The Living Waters Podcast

To be saved, to know you’re saved and to know that you can not become unsaved: That’s the question we’re dealing with today. The frantic fear that one may lose their salvation can become destructive in your walk with the Lord. On the flipside, there are people who boast in their salvation while living in flagrant sin. The guys discuss the controversial phrase “Once saved, always saved.” This can serve as comfort for those who are working out their salvation to know that once they are saved and God begins good work in them, he is faithful to carry it out. However, this does not mean that God’s grace allows us to do whatever we want and live an unrighteous life. Salvation is not a one and done thing, but rather the entrance into a transformative and eternal relationship with God.  This is not to say that a Christian can’t struggle or fall into sin. However, a true, regenerate, born again believer who has been sealed by the Holy Christ will always return to God. When you become a Christian, you love righteousness and thirst off of it. You also have the fruit of praise and of thanksgiving, and the praise of God comes naturally from your humble heart. Hebrews 10:26 speaks to the Christian, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment.” We are all born compulsive sinners until the day we die, but it’s the person who sins wilfully, joyfully and pridefully who should be concerned for their salvation. There should be no sense of security for anyone living in sin.          For a Christain to lose his salvation, God would have to go back on His word and undeclare what He previously declared. Though we should feel convicted by our sins which we will be corrected for, we will never be condemned for them. Jesus was punished so that we will never be punished.  We must not forget that everything comes back to the Scripture. Furthermore, it is the unity and community of our church we come to know by being an active participant which God intends us to affirm our faith. What a joy it is to have security in Christ! Let us remember that our hope for salvation is in Christ. We have been sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise who is the guarantee of our inheritance.  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!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, the guys want to make an inroad to a topic that is surrounded by much confusion even among Christians: baptism!  The confusion relates in part to the current trend of downplaying baptism.  Not only does this indicate confusion about what baptism is, but it also causes the confusion to deepen and proliferate.  The downplaying of baptism is rooted in a well-meaning course correction to theological errors that over-emphasized baptism, such as the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.  But what Christians need at this point is not to over-correct their way into neglecting the rich truths surrounding baptism, but to construct a robust doctrine that values baptism while knowing how to respond to those who consider it necessary for salvation. This notion of baptism being necessary for salvation is at the heart of the theological error the guys want to zero in on today, namely, that of baptism regeneration.  Baptismal regeneration is one of a few major views of baptism that are commonly held, and it maintains that the act of baptism is sufficient in itself (by conferring or completing grace) to save the soul.  The Roman Catholic Church holds to this view, whereas Lutherans hold that baptism is a sign and seal of the New Covenant and those in a Reformed or Covenantal camp see baptism as a culmination of faith - expressing faith, bringing believers under the care of the church, and functioning in a way analogous to a royal coronation that decares rather than creating the reality of kingship. The guys have spent a lot of time discussing the doctrinal problems of baptismal regeneration not only with Roman Catholics, but also with members of the Church of Christ, who hold that baptism is necessary for salvation.  This position, of course, has logical shortcomings; after all, what about those who are converted with no time or ability to be baptized?  The position also contradicts the overall teaching of Scripture regarding both baptism and salvation, and the guys explain how to understand the true context of passages used in support of baptismal regeneration.  Finally, they celebrate the beautiful whole-Bible threads of meaning that baptism picks up, baptism’s picture of the gospel, and the connection between baptism and the great commission! 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 Living Waters evangelism 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 all about how we as Christians can address the topic of evolution when it comes up. The guys explain that unless someone is schooled in the reality of creation, they will typically drift to what they were taught in school. It is a tragedy that the idea of evolution is so widely adopted without much thought. When engaging in conversation with someone who holds an opinion different to yours, we are advised to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Furthermore, asking good questions inspires critical thinking.  All things have been created for and designed by love. Creation was created out of the love that the Father has for Himself, and outflowing from that is the reason we exist. This speaks true to the longings of our heart. We must not divorce creation from the heart and intents of the Creator. Often we get so caught up in the argumentation to prove God created the earth that we forget the who, what and why of the ultimate creation. As we talk about the story of creation we see in Genesis, we need to keep these questions at the top of our minds: who created, what did He create, and Why?  Then, in an effort to help prepare listeners to debunk evolutionist arguments, the guys share factual rebuttals of the most common points made by evolutionists including the ape-like creatures from which evolutionists claim humans came. Within the concept of Darwinian evolution, there simply isn’t enough time according to their own computations to go from the ape-like creature to a human being. World view and perspective is what we need to interpret the evidence we have. The ultimate answer to why evolution can not be true is simply because of the Bible, our ultimate source of authority. Asking deep questions to those who deny God’s creation can be used as a segway to direct a conversation towards the gospel.  A Christian can not believe in evolution, because Matthew 19:4 tells us “In the beginning, God created the male and female.” In closing, we are reminded that Christians are by no means anti-science, but approach it subjectively. This determines the conclusions at which we arrive based on the information we receive.  Links:Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!Check out our video, Evolution vs. God and Ray’s book, Made In Heaven.  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

