The Living Waters Podcast

In today's episode, the guys discuss the passing of Ray’s treasured friend and partner in the gospel: his beloved dog, Sam. The guys talk about grief, loss and how to weather the storm through the grace of God. Sam was a fluffy, white dog that would ride on a bike wearing red sunglasses. Many people would approach Ray because of Sam, and that would be his instrument to witness to people. Sam became so popular on social media, that many people commented on Ray’s instagram post about Sam, saying how sad they were about his passing. Sam at first was a hyper, crazy dog and Ray tried to get rid of him multiple times! After Sam calmed down, he became a docile, sweet dog that would patiently sit as Ray talked about the gospel to hundreds of people. Recently, Ray had to bring Sam to the veterinarian to put him down. Ray says the loss of his dog Sam has helped Ray grow closer to the Lord because instead of being by himself when he gets home, Ray is glad that the Lord is with him.  The guys then discuss how popular pets are, with now 70% of all households having a pet. During COVID, 23 million people adopted pets. Ray speaks about how dogs have unconditional love and complete trust in their master. They discussed this hypothetical question of whether you would save your dog or another person from a river if they were drowning, and a surprising amount of people said they would pick their dog. As much as we love and care for our pets, they are not as valuable as human beings. God names Adam and then lets Adam name the rest of the animals. God intended for us to be his representatives, to love, nurture and care for the rest of the world. Pets speak into a specific type of companionship and sing the glory of God. By having pets, we can honor God through the way we take care of them and use them for God’s will. Even though pets are wonderful, we need to not create idols in what we worship (animals) instead of who we worship (the Lord).  The guys then discuss the idea of whether or not dogs go to heaven. They talk about how heaven will be full of God’s image-bearers with animals, but maybe not necessarily our personal pets. They then say how it won’t actually matter if we have our pets in heaven or not. Heaven will be so good with being face-to-face with Jesus, that everyone else won’t actually matter to us. They also talk about how we should not console or comfort people by saying dogs or people are in heaven, but that we should ask what they would do or say if they were here. They discuss how grieving is really important and in the Bible, they would actually hire mourners to help people grieve. Grief is God’s way of healing us. You can’t let it pSend 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

In today's episode, the guys discuss what it means to walk in joy. To begin, they clarify the difference between happiness and joy. While happiness is fleeting and comes from circumstances, joy is objective and transcends circumstances. When Heaven is the prime object of our rejoicing, it is impossible for anything to steal our joy. A perfect example of this is in Luke chapter 10, when the apostles were rejoicing even though the demons were subject to them, because their names were written in Heaven. We can never know what tomorrow on this earth will bring, but we can rejoice nevertheless knowing that our salvation lies in Heaven. We must remember not to be governed by circumstances, but instead by what is written in God’s Word.  For anyone in our lives who may currently be experiencing immense suffering, the guys advise that we lend a listening ear and a helping hand to that person. This can be as simple as picking their kids up from school or dropping off a meal for them. Then, when the time is right, it is important that we give them the opportunity to speak up. Rather than asking someone if they have moved on yet, we should instead ask what they have done to move forward or how we may be able to help them along their journey. People need to be reminded that there are always others thinking about them and caring for them.  It is not only circumstances that can rob us of our joy. Sometimes, Ray shares, it can be for no reason at all. This is when we must be almost mechanical in pulling our soul up by its bootstrings and remembering all of the blessings we have in our lives.  It is easy to become distracted by the busyness of our lives that we forget that we have ultimately been adopted by God into the Kingdom of Heaven. We are reminded that the pathway to joy is through God’s presence and remembering our standing in the eternal. Through the blood of Jesus Chirst, we have been adopted by God as heirs to His Kingdom and are in need of nothing. We must fight for our own joys in life by pursuing the Lord and entering His presence. When we truly rejoice in our own salvation, we can’t help but want to tell others about that same thing.   Thanks 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! 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

