Cup of Empowerment
December 16, 2019
It feels so good to sit back,  catch our breath and  savor a cup of empowerment   fro God's Word

 

EVENTS AT ANNA'S GATE

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February 15th at Rothchilds!  (Details to be announced)    

 

 

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How to Handle your Elk
 by
 Dr. CarolMarie
In the days where having more than one wife (at the same time) was permissible, there was a man named Elkanah.  We will call him "Elk", but others may call him "Brave" or maybe "Crazy" taking on that responsibility! One wife's name was Peninnah, who we will call, "Penny". She was very jealous of Hannah, Elk's other wife because he loved her more.  Penny was very fruitful giving Elk children, but Hannah was barren.  In 1 Samuel 1:6 It tells us, "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret". Imagine, they are living in the same household, but Penny becomes Hannah's "adversary".  "Adversary" used here could also be translated "trouble, affliction, anguish, distress or tribulation".  (Let's stop a minute and identify your area of trouble or anguish.   The name may not be "Penny" but the source is the same.  Jesus said that the enemy (or adversary) comes to steal, kill and destroy.  John 10:10. The source that motivates the hurtful words from people is Satan.  But the way we handle it makes the difference whether we are blessed or fall prey to the distress.)

Now, back to "Elk" and his wives. Each year they would go to the Tabernacle in Shiloh to worship and to give their sacrifice where Eli and his sons were priests. "Elk" was an "Aaronite" from the Levite tribe and honored the appointed times of the Lord.

One time when Hannah was praying at Shiloh, she poured out her heart to Jehovah God.  She asked the Lord for a son and promised that if He gave her a boy, she would give the son back to the Lord.  As she was praying, the priest, Eli, saw her mouth moving but heard no words.  He wrongly assumed she was drunk!  Hannah did not get offended but instead explained, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." (vs 15 & 16)
Eli then answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him."  It does not tell us if she told him what she had prayed but we know that he agreed with her heart and declared that God would give to her what she asked.

God did answer and gave Hannah a son named Samuel who God used in a mighty way!  Hannah cried out to God and He heard her even when her voice gave no sound!

What if Hannah would have picked up the offense and bad-mouthed Penny?  It would have stopped her flow of blessing!  What if she let her feelings be hurt when Eli thought she was intoxicated?  She would not have gotten his agreement or blessing!

Hannah heard the words of her adversary not only at home but even from those who she trusted.  All the words were to provoke her to fret and worry.  But they also caused her to cry out to the Lord and continue to press in until she received an answer.

Many times, the very adversary provoking us will cause us to reach out for our miracle!  The fretful situation will move us to the place we need to be!  (Otherwise, we tend to just adapt and get used to it!) During this time in history (165 BC) was the desecration of the Temple by the Syrians.  It was the tyranny and ill-treatment the Jews received which caused the Maccabees to rise-up, cleanse the temple and rededicate it back to the Lord.  It was a time of miracles as God caused the oil for the lamps to last eight days instead of just one!  They call this celebration "Chanukah" and it was one of the celebrations Jesus and His family most likely celebrated as well. (It is believed according to scriptural indications that it was during Chanukah that Jesus was conceived.)  Then it was the oppression of Herod which moved Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to be registered for the taxes.  It was necessary for the fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah would be born there!  (Jesus' birth was probably during the Feast of Tabernacles, another appointed time of the Lord, though we celebrate it now.)

This is a time of miracles!  It's a not a time to just adapt to the threats of the adversary but to rise-up and cry out to God for the answer!  It's a time to understand that when favor is shown to us many times jealousy can be triggered.  It's what we do with it that counts!  We are in the season of miracles, candles, and songs about reindeer. But it's HOW you handle the "Elks" (and "Pennys") in your life that affect your joy!  Let the situations propel you to where you are to go and bring forth what you are called to do!

--
Dr. CarolMarie

At Anna's Gate 2 pm EST prayer times every Tuesday, many are getting direction for their lives as the presence of God is so powerful!  If you are hungry for more of God, join us and then stay for our worship time with teaching following! 

You can also s end your prayer requests to us and we will agree with you in this time of fresh discovery! We are all in Transition. Let's embrace it and submit to His plan and timing!  (prayer@annasgate.org)

Be sure to read the Torah portions below that Jesus read during this time in history!  There is always something that relates to us in our place in history now!  That's so amazing to me!

Find out more about the month of Kislev on our website. Please email us your area of passion and the skill you desire to be developed so that we can agree with you in prayer! ( prayer@annasgate.org)  This is your time to excel into your greater potential! 


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We would also like to invite you to send us a brief testimony 
(written or filmed on your smart phone) 
of how God has used Anna's Gate 
to help you and to reach your realm of influence. 
Email it to:   info@annasgate.org 
(Put "Testimony" on the subject line). 
If filmed, please make it only 1 to 2 minutes. 
We would love to hear from you!

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Read what Jesus read on this week in History!
Check out the Torah Reading


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Learn about the  Hebraic month.


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"I invite you to visit my personal Facebook page (CarolMarie Smith), where I post videos and insights open to the public that will help you continue to grow!  We also film and post the Tuesday meetings on Facebook that compliment what I share in our weekly Cup of Empowerment."
 
 
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