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.
Mandy, PGW
Oh wow–commentaries!!!!!
PGW…..please. My father is in a nursing home and has steadily declined over the past year. I know he will be going to a better place, but it’s still tough. I pray continuously, but could always use a boost!!
PGW please! I have wanted that book for quite some time now but just haven’t splurged on myself and purchased it.
PGW, Please!
PGW, please 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Commentaries please. Merry Christmas.
Beth, commentaries! 🙂
My husband and I are hungry for more. We have a small Bible Commentary book, but it just doesn’t have enough meat & potatoes. 🙂
Beth, I would love to have those commentaries!!! Thanks for all you do. I’m listening to your older study on Ephesians and loving it.
Commentaries please!
I am a Bible study facilitator at my church. We are on our 9th Beth Moore study!! 🙂 Our group is called the “Beth Moore Group”! We are up to 40 participants, 5 facilitators and 2 rooms!!!!
These would be so helpful!
Wow! What an awesome giveaway!!
Beth , commentaries PLEASE. NO further commentary, though I am dying to!!!
Beth, commentaries!!! Know PGW well. Keep up the good work, sister! Thank you B&H !!!
Commentaries–would be wonderful
Thanks
PGW, please!!! I do not have a copy of this book and would love to! Also, Beth, can you tell me the name of the most recent bible you purchased? I heard you say that it was backwards from the traditional KJV and made you have to re-learn where things were … Thanks for all you do! Merry Christmas and continued blessings in the New Year!
OHHH Beth commentaries please !! it would mean the world to me to have this set as I seek to grow more in His Word. Merry Christmas to you & your family and thanks so much for feeding me the word !! Love your studies & have done around 5 of them now !! Can never get enough of going deeper in Him !!
Beth,commentaries.
PGW please!!! 🙂
Please enter me for the Commentaries!
Thank you for this giveaway! I’d love to win the commentaries. Thank you for giving the information about what you would recommend because I’ve realized I need this now with the path God has me treading. Thank you again for this opportunity! Merry Christmas!
Beth, Commentaries! Wow! This would be totally awesome!
PGW, please. And blessings to you all!
Beth, commentaries!! 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win!
PGW – I so need this today. I am under attack and praying without ceasing.
Commentaries, please!! Thanks so much!
ENTER THE DRAWING– PGW (NOT SURE IF THIS IS HOW TO DO IT. IT WAS NOT CLEAR HOW TO ENTER. I AM FAIRLY NEW TO THIS BLOG AND DON’T QUITE GET IT! 🙂
Beth, commentaries, please!
The bible commentaries please!!!! Wow I am so excited at the thought that I could take my bible studying deeper this way! Been saved for 13 years this Cvristmas eve. Started studying the bible with you about 8 years ago, what a incredible journeynof growth it’s been!! Thank you!!!
Beth, the commentaries would be such a blessing!!!!! I have been asked to take a HUGE step of faith by teaching a large Bible Study in my area starting JANUARY! Your blog from 11/8/12, where you mentioned the verses John 14:10 & 26, were such a confirmation that I should take this and just let God, through the Holy Spirit, do the speaking, I am just His mouth piece. Thank you so much!
Cynthia…Commentaries!!!!
PGW !!!!!
Love you Beth!!!
I had a 31 days of prayer for your husband using scripture pdf. I set them up as a reminder in my outlook calendar and phone for a year and every day at 9:30am I’d get a ding and sit for just a second and pray the scripture over my man. It has blessed our marriage and lives in ways I couldn’t even imagine.
Would love this book.
Commentaries please!!!
PGW please!
Thank you so much for this opportunity!!
Please, PGW!
PGW!! 🙂
Would love a copy of PGW! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
PGW please!!!!
PGW please!
Beth-PGW!!
Commentaries- oh my!!’
Tanya – PGW please!
PGW please! I have always wanted a copy of this book!
PGW – Please
PGW, please!! I’ve just re-read your post and realize that I, too, need help in this area … learning how to pray in a more focused way would be very helpful as I tend to wander off … ugh! I know the Lord knows what’s on my heart and it’s a good thing!!
PGW – MerryChristmas to me 🙂
PGW…there is nothing more powerful than scripture and nothing more important than ‘taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ’.
Dear Beth,
I am ecstatic to have found your blog a few months ago… I bought the Stila lipstain you recommended and it ROCKS!!! So looking forward to hearing from you each time I see you in my inbox :-)… May God bless you richly. I am a Pastor’s wife and teach a home Bible Study for Ladies every week. The commentaries would be a huge addition to my area of study. Love to win things and really have not in the past, so winning these or any of the other gifts would be a huge blessing this time of year.
Thanks so much and God Bless you all,
Lori M
Oh goodness!! Commentaries, please… Thank you!!
Beth, Commentaries!!!
Thank you so much for this opportunity:)