The Living Waters Podcast

In this episode, the guys discuss the Sermon on the Mount, which is the greatest sermon ever preached by Jesus. When studying this sermon, it’s important to understand who Jesus is preaching to and why. Jesus is preaching on a mountain in Israel that overlooks the sea of Galilee outside of the city. Matthew 5:1 states, “Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.” This first shows us that Jesus was preaching to the disciples; He was not intending to teach to a big crowd, but was teaching His friends.  In biblical times, revolutions would often be started by someone preaching outside of the city and here we see Jesus starting a spiritual one. Jesus was ushering in a new covenant for His Kingdom and this sermon completely changed the ethical values of the entire world. In this sermon, we see intentional parallels between Jesus and Moses. Both of them went up a mountain and Moses brought down the Ten Commandments, while Jesus brought down the Law to our hearts. Jeremiah 31: 33 states, “‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, “Know the LORD,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the LORD.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about the beatitudes, which are defined as a state of great joy, blessedness, or extraordinary happiness. There are eight beatitudes that Jesus proclaims and these laws point us to Jesus, bring hope, and speak to our hearts inwardly.  Next, the guys talk about how the beatitudes are a way of salvation before God and revealed Jesus’ authority. Jesus spoke with authority because all authority has been given to Him. His preaching and the light of the law shows us that we’re poor in spirit. When we realize that, it gives us a mournful heart and a deeper thirst for righteousness. The more we’ve been forgiven, the more we will be gracious to those around us. There are five different perspectives on the beatitudes including: Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist, liberal, and dispensational views. The one thing in common across these views is that all the scholars and theologians in these fields recognize the “already, but not yet” status of the beatitudes. These beatitudes make everyone equal in this new inverted Kingdom.  As Christians we will be persecuted, but God will reward us for following His word. This is why you can leap for joy the next time someone is persecuting you! Leaping for joy is also a way of having an eternal mindset that someday we will all be together in heaven with Jesus. ThSend us Fan MailThanks 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 lessons to be learned from the life of Job. The book of Job stands out in many unique ways: it is likely the oldest book in the Bible, about a non-Jewish person, is set in a place far away from Israel, and is written in a way that should be acted out as a play. Job was a man of devotion who cared deeply about his children’s souls and spiritual state. As parents, we need to be students of our children, studying them regularly and treating them as individuals created by God. We should be gentle and respond to their failures in the way that God would. Job feared God and shunned evil. Nowadays, we tend to think about the battle between good and evil as a wrestling match between God and the devil in which only one side will prevail. However, in the Scriptures, we get the sense instead that Satan merely embodies evil as a dog on a leash who God gives permission to do things within set parameters.  Then, the guys discuss the need for creating space for lamenting, which we see in Job, the Psalms, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and more. Lamentation can be a worshipful way of crying out to God and asking where he is and why hardship is happening. This draws you nearer to your Savior, even when your questions are unanswered. It is important to remember, however, that there is some lamenting which is dishonoring to God’s glory and magnitude, and we must humbly remember that God is sovereign. There is nothing wrong with being open and raw towards God so long as we remember that He is on His throne and all things are working for His good.  We should be slow to speak and quick to receive all that he has to offer us.  God tests Job by taking away all that he holds dear, from his children to his physical health. But all the while, Job never curses God for his miseries. His illness became so intense that his friends no longer recognized him, and they even began to speculate what sins Job had committed in his life to deserve the anguish he was experiencing. If we are not careful, we may also find ourselves also trying to rationalize the negative aspects of our lives in this way. God knew all along how much suffering Job could bear and did not allow Satan to cross that limit. When he reached that limit, God stopped him and his attacks on Job ended, the sign that God is always in control. Send us Fan MailThanks 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 carry on their character studies by discussing the life of King David. David is a true enigma in terms of how he rose to prominence, reacted in different situations, and how even after his sin God still called him a man after His own heart. This goes to show that there are genuinely godly men who fall to temptation, just like David did. David was a warrior, king, and poet. He was a man who stood up for what was right and who was unafraid of doing God’s will. Additionally, he was a writer of poems and songs which were born from the overflow of