Week beginning Sunday 26th July.

Through All the Changing Scenes of Life

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OVJxhapcj6o

1Thess. 2: 17 – 3: 7 N.I.V.

Paul’s longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?  20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.  For you know quite well that we are destined for them.  4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.  5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.  I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.  8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

 Since Jesus came into my heart

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bIBu2p8FR3o&list=RDbIBu2p8FR3o&index=1

(Our Daily Bread Monday 13th January 2014. RCB Ministries)

Much more than Survival

In April 1937, Mussolini’s invading armies forced all the missionaries serving in the Wallamo region to flee Ethiopia. They left behind just 48 Christian converts, who had little more than the gospel of Mark to feed their growth. Few even knew how to read. But when the missionaries returned 4 years later, the church had not just survived; it numbered 10,000!

When the apostle Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-10), he yearned to learn about the survival of the small band of Christians he left behind (1 Thess. 2:17). But when Timothy visited the Thessalonian church later, he brought word to Paul in Athens about their “faith and love” (1 Thess. 3:6). They had become “examples” to the believers in the surrounding regions in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:8).

Paul never claimed credit for any numerical increase in his ministry. Nor did he attribute it to anyone else. Rather, he gave credit to God. He wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6).

Difficult circumstances may thwart even our best intentions, separating friends from each other for a season. But God is growing His church through every difficulty. We need only be faithful and leave the results to Him.

By:  C. P. Hia

Great is they faithfulness 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk

We are finding changes challenging.

It may be difficult. There are those out there who can not obey the law because of health grounds, whether that is mental or pysical, and they are fearing persecution and will have to carry an exemption card. But others are just determined not to wear a mask. How do we notice the difference? In the market to day (Friday) things will change. And so it is now to work that I go. The rest of this article will be written this evening …………...

An interesting day; most folk had a covering or mask of one sort or other, and most seemed to accept it. No one likes change. We have kept most of our stock in the same sort of place and the way we chat has not altered. I was playing one of ther hymns on my ipad ( sort of small laptop computer) A lady said how she missed hymn singing it was lovely to hear. The tune was

Time to live

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bIBu2p8FR3o&list=RDbIBu2p8FR3o&index=1

(Our Daily Bread Thursday 6th February 2014. RCB Ministries)

Before and After

What changes take place in a life of faith after severe testing? I thought of this as I read the tragic story of a Jamaican dad who accidentally shot and killed his 18-year-old daughter while trying to protect his family from intruders.

News reports said he went to church (as was his habit) the next day—distraught but still seeking God’s help. Faith in God guided him before, and he knew God could sustain him after.

I thought about this in regard to my own life—having also lost a teenage daughter. To review how I viewed life and faith before Melissa’s death, I dug into my computer archives to read the last article I had written before we lost her in June 2002. How would what I said then correspond to what I know now? Had severe testing changed my view of faith in God? In May of that year, I had written this: “David was not afraid to go boldly to God and tell Him what was on his heart. . . . We don’t have to be afraid to tell God what is on our heart.”

Before I went through tough times, I went to God and He listened to me. After, I discovered that He still listens and comforts and sustains. So I continue to pray in faith. Our faith remains intact and is strengthened because He is the God of the before and the after.

— Dave Branon

God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.

 Suffield

Kumbaya.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jKf7cI-9oE

let it run to the next song then stop it. Or listen again while reading these prayers.

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

**********

Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
**********

God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
**********

Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care
those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens
your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them,
and restore them to health and strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
**********

Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
**********

Bring your own thoughts to the Lord then read this last prayer

O God, help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me,
help me to believe that nothing can separate me
from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen

I do not know what lies ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfNMajS2vRU

Great is thy faithfulness instrumental

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QC6SPrCf8c

Week beginning 19th July 2020

Songs of Praise.

