Thomas Watson: Beautiful Prison

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

“The world, to a man of God, is but a beautiful prison; nor can he love his fetters, which detain him there, although they be made of gold. He sends his heart to heaven before his body is set free.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 21-22.

Someone asked me recently how many nights I spend in someone’s home or a hotel over the year. To get his attention, I answered, all of them, 365. He looked at me in shock and said, “Really? You are never at home?” I answered reciting the first verse from the classic hymn, “This World Is Not My Home” by Jim Reeves.

This world is not my home
I’m just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore

Then I told him that I travel about 200 nights a year and my wife is with me about 50 of those. He said that it was a lot. But I reminded him that time is short.

God could choose to release me from this beautiful prison today or many years from now. Since I don’t know how much time I have, I will live each day to the fullest.

And I was talking with another friend who is 67 years old and has lived in the same house for over 30+ years. He said he was dreading simplifying. They may be attached to it.

He lives in, as Watson would say, a cell in this beautiful prison. We all do. This life is temporary so we must not get too attached or leave our stewardship responsibilities to others.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

“We are bid to commit our way unto the Lord. It is our work to cast care, and it is God’s work to take care. Immoderate care is a spiritual canker that doth waste and dispirit; We may sooner, by our care, add a furlong to our grief than a cubit to our comfort. Care when it is either distrustful or distracting is very dishonorable to God: it denies his providence, as if he sat in heaven and minded not what became of things below.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 14.

Notice that taking care instead of casting care leaves a person denying providence. Don’t let that be you. But let’s see the test. Do you trust in yourself or do you trust in God’s providence to sustain you?

I trusted in myself for years. The world tells us to do it. I remember when I was in a time of transition in 2009, I said I trusted God, but my trust was in the wealth I had stored up. Only when I stored that up in heaven did I know what it meant to trust in God.

That’s when life began for me and my family. I’ve posted Daily Meditations for 15+ years since that time. Part of what drives me is a passion to spread the word, to point people to life.

Most chose immoderate care which results in spiritual canker. Don’t let that be you.

Generosity is not becoming uber wealthy so you can give a lot. Generosity is serving as a conduit of material and spiritual blessing with whatever you’ve got. Any other way of thinking improperly takes care.

Generous people cast their cares on God knowing that He has our eternity sorted, and we aim at maximizing our role here.

Happy Valentine’s day everyone. Revel in the love of God who cares for us more and better than we could ever imagine caring for ourselves.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

“A true Christian is a dwarf in humility, but a giant in strength to fulfil duty, to bear trial, and to endure temptation.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 21.

Got home safely to the cold and snow of Denver.

Today’s a quarterly board meeting for GTP. I am thankful for the commitment of these 12 people from 10 countries. They never miss a committee or full board meeting. I think one missed once due to a hospitalization and another to a flight schedule change.

How does GTP see such generous service? How can your church or ministry experience it?

Their faithfulness relates, in part, to a core tool we use called the Board Policies Manual. In only about 12-15 pages it maps the duties of the CEO and the duties of the board. When everyone knows and holds each other accountability to fulfill these responsibilities through meeting and reporting, it helps the ministry flourish.

If you want a free copy of the Board Policy Manual template from GTP, click here. You can also find here it in Arabic, Czech, French, Slovak, and Spanish.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

“It pleased God to bring the Apostle Paul into most painful and trying conditions. Hear him: “We are troubled on every side!” there was the sadness of his condition; “but not distressed,” there was his contentment: “we are perplexed,” there was his sadness; ” but not in despair,” there was his contentment : he could say, “In prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” Yet he could add, ” I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul, in regard to his faith, was like a cedar — he could not be moved; but in vicissitudes he was like a reed, bending contentedly to every wind of Providence: when a gale of prosperity blew upon him, he could bend to that; when the tempest of trial raged, he could bend to that. “I know both how to be full, and how to be abased.” A Christian, having cast anchor in heaven, his heart never sinks; a gracious spirit is a contented spirit.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 27-28.

