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.
PGW for me personally, please!!!
I have none of the versions of this book but would love to have one… I have been asked to prayer for others for one thing or another and feel so inadequate in doing so. I have inquired about a prayer mentor in my area but there is nothing like that available in this small Appalachian area – maybe this would build my confidence so I could mentor somebody else and pay it forward!!
PGW!!!! PGW!!!!
PGW!!! Oh pleaaaase. Oh my oh my, how do I not have this?
Beth, commentarrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!
Thank you, Beth, and Lord, Father God Almighty, in advance for what you’re doing!!! You know I need those and will certainly use them! Yes! In Christ’s holy name, Amen.
I would love the commentaries. I have loved the bible studies I have participated in and want to dig deeper into God’s word.
Praying God’s richest blessing on Living Proof Ministry and the amazing time we have had in God’s Word over the years!! It has been a wild ride for sure!
Beth, the commentaries would help so much in discipling new teachers. I am praying those pages are WORN OUT by the fingers of some Holy Spirit led, hungry for the Word sisters!! What a blessing if God were to choose mine.
PGW, please. My amazing, Godly father-in-law went to be with Jesus this week. Although we know we will see him again, we miss him terribly. He lived life to the fullest all for His glory! Would appreciate your prayers.
PGW please
Oh wow!! I would love the commentaries please 🙂 These would be so helpful!!
Beth, It is so generous of you and LPM to have these giveaways. God Bless You for all you do. I would truly love to win the book PGW. I have learned from your Bible studies that praying God’s word is such an effective way to pray. As I was sitting in the waiting room of St. Vincent’s hospital Monday, waiting to have my second MRI this year to determine if my brain tumor has grown, my stress level was over the top. I pulled out my index cards of scriptures from your Bible studies and started reading those as prayers and continued to say them by memory during the MRI and got through it feeling the peace of God and being very calm. My tumor has not grown and I will have to go back in a year for another MRI. I am so grateful to God for all He has done for me and thank you for allowing Him to use you in such a way to help so many women grow in their relationship with the Lord. I have learned through your studies how to lean hard on Jesus!!! I would love to win your book. God Bless You Beth, I know God will choose the woman who needs it the most!!!
Oh, I would absolutely love the commentaries!!!!!!:)
Thanks. Kim
Oh, commentaries please!! : )
What an awesome giveaway!!
I have the joy of already owning Praying God’s Word… it is AMAZING. And yes, meant to be used!!! There is no sword like His word!!
God bless each. and. every. one. of. you!
Praying is something I continually struggle with. PGW, please! Thank you for the generous spirit of LPM!
Sarah : o )
Love it! What great gifts. Thanks to all of LPM for such generous hearts ~
Commentaries, please!!
Christmastime Blessings, one and all ~
PGW, thanks!
PGW pleassssseeeeee!!!
Thank you for allowing yourself to be such a blessing!
commentaries, thanks!
PGW!
PGW. I am in a war at the moment with myself. I loathe myself. Please give me something to bring me up into Gods full grace.
Beth, commentaries, please!
Oh Lord have mercy PGW, purdy please?!
Is it selfish to also hope for the COMMENTARIES?! I have kiddos that are getting to an age where questions that are beyond me abound – so it’s a gift for the family not just moi. 😉
PGW!
Thanks Beth!
PWG!! Please..
PGW.. That is what happens when I get excited!!! I get the letters mixed up.. Lol
I would love the commentaries!! I have had the honor of leading Women’s Studies for 15 years and I feel I need to go deeper in my own study. Thank you for the opportunity and your ministry.
The commentaries. I would love to use and grow from them. Thank you!
Many years ago when I first became a believer I purchased your book,Praying God’s Word. I brought it with me when I went to the prison and gave it to one of the inmates praying she would use it. So i had one but gave it away. I still thnk about the woman hoping she uses it!
Yee HAAA would love those commentaries!!
The picture speaks to me heart! Just absolutely lovely!
Commentaries! Could use a fresh nudge! Merry Christmas!
Keri…..PGW!!!! I need it, but my very dear friend needs it more so I’m entering for her.
Praying God’s Word! 🙂
Keri…..Commentaries! Please…please!
PGW
What a great Christmas Giveaway! I have not read it yet but would love to be Blessed with the opportunity ! Merry Christmas!!!
pgw
Commentaries pretty please with a cherry on top! : )
Cortni Hoover, PGW!
PGW please. God bless you! Numbers 6:24-26
Beth, commentaries! — will not gather dust.
or
PGW!!!
Thank you for the Merry Christmas Giveaway.
Sincerely,
Cathy.
Beth, commentaries, please! Amazing opportunity.
I have a son who is starting a church, we are constantly studying so to keep it pure to God’s word!! This would benefit him so much!!
Commentaries
Commentaries I forgot to say!!
COmmentaries Please!!! I love God’s WOrd and i love to dig deeper!! I am so excited!!
Commentaries! We are enjoying your studies so much and it has given us the hunger to keep digging deeper.
Commentaries…PLEASE!! These have been on my wish list for a while! 🙂
Commentaries please!! And a blessed Christmas to everyone at LP!
I’ve been wanting PGW for quite a while. 🙂
praying God’s Word please
Commentaries please. Merry Christmas!