Roger Aubrey

A wise investment

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:19-21)

One of the ways in which we can store up treasures in heaven is by using our earthly treasures in heavenly ways and for the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven. Take money, for example: even though it's only paper or metal, it represents something spiritual. Jesus taught more about money than many other subjects. He understood its power. Jesus never preached a gospel of poverty; he taught us how to control and use our wealth. The way we handle our money demonstrates where we have stored it. That is why we tithe and give offerings; why we are generous with our money, and why we handle it with integrity and honesty. If we have stored it in heaven then heaven's King has ownership and control of it. If God has your wallet he has you.

The Ancient Power

Today I have been with my brother, David. He has not been well recently, but happily is now recovering and enjoying the hand of God on his life. He has been taking time to go through some of our family history, collecting photographs, letters, and information on our ancestors.

David has uncovered a letter written in March 1908 to our grandfather by his brother, Tom, who was a seaman. Tom had had a remarkable conversion to Christ: he was infamous in the pubs of Cardiff as a drunkard who would fight anything that moved. He would stand with his back to the bar and take on all comers. One night, however, he met God. Tom was standing at the bar and reached out his hand to pick up his drink when the Holy Spirit came upon him. Tom could not physically lift the glass; such was the power of God on him in conviction of his sin. Right there and then, Tom received Christ! He was a changed man.

The letter I held in my hand was written by this man of God, still a seaman, but now transformed by the love of Jesus. He was writing from Norfolk, Virginia, to his brother, about the goodness of God and how much Tom loved his Saviour. The last sentence reads: 'His touch has lost none of its ancient power.' As I read these words out loud, written by my ancestor one hundred years ago, I was moved in my spirit by their power. I felt something of the eternal nature of almighty God, how down the ages the touch of his hand that Tom had experienced is the same today.

And then I thought about the Scriptures. Even though my Bible is fairly new, having been purchased just a few weeks ago, it is an eternal book, written by the Ancient of Days. It has an ancient power, and that power is as alive and potent today as when the inspired writers first wrote the words. When the eternal God touches you with that ancient, eternal power, you can never be the same again.

Famous last words

It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of God's bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was so sure of it he commanded them to carry his bones with them when he left! (Hebrews 11:22)

I wonder what you'd like your last words to be? I really like Joseph's: they were words of faith. He spoke not only about his own future but also about that of his descendants. He went out with a bang, not a whimper. So powerful were these last words that, over four hundred years later, they were obeyed. Exodus 13:19 tells us that Moses made sure they took Joseph's bones with them. Even though this man was long dead, his words of faith about the future destiny of his people were still living.

I think I'd like my last words to be: 'Look! Here comes Jesus!'

The singer

Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD; bless his name. (Psalm 96:1-2)

God is musical; he loves a good tune. That shouldn't surprise us: after all, he created music. God loves to hear his people sing to him. In fact, to him the whole earth is one massed choir of praising singers, each one belting out their songs of adoration. I'm so glad that the Psalmist didn't say, 'All those who can sing in tune, sing to the Lord'. I'm relieved he didn't limit those allowed to sing praises to those with voices like Pavarotti or Bruce Springsteen. He said, 'Sing! Sing! Sing!' God's not concerned with the tunefulness of the voice; he can sort out the niceties of the notes when they reach his ears. All you need is a voice a song of praise and a thankful heart. All together now....

See things my way

One day I went into the sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. (Psalm 73:17)

Up till the moment Asaph, who wrote this Psalm, went into the presence of God, he was a troubled man. Like many of us since he wrote these words, he was perturbed by, even envious of the wicked people who totally ignore God all their lives, yet still seem to prosper. They have everything they could possibly need or want; have no troubles, and yet they continue to ignore God, even glorying in the fact that they don't need him.

At the same time the righteous suffer, have to go without, work hard, are in pain and have difficult times with constant trouble. How can that be right?

It was only when Asaph got into the presence of God that he understood; you can read about it all in Psalm 73. He began to understand everything from God's perspective; he saw things God's way. It was this that brought him peace. The biggest thing he learned in it all was about himself: 'I realised how bitter I had become' (verse 21). Sometimes things happen - or don't happen - to teach us about ourselves. Been overlooked for a promotion that should have been yours? Did somebody else get the credit for what you did? Did your neighbour just pay cash for that car you've been saving for? Interesting what you're learning about yourself right now isn't it! Stay in the presence of God; that's all that will matter to you.

