The Living Waters Podcast

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Ep. 123 - How to Witness to Family & Close Friends Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, the guys discuss how we can witness to our family and close friends. Often, the people closest to us are the most challenging to share the gospel with. When new believers want to begin sharing the gospel, they should not begin by focusing on the sins of others, but rather by repenting for their own sins first. It is by owning up to our own sins that we are best able to proclaim the gospel to others. Doing this takes a great deal of humility. However, when we finally come to know the Lord and are transformed by Him, we get excited to forgive other people and be forgiven ourselves.

Before making the effort to reach our family and friends, we should first examine ourselves and our own contrition. This can be used as a springboard to show others that every single sin from every single person can be forgiven in the eyes of God. In addition to an apology, it is always necessary to ask the other person for their forgiveness. A large barrier when it comes to witnessing to our own family members is their knowledge of the person you might have been in the past. Another hurdle is the fear that they may write you off completely. We should remember to put our trust in the Lord and take risks for the sake of the gospel. It is absolutely key to approach everyone, even nonbelievers, with kindness and gentleness.

When we really love someone, we are motivated to demonstrate that love in continuous outreach and thoughtfulness. When we live the Christ-like life, the term “witness” is not just a verb, but is also a noun. When your actions don’t align with the things you are preaching and how you are living yourself, the disconnect is obvious. Asking for prayers for those we love who are unsaved is another way we can witness to others. Prayer is the means by which God moves His hands. When the time comes to finally speak the gospel, sharing testimony is invaluable. Remember that nothing can get in the way of expressing genuine love and sincerity. We have a unique opportunity with the internet to reconnect with people from our past and offer the gospel. Finally, we are urged to be charged by our praise for God.

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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.
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 Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro

Ep. 122 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 3 Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

This is the final instalment of Ray Comfort’s devotional on Initiative. It is true that you can receive a word from God to step out in particular ways, such as when Ray and his family left New Zealand to come to the United States in 1989, but when it comes to sharing the gospel, we already have the command from God in the Great Commission. When you’re a Christian and you are filled with the desires of God and you want to see the lost saved, then you will pray and see the hand of God move again and again to answer those prayers. Not because you’re praying for something that you want, but because you are praying the will of God himself. God honors little things that you start. Ray has seen this happen over and over again, like with the upcoming “Operation London,” which is already fully funded, and even when he began filming his witnessing encounters, which Ray could never have imagined would be as successful as it has been.

Initiative has been defined as “doing the right thing without being told.” This is evangelism. God has called us, and scripture entreats us to act boldly for the sake of the gospel. Pray for creativity and initiative, then begin and do something. Do what you can, trust in the power of the gospel and the Word of God, and you will see the desires of your heart, God’s desires to see the lost saved, come to fruition.

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Ep. 121 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 2 Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

Ray Comfort continues his exhortation on Initiative, today speaking of his efforts to write a book that ended up becoming a best-seller, and later even turned into a movie! God also supplied the needs for a circulation ministry that would eventually become Living Waters. Before he became a Christian, Ray would never have thought to do many of the things he has done for the sake of the gospel, and that is because when he was born again God gave him a new heart. As a new creature in Christ, Ray’s desires are now God’s desires. Why does Ray have a desire to reach the lost? Because that is God’s desire!
Some people are so afraid of messing up that they don’t start anything. Ray has started many projects, books, and tracts that he hasn’t finished. There have been many times where Ray has “walked on water” and sunk and had to call out to Jesus to raise him up. But as he delights himself in the Lord, he can trust that God will give him the desires of his heart, which are God’s own desires.

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Ep. 120 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 1 Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

Often, we are hindered by the thought that we must sit and pray over an idea before acting on it, but Ray Comfort shares the scriptural principle that when we trust God and the power of His message, we need not fear to act in order to serve him. Looking at the story of David vs. Goliath, he says that, when we see an opportunity to glorify and serve the Lord, we must take the initiative and do so. Then we can watch how God blesses our efforts. He illustrates this by telling a story about the time he had an idea to purchase a bus for use in ministry. By taking initiative and acting in faith, he was able to see how God provided means and opportunities for the gospel to go forward.

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Ep. 119 - Why Do Some Think King Charles is the Antichrist? Dec 22, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys discuss King Charles III in light of the upcoming coronation. Before jumping into the conversation, they clarify that their intention is not to promote any particular eschatological view, but rather are focusing on what people are saying in regard to this topic. The world seems to have an insatiable appetite for royalty. A coronation, they explain, is when the church recognizes the king, who takes an oath to defend Protestantism against Catholicism. Charles actually became King of England the moment his mother the Queen died, but the coronation ceremony solidifies it. This is a good example of what is going on right now with Jesus. In His ascension, Jesus became King of all the world. But, our waiting for the second coming of Christ is almost like waiting for the coronation of the King. Jesus is still the King, and there will be a day in the future when everybody on earth stops for His coronation.

