The Threshing Floor Radio Show-May 5, 2010-Randy Maugans
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man..."-Ephesians 3:16
Growth does not come from "outside" a person. Man settles for the "norms" of institutions...and becomes entrenched in the bondage of dogma, "rules", procedures, and external voices of authority.
When we live from the external world we are engaged in a limited state which can never manifest our unique callings, gifts, or strengths. The faith of Messiah and His apostles moved from INSIDE the individual to impact the external world:
"But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down..." -Acts 17:5,6
The external authorities...of religion, government, and culture...all serve to bring you down when you do not conform. But the greater power is WITHIN:
"And (I) shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." -Ezekiel 37:14