In today's episode, the guys talk about envy and jealousy, as well as how to overcome them.  Both of these sins, which relate to the sin of covetousness discussed in a previous episode, lead from what may feel like a relatively non-threatening start to all manner of mischief and further sin.  In order to deal with them and the bad fruit they lead to, we have to start at the root.  The root of envy and jealousy is dissatisfaction with God and our lot in Him.  We fail to believe that whatever is not within God’s will for us is not something we need (or should ultimately even want).  We embrace “discontented longing for someone else’s advantages” (envy) or “unpleasant suspicion or apprehension of rivalship” (jealousy).  Saul offers an apt picture of jealousy as it grows and turns into evil action - in his case, attempted murder of David.  And envy, the guys explain, is opposition to the prosperity or happiness of others.  It is unhappy self-justification, and its antidote is finding satisfaction in the justification offered by God. After all, in Christ, we have all things!  What else is there for us to strive for?  We live before God, who sees our every thought and deed, and He is to us a sure hope.  Any other hope will surely let us down.  Turning to envy for justification and satisfaction ultimately makes us discontent with the good of others, haters of our neighbors, and our own tormentors.  Using envy, as people so often do, to motivate others and even to shape the behavior of our children, will damage us and cause these other people to stumble.  Allowing any jealousy but a righteous jealousy to dwell in us will, time and again, lead us to evil action.  But as believers, we need not behave as “mere men”!  We must be rooted in love, which doesn’t envy, and cry out to God to help us daily to live as those filled with His love.  Thanks 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! 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

In today's episode, the guys discuss the Kingdom of God. Many people either misunderstand God’s Kingdom or ignore it altogether. However, the idea of Kingdom is pronounced by the first chapter of the New Testament. A good starting point for understanding the Kingdom is to ask ourselves why Jesus lived. The most common subject throughout the gospel is the Kingdom of God. It was the ultimate paramount for everything Jesus taught and the reason he lived. Kingdom carries with it the idea of God’s reign. It can create a realm or people, but is not synonymous with those things. In its truest essence, the Kingdom of God is the reign of God manifesting itself in the Heavenly realm and through his people. A common thread found throughout the Scripture is of man trying to establish his kingdom over God’s Kingdom.  When we become a citizen of this new Kingdom presented by God, our value systems will drastically change. While man’s value system is motivated by fear and envy, in God’s system the only thing to fear is God Himself. This doesn’t mean that we should remove ourselves from the human world, but should do everything we can to allow righteousness to rule. When we find ourselves worried about things happening on earth, we should look up to God sitting on His throne to remind us that we are fighting a spiritual battle more than a physical one. Further, we should be careful in recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not just spiritual, it is also physica. It is not just where we go when we die. It is actually in the world making its presence known and penetrating our everyday experiences. We should see the earth in the same microscopic perspective as God sees it. The way God goes about bringing Heaven on earth is totally inverted from the way man brings about power, and we must trust in His way of doing things.   Thanks 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! 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

In today's episode, the guys talk about suffering and the question of why God allows suffering to occur.  This question is one of the most common objections raised to Christianity, and it entails a logical breakdown, as suffering is not about the reality of a creator, but rather indicates that something is horribly wrong with the created order.  The question is also raised by two different sorts of people: those who ask with a “gotcha” mindset, and those who have suffered and have a genuine desire to understand and believe.  The Bible answers both groups, holding the first under judgment, and meeting the second by speaking to the reality of suffering.  When we interact with people asking how a loving God could allow suffering, we must first ask why they are asking the question and what their baseline assumptions are.  With those asking out of a true desire to understand, we need to offer tenderness and compassion.  We then need to offer answers.  We don’t always receive specific explanations for why certain things happen (and so we must always meet suffering with faith!), but we do get a big-picture answer in the Bible.  Ever since man’s first sin, the world has been fallen and broken.  Christianity defines suffering in light of the fall, and is the only worldview to offer both a clear definition of and hope within suffering. When we count the cost and become Christians, we know we are not signing up for a life free of suffering.  There will be all manner of suffering for us until the day we see our Savior face to face.  But in the meantime, suffering takes on a new meaning for us.  It is an honor granted to us.  It tests our faith as a fire, conforms us to the image of Christ, reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and points us to the cross.  At the cross, God the Father allowed the brutal death of His Son, and Jesus willingly took suffering upon Himself.  In this climactic moment of suffering, we also see our final victory over suffering secured.  We look ahead to the end of suffering, knowing that the trials we endure now are - in light of Romans 8:28 - being worked together for our good and God’s glory.  We can worship with joy even through our suffering, and far from being a shallow or cheesy thing, our joy is a deep, sustaining confidence in the character of God.  We can also use suffering as an opportunity to evangelize, urging others to join us as we hope in God. Thanks 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! 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