This episode is all about the recent leak of the Roe v. Wade opinion by the Supreme Court. They begin by discussing the shocking leak and its implications for our country, including how it could directly result in abortion being banned in dozens of states promptly. Next, they talk about what the Bible has to say about this sensitive topic, and how God is unashamedly pro-life from Genesis through Revelation. They urge us to understand that this is a spiritual war; there are demonic influences at play in this incredibly important battle for the unborn. Finally, they discuss how we as Christians should react to this news, including what we can do to help end legalized murder in America. They end by encouraging us to look to Jesus in all things, because in Him we find not only strength to continue to fight against the evils of this world, but we also find forgiveness that purges even the most vile of sins, including abortion. 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 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

This episode is all about the two greatest commandments found in scripture and how to fulfill them. They begin by pointing out how these commandments to love God and to love others are a foundational part of one’s walk with the Lord. These commands come directly from Jesus in the New Testament, and the hosts then spend some time to explain the connection between the two.  In order to truly love others, it must come from a genuine love of the Lord. They speak about what it means to view others through the lens of all mankind being made in God’s image. A genuine understanding of God and desire to honor him will lead to a desire to honor him through loving those he has created.  Next, the hosts then move on to talking about what it means to love. They speak about the different types of love, such as romantic love, brotherly love, and agape love. They focus on the agape love which is based upon the sacrificial love of serving others and putting others before yourself. This love is found first in out love for God through gladly obeying his commandments out of a heart that desires to honor him. They also point out how this love grows through spending time with God and making it a point to know him better daily. Additionally, they relate it to the kind of sacrificial and covenantal love between a husband and wife. Ultimately, we were made to love God and for this love to flow into how we treat and serve others.  Finally, they conclude the episode by diving into the question of how to love God with all your heart. This is done through glad and ready obedience to his commands. Out of this will then flow a love for others- even those who may be hard to love. They then relate this to the story of the good Samaritan and the sacrificial love he showed. Additionally, they reference 1 Corinthians 13 and use this as the definition for what true love means and how we can be encouraged and strengthened in our pursuit to love God and others. They tie it all together in the end by speaking about the ultimate display of love Jesus showed through his death on the cross and resurrection.  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 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

Today’s episode is all about providing encouragement for others, a topic which is often minimized yet we all know how much we love to be encouraged by other people. Ray opens up about the most discouraging seasons he has experienced in his own life, specifically when he was suffering from agoraphobia, and how he was able to overcome them. What is so inspiring about Ray’s story was that in his own times of discouragement, he was able to still encourage others and still does so today. 2 Corinthians 1 says “God comforts us in all our afflictions and we may be able to comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” In the day of self help and expressive individualism, there is often a right and a wrong way to encourage people. Encouraging people unto themselves leaves them feeling defeated, while encouraging them in their relationship with God and His glory to find Him as their one source of comfort. Today, many Americans living in densely populated areas don’t even know the names of their neighbors. God desires to save us out of isolation and into community so that we may lift each other up and remind ourselves of God’s graces in our lives.  For the gospel’s sake, we must continue to encourage unsaved people. The ministry of encouragement is open to Christians as it is to no others, because they have the power of the Holy Spirit to lead them to truth and a Father to protect and bless them eternally. Christians are ultimately motivated by the love of Christ. Though our words may encourage others, what people really need is to hear the Scripture. Three ways we may encourage others include being specific, intentional and give gifts. Christians are not exempt from their own needs for encouragement and we should all stove to life each other up. God commands us to look back at the cloud of witnesses who persevered through difficulties and forward at Jesus as the one we are moving towards. There is value in choosing our words and encouragement intentionally. We have an indescribable power to touch other people’s lives and lift them up. 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 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

The most simple definition for the word hermeneutics is the art of interpretation, which is the practice of understanding God’s word for yourself and communicating His word to others in a manner that honors what He means to say. 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word.” Hermeneutics is not just something our pastors should do. As Christians, we all need to be men and women of the Word. We need not be afraid of the complexities of the word, because the Holy Spirit shall teach us all things.  The best way to understand the word is by reading it continuously and avoid singling out just one verse. Good hermeneutics is recognizing, through all struggles, with a foundation in Christ you can persevere for all that lies before you. False religions all come back to improper interpretation of the Word. It is important for us believers to remember that the Bible was not written to us, but rather for us. The guys offer advice for listeners to better understand the Bible. First, start with a literal, face value meaning, then consider the historical setting and culture, customs and traditions. Next, take a deeper look at the grammar within which a word or phrase is found. Finally, synthesize how the passage compares with other parts of the Scripture to form a bigger meaning. The final action is the application of what we have read. We must bridge the gap between the original author’s context and our own context today to illuminate the Word.  The Bible consists of various types of literature, so it is important that we differentiate the techniques being used to understand the message of a passage. For new believers, the guys stress that many of these things are learned much later on in the progression of one’s faith. Rather than feeling condemned, we are all urged to press on in greater depths to understand the Scripture as deeply as we can. The more understanding we gain, the more your soul will feel lifted.  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 Save Yourself Some Pain and The Evidence 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

