The Living Waters Podcast

In today's episode, the guys discuss marital problems and how to solve them. To begin, they each share how long they have been married themselves. For many people, their weddings are the best day of their lives. However, the focus on the day of our weddings should be not on us, but on the covenant we are making before God. Our culture has a fundamental misunderstanding of what a marriage is. Rather than a stepping stone in the list of achievements, we should see marriage as a way in which we can glorify God and in which God can sanctify us.  Ultimately, marriages consist of  two sinners entering into a covenant together. In this covenant, God intends to use us to reveal sin in our lives and refine us to be more like our Savior. This means we will be challenged and the darkest crevices of our hearts will be revealed to our spouses. When it comes to healthy marriage, a theological foundation gained through reading the Word together is absolutely necessary. James 4 tells us that all human conflict is rooted in spiritual idolatry. One of the worst things a couple can do is work to change their spouse into each other's likeness. Instead, we are to evolve alongside our spouse into Christ’s likeness.  If you are in a stage of marital conflict, you are urged to start by thinking of where you yourself have sinned against God. Even among churchgoers, the divorce rate in the U.S. is about 50%. A survey by the National Association of Marriage Enhancement found that less than 1% of couples divorce if they engage in daily prayer together. Our oneness as a couple plays a key role in the proliferation of Godly offspring. If you are not in the habit of daily devotion or prayer with your spouse, the most important thing is to just start. When we think we don’t have time for something, we should remember that time is a symbol of our priorities and God desires for your priority to be Him, and then your marriage. A gospel-centered community is a foundational aspect of a healthy marriage that is missing in most marriages today. In closing, we are reminded that grace is always the key.  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!  Links: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 Charles Spurgeon. For those listeners who are unfamiliar, Spurgeon was an extraordinary preacher and human who was radically gifted by God. He was born in England in 1834 and called the “prince of preachers” and “Silver Tongue”. We are reminded that, without idolatry, it is great to have heroes in the faith. Spurgeon really took to heart what it meant to commune with God. His early death at age 57 is a reminder that God does not need anybody, and we are all indispensable regardless of our gifts.  Spurgeon gave his first sermon in 1850 and joined a layman group shortly after, with whom he traveled to nearby towns to preach. He was asked to become the preacher of Waterbeach Baptist Church before becoming the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. He was not formally educated, nor did he attend Bible college. People know Spurgeon primarily for his preaching, and secondarily for his commentaries and devotionals. Most people, however, don’t know that he was an incredible pastor. Sturgeon was at the Metropolitan Tabernacle during the heart of the Industrial Revolution. When many other churches decided to leave the city and head to the suburbs, Spurgeon and the elders of the Tabernacle decided to stay in London and saw the opportunity to spread the gospel. They began over 60 organizations for those in need throughout the city.  Spurgeon was filled with light and joy, but also suffered from deep depression as a result of a personal tragedy, illness and stress. He believed that Chrisitan ministers should expect a special degree of suffering to be given to them as a way of forming them for Christ-like, compassionate ministry. He said,  “Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. There are some of your graces which would never be discovered if it were not for the trials in whom we experience.” A large takeaway of this discussion is the power of the written word. In closing, we are reminded that there is power in passing on truth and power in the example of a man whose life was surrendered to the Lord wholly and completely.  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!  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!Be sure to check out Tough Consequences. 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 topic of bullying. To begin, they share their own stories of experiencing bullying. Humans like to see justice and retribution, but how can we as Christians demonstrate love for the bully? When it comes to justice, there are certain times when we see something and need to put a stop to it right away. If verbal interaction doesn’t stop the bullying from happening, there may be a precedent for getting physically involved. The other side of  the story is that bullies are often being bullied themselves by someone else. However, we are reminded that all of our actions come from the heart and this is not an excuse. We must find a way to show the bully compassion and empathy, recognizing that the things which happen to and around us shape our sin.  It’s so important as Christians that we discipline ourselves back into a gospel mindset and remember how we look in God’s sight. Bullying is often the misunderstanding of what a person in power should be like. The gospel, when understood, is revelatory and keeps you humble. Understanding our own need for grace should prevent anyone from becoming a bully when it comes to evangelism. The Scripture further admonishes us as fathers not to provoke our children to wrath, also a form of bullying.  If we see someone being bullied, we should intervene to the best of our ability and tell authorities so that the bully will not go on to bully another person. For anyone listening who may be currently experiencing bullying, you are reminded that your hope can not lie in the circumstances changing, because people will be people wherever you go. Rather, your hope should be in understanding who you are in the sight of God and who He is in you. It is also very important to forgive those who have done wrong to you and never carry resentment. Your identity and value comes from Christ alone.  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!  Links: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 talk about church membership. They speculate that churches who don’t hold importance to membership and being reactionary against certain movements make membership a badge of salvation. However, this is something that is not a light matter and is extremely important. The problem with not having traditional membership is that it creates confusion around who is and is not really part of the church alongside a convenient lack of accountability.   