Blessed be the fountain of blood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca2bPa65M4c

Fanny Crosby was visiting the home of Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe played a new tune she had written for Fanny on her piano. After she played it, she asked what the tune sadi to her. “Blessed assurance” came the reply. One of the best known of the approximately 800 hymns written by Fanny Crosby, this is still a favourite of many, with it’s simple truths.

A youth club had a weekend retreat at Overstrand Christian Endeavour home, The Pleasaunce. At the end of the weekend, attenders were invited to sign the Young Disciples Roll. This hymn was sung at the end of the retreat.

Blessed assurance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuyf1YQvcwY

Many years ago, a Sunday School group was carol singing round the town, and trying to visit congregation members who were unable to get to chapel. In a small terraced house, the groupm was invited into a bedroom to sing to an elderly lady. After a few carols, the leader asked if the lady had a favourite. And the group then sang “O master let me walk with thee”. The bed-bound lady said that she hoped to see us at chapel at Easter. It seemed unlikely, and indeed, there was no sign of that Easter, but the following Easter, she walked, unaided, up the ramp to the chapel and joined the congergation. I cannot sing this hymn without seeing her arrive at the chapel that morning. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the tune we sand this hymn to (Stanley) but this will have to do.

O master let me walk with thee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3tHDkRRvKo

In the 1970s, a group of young Methodist students from university were at at week’s retreat in Shropshire, at a Youth Hostel. This hymn had been used in worship several times over the week, so it was no surprise that it was used in worship at the communion service to mark the end. What was a surprise was the way in which the Holy Spirit took over the meeting, and moved many to realise that they had indeed answered “All of self, and none of Thee”

O the bitter shame and sorrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJbzqbiZ7JA

A lovely, modern song. There is nothing complicated about the Christian faith. It is very simply about sharing your life with Jesus, the one who stilled the waters. He can calm the storms in your life, if you simply put your hand is his.

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzmXTY8ygIA

We can all find ways to praise God. We all have something to offer. The last verse was written by children in a school where the first two verses had been used.

If I were a butterfly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCAe5o9rwGc

Those of you who used to listen to Radio Luxembourg might remember this one. It was played at the end of the night’s broadcasting (2-00a.m.) Use it as a prayer.

At the end of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEJgoyCPB-o

In our family, this one was always called “The meat song”. This is what my brother had called it after he heard the ladies’ meeting belting it out with great gusto after the afternoon meeting. The nmame stuck.

God be with you till we meet again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3uca9j0dYs

Songs of Praise.

For the week beginning 19th July, we are hoping to have a "Virtual Songs of Praise."  Please can readers choose a favorite hymn, poem or reading and contact mayfieldwrc@aol.com with it.  Please tell us why the item is special to you, and next week we will collate the received infomation into a service.  It would be nice if you tell us where you are located.  Thanks.  Jonathan.

Facing Giants. Week beginning 12th July 2020

Facing Giants

God is our strength and refuge  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FpPgQiSNrk

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for being my refuge and strength. I will sing praises to Your Name. Your mighty and glorious power is new for me each morning. Forgive me Lord when I walk outside of the path You have placed me on and find myself in trouble. Thank you for not turning away from me in my cry for help and rescue. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that is applied to me when I come to you humbly and repent. Teach me Lord through Your Word to recognize the traps of the enemy and to be aware of the snares that are left to capture me. I give You the praise, in Jesus Name. AMEN.

Psalm 18:2,

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
 my shield  and the horn  of my salvation, my stronghold.

A Mighty Fortress is our God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ

Ephesians 6:12,

12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Story of David and Goliath (for children and the young at heart)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQa-GseMSI4

1 Samuel 17, 1 – 58 Good News translation

17 The Philistines gathered for battle in Socoh, a town in Judah; they camped at a place called Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in Elah Valley, where they got ready to fight the Philistines. 3 The Philistines lined up on one hill and the Israelites on another, with a valley between them.

