The Living Waters Podcast (Living Waters)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Living Waters Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 2022 | Ep. 36 - It's Time to Stop Fighting with Other Christians. | 00:45:22 | |
On today’s episode, the guys discuss unity and the idea that it is time to stop fighting with other Christians. Unity is extremely important and the Scripture speaks of it in very explicit terms. Paul speaks of the sensitivity we, as Christians, are to have towards believers who have different perspectives and convictions. We are to set aside anything that can be set aside in order to keep the peace among brothers.
How can we walk in love if there is no unity among us? The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the prime examples of what unity looks like. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, their sins brough division not only between man, but between each other. God offers us the power to become unified with him and with one another through the power of the Gospel. While there is a time and place for clarification and explanation, it is usually best to nullify conflict with others with care, humility and an apology.
As Christians, one of our biggest tools is our unity with one another. Again, the guys mention the idea of primary vs. secondary convictions and how to determine when an issue is crucial enough to advocate for. There is an undeniable part of the wicked human heart which likes to see fights between people. However, God commands us the meekness and discretion to resist this urge and advocate for unity instead. Good conflict is extremely healthy because it brings things to the forefront to be addressed. In good conflict, the rules are set ahead of time in a loving and respectful way. It’s incumbent that we consistently invite people with a welcoming spirit to be open and honest with us.
Unity is designed to unify us with Christ and with each other, then becomes an evangelistic tool to speak of the truth of God. We can’t simply be unified for unity’s sake, and should still be able to challenge each other to a certain degree. Confrontation should come from attributes of love such as patience and kindness. Speaking truth is true love.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider leaving us a 5-star review, and we’ll see you next time!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 22 Feb 2022 | Ep. 37 - Wisdom from the Word | 00:43:46 | |
On today’s episode, the guys tackle the topic of wisdom. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge is morals and information, while wisdom is the insight to know when vs. when not to take action. Most decisions we make in life require some knowledge, but a lot of wisdom. Our culture today is very rich in knowledge and poor in wisdom. Wisdom isn’t hidden from us, but rather hidden for us. Every human being has a conscience and the knowledge of right vs. wrong. Without God as an ultimate standard of truth, all we have are “truths”. Do away with God, and we do away with the truth.
Often, we as Christians forget our calling to vigorously pursue wisdom as proclaimed in Proverbs 2:1-6. In The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken, he maps out how to seek wisdom. Though our first instinct to learn more about something is to turn to social media, if we really want to grow in wisdom this order must be reversed. First, we should seek wisdom in the Scripture, then to our church, then nature, then books, and finally, maybe, social media. The most practical way God grants wisdom is through the Word. We can have full assurance and confidence that whatever we ask of God will be heard and responded to.
Wisdom includes the ability to use the best means, at the best time, to accomplish the best ends. It isn’t merely a matter of knowledge, but the skill of practical implication of the truth. With knowledge comes pride, but with wisdom comes humility and patience. Wise speaks not of someone who knows the facts, but of someone who is skilled in Godly living. In light of eternity, everything that we do will reverberate and echo forever. Let’s not dwell upon this, but rather learn from it and move forward. Although our names will be forgotten, the name of our Savior will live on through the test of time.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider leaving us a 5-star review, and we’ll see you next time!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 24 Feb 2022 | Ep. 38 - The Power of Gospel Tracts | 00:47:13 | |
On today’s episode, the guys tackle the topic of gospel tracts. Listen as the guys share about the tracts they have given and received over the years. Many Christians assume handing out tracks will be a controversial act, but from the guy's experience it usually turns out to be a pleasant exchange. In fact, it could even be a life changing event for non-believers. Gospel tracts have been around long before even the printing press, and we can’t negate their effectiveness. They speak clearly and get right to the point without straying from the intended message. They never get tired or give up, and are always ready to speak directly to readers at any given time or location.