Official church membership will change based on the type of church you go to. Often, achieving membership will start with taking classes from a pastor or elder. Here, new members will learn about the church’s statement of faith. There is also often some sort of covenant. Regular attendance, accountability and the recognition that you are to submit yourself to the authorities of the church. Church accountability lets pastors know that the sheep are a part of his flock. When you become an official member of a church, you are entering into a gospel-centered covenant between God and the local church, which he calls us to. Because of the consumerist culture we live in today, however, it is difficult to allow that to happen naturally as He intended.  Functioning as part of the church is at the heart of membership. We were designed to be known and loved in the context of a local gospel community. We see this longing for community everywhere, though this urge will only ever be truly satisfied in a gospel setting. Covenant is not just about your commitment to individuals, but also about their commitment to you through discipleship. If you are a believer listening to today’s episode, the guys challenge you to really ask yourself how you are functioning as a member of the body of your church. When we are not doing the things which God has called us to do, we are hindering the body of christ.  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!  Links: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

The guys talk about the lost art of Christians reading good books.  It seems that, given the pace and availability of media, the new generation of young people reads less than previous generations.  Instead, they look to “YouTube University,” which offers information but does  grow you in wisdom.  These algorithms are designed to show you what you want to see and offer what’s clickable.  Good books, on the other hand, offer wisdom.  No doubt reading books comes with its fair share of challenges.  People have different natural inclinations toward reading (and some, though not all, even experience major changes in this area when converted).  People differ in their reading capacities, such as speed of reading and memory for content.  Some struggle with things like dyslexia that make reading more difficult.  But anyone can put their mind to gaining wisdom through books, and the more you read, the more you build up the muscle for reading.  If you have a hard time with reading, the guys urge, start by committing to one book and seeking accountability as you read it. He shaped us to read, and designed us to reap many benefits from doing so - the foremost of which is gaining knowledge of Him by reading His written Self-revelation in the Bible.  We should read varied books, from biography to theology and fiction, but we need to make sure the book we live in is the Bible.  The guys leave listeners with a list of recommendations for either personal or shared reading: Everything Sad is Untrue, The Discipline of Grace, Gospel Primer, 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 the phenomenon of people identifying as animals.  This phenomenon takes shape in the community of furries, or “enthusiast[s] for animal characters with human characteristics” who use animal characters as online avatars and often even dress up as their animal counterparts.  The furry community is a sexualized subculture, wth a vast majority of its members at least engaging with furry pornography, and represents a perversion of human identity.  Whether furries actually dress up each day as animals or just use online personas (or “fursonas”), they are creating an identity distinct from their true selves, and are investing and finding value in something false and empty.  Their experience overlaps with that of the Otherkin, a person who identifies as a non-human being, typically wholly or partially animal or mythical being.  The furry community represents yet another step in the crazy progression of recent years; things we once wrote off as unfathomable keep happening - from gay marriage, to recognized pedophelia, to people pursuing relationships with inanimate objects.  As such, the community places itself squarely in the category of those things discussed in Romans 1 when Paul explains human sin and the experience of being “given over” to all kinds of evil.   How should we as Christians address this phenomenon and engage with people who identify as furries?  Well, to start, it’s helpful to know that over 60% of furry community members reported extreme bullying while growing up.  They are people who have been cast aside, laughed at, and hurt.  They are people who answer the question of the day - “Who am I?” - by living out of a battered sense of self.  These facts should give us a sense of compassion at the start.  We must also remember that the only thing that fundamentally differentiates us from them is the grace of God; apart from God, we are all lost and go our own way.  Furries need what we ourselves needed when God saved us: to understand who God is and understand self in relation to God.  We don’t need to get overly caught up in their crazy lifestyle to share the truth about God with them.  We just need, with gentleness and patience, to present the law and the gospel. 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!  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!Check out The Evidence Study BibleSend 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 why today’s “cool” churches are, in fact, very uncool.  The presence of these churches is a pandemic today, and to understand it, we first need to clarify what the problem with these churches is.  The churches are marked by a number of common characteristics, including a pastoral focus on self-glory rather than God’s glory, an aim for relevance and fans/followers instead of reverence and converts, and a pervasive sense of consumerism both in the leadership and the pews.  They tend not to call out sin in the hearts of hearers or urge people to repentance, and have a “feel good” vibe rather than a gracious and uncompromising commitment to truth.  Celebrity pastors could be compared to a Christianized Tony Robbins - that is, their message is one of self-help, being more influential, and overcoming challenges to get to the next level.  In today’s “cool” churches, people reject what opposes their own ideas about who God is, and there is a clear connection between unhealthy pastors and unhealthy sheep.  The churches are also now in a season of shrinking; after all, they will never be able to outperform culture, or to keep entertainment value high enough to hold attention. In light of the prevalence of such churches, what should believers look for when discerning whether or not a church is healthy?  The guys offer several indications of church health, including fear of God, exposition of the whole Bible, a pattern of service, a commitment to church membership (with membership implying service and discipleship), evangelistic zeal, and accountability among the church leaders.  