Whatever happened to Jesus?

Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:8)

Today is one of the most important days in the Christian 'calendar', yet it's one of the most ignored. It's Ascension Day, when forty days after rising from the dead Jesus ascended into heaven. Most Christians never give it a thought; maybe because it's always on a Thursday, when most of us are working.

It's important because Jesus could not just rise from the dead and stay on the earth. He had to ascend so he could take his place ruling and reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords at the right hand of the Father. That's what he's doing in heaven right now: all his enemies are being made a footstool for his feet. He had to ascend to the heavenly realms because when we get saved we're raised up there with him too, even though we're living on the earth.

And something else. If Jesus had not ascended then he couldn't have sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, just ten days later. The coming of the Spirit is the proof that Jesus is where he said he'd be. And right now his ascended power and glory is unleashed on the earth through the Holy Spirit, living in his people.

Odious and So Touchy

I plead with Euodia and Syntyche: because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. (Philippians 4:2)

I like the way Paul dealt with these two ladies in the church at Philippi. (A friend of mine used to call them Odious and So Touchy). Obviously everybody in the church was aware of what was going on between them; and if they weren't they about to be. Paul decided to take the direct route: 'stop it!' He didn't send them for counsel or blame therapy. He appealed to who they were in Christ: 'You belong to the Lord and this is totally unacceptable behaviour for such people'. Furthermore, I like the fact that Paul dealt with them publicly: he raised the matter before the whole church. He brought the matter into the forum of the whole body because the whole body was being afftected by the sinful attitudes of two people who belonged to the body. Paul's revelation of the Body of Christ allowed him to act in such a way. The health and reputation of the Body of Christ was far more important to him than the sensitivities and reputations of two stubborn women.

God's masterpiece

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to so. (Ephesians 2:10)

Several years ago my family and I had the opportunity to have a vacation in Rome. It's a fascinating city; and one trip is never enough to take in all that's there. During our stay we went to the Vatican to have a look around. There we saw what is regarded as a true masterpiece: Michelangelo 's La Pieta (pictured). Carved  from marble it looks as fine as high quality paper. My eyes just could not pull themselves away from this magnificent piece of art. Then I thought of the one who created it: Michelangelo truly was an artistic genius to make something like La Pieta.

We are God's masterpieces; magnificent works of art. That's what the word 'workmanship' means in this verse: a masterpiece. God sees us exactly like that; he created us in Christ to be like just like Christ. We truly are amazing pieces of artwork! And the point of that is so that the genius who created us will get all the credit and honour. Michelangelo received honour, wealth and glory for his creations. Just imagine the honour, wealth and glory our Heavenly Artist deserves for making something so wonderful as you.

Don't say that!

Things that Christians should never say:

'I'm only human'.
'I can forgive, but I can't forget'.
'I'm just making up the numbers'.
'No way, Lord!'
'That's my seat!'

The Unconfined Christ - 5

For our final part of this series we turn our attention to the disciples. Each of the Gospels gives various information on what happened to them from the night when Jesus was betrayed all the way through to his ascension. One thing they all had in common was this: they were in fear of their lives. They all deserted him in Gethsemane, although John was brave enough to be present at the Cross. But after Jesus died they locked themselves together in a room because they were afraid of what the Jews were going to do to them (John 20:19). They thought they were next on the hit list and their days were numbered. They were confined by their fear.

So Jesus, the unconfined Christ, just appeared in the room. He knew there was no way they would open the door, so he just ignored it and barged right into their house of fear. Mark 16:14 tells us that instead of rejoicing with them that he was alive, Jesus basically told them off because of their lack of faith and their continued stubborn refusal to believe what they had been told all day by Mary and the others: that he was alive. Jesus had no sympathy for the disciples that night; he would not let them wallow in their fear. There was no reason for it: he had told them plainly that this would be the day he would rise again. Their unbelief had locked them behind closed doors in dread and fear. Jesus had to get them out of that room: they were destined to go into all the world!