The Living Waters Podcast

Generosity encompasses time, energy, resources, and prayers, shaping how we live, serve, and influence the world around us. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind believers that God is the ultimate standard of generosity and that everything we have comes from Him, from spiritual blessings to everyday provisions. The guys emphasize that giving is rooted in being fully satisfied in the Lord, recognizing that our most profound joy and fulfillment flow from His hand. When we hunger for Him, our time, talents, and treasures naturally become instruments to bless others, build community, and point people toward God’s goodness.The guys explore generosity in daily life, encouraging believers to offer their skills, invest time in relationships, and give with grace and thoughtfulness. Giving is not limited to finances; it can mean lending possessions, offering gifts of service, mentoring the next generation, or using influence for the good of others. True generosity is sacrificial, not just a matter of convenience or abundance. It extends to sharing the gospel even in the face of rejection or persecution. The generous soul is made rich as it reflects God’s heart, mirrors the ultimate gift of Christ giving His life for humanity, and points others to the joy of living under His provision.Generosity also shapes our finances, relationships, and daily choices. Money and resources amplify what is already in the heart, revealing whether we trust God or cling to security in material things. The guys explain that cheerful, sacrificial giving requires faith, humility, and awareness of the heart, going beyond money to include time, attention, and intentional priorities. Forgiveness is a vital expression of generosity, reflecting the gospel by offering mercy even without reconciliation or recognition. By esteeming others, freely giving of ourselves, and modeling grace, believers demonstrate the transforming power of Christ in both ordinary moments and extraordinary acts.The guys remind believers that generosity is central to the gospel and has historically distinguished Christians in the world. Early believers revolutionized society through radical giving, serving those who hated them, and standing apart through sacrificial love. Generosity continues to witness to both Christians and the unsaved, speaking volumes where words alone cannot reach. It is a freeing practice grounded in trust in the living God. True generosity flows from hearts devoted to Him, willing to give freely and abundantly because His love compels us to reflect His character in every aspect of life.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Generosity is not just about money but includes our time, talents, resources, and prayers, shaping how we live and serve. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind believers that true giving comes from hearts that delight in the Lord and are rooted in His provision. When we realize that everything we have comes from God, generosity naturally becomes a way to show love, mercy, and trust. It goes beyond finances to investing in others, offering our gifts and skills, spending time in community, and sharing the gospel—even when it requires sacrifice or courage. Generosity also calls us to extend grace and forgiveness, reflecting the mercy we've received from God and breaking cycles of resentment and self-interest. By giving freely and sacrificially, we mirror God’s character, bless those around us, and show the transformative power of Christ in everyday moments and extraordinary acts. True generosity points others to God, models grace, and reminds us that all we have belongs to Him, inviting believers to live as faithful stewards in every part of life and eagerly seek opportunities to bless others as God blesses them.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

We live in a world obsessed with applause, where even our best intentions can quietly turn into performances for the eyes of others. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind believers that the desire to be seen and celebrated is not a minor issue but a heart-level struggle rooted in idolatry. From the beginning, humanity has longed for affirmation apart from God, but Scripture teaches that proper approval comes only from Him. Until we become nothing in our own eyes, God cannot fully display His power through us. The temptation to seek the praise of men lurks in every heart, and even in ministry, it is easy to drift from pleasing God to performing for people.The guys reflect on how easily preaching can become a stage. When props replace Scripture or humor overshadows truth, the message risks becoming entertainment rather than exposition. While creativity, stories, and illustrations can be powerful tools, the heart behind them must be examined. If the goal is applause or attention, the focus has shifted from Christ to self. The battle against showmanship begins in prayer, as we ask God to cleanse our motives and align our hearts with His glory. A faithful preacher studies diligently, prepares with reverence, and views each sermon as an offering, a fragrant sacrifice before the Lord. The real question is whether God is pleased.Social media intensifies this struggle, conditioning us to equate value with likes, followers, and views. The guys urge believers to resist that mindset and to preach, teach, and evangelize, regardless of whether anyone sees it or not. Faithful ministry is rooted in love, love that does not seek its own recognition but points all glory back to God. Congregations also play a role; encouragement is a blessing when it magnifies Christ rather than elevates the preacher. Pride constantly waits to creep in, but humility keeps the heart centered on the truth that apart from God, we can do nothing. All wisdom, insight, and power belong to Him alone.The world, seen clearly in Hollywood, thrives on the praise of man, but followers of Jesus are called to live for a higher audience. Every believer must ask what their motive truly is. Freedom from approval-seeking flows from the cross, where God has already accepted us through Christ’s sacrifice. In that security, we serve from devotion rather than desperation. A life of continual communion with the Lord, anchored in prayer and His Word, shifts our focus from applause to obedience. In the end, faithfulness is not measured by claps or comments but by love, humility, and a heart that seeks only the glory of God.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