4 A man named Goliath, from the city of Gath, came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. He was over nine feet  tall 5 and wore bronze armor that weighed about 125 pounds and a bronze helmet. 6 His legs were also protected by bronze armor, and he carried a bronze javelin slung over his shoulder. 7 His spear was as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom, and its iron head weighed about fifteen pounds. A soldier walked in front of him carrying his shield. 8 Goliath stood and shouted at the Israelites, “What are you doing there, lined up for battle? I am a Philistine, you slaves of Saul! Choose one of your men to fight me. 9 If he wins and kills me, we will be your slaves; but if I win and kill him, you will be our slaves. 10 Here and now I challenge the Israelite army. I dare you to pick someone to fight me!” 11 When Saul and his men heard this, they were terrified.

12 David was the son of Jesse, who was an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and at the time Saul was king, he was already a very old man. 13 His three oldest sons had gone with Saul to war. The oldest was Eliab, the next was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. 14 David was the youngest son, and while the three oldest brothers stayed with Saul, 15 David would go back to Bethlehem from time to time, to take care of his father's sheep.

16 Goliath challenged the Israelites every morning and evening for forty days.

17 One day Jesse said to David, “Take a half-bushel of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and hurry with them to your brothers in the camp. 18 And take these ten cheeses to the commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are getting along and bring back something to show that you saw them and that they are well. 19 King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines.”

20 David got up early the next morning, left someone else in charge of the sheep, took the food, and went as Jesse had told him to. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelites were going out to their battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 The Philistine and the Israelite armies took positions for battle, facing each other. 22 David left the food with the officer in charge of the supplies, ran to the battle line, went to his brothers, and asked how they were getting along. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath came forward and challenged the Israelites as he had done before. And David heard him. 24 When the Israelites saw Goliath, they ran away in terror. 25 “Look at him!” they said to each other. “Listen to his challenge! King Saul has promised to give a big reward to the man who kills him; the king will also give him his daughter to marry and will not require his father's family to pay taxes.”

26 David asked the men who were near him, “What will the man get who kills this Philistine and frees Israel from this disgrace? After all, who is this heathen Philistine to defy the army of the living God?” 27 They told him what would be done for the man who killed Goliath.

28 Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard David talking to the men. He became angry with David and said, “What are you doing here? Who is taking care of those sheep of yours out there in the wilderness? You smart aleck, you! You just came to watch the fighting!”

29 “Now what have I done?” David asked. “Can't I even ask a question?” 30 He turned to another man and asked him the same question, and every time he asked, he got the same answer.

31 Some men heard what David had said, and they told Saul, who sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.”

33 “No,” answered Saul. “How could you fight him? You're just a boy, and he has been a soldier all his life!”

34 “Your Majesty,” David said, “I take care of my father's sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, 35 I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. And if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. 36 I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God. 37 The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine.”

“All right,” Saul answered. “Go, and the Lord be with you.” 38 He gave his own armour to David for him to wear: a bronze helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armour. 39 David strapped Saul's sword over the armor and tried to walk, but he couldn't, because he wasn't used to wearing them. “I can't fight with all this,” he said to Saul. “I'm not used to it.” So he took it all off. 40 He took his shepherd's stick and then picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath.

David Defeats Goliath

41 The Philistine started walking toward David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer, 42 and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy. 43 He said to David, “What's that stick for? Do you think I'm a dog?” And he called down curses from his god on David. 44 “Come on,” he challenged David, “and I will give your body to the birds and animals to eat.”

45 David answered, “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied.

How to Face Giant Problems

Goliath was a giant. He was nine-feet tall, a champion, wearing heavy armour, standing and shouting, defying the people of God (1 Samuel 17:1–11). As well as physical giants, there are metaphorical ones. A ‘giant’ is a big, seemingly insurmountable problem or issue.