Today's conversation centers on the question of how to combat doubts about the faith.  More specifically, it focuses on the struggle (which is more common than is often acknowledged!) of Christians facing doubts.  For these believers, their doubts are far different from the doubts of non-Christians looking to oppose the faith; the difference here is between honest questions joined with a longing for belief and obstinate refusal to believe.  Unfortunately, Christians are often ill-equipped for helping brothers and sisters wrestling with doubts.  Their willingness to help the one questioning may last the length of a conversation over coffee, while the Christian facing the painful struggle of doubt actually needs robust discipleship and to know he/she is not alone.  Struggling believers also need to realize that skepticism comes from too little rather than too much thinking.  If questions fester in their minds, these questions should be addressed.  Of course, we must trust what we know (namely, the God in whom we believe!) even in the face of doubt, but Christianity also offers answers to doubters and space for asking honest questions!   Experiences with doubt vary from Christian to Christian, and they relate to personality, spiritual warfare, trials, too much listening to the world, and other factors.  But whatever the doubters' specific circumstances, they are called to be bound up in a local body of believers with different strengths and experiences - a body called to mutual exhortation in the truth!  Not only should believers bring their doubts before God in prayer, but they should bring them to fellow believers in the church.  They should continue to step forward doing what is right (and thus showing their faith by their works no matter how they feel at the time), and examine themselves to see if any of their doubts may be rooted in sin rather than true questions.  They must keep themselves in the Word consistently and, perhaps surprisingly, may even be helped by simply getting enough rest!  And at the end of the day, the fact remains that God is willing to show grace to the person facing honest questions.  He is holding onto and will sustain even His doubting children! 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 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

Today’s topic, the second coming of Christ, is an issue which has really served to divide Christians. Eschatology is the theology concerned with end times, and the second coming to Christ remains at the heart of it despite the many different views. Though there is much controversy surrounding the topic, there ought not to be because it is a debate held among Christians. Listeners are encouraged to explore these ideas gracefully, with the understanding that you will have brothers and sisters in Christ with differing views. While it’s easy to get caught up in the how and when of Christ’s return, we need not miss the fact that He undoubtedly will, and that is our great hope. This reality that Christ will come again should affect the way we view the world, the way we go on missions, how we treat people and our views on pain and suffering. We are living in the space between His first and second coming, a state referred to as “the already, but the not yet.” Matthew 16:27 tells us that Jesus will come again with His father and angels and will draw everyone’s attention to Himself. Listeners are encouraged to think about the things you would change in your own life if you knew that Jesus was coming tomorrow. Scripture tells us that we should be organizing, celebrating and preparing because the second coming is near.  We should walk in the fear of what’s to come for nonbelievers as Noah did while building the ark. Heaven started out on Earth, and God’s plan is to bring it back to earth. He promises to restore and renovate earth to become a heaven again. As Christians, we should see our responsibility as beginning God’s renovation process through our own good works. In the wake of the second coming, God warns us not to be idle. We must remember that God is never in a hurry and He is the only one who knows the exact time he will return. To a young believer, the guys offer advice on how to live in light of the second coming. We are commanded to build a family, master a trade and further occupy ourselves until He does come. Even when it feels like the world is smoldering, we should rejoice because God has won the ultimate war and He will soon come again.  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!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

Our topic today, the resurrection, is foundational to our faith and accounts for half of the gospel. We often hear the phrase “Jesus died for you”, but that is only a partial understanding of the gospel. The resurrection was a declaration of victory and the solidification of the Apostles’ faith. The resurrection solidified and affirmed that Jesus was really who he claimed to be. It also proclaimed the impact it has on our eternal souls, because his resurrection is now our own resurrection victory. The Scripture tells us that it is through the resurrection of Christ that we are born again. Ultimately, everything lies and rests upon this very act.  For critics, there is ample historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead. The guards themselves reported what they had seen, but were quickly paid off to keep quiet. We often make our choices on what we believe based on facts, but God didn't create us to be fact-based creatures. We are lovers first and foremost. The guys debunk many of the most popular arguments denying the resurrection. Even though we can’t rely on facts for our salvation, for the resurrection, historical facts are significant that it actually happened.  Romans 8:11 says “But if the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you.”  This verse reminds us that the resurrection is something Christians should reflect on and realize that the same power is within us. The promise of the resurrection is that we will one day experience the same kind of resurrection ourselves. Christianity begins where all other religions end, at death and the resurrection. We celebrate the resurrection and our hope in the resurrected body. We have to remember that the resurrection was not some random event, but was prophesied and part of God’s eternal plan for the redemption of man. The cross should bring us to a place of humility and repentance, recognizing that it is our sins and the wrath we deserve which pins Him to the cross. The resurrection, however, brings us to a place of joy and hope. As the episode wraps up, the guys share a series of quotes from John MacArthur about the truth of resurrection.  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 Ray’s new book, 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