THE ONE AND ONLY STATUS SYMBOL

In thinking of what I could say regarding revival this month I came across a powerful article by the late A.W. Tozer a man whose writings are as relevant today as they when they were first penned. One of the things most so-called revivals have lacked is a genuine, not contrived, non manipulated, not stirred up presence of the Almighty God.  Yes we have status symbols in our churches but we are missing the most important one!
        Here then are the words of Tozer...

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lamp stands One like the Son of Man.... “Revelation 1:12-13

In our time we have all kinds of status symbols in the Christian
church--membership, attendance, pastoral staff, missionary offerings.
But there is only one status symbol that should make a Christian
congregation genuinely glad. That is to know that our Lord is present,
walking in our midst!...

No matter the size of the assembly or its other attributes, our Lord
wants it to be known by His presence in the midst. I would rather have
His presence in the church than anything else in all the wide world.

Hearing the proud manner in which some speak of the high dollar cost
of their sanctuaries must lead people to suppose that spirituality can
be purchased. But the secret of true spiritual worship is to discern
and know the presence of the living Christ in our midst....

The Christian church dares not settle for anything less than the
illumination of the Holy Spirit and the presence of our divine
Prophet, Priest and King in our midst. Let us never be led into the
mistake that so many are making--sighing and saying, 'Oh, if we only
had bigger, wiser men in our pulpits! Oh, if we only had more important
men in places of Christian leadership!'  
Jesus Is Victor!, 59-60,63.

"Lord, I pray that I might never deviate from that significant thought:
'I would rather have His presence in the church than anything else in
all the wide world.' May that be my prayer this morning. Amen."