Greetings Saints of God! We've been cultivating gratefulness this month. I've found a grateful heart and thankfulness to God cures a multitude of ailments. Won't you join us in cultivating a grateful heart throughout this holiday season.

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Have you wondered if its even God's will that you increase? I mean let's be real, its been so long. Wait! Before you throw in the towel of faith, read this month's article, add patience and keep going...We continue the 6th featured article this month from the CORE VALUE Series 'God's Generosity, God's Will'.

It was written to inspire you as Pastors, Leaders and support teams to realize afresh it's God's will that we live a generous life through giving and receiving. Don't forget to surf by the Readers' Favorite column below 'How Do I Stay Focused As Armorbearer When On Post?' and monthly podcast 'Not a Super Star Ministry'.

Additionally, Varn and I respond to an armorbearer who wants to go on sabbatical but leader doesn't feel led to release them in the Featured Armorbearer Question (FAQ) column this month, "My Leader Won't Let Me Go!"

Have a gratitude filled holiday! May God's richest blessings continue to rest upon you, your family and ministry throughout the end of year 2007 and into the next.

Helping leaders and supporters build
strong teams in the local church,
Varn and Earma Brown

Core Value Series, Part 6
God's Generosity God's Will!

Have you put a lid on your life? Is your faith limited by what you believe or don’t believe God will do for you? Over the years, our first lady Kathy Hayes has often encouraged us with how God told her as a teenager, “…Never put a lid on what I’m going to do in your life.” She testifies she never has. And look what God has done. She’s co-pastor of a 10,000 member church with multiple satellite churches, missionaries and mission work around the world. Her children are serving God and in the ministry with her and her husband, Senior Pastor Mike Hayes.

Recently just like I did in this article, I was sharing my pastor’s story and talking with a group of people about taking the lid off their life regarding God blessing them. I gave an illustration using a jar with a lid on it. I tried unsuccessfully to pour water in the jar with the lid on. I took the lid off and the water poured in easily. I went on to say it’s not always the devil that is hindering us from receiving what God has for us.

It may simply be us and what we believe or don’t believe. Our lid may consist of low expectations. Our lid may be our doubt and unbelief or our small faith. And yes, there are other times it may be circumstances sent of the devil to get our faith shipwrecked; causing us to give up before the manifestation of God’s promise.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon instructs us with, “If you observe the winds (if you wait until all conditions are favorable) you will not sow. Furthermore, he goes on to say, “If you observe the clouds you will not reap.” Paraphrasing the last part, if you observe or (constantly look) at all the reasons why you can not receive, you will not. Won’t you join us in looking at some reasons why we can receive God’s increase by faith:

• The promises of God are yes and amen to us. For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ.) 2 Co. 1:20a
• We are Abraham’s seed. We have a rich spiritual heritage through our father of faith Abraham. Remember (when God has promised increase and we only see lack so far) God calls things that be not as though they were… Romans 4:16, 17
  

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Featured Armorbearer Question: Help, my Leader Won't Release Me?

Question: My question I am an armorbearer for my woman of God for several years. I have prayed about this position several times and I am being led to leave. My Pastor said she had not heard from God to release me from this position yet. This is stressing me out because I do not feel this position anymore but have stayed because I do not want to go against the will of God that my Pastor says that God has for me.

I have asked to just sit down for a while but the answer is always I can't release you yet. I am in my senior years, can I not hear from the Lord also? I think that I am in a controlling situation and it is making me sick. I do not know what to do. I don't want to just leave and be disobedient!
Help PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T.R., California, USA

RESPONSE:Thank you for your recent email. We commend you for your faithfulness in spite of the stress and strain your position has caused.

VARN: Hello T.R. I am blessed to see that you served your First Lady for several years, we are concerned about you not being released. I do caution you to get clear direction from Father God.

EARMA: Hi T.R., If not already, wait! Don't be hasty and don't be weary in well-doing. God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love that you have shown and do show toward the Saints of God. (Heb 6:10)...

Helping Leaders and Supporters in the Local Church,
Varn and Earma Brown

*Names and/or location may be changed to protect privacy.

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Readers Favorite: How Do I Stay Focused As Armorbearer When on Post?

How do I balance being friendly and focused as an armorbearer on post?

Question: Your site and information is truly a blessing to myself and the other armorbearers. ...When you are around others and on post...are you able to share a smile, brief conversation without feeling you are off focus? I know we must not seem to be untouchable, and I know we MUST not offend others because we are with the pastors...Iris

Response from Earma: It can be a difficult task for the armorbearer to remain approachable, touchable yet stay focused and attentive to their post.

It was a dilemma for us at times. Our 1st Lady commissioned us as armorbearers to be approachable and gracious with the congregation and other leaders yet attentive to our duties. She wanted our position to lean more toward a friendly helper than a security team. She realized people would be naturally attracted to us because of our close position with them...

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