I am reading through this classic book as I prepare for my flight back to the States and I can’t get past the first three words. “It pleased God…”

Whatever happens after that, for us, should be “all good” or “no worries” as they say in Australia.

I am soaking today in the goodness of God to bring us trials. You might say, “How are trials in any way good.” The answer is and must always be, “It pleased God.”

Look what Paul went through. And notice, he tells us why we go through tough times.

Look at the purpose clause, in Greek introduced by the “so that” marker. “so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” We go through trials so that Christ’s life may be seen in us.

But this one has a double “so that” clause. It adds “For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

It repeats the same idea. Why? Repetition aims to make a point.

It pleases God to allow us to experience trials to keep us humble, to accomplish good, and to reveal Christ through us. May His generosity in allowing hard times just give us more opportunities to bring Him glory.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“A proud man is never contented; he thinks so highly of himself that small blessings are disdained by him, and under small crosses he is impatient. The humble spirit is the contented spirit; if his cross be light, he reckons it in the inventory of his mercies; if it be heavy, he takes it on his knees — knowing ” All things work together for his good.” Where humility is the foundation, contentment will be the superstructure.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 27.

We have wrapped up our time in Australia with a contented couple. We’ve been with Steve and Kate Kerr in Melbourne. Steve has agreed to serve as Global Accreditation Mentor.

Think of it this way. God asked him to start CMA Standards Council in Australia. He did a cracker job at that. And from there has agreed to help grow similar peer accountability groups GTP helps form around the world.

The strength of his character is humility and contentment. I like the word picture that such character becomes a superstructure. May these traits help each of us have similar impact where God deploys us.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9

“Use your talents for Christ’s glory; spend and be spent for Him. Let your heart study for Christ, your hands work for Christ, and your tongue speak for Him. If Christ be our advocate in heaven, we must be factors for Him on earth: every one in His sphere must act vigorously for Christ.

Many would have Christ as their Savior, but not as their Prince; but all who will not have Jesus as their King, will not have his blood to save them. In all which Christ commands, be as the needle which points wheresoever the lodestone draws.”

Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 33.

Here’s a puritan gem for sure. Spend and be spent for Christ. Use whatever you have for eternal purposes. Don’t be like the person who wants Christ to save them but not deploy them.

I am wrapping up important meetings in Australia this week. I appreciate your prayers. Then home for a few days sand off to Pakistan. It does not make me weary because it’s the direction He leads.

We have a good King and the only wearisome place is not going where He leads and doing what He commands. How do you sense He might be calling you to serve in 2025?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

“One day of the week you should ‘keep holy’ (Exod. 20:8): that which is called the Lord’s day, because it is consecrated to the Lord, who on that day arose from the dead, disclosing and giving prior assurance of the general resurrection, when every earthly activity will come to an end. And you must not engage in any worldly activity that is not essential; and you must allow those who are under your authority and those who live with you to rest, so that together you may all glorify Him who redeemed us through His death and who arose from the dead and resurrected our human nature with Himself. You should bring to mind the age to come and meditate upon all the commandments and statutes of the Lord, and you should examine yourself to see whether you have transgressed or overlooked any of them, and you should correct yourself in all ways. On this day you should go to the temple of God and attend the services held there and with sincere faith and a clean conscience you should receive the holy body and blood of Christ. You should make a beginning of a more perfect life and renew and prepare yourself for the reception of the eternal blessings to come.”

Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) was a monk of Mount Athos and later archbishop of Thessalonica in “In Defense of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness” in Philokalia V4.349.

Today marks the final post in my look at “examine” in Philokalia, a collection of texts written between the 4th and 15th centuries by spiritual masters. And I feel convicted.

God has given me an apostolic calling, which often means that on the Lord’s Day I am working. Like this day in Melbourne, I will preach morning and night. This means that perhaps the day before or after I need to rest.

