Church notes - January 2026

[fardell24]

4th
Psalm 102
Lament
A prayer expressing deep sorrow, pain or confession to God. Uniiquely, it is a God-centred cry that moves from distress towards trust in God's promises.

'To cry is human. But to lament is Christian.' - Mark Vroegop

vs 1 - 11
The Psalmist talking about -
Lament is reliant on being honest with God.
Lament being repentance.
Hope in God must be bigger than the distress

vs 12 - 22
When our prayer is a prayer of lament, we will start to feel what God is feeling.

vs 23 - 28
Lament is far more thana good old winge or complaint.
Lament is God centered.

Enables us to hold onto hope of something better whilst living in the pain.


11th
Proverbs 3:5 - 6

Psalm 62
Trust in the LORD

Trust
- Something that I am prepared to stake my life on.
vs 1, 2
David acknowledged that his soul found rest in God.
It is secure because it is from God, not from David's own efforts.

vs 7
God is your Rock or Fortress
vs 8
Trust to pour your heart out before God.

vs 9, 10

vs 11, 12

A deeper understanding of who God is.
Expectations
What outcome to expectations

David's expectation
- That God will be God.
- That God will provide according to His timing and means.

We should trust God for everything.

Trust in God and God alone.

Ephesians 3:14 - 21


18th
Communion
Philippians 2:5 - 11

Sermon
Psalm 36
The nature of evil
People obsessed with power and wealth unaware of the damage they are doing.

vs 1
Fear of God - A healthy respect for God as Who He Is, including as judge.

vs 2
We have the examples of Jesus and the Bible.
But without those - self righteousness leads to self-justification
We need to keep our eyes on God so that we don't loose perspective.

vs 3
Addiction to winning.

We are to love our enemies.

There is evil and bad things, but we have a God who loves us.


25th
Psalm 34
Thankfulness in the midst of Lament
Intertwined.

Lamentation.

How? or Alas!
How, why, is this happening?
The prophet isn't hiding his pain or anguish.

Lament
Psalm 13
Cycle of Lament
"How long, oh LORD."
"But I trust in your love."

Turned toward God.

David brought his pain to God.
13:5
The lament brought him closer to God.
Lament - the expression of faith under strain.

Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances.
Gratitude in the midst of trials.
Look for the silver lining,

Romans 8:28
The good is Eternal Salvation provided through Jesus Christ. That is everything!

A Biblical gratitude.

Romans 8:24
Romans 8:29

We have been saved by grace.

If we don't have Jesus, what else do we have?