Scripture commands us to honor our king, and though they do not deserve it, we should obey this commandment. King Charles has tripled in popularity since the death of Queen Elizabeth and is set up to inherit the throne with the accolades of people all around the world. Every world leader of respect will be in attendance at the coronation ceremony. The guys particularly look forward to the opportunity churches have to reach millions at the coronation. They touch on the excitement of handing out their tracts at the coronation this coming May.

Finally, the guys discuss a common current opinion that King Charles is the Antichrist. By definition, the Antichrist is supposed to be a “man of lawlessness.” King Charles, given his position, is above the law and it is impossible for him to be prosecuted. The guys are not urging anyone to actively worship the king, but we should be wary of such theories and instead use this as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Their excitement for this moment lies in the opportunity it presents to share the gospel with millions of people. As Christians, our hearts should explode with excitement when we think of unity for the sake of the gospel. Operation London is the perfect example of how believers, regardless of our differences in eschatological views, can gather together for one day.

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Ep. 118 - Is the Trinity Biblical? Dec 20, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys discuss the Trinity. Part of knowing God is knowing the Trinity. People often think of the Trinity as a box to check rather than diving into learning about the details of it. Part of becoming a Christian is knowing the beauty, goodness, and glory of God. We can do this when we know God as the trinitarian He is. It can be easy to get caught up in knowing every detail about the Trinity, but we must remember that to truly love God is simply to gaze upon His beauty. An accurate view of the God as Trinity is the foundation upon which we can worship each of the 3 persons of the Godhead. To worship God correctly is to worship who He is exactly.

The Trinity is not an easy concept to wrap our minds around, but we must yield to Scripture rather than to what we feel. James White shares that the Trinity is found in the gutter of the Bible, right between the Old and New Testament. In this section, people experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and were steeped in trinitarian doctrine. The distinct word “Trinity” was never actually used in the Bible, but trinitarian language is used all throughout. Though Scripture states that there is only one God, it also refers to three distinctly different persons that are called God. There is one divine nature and substance of God, but 3 divine persons who form this interrelated God.

It has been said that you can only trust someone as much as you truly know them. When we intermix all of the different attributes displayed by God, we begin to form a clear picture of who He is. If we are going to make any pursuit in life, why not make it to know God better? The Trinity is something we need to deal with regularly to really know Him. Modalism, the doctrine that God is a person who manifests Himself in 3 different ways, is the biggest misconception of the Trinity. It is crucial to understand that Jesus is not half human, half divine. Since there is nothing quite like the Trinity, it can be difficult to explain. In closing, listeners are urged to examine the Scripture and be committed to it.

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Ep. 117 - Mormonism and Its False Teachings Dec 15, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys talk about two very important topics: baklava and Mormonism! Understandably, they spend most of their time on Mormonism, which is one of several cults that arose in the wake of nineteenth century revivalism in America and continues to try to wedge itself under the umbrella of Christian groups/denominations. The Mormon church, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, developed in a context in which Christianity was cut off from church history and the original languages of the Bible, opening itself up to heretical offshoots. Mormonism has 16 million adherents worldwide, the majority of whom live in the US; the faith also boasts significant wealth and a number of high-profile members, including Mitt Romney and Donny and Marie Osmond. While Mormonism is known for kind members and for verbiage that can sound a lot like Christianity, Christians need to love truth (and Mormons!) enough to hold the false claims of Mormonism up to the standard of Scripture.

The guys run through the history of Mormonism, beginning with its foundational belief that there was a “great apostasy” shortly after the apostles died that God chose to resolve through revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith. The alleged revelation to Smith was codified in Mormon texts which were added to (and valued above) the Christian Bible. The church continued to develop through splits, migration, persecution, and even a formal foray into polygamy. Shifting gears, the guys run through some of the main errors within Mormon doctrine, such as a deeply flawed doctrine of God, the belief that humans can become gods and are basically good, and the belief that the place of grace in salvation is simply to make up for what a person’s works can’t attain. In speaking to Mormons, there is a proper place for highlighting doctrinal issues within their faith. However, the best starting point is to raise the question of how to be saved and to get to the gospel. There are many resources available to help Christians understand Mormonism and how to evangelize Mormons; we are without excuse to be able to engage faithfully and in love!