In today's episode, the guys discuss the Great White throne judgment of God. They talk about how God is actually very judgmental because He holds us humans to high standards. God is a good and perfect judge, and He will give out wrath and condemnation for unbelievers. Our culture today says that judging others is wrong and most people don’t want to talk about how God judges us. However, to deny that God is a judge is also to deny that God is good. If He was a passive judge, then there would be something wrong with the judge. As Christians, we want judgment for those who wrong us, but we don’t want God to judge us. There is an element about judgment that delights the Christian, because we gratify people getting justice when they do us wrong. A good example the guys talk about is when Osama bin Laden died. All Americans rejoiced that he was killed because of what he did to us on 9/11, and for how he destroyed our freedom and democracy. We celebrated that justice was served. God is a holy and just god, and will give each person their reward or condemnation on judgment day.  Next, the guys confer about how fear is actually a good thing and is our friend. Fear reminds us to keep our seatbelts on or to not get too close to alligators. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. We won’t let our sins go, unless we see danger from the fear of God. He already knows everything and is omniscient. They also discuss the facts from the Bible from the book of revelations that we can refer to. These facts include: Jesus Christ will be the judge and Lord, all unbelievers will be judged by Christ and they will receive wrath, unbelievers are storing up for themselves wrath that will be given, God will give to each person according to what he has done, and believers will be judged but because of Christ’s righteousness given to us and our names are written in the book of life, we will be rewarded.  In addition, the guys also explain two very big distinctions from the judgment seat of Christ and the Great White throne judgment of God. They talk about how the Great White throne is when God will condemn the unbelievers, but the judgment seat of Christ is for when God will judge all of the believers. But, as believers, we do not need to fear being condemned by God because we can live in confidence that God won’t leave us or forsake us. God will take a survey of what we have done with our talent, time and treasure, and He will give us a reward in heaven based on what we have done. Another element the guys talked through is that every believer in heaven will be happy and there will be no envy in heaven. Envy is created by a lack, but there will be no lack in heaven. TheSend 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

Today’s episode is part two of a live recording of a Q&A held at the recent Ambassadors Academy. First, the guys answer how we can help other Christians understand that the Sinner’s prayer is not a very good idea. We are reminded that when we are born to God, he does all the work himself. We often make the mistake of bringing our modern desire for instant gratification into our discipleship. Evangelism and discipleship is a long investment game, and the Sinner’s prayer often disrupts what God really wants us to do. Pastor Philip DeCoursey adds that the prayer can be used as a tool to some extent, but when it gets in the way or hinders someone's true expression, it becomes a problem. It is out of the heart that the mind speaks.  Next, they make their case for the position of an evangelist within the local church. Pastor DeCoursey believes that when it comes to the people in our local churches who have a special gift or calling in evangelism, it is their job to model their passion and equip others to do it, too. In the book of Acts, the Apostles went everywhere and appointed elders in every city. The ultimate goal of evangelism is to do the same, equip our churches for the work of ministry to be His ambassadors in this world.  Then, they share how a new believer can increase their fear of God, especially in seasons where they don’t fear God at all. First, you should study the nature and character of God revealed in the Scripture. The Bible is the revelation of God’s nature and character that we will face on Judgement Day. The Bible tells us that it is through the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil. Our calling as Christians is to know God, and the more we know Him, the more we fear Him. The more we become familiar with the holiness of God and contemplate who he is, the more we realize our own lack of holiness and will begin to fear who He is.  Thanks 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! 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