We live in a culture that constantly craves applause, where even sincere acts of faith can quietly become performances aimed at earning approval. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind believers that this desire for recognition is deeply rooted in idolatry and must be surrendered to God. The guys encourage Christians to examine their motives, especially in ministry, and to serve out of love rather than a desire for recognition. Preaching should be centered on God’s Word, not on entertainment or showmanship. While humor and illustrations can be helpful, they should never distract from the truth or shift the focus away from Christ. The rise of social media exacerbates this struggle, training hearts to equate value with attention; yet, the call of the gospel is to live for God’s glory alone. True freedom comes through the cross, where believers are already entirely accepted by God. Rooted in that security, we can walk humbly, pray continually, and serve faithfully, knowing that obedience and love—not applause—are the marks of a life that pleases Him.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Atheism is often pointed out as a religion, and in many ways, the obsession with health and wellness has become its own secular form of legalism. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind listeners that while bodily exercise is valuable, it can easily become idolatry if it replaces worship of the Lord. Gluttony has long been a silent sin, rarely addressed in churches, yet food can just as easily become an idol as the pursuit of beauty or fitness. The guys emphasize the need for balance: a pastor should not be marked by obvious gluttony, but at the same time, believers must avoid falling into the opposite extremes. Humans are wired to worship—so the question is, what or who are you worshiping?There is nothing wrong with caring for the body, but when the motive is self-glorification rather than glorifying God, the line has been crossed. Historically, Christians have been known for fasting, generosity, and blessing others, rather than being consumed by self-care. When self-care becomes an idol, it often reveals a fear of death and a desire to earn immortality. The truth is that the outer man is wasting away, and eternal life is found only in Christ. Motivation determines whether health is pursued as an idol or as stewardship of the temple of the Holy Spirit. Oscar shares that he lifts weights to maintain strength and longevity, aiming to serve God and his family well as he ages. E.Z. adds that part of his drive is to avoid becoming a burden to his children and to maximize his impact for the Lord.The wellness industry has grown worldwide, but combining wellness practices with paganism introduces another possible danger. Practices like meditation or yoga often promise salvation through Eastern philosophies, but they are just another form of legalism that cannot defeat death. Eternal youth is a false hope; eternal glory in Christ is the true answer. Believers should desire to live fully until they die, striving to honor God with their bodies.The guys emphasize the practical benefits of activity, pointing out that humans were not made for a sedentary life in front of screens. Exercising strengthens both body and mind, and tackling tough challenges builds confidence and resilience. At the same time, they warn against being judgmental toward others who practice moderation. Rest, too, is part of God’s design, and the Sabbath reminds believers that they are not machines defined solely by their productivity. Ultimately, the message is simple: avoid gluttony and laziness, reject the idolization of beauty, view health as stewardship, and above all, love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Health and wellness can be beneficial, but they often cross into idolatry when they become focused on self-glorification, fear of death, or cultural standards of beauty. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how Christians can navigate this tension, emphasizing that while caring for the body is important, it should never replace worship of the Lord. The guys point out that gluttony has long been overlooked in the church, yet food can become just as much of an idol as the pursuit of beauty or fitness. They also highlight the dangers of chasing eternal youth through the wellness industry or mixing health practices with pagan philosophies that promise salvation apart from Christ. At the same time, they affirm the value of exercise, rest, and discipline when pursued as stewardship of the body and a way to serve God and others. Ultimately, the guys encourage believers to examine their motives, avoid extremes, and treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit rather than idols, seeking to glorify God in all things.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Julia Zwayne joins the conversation to share about her new book, All Things Broken and Beautiful: What if Pain Was Not Forever, a heartfelt collection born out of years of compiling poems and reflections. