Inside Grace with Alan Wright

Pastor Alan’s wife talks about the “yes” house and how God is a “yes” God – God is the author of freedom, right? But a lot of people think the opposite. Devil lured Adam and Eve to take their eyes of the “yeses” and focus on the one “no” – so the essence of temptation is to think that any form of restraint limits freedom.

“If only I didn’t have so much responsibility, I’d finally be free.”
 
“Keep your options open—make sure you don’t miss out on a better opportunity.”

Those are the mantras of the age we live in. We have been duped into believing that freedom comes when we escape commitment and responsibility. But in this week’s episode of Inside Grace, we discover why responsibilities are privileges and why commitment leads to real freedom.

The journey to seeing myself with Jesus’ eyes require a new paradigm - a whole new way of welcoming the gifts of God into your life. You need to learn to receive from Jesus. You needed to learn to see yourself as someone Jesus yearned to bless.

Before we can give anything to others, we need to see how much Jesus yearns to give to us.

On this episode of Inside Grace with Alan Wright we examin why the word "Gospel" means “Good announcement” – because that’s what the Gospel is, an announcement of really wonderful news.

We will explore many of the ways that God transforms our lives, but here is the center, the hub that connects it all. The Gospel is good news and good news will change you. What would happen if people comprehended the beauty and magnitude of what God has given them in Jesus Christ? How generous might they become? How much more ready to love and honor their spouses? How much more likely to be patient with their children? How much more ready to let go of judgment and racism? How much more able to conquer sin?  

What people need for real change isn’t more good advice –they need more good news!

There is a way for every Christian to “pray in the Spirit” – praying God’s Word. Because all scripture is “God-breathed,” all of God’s Word is full of the Spirit. Thus, when you pray God’s Word, what you are praying is Spirit-filled.

According to surveys, there’s something that more Americans will do this week than will drive a car or go to work. It’s an activity that almost all Americans say they believe in and most claim it to be very important.

But, if so many people think that prayer is so important, why do so few people report feeling good about their prayer lives? Why does prayer seem to be a struggle? Why do so many feel their prayers are powerless?

Paul’s answer is simple, compelling and direct: “praying at all times in the Spirit….” (Ephesians 6:18) The invitation to “pray in the Spirit” is part of the famous exhortation to put on the whole armor of God. Alongside of donning the helmet of salvation and utilized the shield of faith, we must learn to “pray in the Spirit.” But how?

Join Pastor Alan Wright for Season 3 of Inside Grace to answer these questions and more! For more resources, visit www.pastoralan.org!

[02:35] - Podcast Timestamp

In the episode of Inside Grace, Pastor Alan Wright explains the power of rejecting curse in your life as you begin to understand the power of blessing.

Pastor Alan and Chris continue their discussion on Alan's new book, The Power to Bless, and reflect on Alan's childhood and what he learned about blessing his own children.