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  ESTEEMING THE PRESENCE
  by Art Katz
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Summary: The sermon encourages listeners to prioritize having God as
their abiding consciousness, rather than seeking His presence for
personal gain.

Topics: "Presence of God", "Spiritual Maturity"
Scripture References: Psalm 16:11, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 28:20, John 15:4-5, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Philippians 4:7, Colossians 3:3, Hebrews 11:1, James 4:8

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DESCRIPTION
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Art Katz challenges the notion that seeking the 'presence' of God is the
pinnacle of spirituality, suggesting instead that true spirituality lies
in an abiding consciousness of God that transcends feelings and
experiences. He emphasizes that this awareness should not be a means to
bolster one's own spiritual identity but rather a state of being that
reflects complete dependence on God. Katz warns against the dangers of
seeking experiences that may lead to spiritual immaturity and encourages
believers to find their secret life in God, where true peace and
companionship reside.

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CONTENT
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"Art Katz encouraged the duplicating of his audio messages, and there
are no copyright claims for those who desire to share them with others.
However, Art's books and writings (including articles on this website)
do still carry a copyright, and permission needs to be sought if quoting
from those is required."

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I have for a long time been secretly irked in my inner man with the
growing preoccupation of many of God's saints to desire the 'presence'
of God. It is implied that this is the summum bonum of the faith, the
high water mark of true spirituality. In this supposedly 'exalted' realm
lies the key to revelation, anointing and all that could be coveted for
successful ministry. My own disposition, however, is to receive His
presence as surprise, and not something sought for in itself―lest
this become the final hiding place of self now safely ensconced in
'ultimate' spirituality itself!

How much then, do I appreciate Oswald Chamber's remark, (My Utmost for
His Highest, June 2nd ), that "The abiding consciousness of the life is
to be God, not [my] thinking about Him." In this state, one looks at
"everything in relation to God, because the abiding consciousness of God
pushes itself to the front all the time" - whether felt or not! This
characterized the apostle Paul and Jesus Himself even when ultimately
tested at the Cross. The cry, "My God, my God, why has Thou forsaken
Me?" is not the statement of the momentary lapse of the Father, but the
supreme moment of the Son's sonship in an obedience that did not falter
whether present or absent. It might well prove to be our own. The kind
of abiding consciousness of God is the province, I suspect, only of
those whose whole life, purpose and reason for being is the Lord's.
Those who are yet independent entities with their own designs, however
'spiritual' and 'consecrated' will prefer a 'presence' to augment that
spirituality and confirm them in their 'dedication.' Can it be that many
of the spurious revivals of our time have given opportunity to the enemy
to duplicate, in the soul realm of the naïve and unsuspecting, coveted
experiences - the result of which have neither fostered maturity nor
been enduring? Better, I think, to have one's secret life hid with God
in Christ with that "pious mind that views all things in God and God in
all things" (Charles Spurgeon: Treasury of David, vol. 1 p.381). The one
who is anxious to obtain the 'presence' risks haunting doubts about
himself should he fail, and forfeits the very peace where "the abiding
companionship of God" waits to be enjoyed.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/art-katz/esteeming-the-presence/
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