Further, the guys affirm, a healthy church will be marked by regular congregational practices: confession and repentance, opening the Word of God together, and taking Communion.  Ultimately, both motivation and content are crucial concerns as a believer considers a church.  If any listeners find themselves thinking their own churches are unhealthy, the guys recommend first taking certain steps toward a solution.  If that does not work, though, they should try to find a church where Christ is truly the center.  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!  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!Check out The Evidence Study Bible.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 New Ageism. It is a deceiving name because there is, in fact, nothing new about the New Age movement. Satan’s lie, the first lie ever known to mankind, is the root of New Ageism. The movement was popularized in the 1970s and really took off in the 80’s. Many people tend to think of New Agers as hippies, but it is also popular among the social elite and affluent cultures. New Ageism is like a supermarket or smorgasbord where you walk in and take your pick of the products you want. The core pillars include separating oneself from western culture, emphasis on first nation beliefs, creation-centeredness and a focus on the person. At the heart of it is the belief that man can really become God.  There are only two world views: the view of the world and the view of God. Most Christians in the U.S. have, unbeknownst to them, adopted some form of  New Ageism within their faith. Meditation, for example, has been robbed of its Christian roots and manipulated into the secular world. When we meditate as Christians, we fill our minds with the knowledge of what God has revealed to us through His word. People following New Age clearly have a deep desire to understand themselves spiritually, it is just that they are being led in the wrong direction. To these people, a Christian may find common ground by mentioning the ways Christianity has not always fallen in line with the western culture they denounce. The beauty of Jesus is that He is a pre-Western figure. Everywhere we go, there are false gospels, lies and temptations which may seem harmless but will pull us away from understanding who our Creator is. The best way to protect ourselves is to read God’s Word and get involved with a faithful, local church. In community, we are protected. The bottom line is, if you claim to be a Christian but are not prioritizing Christ before all else, you are entering that realm of idolatry. It is something we as Chrisitnas need to be very careful about.   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!  Links: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 explore what is behind self harm and suicide. It is their sincere hope to provide helpful answers and hope for listeners who may be struggling. Before diving in, they highlight the free resource Biblical Counseling. What often leads a person to self harm or even to suicide are painful, difficult circumstances they find themselves in. Each of our hosts share about their own personal seasons of difficulty and painful experiences. As Christians, we lose sight of the point and purpose of the trials and tribulations of life and that God is going to do whatever He needs to do to bring glory towards His name. However, down that road less traveled, there is beauty to be found. The reality is that when you become a Christian, you are signing up for trials, tribulations, persecution, temptation and suffering, but your name is written in Heaven. God always knows the things we need to know and the lessons we need to learn in order for Him to make us into who He wants us to be. The promise of the gospel is not that we will have a good life, but that Jesus will help us through life.  Rather than asking someone who is suffering why they have not yet moved on, we should reframe the question to ask how they are moving forward. Statistically, 17% of people will self harm during their lifetime. This is most common among girls, especially during the time they first become aware of sexuality, body image, and the opinions of others. On the other hand, 45,000 Americans die by suicide every year. A major reason for this is that so many people are living their lives in absolute futility without purpose, reason or the knowledge of right and wrong. The modern narrative of expressive individualism goes against the promise of the Gospel, which is that there is no need to define ourselves because we have already been defined by God. The Scripture offers stories about individuals who at one point no longer wanted to live, but later reaped the benefits of their suffering. God urges us to let go into His hands and allow Him to finish our story. As long as we are still alive, He is not finished with us.  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!  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!Watch our film You Are Not Alone: Hope for Your Depression. You can find helpful counseling resources at 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 biblical hospitality. As Christians, we have the wherewithal to be the most hospitable people on the face of the earth. In a sense, hospitality is really a reflection of the gospel as it is the Golden Rule in practice. Listen as the guys share their best hospitality experiences. In Scripture, the word hospitality speaks of being a person who has given over by loving other people. The Dictionary defines it as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors and strangers. God calls on us to be hospitable to everybody, even those we find difficult. Hospitality is meant to be a form of evangelism. The other side of hospitality is discipleship. As demonstrated in the Bible, hospitality is a key characteristic of a good leader. Similarly, Christians showing kindness and hospitality is the best form of advertising.  God does not bless us financially to raise our own standard of living, but so we may have more to give to others. We must not give only from the overflow while keeping the bulk of our belongings to ourselves. Romans 12 says “Contribute to the needs of the saints and sake to show hospitality. This is the way the Christian responds.” The real key to practicing hospitality is to do so without grumbling or complaining. Hospitality does take a certain amount of discomfort. To truly be hospitable means you’re going to put yourself in a place of sacrifice and discomfort. The reason why we do it is because Jese was hospitable to us. Even Christ, who was entirely self-sufficient, became dependent on other people’s hospitality. All of us have found ourselves in situations where we need someone to lean on for help. If you are in a situation where you don’t have much to give, you can turn to God’s grace. We must open out homes no matter what, but having a clean and pleasant home helps people to feel comfortable and welcome.  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!  Links: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