• ‘Personal giants’ could include giant personal challenges in relation to your health, marriage, family, relationships or lack of relationships, job or lack of job, other work issues, or some sin, temptation, addiction, fear, loneliness, discouragement or debt.
• ‘National giants’ in the UK include terrorism, gang violence, homelessness, the breakdown of marriage, family life and community, exploding prison populations, failing schools and the decline of church congregations. There is therefore the giant task of evangelising the country, revitalising the church and transforming our society.
• ‘Global giants’ include extreme poverty (as a result of which thousands of children die each day), preventable disease (millions dying of diseases for which we have a relatively easy cure), the need for universal primary education (almost one billion people unable to read) and the need for worldwide water sanitation (which could be funded by the amount of money that Europeans spend on ice-cream every year).

There are two possible attitudes when facing a giant. One is to say, ‘It’s so big, there’s nothing I can do.’as the the Israelites did facing the Philistines. The other is to say, ‘It’s so big, I can’t miss!’ as David did facing Goliath.

I had a giant of a problem at work on Friday, the two new kitchen stools arrived

which I was pleased about but it was a flat pack and came with instructions stating it would take aprox 20 mins. It did not say whether that was for one or for both of them, either way being dyslexic it was somewhat of a large problem. But with Jonathan as my guide providing me with the confidence to do it. It came with all but one item, a scewdriver, in places he had to tighten it up a bit more, in others he had to hold the frame still. And also helped me to get each piece of wood the right way round then up the right way then lastly facing the right way. Some times we have to accept help from others

God did not use the equiped, he equips us for use; but sometimes we face the wrong way, our armour is not fit for purpose. God has to guide, nurture, or hit us over the head with a proverbial hammer. It takes courage to put our armour of faith on in a way that fits. We have to follow Gods instructions. I am reminded about a passage of scripture that St.Paul wrote while in prison

Overcoming giants

Ephesians 6 : 10 – 20 Good News

10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. 12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13 So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17 And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. 19 And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. 20 For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

The words of this next hymn by Charles Wesley speak boldly about overcoming the darkness of sin.

Soldiers of Christ arise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWB8Knm-eV0

We are God’s soldiers. In his mighty power we put on His armour, and we, through power of prayer will build each other up. So let us take time now in prayer to remember the folks who are close to us and Church family for our cominity and world and the things we need to bring to God . listen to the following as you pray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzHl2CDVN1A

James 4:7 Good News Translation

7 So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.

When a knight won his spurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzz5r2BO1xA

Prayer

Lord Let faith be my shield, and let joy be my steed, against the dragons of anger. Help me see from others’ point of view and quell the ogres of greed. And help me be satisfied with what I have.
Let me be set free from the mistakes of my youth.
Take away the castle of darkness and dispair, fill me with Your power of truth. Amen.

2 Corinthians 10: 4-5

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Jesus the name high over all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMOvKgKPNUY

Benediction

God’s love surround you, God’s Spirit guide you,
God’s whisper cheer you, God’s peace calm you,
God’s shield protect you, God’s wisdom arm you,
wherever God may lead you. Amen

A Prayer For you to think about during the week.

May God Bless You and keep you safe until we meet again. Susannah x

Worship at Mayfield

Since March, we have been unable to meet as a congregation at Mayfield Chapel. We have been looking forward to the slackening of the rules so that we can once again meet in the manner to which we have been accustomed, and have perhaps taken for granted. The recent announcement that churches could once again meet for worship is something that we longed for, and yet it is hedged around with rules and recommendations. These rules and recommendations are there to ensure people’s safety, and it is these which we have to study in making our decisions, as our congregation’s safety is paramount.

There are a number of factors to take into account when assessing the risks, and making any decisions.

