Win Today

Why are so many Christians hobbled by sin and plagued with conflict? Without realizing it, some are following the path of Lot in the Old Testament. According to Bryan Clark, too many believers make poor choices and are unwilling to learn from their mistakes or to change--just like Lot. Others, he says, try to manage sin instead of letting God eliminate it. In today's study of Genesis, Bryan draws parallels between Lot's worldly mindset and the soul-robbing choices that defeat modern-day believers.

Throughout history, why have countless men and women consciously turned their backs on God, willingly choosing a life of sin and destruction? As we begin our study in Genesis 19--what Bryan Clark describes as one of the "darkest, most miserable chapters in all the Bible"--we see a clear contrast between the broad road that leads to death and the narrow path that leads to life.

There is only one person in the entire Bible who is called "a friend of God"--and that person is Abraham. As Bryan Clark unpacks Abraham's story in Genesis 18, he turns the discussion to the intimate, covenant relationship the Lord wants with every believer: "What God is saying in this passage is 'I want a covenant people who will walk in obedience, and I want to pour out my blessings on them.' "

According to Old Testament prophets, if we choose to walk in obedience to God, the Lord will pour out His blessing. But if we continue in rebellion, God will pour out His judgment. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? And yet, as Bryan Clark points out, way too many Christians today struggle to grasp this simple truth.

Believing in God isn't about receiving a "ticket to Heaven." In this episode of Back to the Bible, Bryan Clark reminds us that saying "yes" to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior involves trust, faith ... and obedience. "We enter into a lifelong covenant, love relationship with Him," Bryan points out. "It means giving Jesus our heart--our very lives--and walking in obedience with Him."

Do you believe in God's power? Do you believe that He is the one-and-only God of the universe who can make what seems impossible ... possible? In today's study of Genesis, Bryan Clark explores a very special description of God--El Shaddai, which means almighty. Everything that Abram staked his life on came down to trusting that God can do the impossible. And just the Lord changed Abram, El Shaddai can radically transform our lives too. The choice is ours.

Does God really care about us--especially the choices we make? Is He tuned in to the details of our lives? Does He hear our prayers and understand our struggles? As we continue our study in Genesis, Bryan Clark answers these questions: "Yes," he says, "God loves each one of us!" Bryan points out that, just as God searched for and rescued a seemingly insignificant girl in today's story, the Lord is pursuing us too.

Bryan Clark challenges us to be a people of faith--trusting that God has a plan and that He works things out in His perfect time. As Bryan explores Genesis 16, he encourages listeners to wait on the Lord. "We see only the present, but to Him, the future is as clear as the present," Bryan explains. "God has given us His spirit--His very presence to dwell within us--to guide us, to advise us, to lead us through life because He sees the whole picture."

Abram was willing to entrust everything into God's hands, telling the Lord, "I believe your promise, I trust you." Because of his faith, God declared Abram "righteous" and made a covenant promise with him. Bryan Clark gets to the heart of that promise and what it means for every believer today: Salvation isn't based on good behavior and a "perfect performance." Instead, it's all about faith in Jesus Christ.

What does it take to be right before God? Being acceptable by the world's standards hinges on how we perform. Is that how it is with God too? The answer, of course, is a resounding "NO!" In this episode Bryan Clark reminds us of God's message to Abram: "Don't be afraid. I will be your protector. I'll be your shield, and I will take care of you--just as you are."