love in his heart. God prepared David for what he was to do in the world by making him a shepherd in his youth. When we focus on the joy of our salvation the way David did, our lives should naturally progress to the next step of proclaiming and sharing that joy with others. Cowardice, the guys explain, is indicative of looking too closely at ourselves and taking our eyes off God. We see David’s heart of integrity and trust in the Lord while Saul was out to kill him at every turn. Then, after Saul was killed by someone else, David called for a national mourning for him. We see a demonstration of his loyalty in the covenant made with Jonathan, and his fulfillment of it. We are reminded that above all, Christians should not just have integrity and follow through with their promises, but should strive to go above and beyond them.  We also know of David’s sins of committing adultery, blaspheming the name of God, lying, and committing murder. When we share the gospel with others, we, like the prophet Nathan, should compel people to own their sins. In a world that finds virtue in vices, it is more important than ever to put a name to sins. It is possible for someone who sins “big time” to still be saved. God has chosen to use sanctification throughout our lives to conform us to the image of Christ, and in the midst of that we can still fail and sin. But God has provided a principle to deal with that failure: genuine repentance. Failure is only failure when we stay down. If we learn our lesson from it, we may get up and move on. By virtue of the fact that we are still alive, we know that God is not finished with us yet. For anyone listening who may have committed radical sin, you are reminded that you are not an outcast to God. The Lord wants you to come back to His arms and allow Him to restore and rejoice over your repentance. Send us Fan MailThanks 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 this episode, the guys discuss Moses and his story. Moses is known as a pillar of faith. He was born in a time when Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, was out to destroy the children of Israel, so Moses’ mother hid him for 3 months. They placed him in a basket in a river where Pharaoh's daughter found him and brought him up as her own. Moses grew up with the Egyptians as the son of Pharaoh. When he later finds himself in Midian after killing a man, Moses helps some girls being harassed by shepherds, and then eventually marries one of the women.  Next, they discuss the burning bush and how Moses took his shoes off because he was on holy ground. The flames did not consume the bush. Likewise, Moses was able to stand in the presence of the God who is a consuming fire but doesn’t get consumed himself. This moment is the turning point for an incredible change in Moses. We see Moses transform from a prideful, arrogant man who tries to take control and power in Egypt, to a humble man who knows he has no power without God. However, Moses pushed back with God by giving excuses for why he could not save his people. Exodus 4:10-13 states, “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’ But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.’” God’s angered burned toward Moses because of his response, and He could’ve evaporated Moses but chose not to. The challenges and doubts that Moses faced in life are an example for us. Every trial we face pushes us to the cross and causes us to remember that it’s not about us, but about God. Witnesses also don’t need to be eloquent; we just need to repeat what we’ve seen and heard.  The plagues start in Egypt when Pharaoh does not let his people go. These plagues include water changing to blood, frogs, flies, hail, and then finally, the killing of every first-born son. Usually, it takes the removal of our most prized possession to bring us to our knees. Pharaoh also could’ve killed Moses, but this shows God’s hand of protection over Moses. It’s a beautiful reminder that when God’s hand is upon you, you don’t need to fear. He will do what He needs to do to use you for His glory. They also talk about how the plagues are the Egyptians’ ramification of idolatry.  Once Pharaoh finally lets the people go, he changes his mind and chases after them. Then, God shows HiSend us Fan MailThanks 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 lessons to be learned from the life of Joseph, one of the most influential characters of the Old Testament. We are reminded that God intended for us to learn lessons from these stories and give us hope through His Word. In Genesis 37:3, we are told that Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age. This offended Joseph’s brothers and the rainbow tunic Jacob made for him only made his brothers resent him even more. The guys discuss the role of favoritism in families and the many responsibilities and expectations which tend to fall on the sons. The hatred of Joseph’s brothers took them so far as throwing him in a pit and nearly killing him for revenge. Jealousy of man, they reveal, is complete insanity. It is important to distinguish the jealousy of man vs. the jealousy of God. When God is jealous on our behalf, it is for our good and protection. The root of man’s jealousy is selfishness and the inability to rejoice for others. This is often birthed out of being discontented in who God has made us and what He has allotted for our lives.  