1. Many of the congregation fall into the group described as “clinically vulnerable” for reason of age or some specific medical condition. This means that they are still advised to be careful about; going out, meeting people outside their household, and being indoors with others.
2. It is still considered unwise to travel in a car with people other than your household, as it it not possible to maintain social distancing under these conditions. A number of our group normally travel to chapel in someone else’s car.
3. Meeting in a chapel is still subject to social distancing rules. This means that members of the congregation would have to sit with 2 metres between households. This can be reduced to 1 metre by using other methods of mitigating the risk, such as face coverings.
4. The current advice is against using any items which are shared with others communally, such as bibles, hymn books, collection plates, and communion plates. Such items can be difficult to clean, and are a potential hazard to distribute, and collect.
5. All surfaces which may be touched have to be cleaned before and after each use, this includes; door handles, rails, doors, various fixtures and fittings. This is in addition to the normal cleaning, dusting and wiping which now has to be done more often. This is a heavy work load to perform weekly, and we cannot see how it could be achieved, certainly we cannot undertake such a level of work, as we are currently working 6 full days a week.
6. Any “pinch points” which would force people to get closer than the social distancing requirements have to be eliminated. The corridor into the toilets and back room is one such, and it is difficult to see how it could be made safe.
7. Current advice is against congregational singing, in order to avoid the increased risk of infection being spread by exhaled droplets.
8. It is difficult to see how our normal post service refreshments could be organised and still comply with the current requirements.

Having considered all the above factors, it is our recommendation that we do not restart Sunday worship at the present time. The situation is continuously under review, and in the event of any of the rules or recommendations changing, we will of course reconsider the matter. If you want to discuss the matter further with us, please get in touch.

If you would like a copy of the latest newsletter from the Wesleyan Reform Union, please get in touch.

Yours in Christ’s Service,

JonathanYoudan Susannah Youdan

Pastors

The story of Naaman

Song:

Ye servants of God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ9j3e8_yQc

Reading:

2 Kings 5: 1-14

Two songs on this theme:

Naaman go dunk your head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeVmh0dYNqM

Naaman the leper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRE93D3WTNc

Reading:

John 15: 1-8

Song:

You are the vine, we are the branches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw5En1VoYYw

 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?

Do you remember your Sunday School lessons? Those which spring most readily to mind are those when I was told an inspirational story about a man or woman from the past who had performed some mighty work for God. Names like Gladys Aylward, Elizabeth Fry, Albert Schweitzer or John Wesley. People who gave up privilege or carerres to serve God in ways they had not previously imagined.

Did you want to follow in their footsteps? Were you inspired to follow in the footsteps of the role models shown to you? Have you a desire to be used as an example of Christian devotion, or to be seen and acknowledged as a saint? Perhaps you want to work miracles, or to change other people’s lives. Or maybe you want to be on television, or speaking to large crowds, changing the paths of large numbers of lives.

Naaman was one such person. He was the general of the King of Syria’s armies. He wasan important and powerful man. He had servants,and had the respect of the king. The writer of the scruptures saw him as an agent of God, the means by which Syria had achieved its victories. But he was a leper. He had achieved allthis greatness in spite of a disability which would have made him the subject of prejudice and discrimination.

He was important enough that the king would have done anything to see him cured; even asking the king of another country for help. So Naaman was sent to the king of Israel with money and a message. “This is my officer Naaman. Cure him.” It is hard to imagine a modern example of such a thing. Perhaps it is like Donald Trump sending a member of staff to Vladimir Putin with a message “This is my senior officer, he has AIDS. Cure him.” Vladimir Putin would immediately accuse Donald Trump of trying to pick a fight, and this is exactly what the King of Israel did. And he was relly worried. He had received the gifts of gold and silver that Naaman had brought. It would be bad form to give it back, and equally bad form to keep it and do nothing. Fortunately, Elisha heard about the problem and said to the king, “Don’t fret. Send him round and I’ll sort him out.”

Naaman must have thought that he was really going to get special treatment. Here he was, a man of position, going to see a man who could give orders to the king. This was going to be some meeting. But he was wrong. Elishah had him summed up. He knew his weakness. When Naaman got there, a servant came out and told him to go away and wash seven times in the Jordan.