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Ep. 116 - Tips for Healthy Communication Dec 13, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys discuss tips for healthy communication. To begin, they each share the areas in which they find communication most difficult. When it comes to disagreements, it is most important that we exercise understanding in the perspective of the other person. Without understanding each other, it’s nearly impossible to ever find a middle ground. We should also always strive to convey our own perspectives in a way that is easy to understand. Communication is far more than just verbal, our expressions and body language matter too. Proverbs 15:28 reminds us “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

As Christians, we are not to let any unwholesome or filthy language come out of our mouths. Our tongues reveal the abundance of our hearts. Thus, we should be very careful about what we say, because we don’t want to ruin our testimony by saying something ungodly. So many problems in life could be prevented if we took a moment to think before speaking. Similarly, we should converse with the goal of understanding, rather than making our own side heard. Because of our pride, our inner lawyer often wants to come out and defend or prove ourselves to whoever we are speaking to. Instead, we should be slow, humble, and approachable. We should also be tactful and determine whether it is the right time, place, and way for a discussion to take place. If a confrontation is taking place, we should always lead by giving a person the opportunity to confess. Asking questions rather than jumping to conclusions can save a lot of heartache.

We must remember that every word we speak will be accounted for on Judgment Day. In addition to this, good communication is the biggest key to a healthy and happy marriage, so we should communicate about our preferred communication with spouses and the people close to us. Finally, listeners are left with specific questions we should ask our spouses in order to grow in our communication with one another.

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Ep. 115 - How to Know God's Will for Your Life Dec 08, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys discuss how to know God’s will for your life. Of all the things Christian struggle with, this topic is likely at the top of the list. We all want to know God’s will and understand what He has in store for our lives. There is one extreme in which we feel that we need to seek out God’s will in everything, but when we are too hypersensitive we can become un-Biblical with our ways of pursuing knowing His will. On the other extreme, we might think that God doesn't pay attention to the small choices we make on a daily basis. To really be able to hone in, we should recognize that there are two kinds of God’s will: His secret will and His revealed will. The secret will is God’s sovereign rule over all things. His revealed will is what He has revealed to us through Scripture how He wants us to live our lives. We must really understand and obey His revealed will before we can know His hidden will.

The guys believe that the ultimate way to come to know God’s will is to do what feels right (within the bounds of Scripture) and love Him in the process. His true will is to go to all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, and do everything we can to serve the lost. We should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else will follow. As Christians, we should aspire to be so close to the heart of God that we are familiar with the sound of His heartbeat and the rhythm of how He works. Then, we should turn to the Word in which He reveals His thoughts and character. Finally, we will be prepared to go about our lives and pray as things arrive. God is bigger in the ways that He works than we think, and we need to have a heart of trust.

There are different callings for our lives. The first is the calling towards salvation, the second is that covenant calling in marriage. The guys unpack knowing whether he or she is “the one,” and the commitments of marriage compared to the mainstream fairytale view of marriage. As we walk with the Lord obeying his word and relying on His Spirit, we will find that we are given the mind of Christ in order to make the best decisions to honor His will. As the episode wraps up, the guys reiterate that God’s hidden will never contradicts His revealed will.

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Ep. 114 - The Marvels of Meditation Dec 06, 2022

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In today's episode, the guys discuss the marvels of meditation. Christian meditation is a lost art form in our journey to become more like our Savior. Today, our society has an understanding of meditation that is mostly eastern and includes the idea of clearing your mind and becoming one with yourself. All throughout the Scripture, however, prayer and meditation are two sides of the same coin. God desires for us to spend time in His Word and meditating.

Before getting into what Christian meditation is, the guys discuss the purpose of it. Meditation is a method for us to become more like our Savior by filling our minds with God’s words and truth. For many people, there is a big gaping hole in the sanctification process for meditation. While we should meditate on the greatness of God and the promises of His word, we should also meditate on the subject of Hell to motivate us to reach out to the lost. Biblical meditation is not actually clearing our minds, but filling them with God. It can be used as a catalyst to set the tone for our entire day.

The common man sees everything the Christian man sees, but the Christian pauses to connect things to the Lord and unlocks transformation in their life. We should not be afraid of silent moments, but rather should welcome these times as an opportunity to better know God. The more you know God, the better you can accept uncomfortable situations and circumstances around you. When we meditate on the Scriptures, we talk to ourselves about them, churning over in our minds the meanings, implications, and applications to our own lives. In adoring God’s word, we are led to become more like Him. In closing, we are reminded that the practice of meditation is a muscle which we need to build up, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t click right away. The guys leave us with a few helpful tips for getting into a routine of meditation.

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