Joseph’s story is not dissimilar to the story of Adam in the garden. As Adam was given stewardship over the garden and everything in it but one tree, Joseph was given stewardship over the entirety of Potter's property except for his wife. Though Adam was tempted and fell, Joseph resisted the temptation. Through Joseph’s faithfulness, God provided a way of saving the land from famine. The story of the Bible is not a collection of individual stories, but rather one sovereign story of God sovereignly saving a people for His glory. Genesis 50:20-21 and Genesis 45:5 are the two verses which help us fully understand the story of Joseph. These verses show Joseph’s belief that God was intimately involved in everything that happened to him. He understood that he had no right to vengeance because he was not God. Send us Fan MailThanks 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 this episode, the guys discuss the father of God’s chosen people, Abraham, and his faith in God. He fathered Isaac, who fathered Jacob, which led to Jesus and the disciples. We cannot understand the New Testament without understanding Abraham. Jesus offered freedom to the Jewish people, but they claimed they were already free because they were the sons and daughters of Abraham. What they did not realize is that Jesus was there to fulfill not the covenant of Abraham, but God’s covenant with his people through Jesus’ sacrifice. First, the guys discuss Abraham’s story. He came from a pagan background and had no idea where he was going when God told him to leave his father’s house, but he answered the call of God. Abraham was 75 years old when God called him to leave his home, 86 when he fathered Ishmael, 99 when he was circumcised, and then 100 when Isaac was born. His life shows us that God’s timetable is not our timetable. It is so easy for us to get worked up and to not understand why God didn't answer our prayer. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” God will bring about His promises, but it may not be in our timing. Abraham’s name was first “Abram” meaning “high father,” then he went to “Abraham” meaning “father of a multitude.” After years of waiting and then finally receiving the promised son Isaac, God asks Abraham to offer Isaac up as a sacrifice. As heir, the first-born son was very important in the family. They were usually viewed as a prized possession and would carry on the legacy and provide for the family. God calls him to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice to challenge the potential idolatry in his heart. Abraham goes up the mountain with no other sacrifice except his son, and then God stops Abraham from killing Isaac. Abraham was strong in his faith and his faith brought glory to God. The guys use the metaphor of marriage to explain this. When Ray talks about his wife and how he completely believes in her faithfulness, others know of her integrity. If he proclaimed the opposite of her, it would be an immediate insult to her integrity if he didn’t trust her. The same is true with God. When we have faith in God and talk about his faithfulness, it proclaims His goodness and character to others. It’s also important to note that Abraham did not have blind faith, but his faith was built on substance. In those days, as part of forming a covenant with someone, animal carcasses would be cut and lined up. Then, you would walk between the lines of carcasses, which would represent what would happen to you if you broke the covenant. The servant passes through the carcasses by themselves, or the servant and Send us Fan MailThanks 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

Exploring the life of Noah, his obedience to God's command, and the importance of responding to God's call. Discussing how characters like Noah foreshadow Jesus Christ and the lessons we can learn from their stories. Emphasizing the significance of righteousness, faithfulness, and God's sovereignty in the narrative of Noah's life.

In today's episode, the guys discuss how to deal with unwanted thoughts. Thoughts are silent, invisible voices in our heads that hold great power, and are often a window into what's going on in our heart. If you’re not meditating on truth through God’s word, you’re going to believe that lies are true. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Our thoughts give birth to either things of the Lord or sin. When sin begins in our mind, we need to attack it and then reorient our thoughts to the Lord. Colossians 3:2 states, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” We need to set our mind on things above because every action starts with a thought.What about the struggle with unwanted thoughts that pop into our heads? If we struggle with gambling, we avoid going to the casino. But these unwanted thoughts fly into our heads without warning. For these, we need to remember our thoughts are not just coming from ourselves, but also come from the enemy. There is a spiritual war going on right now over your mind. When these thoughts pop up, we need to not dwell on them but let them leave our head just as quickly as they came in. The issue is when we determine not to let them go. We fight these thoughts and spiritual warfare by attacking them with scripture. When we fill our mind with God’s word, we can march forward on our knees and defeat the enemy.The change in our thought life starts with an investment in knowing God’s word, which comes from meditating on scripture day and night. It is vital that we fear the Lord, because if you don’t fear God, then you won't cast those sins or thoughts out.  Temptation will be part of our lives for the rest of our time on Earth, but we need to detox our mind and stop going back to the catalysts that trigger these sinful thoughts.  Your thoughts are not really unwanted if you’re consuming or looking at things that cause those thoughts to pop up in your mind. These thoughts will continue to torment you unless you change what you are consuming. The average person consumes 6,000 to 10,000 ads a day by their own choice. You can choose what you look at. If you are unsatisfied with your thoughts, is it possible that you've been starving yourself of the word of the Lord? Do not be self-deceived but know that the cause of our unwanted thoughts is likely due to ourselves. However, God can cleanse our minds and give us new thoughts if we ruminate on His word, attack these thoughts with scripture and cSend us Fan MailThanks 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