Today’s episode is part one of a live recording of a Q&A held at the recent Ambassadors Academy. Before getting into the Q&A, they share a little bit about the annual Ambassadors Academy. While keeping the handpicked group of participants small, AA is essentially a crash course for evangelism. Many participants enter on the first day never having spoken publicly about their faith before and leave with the confidence to do so. Many have even started their own groups within their church that ultimately nourish their community at large. Joining the guys for this Q&A is their senior pastor of Kindred Community Church Philip DeCourcy.  To begin the Q&A, Ray is asked about his first open air springboard. Then, they are asked to share advice on the best resources for someone struggling with assurance on their salvation. They recommend Saved Without a Doubt by John MacArthur and always turning towards the sufficiency and truth of the Word of God. In moments of uncertainty, there is nothing better (besides God’s Word) than having pastors and people of faith alongside us to affirm and hold us accountable. Scripture makes it clear that God has given us eternal life based on the fact that we have placed our own worth in Him. We are reminded that despite what we may feel, we can continue to show our faith by our works by continuing, in obedience, all that Scripture calls us to.  Next, the guys are asked about open air preaching in places where public speaking is deemed illegal. First, we are urged to explore areas in which public speaking is allowed. However, when it comes to the proclamation of the gospel, the only time we have a right to rebel against authority is if we are commanded to do something God forbids or are forbidden to do something God commands. Thus, we should generally always obey the orders of God over the orders of man. Then, they offer encouragement about handing out biblical tracts in person. Before wrapping up, they identify the key thing they want participants of AA to leave with: a sense of joy over evangelism.   Thanks 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.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

In today's episode, the guys discuss how to be an effective ambassador for Christ. This topic never gets old, because it is all about living out who we are in Christ. We are reminded that each of us is a witness for Christ. What a person believes is much less important than the way that they act. Our Christian lives should gravitate people towards us who are ready to hear the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:20 proclaims “Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ.” If we have been born again for Christ, we are automatically His ambassadors. When we remember who Christ is, it is astonishing that he has called upon us sinful human beings to be His ambassadors. An ambassador is defined as an accredited diplomat sent from a country as its official representative to a foreign country. We should remember that this world isn’t our home, we are only passing through in exile. Our mission here is singular: To bring glory to Christ and to make Him known.  The number one most important trait for an ambassador is discretion with words. This refers to the ability to know when not to say and do certain things as to avoid offense. The ultimate work of evangelism actually has little to do with our power to transform lives. God calls on us to be His ambassadors as a way to live out our faithfulness to Him. Anger, sarcasm, demeaning comments and self righteousness are some traits often seen among evangelists who forget that they are also ambassadors. We should be careful to avoid these traits as we walk through life. If you haven’t shared the gospel with others in a while, the guys urge you to get started just by being friendly in public places.  It is important to keep in mind that as ambassadors, we are not just representing the Lord, but also other Christians. Our witness has the potential to extend far beyond what we can imagine. Christ left us an example of what we should do for one another as believers, and it all starts with the representation of the love and service within church. In closing, we are reminded that we represent the God of the universe. This realization should sober us, honor us and lead us to recognize the seriousness of our calling. It is in His grace alone this calling may be achieved.   Thanks 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.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

In today's episode, the guys discuss Catholicism. To begin, they reiterate that they are in no way trying to talk down to Catholic people, but rather are speaking the truth and being honest about a religious institution which they believe has serious harmful teachings. Catholics and Christians do have things in common, such as believing in the existence of God and the person of Jesus Christ, but the glaring differences can not be overlooked.While Christians believe we are saved by grace and not ourselves, Catholics believe that we are saved by grace and by our actions. When we say that we were saved by grace, we are saying that we as individuals had nothing to do with it and we can not upkeep out salvation. There is no need for Christians to worry about losing our salvation after a sinful action. It is by our faith alone that we receive the gift of justification.While it is possible for a person to be saved and be part of the Catholic church, the guys believe it would have to be despite the official teachings of the Catholic church. It is in response to the grace that has been given to us by God that we may pursue righteousness, not out of fear of condemnation or eternal hell and punishment. Even if you have everything else sorted out, if you don’t have salvation right, then you won’t have eternal life. When it comes to eternal life, the Scripture should serve as our guideline, and all traditions of man should fall to the wayside. Today, all we have to do is look upon the curse of Jesus on the cross and live. We do not look to the Pope, the sacraments or to tradition, but to Jesus alone. Before wrapping up, the conversation shifts to discussing the idolatry common within the Catholic church.  In closing, we are reminded that our debts were paid by Jesus on the cross in perfect righteousness. Repent, place your faith in Him and let Him set you free!Thanks 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!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