This week, we’re excited to hear from our staff member, Susan. She shares her thoughts and takeaways on Beth’s upcoming book, “Chasing Vines.”

I love wine. I love Beth Moore. I love information and learning. I especially love insight and revelation on how to walk in a deeper and more meaningful way with Jesus. If you like any of the above, you will love this book.

This book takes you into the nuts and bolts of planning, choosing a field, planting and tending vines that produce grapes.  It tells you surprising facts of the conditions needed to produce the choicest fruit. Beth is a tireless researcher, and research she did. She also consulted with many experts. A world-renown sommelier and a soil expert, owners of several vineyards, some of who also know and love Jesus. She read books and commentaries by the armload. The most important thing she did though, was to seek the Holy Spirit in each application of what she learned according to the scriptures. Her vast learning and life experiences brought many of the facts to life.

Reading the book greatly encouraged me. I now know why that big boulder of a rock of unanswered prayer is in front of me. I know why the “pebbles” also known as “life’s irritations” follow me around. When the heat of life circumstances seem more than I can handle, I tell myself grapes will not grow unless they have extreme heat.  They must think they are going to die to reproduce themselves. These are not random circumstances. Jesus is very aware of them and they are for my good and not just to irritate or discourage me. As a matter of fact, even though we are commanded to bear much fruit to the father’s glory, the real purpose of it all is relationship with Jesus.

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Ecstatic to serve in my own home state this weekend! Yippie-yi-yay, Austin, Texas LPL! We would love to have you join us! Website for tickets on the second graphic. I would so appreciate your prayers for this weekend! I deeply want Jesus to be extravagantly present, powerful and transforming. I’m asking for this to be a significant weekend for every person who attends. No exceptions. Also pray for me not to feel extra pressure and stress over the privilege of having so many loved ones there this weekend. That I would be free from the need for approval and that I’d be filled to capacity and overflowing with His Spirit and they would be as well. That the Scriptures would mesmerize us, inform us, embolden us and direct us to our next steps on this journey of faith. Thank you!!!!

A post shared by Beth Moore (@bethmoorelpm) on Sep 9, 2019 at 9:17am PDT

Friends, we have a handful of special scholarship tickets to share for this Living Proof Live! If you’re a first-time attender and you’d like to join us but can’t swing the cost, one of them has your name on it.  All you need to do is give Kimberly Meyer a call at our office and she will set you up: toll free 888-700-1999 (Not an 800 prefix.)

Here’s what you might expect at a Living Proof Live event…

• Hear a unique message specifically prepared for your city.
• Worship with Dove Award-winning worship leader Travis Cottrell.
• Laugh, pray, and study scripture with thousands of women from all walks of life.
• Leave with a renewed sense of calling, purpose, and love for Christ.

Austin, we can’t wait to bring LPL to you! For more information about this weekend, visit LifeWay.com here. We’ll be so excited to worship with you. Come join us!

Hi, I am Evangeline Williams, and I am on staff with Living Proof Ministries. It’s my honor to share a word the Lord placed on my heart.

Do you have a word that is sacred to you in this season?

I do.

That word is “koinonia,” which means fellowship or to have things in likeness.

One truth to this fellowship is we cannot have fellowship with one another if we do not have fellowship with God.

The Bible tells us, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” – 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)

So, how we have fellowship with God is only through Jesus Christ. He put on our humanity that we may take on His deity. This fellowship is to be enjoyed in Christ; therefore, our joy is made complete.

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

I have experienced many beautiful moments of koinonia. One of the ways I have experienced this fellowship is with the Word of God:

Philippians 2:1-2 declares, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

Koinonia is agreeing with one another, being united in purpose, and serving alongside each other. Our koinonia with each other is based on our common koinonia with Jesus Christ. I most certainly have experienced it during our Prayer Hour at Living Proof Ministries, during the time that our staff joins together before praying at noon with ladies that have come to receive prayer. When each person shares their Scripture, it blesses my heart to be aware of the reality of being in agreement with each other at this moment. Our koinonia with each other is being shared often with those who come for prayer. Jesus is brilliant.

Another way I have experienced this fellowship is communion with God. When coming to the Lord’s table of communion, we are sharing the Lord’s body through the breaking of bread and drinking the wine. Because Jesus died, was buried, raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He now forever lives to make intercession for us, Hallelujah!!!

My husband and I get to share the moment of giving communion every first Sunday.  Often, I have experienced koinonia as I hand out the elements to those partaking in communion. I am very intentional in that moment; my eyes lock with their eyes as I say, “this is the Body that was broken for you sister (or brother).” You see, to me, these very words are the conviction of my heart coming alive as I hand out the bread. I am so aware of my brokenness and so grateful to the one and only Jesus Christ that loved us so much He said yes to God so He could fellowship with us.

I pray the Lord will lead you all to experiences of being in fellowship with one another. You will realize the beauty of what this fellowship brings.

We’re so excited to start a new series of posts written by our lovely Living Proof Staff. To kick off our series, our beloved Kimberly shares a piece on gratitude below:

Thanksgiving is just a day away, and it is never without effect. It will bring us to heighten the “attitude of gratitude”! Creating a climate of gratitude will bring US to where God is…or it will bring God to where WE are. Gratitude promotes a place of contentment we can live in, and from! He dwells most fully where He is acknowledged and honored! His Presence is REAL!

You rarely recognize gratitude in someone who thinks and speaks negatively about life. Negativity predicts the worst. It is rarely of faith. It feeds and is often fed by the enemy of God. In all circumstances choose to see your circumstances from a place that will create gratitude.

Never underestimate the power of “thank you,” as it cultivates a beautiful heart! Gratitude has many benefits and is for anyone who practices it even in the middle of adversity in life. Gratitude reduces anxiety and depression, as it improves mood through feelings like joy and pleasure! Gratitude promotes peace, which removes stress and often reduces symptoms of illness. Gratitude makes us feel closer and more connected to our relationships. Grateful people are more helpful, generous, and compassionate.

When we train ourselves to look at life with a perspective of gratitude over the natural default of negativity we embrace contentment and greater peace. To be honest, there is always more to be grateful for if we are looking for it!

“I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” -Psalm 34:1

-Kimberly