I am thankful my Saturday was just that, a restful day.

But I need to improve at encouraging those who are under my authority and those I live to rest. I feel I have simply given them permission and I need to give them direction in this matter.

Anyway, generosity after further examination today appears as soul care.

Do take rest on this Sunday or some day during the week. Direct those under your authority or care to do the same.

Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Deuteronomy 15:9

‘Be attentive to yourself,’ says Moses (Deut. 15:9. LXX) – that is, to the whole of yourself, not to a few things that pertain to you, neglecting the rest. By what means? With the intellect assuredly, for nothing else can pay attention to the whole of yourself. Set this guard, therefore, over your soul and body, for thereby you will readily free yourself from the evil passions of body and soul.

Take yourself in hand, then, be attentive to yourself, scrutinize yourself; or, rather, guard, watch over and test yourself, for in this manner you will subdue your rebellious unregenerate self to the Spirit and there will never again be ‘some secret iniquity in your heart’ (Deut. 15:9). If, says, the Preacher, the spirit that-rules over the evil demons and passions rises up against you, do not desert your place (cf, Eccles. 10:4) – that is to say, do not leave any part of your soul or body unwatched.

In this way you will master the evil spirits that assail you and you will boldly present yourself to Him who examines hearts and minds (cf. Ps. 7:9); and He will not scrutinize you, for you will have already scrutinized yourself. As St Paul says, ‘If we judged ourselves we would not be judged’ (1 Cor. 11:31).

Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) was a monk of Mount Athos and later archbishop of Thessalonica in “In Defense of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness” in Philokalia V4.349.

As we draw near to the end of the exploration of “examine” in Philokalia, a collection of texts written between the 4th and 15th centuries by spiritual masters, we find a key idea that can literally save our lives.

We must not, as Moses wrote, harbor any wicked thought. Wicked is a biblical word for wrong. But notice the specific wrong thought we must not harbor. We must not value money over our fellow man. We must not treasure possessions over people. We must help others or be found by the Lord as guilty of sin.

Pause today and think about what you have and how you could use what you have to help others. Don’t exclude any part of yourself to the thought. Don’t let any aspect of your being go unwatched in this examination.

Why? Otherwise the evil one will worm his way of thinking into your life. The evil one will assail you and get a foothold. How does this take shape practically speaking? Let me reference my preaching tomorrow. I will preach on the Parable of the Soils from Luke’s Gospel.

Worldly thinking hardens our hearts. Against the needy we develop bitter or critical thoughts toward them. The world want them to reap the fruit of their bad decisions. Imagine if Jesus let us reap the fruit of ours.

Others harbor issues, like rocks in their lives. The Word cannot take root and bear fruit unless they remove them. Still more also have their faith choked out by the cares of this physical life. Both rocks and weeds can be removed.

My friend Jeff, who I visited in Adelaide this week, regularly walks his fields with a shovel. He collects rocks and removes weeds. Watching him impressed upon me the daily discipline of this work.

Walk the field of your heart this morning. What thoughts have your harbored like rocks? Collect and remove them. What weeds have sprouted. Uproot them. Make way for the seed of the Word of God.

The Word tells us to use what you have to bless others. Do it with thanksgiving that God did not spare His own son but gave Him up for us all.

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

“Which is the place – the flesh or the intellect – most expedient for the spirit of evil that rises up against us from below? Is it not the flesh, in which Paul says that there is nothing good (Romans 7:18) until the law of life makes its habitation there?

It is on account of this especially that the flesh must never escape our attention. How can it become our own? How can we avoid abandoning it? How can we repulse the devil’s assault upon it – especially we who do not yet know how to contend spiritually with the spiritual forces of wickedness – unless we train ourselves to pay attention to ourselves also with respect to the outward positioning of the body?

