Last weekend, I spent more than 10 hours traveling to Rhode Island and back on the summer traffic-jammed roads to attend a 5 ½ hour conference. Was it worth it?
Yes it was!
I attended Living Proof Live (LPL) with Beth Moore, Travis Cottrell and the LPL praise team. Beth’s application of The Word was penetrating and the worship was powerful!
Beth started by asking, “Are you on edge?” Nervous? Fearful? Anxious? Grouchy?
Or are you on the edge?
The edge of despair? The edge of an affair? Of giving up? Giving in? Or Giving over?
Personally, I wasn’t feeling on edge at the moment, nor am I on the edge of something bad (that I know of), but I sure know a lot of people who are…So I wondered, “Will there be something here directly for me? Or will this equip me to better help or hear those I love who are on the edge?”
Over the next several hours, we explored just a few of the many Bible references to the edge, along with seven points about “the edge” (though we only got through five!):
1. A long road can wind us around until we are right on the edge—at some point it’s time to stop wandering and step out in FAITH.
In Exodus 13:20, “After leaving Sukkoth they (the Israelites) camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.”
You remember the Israelites wandering through the desert for 40 years…
2. We can camp on the edge but only for so long—then we have to shift our focus from what’s been to what lies ahead. We have to step IN.
Joshua 3:8, “Tell the priestswho carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
The Israelites had to go past the edge of the water and step in before the River Jordan was parted to make their passage safe.
3. God offers us a trade-in on that edge of ours--He offers us a glorious future, sometimes we are afraid, but we have to move TOWARD God anyway.
In Luke 5:2 and 10b, “He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets…Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’”
Simon, in awe of the miracle of their once empty fishing nets now filled to the brink of bursting, experiences the shame of his sinfulness and wants to run from Jesus, but Jesus reassures him.
4. Jesus has come calling our name right on our edge—For anyone and everyone who needs Him, He makes it easy to GRAB ON.
In Matthew 9:20, “Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.” And she was healed…
Then, in Matthew 14:35b-36, “…People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”
Word of the woman’s healing had spread.
5. God beckons us to follow Him over the edge of our human limitations—He has called us to do what we cannot do without Him! We are called to cross over the edge of our old lives into new life.
Joshua 4:14: “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.”
Soon after Joshua STEPPED INTO the River Jordan…
The two points we barely got to:
6. We cross over every obstacle by the power of the cross.
John 5:24, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent mehas eternal lifeand will not be judgedbut has crossed over from (the edge of) death to life.”
And that’s Jesus talking.
7. Our destiny is on the other side of the river.
Instead of delving more deeply into the last two points, Beth said she felt led to do some serious praying and praising together…and that’s just what we did.
I had some very personal takeaways.
1. Thinking back on some of the most difficult parts of my life, I was reminded of and deeply moved by God’s unwavering presence and faithfulness to me.
2. I am on the edge of my old life…one filled with raising my children; a role that has defined me. But God is a God of New Things--I am on the edge of something new. I can cherish the past, but not get caught up in the nostalgia so much that I fail to see the amazing possibilities that lie ahead.
3. God is surely not done with me yet…and I don’t want to miss out on the good things He has planned. So, as I stand on the edge, I will prepare to Step Out in Faith, Step into the Future, move toward what God has planned for my future. I will GRAB On to Jesus to cross over my own limitations into the more He has for me.
Check out where Beth Moore will be speaking next. And if she’s in your area, I highly recommend you attend. You will be blessed!!
Just in case you can’t go to a live meeting with Beth Moore, she’s got loads of books and studies. I’ve done many and just finished Breaking Free, which was one of Beth’s earlier studies newly revised. Excellent.
Here’s a little taste of one of my favorite worship songs from the Living Proof Live conference. It’s called Never Once…Click Here
This version is by Matt Redman. Now imagine singing along with a full band on fire with over 2700 people singing along with all their might. Go ahead…start singing!!
Have you ever done a Beth Moore bible study? Or gone to one of her conferences? I would love to hear about it! Tell us HERE.
Elise has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, familly, friends...and really likes travel!