It is natural to want to be friends with and seek approval from our peers, but how far is too far? In today's episode, the guys discuss how to stop being “men-pleasers.” The Bible shows us that there are two fears: the fear of men and the fear of God. If you live your entire life trying to please others, it’s like continually trying to hit a moving target. People's expectations are always fleeting, and this will be a never-ending battle that will leave you exhausted and empty. Men are wicked and sinful, and our love for heroes is fragile. We see this reflected in the suicide rates of celebrities, who are so accustomed to pleasing men that when the favor of fans falls apart, they lose their identity and worth. It is impossible to please both man and God. Galatians 1:10 states, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” If we are trying to please men, we can’t please God. All the satisfaction that you need has been placed on the cross. God knows, loves, and accepts you because He made you, and all the approval you need is from Him.  Next, the guys discuss a hypothetical situation where something could be pleasing to both men and God. In these cases, we should examine our motive. Pleasing the Lord should be the heartbeat of everything we do. Desiring the approval of men is also a form of worship, because worship is anything that we prioritize above God. Out of a desire to “fit in,” we become imitators of those around us, which exposes us to the danger of an identity crisis. If we try to be like other people in this fallen world, we become like a fallen creature ourselves, where pleasing people prevents us from accomplishing God’s purpose for our life. We must choose to be who God made us to be, so we can glorify Him and share the gospel with others.  If the apostles in the Bible tried to please men instead of God, then they would not have been martyred for their faith. The guys discuss John F. Kennedy and John Lennon who were worshiped by the world. But when they lost their lives, the big question isn’t how handsome or rich or famous they were, but were their sins forgiven? People-pleasing may be seen as a “respectable sin,” but it is still a sin that creeps up secretly, unannounced and unnoticed. To keep this sin in check, we must be proactive in overcoming it. The guys suggest praying preventative prayers multiple times a day, studying and memorizing scripture, and reading books. If you don't act to change something, then that's evidence that you don't really want to overcome it. When we recognize our weakness, it driSend us Fan MailThanks 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 cultivate healthy fellowship, friendship, and accountability. Many of us, when we come to Christ, believe that all our non-believer friends won’t stick with us. This is part of the price of discipleship. There is, however, something steeped in a gospel community which non-believer friendships can never recreate. In a world where people are constantly trying to create community in every realm, most people are so starved of the sanctifying processes of lifelong friendships centered around the gospel.  If you want friends, you first have to be friendly and reach out to others yourself. We are reminded that Jesus referred to his disciples as his friends, even Judas. Friendship includes a closeness in which two people are intimate and open with each other. True discipleship, historically, consists of spending time on a regular, continual basis with someone who is older and wiser than yourself. Sometimes, people’s experience at church can morph into a facade. However, individuals are encouraged to gain understanding of the true value of fellowship and seek it out on their own. This enables them to move out of facade and into authentic behavior, which in turn helps to cultivate authentic relationships. We should keep in mind that there are things which God wants for our lives, even if we don’t think we want them. It all comes down to being—or becoming—the kind of person that will cause people to gravitate towards you.  There is a difference between godly friendships and friendships with non-believers for the sake of the gospel. Love wants to meet the greatest needs, and the greatest need for anyone unsaved is the gospel. We must make ourselves available during regular day-to-day interactions with our non-Christian acquaintances and neighbors, or they will likely never know that our door is always open when they are in need. A hallmark of fellowship is the willingness to live your lives side-by-side in good times and bad. Finally, we are reminded that true Christian fellowship includes openness and accountability on both sides. Send us Fan MailThanks 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