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar welcome Julia, honoring both her writing and the way God has worked through her brokenness to bring hope. E.Z. highlights a favorite poem from her book, moved not only as a believer but also as a father, seeing the fruit of his daughter’s faith at a young age. Oscar asks why despair has shaped so much of her writing, and Julia explains that the Lord often met her most powerfully in despair, bringing unexpected sweetness. The guys commend her gift, connecting it to their own stories of brokenness and dependence on God.Ray shares how brokenness shaped his ministry, realizing that God delights in a contrite heart. E.Z. reflects how God used his brokenness to replace self-assurance with a more profound fear of the Lord. They note how lament, a biblical form of worshipful despair, is often missing in the church, leaving people without language for their pain. Julia’s poetry, often born from lament, becomes a testimony of truth and hope. She admits she tends to run to darkness out of habit, yet finds conviction and comfort in remembering God’s perfect plan. For her, poetry is a means of falling to her knees, echoing the Psalms as she laments honestly yet clings to hope.Julia explains that stillness once terrified her because it left her alone with her thoughts, but she now knows she can walk through darkness with confidence in Christ. She writes in random bursts of inspiration, with her most powerful work often coming through times of pain. One such poem, "Blank Spaces," captures the monotony of life and the melancholy of routine, resonating with anyone who feels unseen in their daily struggles. The guys remind listeners that in despair, God is near—Jesus Himself wept at Lazarus’ tomb, showing the depth of His compassion.The conversation grows vulnerable as the guys recall seasons of suffering, pointing to God’s healing of the brokenhearted. They urge believers wrestling with despair to embrace lament but also allow the Lord to lift them into joy. Pain may last for a lifetime, but God’s presence never leaves. Through brokenness, He equips His people to minister to others and reminds them not to underestimate the power of His Word. Without trials, faith would be shallow; with them, His grace is revealed as sufficient. And one day, standing at heaven’s threshold, believers will look back in awe at how God used even the darkest moments for His glory.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Julia Zwayne shares about her new book, a collection of poems and reflections shaped by seasons of brokenness and God’s comfort. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar hear how despair often became where the Lord met her most deeply, turning sorrow into hope. The guys reflect on the value of lament, a form of worship often overlooked in the church, as a means that draws believers closer to God. Julia explains how poetry helps her process pain and return to truth, admitting past tendencies to run toward darkness but finding confidence in Christ. One of her poems, “Blank Spaces,” captures life’s monotony and resonates with those who feel unseen. Together they affirm that even in despair God is near, His grace is sufficient, and He uses trials to deepen faith, equip His people, and ultimately bring glory to Himself.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Humanism promises freedom but delivers the same rebellion mankind has repeated since the Garden of Eden. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how humanism, at its core, is an attempt to reach heaven without God. Oscar shares from his own past as an atheist, explaining how he eventually realized that humanists place hope in human potential while ignoring the Creator. They often rely on technology to end suffering or build a better future, but without an objective moral standard, this vision drifts. Values like equality, justice, and human dignity are rooted in Christianity, yet they are also borrowed and redefined apart from God. When His authority is removed, everything shifts.Ray and E.Z. demonstrate human nature with a simple experiment involving a wallet left out to see what people would do. Their conversation with the man who tried to steal it revealed how quickly morality bends to convenience. Humanism attempts to argue that man is insignificant by claiming the universe shows our smallness, while simultaneously elevating humanity as the solution to all problems. This contradiction shows that it is not about replacing belief with logic, but rather believing in oneself. The guys remind listeners that history proves against humanism: every attempt to build utopia without God ends in destruction. If money is your god, it’s never enough. Even noble ideals fall apart when disconnected from God’s truth.Even conservatism, when separated from Christ, can slip into humanism by trusting in policies or political victories rather than God’s Word. Believers must stay alert, examining their hearts and watching for subtle ways pride can undermine their faith and dethrone God. Parents, in particular, are encouraged to intentionally disciple their children. Family devotions and honest conversations help equip kids with a biblical worldview before the world teaches them something else. The same principle applies in evangelism: build rapport, share the gospel clearly, and love others with joy.The guys wrap up with encouragement. Before Christ, many believers were humanists at heart, but surrendering to Him brings true freedom. Humanism continues to grow like a false religion, always promoting the power of man, yet Scripture provides the only firm foundation. The solution is to stay rooted in God’s Word, reflect on how we spend our days, and intentionally disciple our families. When life is anchored in Christ, there is no wrong place or wrong time. Instead, we can have confidence that He reigns over all, and in Him, we find the security and joy that humanism can never provide.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

The discussion dives into the tension between humanism and Christianity, highlighting how humanism distorts principles like equality and justice without divine authority. The hosts warn of the destructive history when attempts to create utopias ignore God. They reveal how even conservatism can slip into humanism, especially when focused on politics over faith. Emphasizing that faith is foundational to life, they encourage believers to ground themselves in scripture and embrace the true freedom found in surrendering to Christ.