But why do I speak of those newly engaged in spiritual warfare when there are more perfect people, not only after Christ’s incarnation but also before it, who during prayer have adopted this outward positioning of the body and to whom the deity readily hearkened? Elijah himself, pre-eminent among spiritual visionaries, leaned his head upon his knees, and having in this manner assiduously gathered his intellect into itself and into God he put an end to the drought that had lasted many years (cf. 1 Kgs. 18:42-45).

But it seems to me, brother, that these men from whom you say you heard such slanders suffer from the illness of the Pharisees: they refuse to examine and cleanse the inside of the cup – that is to say, their heart – and not being grounded in the traditions of the fathers they try to assume precedence over everyone, as new teachers of the law (Matt. 23:25-26).

Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) was a monk of Mount Athos and later archbishop of Thessalonica in “In Defense of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness” in Philokalia V4.340.

There’s a lot going on here. Let’s unpack it.

To contend spiritually is to focus on the real factors that aim to hinder our generous living, giving, serving, and loving. They are spiritual. We must train ourselves to pay attention to them and we can have victory over them, like Elijah had victory.

Simultaneously, we must cleanse the inside of the cup.

When we focus on spiritual growth, we must avoid the trap of pride like the Pharisees. With Gregory, let’s simply ask God today what needs washing in our hearts so that we can live, give, serve, and love generously and have victory over the spiritual forces of evil.

God, as we examine ourselves, teach us to contend spiritually and show us where our cup needs cleaning. Amen.

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

“For the desires that help men to live are not blameworthy, as is clear from the fact that they are with us from a very early age. Love of possessions, however, comes a little later – although still in childhood – and in this way it is evident that it does not have its ground in nature, but is a matter of individual choice.

Saint Paul rightly termed it the root of all kinds of evil, and the kinds that it usually begets are niggardliness, trickery, rapacity, thievery and, in short, greed in all its forms, which St Paul called a second idolatry (cf. Col. 3:5). Even in the case of evils that do not spring directly from it, greed nearly always provides the fuel for their sustenance.

Such evils, begotten of the love for material things, are passions of a soul that has no zeal for spiritual work. We can free ourselves more easily from passions that are a matter of our own volition than from those rooted in nature. It is disbelief in God’s providence that makes it difficult for us to eradicate the passions that arise from our love of possessions, for such disbelief leads us to put our trust in material riches.

‘It is easier’, said the Lord, ‘for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God’ (Matt. 19:24). But if we trust in material riches, this means nothing to us; we long for worldly, perishable wealth, not for a kingdom that is heavenly and eternal. And even when we fail to acquire that wealth, the mere desire for it is extremely pernicious.”

Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) was a monk of Mount Athos and later archbishop of Thessalonica in “St Gregory Palamas
To the Most Reverend Nun Xenia” in Philokalia V4.305.

As I continue my reading through the Philokalia whilst traveling in Australia, I have come to this section by a largely unknown monk, that I cited only one other time in 2014.

Back then, I located this quote: “When we coddle the flesh in order to foster its desires, then the passion becomes evil and self-indulgence gives rise to the carnal passions and renders the soul diseased.”

Today’s post echoes this idea. We must be careful about what we desire. The desire for wealth is “extremely pernicious” as it shifts our trust away from God’s providence. You can’t serve or trust in God and mammon.

Regardless of the level of supply we enjoy from God, we must make the choice to put it to work faithfully, give it generously, and not trust in it to sustain us otherwise the desire itself will lead to all kinds of evil.

Take a few minutes today to assess your desires. Assess if the love of money has a grip on you. The “love of money” simply means a belief that you need money to sustain you. Is it time to repent?

Do this because it is not the gifts of God (money and possessions) that sustain us – only God does. Harboring the desire for money demonstrates idolatry as our trust has shifted to the wrong place.

Repent today before this misplaced love causes you to pierce yourself with many sorrows. Literally the Greek implies you stab yourself multiple times leading to you to die a slow and painful death.