
Sweet Beth~ Commentaries please! Our neighborhood mom’s study group would be thrilled! 😉
PGW , PLEASE!! I am currently doing a study on ‘Becoming a Woman of Prayer’ and this book would be an amazing tool for me to continue on with my study of prayer! Just got done reading ’90 Minutes in Heaven’ and what a beautiful testimony to the power of prayer, God is SO much more amazing than we give Him credit for! 🙂
Oh Beth!!! Commentaries, Commentaries, Commentaries!!! Please, Please, Please!!! An answer to my prayers.
Commentaries, please! I just started teaching a ladies Sunday School class in September, and I would love the resources.
I have not read Praying Gods Word-would love to have it!
Beth-commentaries, please!!!
Beth, commentaries PLEASE. Just started a precious young couples class. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Beth, commentaries. I have been mentoring women for 30+ years and raising 8 children. Money has never been available for commentaries (other than whatever free ones I find online). As I’ve ventured into mentoring via blogging, I would love to have a good set of commentaries that do not require fluency in original languages!!
Bless you, dear sister, for your labor in the Kingdom and your help and equipping of women for His glory!
Kate
Oh my goodness gracious, Beth, commentaries!!! Thank you soooo very much for this very generous give-away opportunity!!! Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Beth, Commentaries!!! I Love God’s Word and your studies have created a crazy desire within my heart for more understading of my Gods Word!!!!I need it…Yes I do girl 🙂
Commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think I will win but it’s worth a try.
Hi Beth! I would love to Pray GOD’S Word with you!
Commentaries please! And thank you for enriching women in this way.
Have never read, have never owned, in any shape, form or fashion, PGW!!!!! PGW, PLEASE!!!
Oh Darling Beth! I started to vibrate with excitement when I saw those commentaries. Oh, how I love the excitement of jumping into a commentary and having my eyes opened to so much more than my simple mind could ever gather alone! Would be a huge blessing.
Commentaries please, Beth! 🙂
I LOOOOVE to read commentaries. Most people would think that’s crazy-but I know you get it. I’ve been keeping a little list of the ones you cite most, hoping to get a windfall or see them used somewhere. I started writing a bible study about a year ago and hope to complete it before I die. Haha. This is the best give away !!!
PGW, please. In the midst of a lengthy battle and very weary. Reached the point of not knowing what or how to pray. Bless you.
Beth – PGW please….and thank you!
Commentaries!
Miss Beth, commentaries I would LOVE to have. Thanks for the chance!!!
Beth, COMMENTARIES!!! Please 🙂
Commentaries, Please!!!
Beth’s commentaries
PGW
Beth, commentaries…Please!