“I thought that at least he would come out and see me, wave his hands over me and pray for healing.” In other words, he thought that there should have been some ceremony befitting his position. No. “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” The idea expressed is something like, “Why should I wash in a dirty foreign river?” I’m sure that, left to his own devices, Naaman would have gone home, washed in the river at home, and failed to achieve anything.

For many years, I lived a lifestyle where each and every problem could be solved, or at least helped, by mashing tea. In my house, the teapot rarely got cold. Susannah, on the other hand, rarely drinks unless prompted. I have accused her of having the constitution of a camel. Some years ago she went to see our doctor, and when she returned I asked what he had said. “He told me to drink more!” was the contemtuous reply. She could not have been more upset if he had sworn at her.

With memories of childhood illnesses and the associated cures I asked her, “If he had told you to drink nasty tasting medicine like Fenning’s Fever cure, would you have drunk it?” “Of course” was the immediate response. “If he had asked you to swallow tablest the size of 2 pence coins, would you have done so?” I asked, “Of course.” she replied. “Well then, why won’t you do something simple like drink water?”

Because the cure was simple, she was dismissive of it. At the time, I told her that her attitude was like that of Naaman, and that I would use her as an illustration.

As we have seen, Naaman was a man of position and wealth. He would have done anything to be healed. If more money had been required, he would have supplied it. If superhuman feats of endurance had been required, he would have performed them. But to wash in the Jordan, to be seen with the riff-raff was really beneath him. His pride would not have let him, a man of status, to be seen to lower himself to washing with the ordinary people in a foreign country.

Of course, we know that wiser counsels prevailed. That he took advice from his servant who said to him, as I said to Susannah, “If he had asked you do something difficult, you would have done it, why can you not do this simple thing?” So he went, and did as he was asked, was cured, and became convinced that there was no God but the God of Israel. Of course, earlier in the story, it had been his wife’s willingness to listen to a servant, that had resulted in him going to Israel in the first place.

Earlier, I asked whether you wanted to do mighty works for the Lord. The story of Naaman reminds us that there are many things which the Lord wants doing, not all of them big and noticeable. There are many tghings that the Lord needs that we might respond “Is that all?”, but they still need doing.

Konstantin Stanislavski remarked that "there are no small parts, only small actors." Just because you are cast in a small acting part does not mean you are not important to the show. If you think so, you have missed the point entirely.

God has many things that want doing. Like Naaman, we must be prepared to do anything, for him.

Some people are very enthusiastic about working for the Lord, but they are only enthusiastic about performing the tasks that they enjoy doing.

God needs great preachers, people who will give up their careers or families, and change the world. But he also needs people who will polish the brass, dust the books and mash the tea.

We need to ask God whether there is anything that he would like us to do. Perhaps there is something that we want to do, or perhaps it is something that we really don’t want to do. Similarly, perhaps there is something that the Lord wants us to stop doing. We need to be open to God’s prompting to be exalted for him, or brought low for him; to be employed for him, or to be laid aside for him.

We must also remember that the prompting may come from unexpected places. People from who we would not normally accept advice, in the same way that Naaman and his wife with accepted advice from servants. May we have the humility to follow in their footsteps.

Song:

Here I am Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SHIrS6pMG4

Prayer:

Lord, help us to allow your power into our lives. Help us to listen to the words of Jesus, and obey his will for us. Help us to be sorry for our past failures, and to make real efforts for improvement.

Help us to work with you, and not against you. Help us to realise that you will for us might mean change. When we do realise what you are calling us to do, help us to trust you, and put ourselves wholeheartedly into your hands.

Help us to encourage others, and not to discourage them. You don’t wait until we are perfect before you call us. You don’t only work through the learned, the cultured and the orthodox. May the boldness of others help us to overcome our timidity.

May we be content in our calling, and serve to the best of our ability.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Song:

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvQqE2K18Hw