Living in the increase!

Ps Annie went up to the pulpit today and said "Welcome to the family.." as we were ending our praise and worship session..

And she went on to say, "..except that we're a family in pain today.."

Someone dear to her has gone to be with the Lord this morning and it grieved the hearts of many in church today. This lady, who has just passed away, was there when Ps Lucas and Ps Annie first started the church here in Tassie and was with them all the way until few years back, when she moved to Sydney with her family to start their own church.

I don't know this lady personally and neither have i seen her, all i know is that the leaders of my church are grieved. They cried and that made me cry. So we, as a church, prayed with them, fighting for and alongside the husband and the 4 kids who are left behind.

It was really a touching moment and we rejoice for the life she has lived. She was serving God till the very last moment.

Ps Lucas preached about living a life of increase today. And i want that.. i want to ask God for more.. more in my life, more in the lives of those around me, more in every situation, more in every season..

Lord, i want to increase..
in wisdom and in love, in understanding and in peace,
in hope and in freedom, in joy and in grace,
in mercy and forgiveness, in strength and effectiveness,
my capacity to give and to take in, to serve and to love,
increase my generosity, Lord.. and the capacity of my heart.

Today when Ps Lucas mentioned this verse, which is very familiar to me because of an old song, i felt great relief and enlightenment, i felt like something was lifted from me...

I felt such peace and joy that there will be no end to the increase of my Father's house and His government. Praise Him! I hope it blesses you too. God bless!

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end..." - Isaiah 9:7