The Bible is the ultimate gospel tract which leaves nothing unsaid. Ultimately, a tract is the Bible condensed in some way. When distributing gospel tracts, we should remember that the worst thing which could happen is for people to not read them. On the contrary, the best thing which could happen could change someone's entire life. Living Waters designs tracts which are fun, joyful and lighthearted to give and receive. We need to trust that God will, in His own divine timing, use His gifts. The advantages of distributing gospel tracts don’t stop there. What’s more is the fact that every person can easily do it, a tract always sticks to its point and never loses its temper. Oftentimes, people who are too proud to be talked to will read a tract when no one is looking. A tracts always stays with a person even after the conversation has long since ended. Finally, tracts can lead people to Christ. When preaching and private talk are not available, you need to have a tract ready. A touching tract can serve as a seed of eternal life.
So, what makes a good gospel tract? Firstly, it must be engaging and able to hold the attention of readers. The main touch points include commandments, gospel, repentance, faith and resurrection. Finally, the guys offer advice for listeners in giving out gospel tracts. The guys recommend Living Waters’ tract simple tract for people who want to try handing out tracts themselves. However, there are tons of options on our website so you can find the one which best serves you.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider leaving us a 5-star review, and we’ll see you next time!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | Ep. 39 - Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare | 00:40:14 | |
On today’s episode, the guys tackle the topic of Satan, demons, spiritual warfare and more. It is a subject the world mocks, but yet the world is being mocked by Satan himself. In fact, Satan’s biggest tactic is making people doubt his existence. The problem today is that people either take the issue of spiritual warfare far too seriously or not seriously enough. Modern rationalism encourages us to forget about our spirituality. We have to look to the scriptures to understand what God meant by spiritual warfare.
Though it’s not possible for a Christian to be possessed, we certainly can be oppressed when we give in to temptations. God will correct us because he loves us. Satan’s demonic forces tempt us to sin and oppose our efforts to obey God. Demonic oppression is when a demon is temporarily victorious over a Christian, hindering his ability to serve God with a strong testimony. Confession and repentance of sin are necessary to restore fellowship with God.
For the believer who truly wants to be used by God to the greatest extent, we need to start with honesty. Satan is the father of lies and God is the compass of truth, so it would do us well to be honest in every part of our lives. Similarly, help is a beautiful prayer to God. It’s important to remember that demons can’t ultimately stop people from coming to Christ. God’s word is the ultimate shield of faith and we can cleanse ourselves by reading the Word. Even if we can;t remember it word for word, the scripture continually refreshes and waters up so that we can discern truth from error. Resisting the devil and seeking the Lord is an ongoing battle.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider leaving us a 5-star review, and we’ll see you next time!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 03 Mar 2022 | Ep. 40 - The Christian’s Relationship to Media Consumption | 00:48:25 | |
On today’s episode, the guys discuss the Christian's relationship to media consumption. This is one area in which it seems a lot of Christians struggle and even sin, finding themselves hindered in growing, being effective witnesses to the gospel, and making the best use of their time. This is also an area in which the situational landscape has changed dramatically in recent years and decades. Given the advent and continual evolution of smartphones, people have an unreal level of access to media content! This fact raises concerns in relation to both access and specific content, touching on everything from matters of wise time use to navigation of pervasive content that is profane, sexually inappropriate, blasphemous, and violent.
The topic of media consumption is, in short, a discipleship issue. People are wired to be shaped and shepherded, and daily choices train our hearts to believe, know, and love certain things. Christians need to be intentional about setting our hearts and minds on the things of God, which means we must not stew in content that draws out evil desires in our hearts, such as "infotainment" that fuels a warped interest in violence. We cannot find our identity through social media, obsess over hearing new things, or allow ourselves to be desensitized to content that contains overt filth and/or trains us in an unbiblical worldview. Certainly, we can engage with secular content with a redemptive aim, but even this approach requires wisdom and care!
The unfortunate reality of our day is that the average Christian spends vastly more time with media content than the Word of God. The danger here arises from the fact that what we consume shapes and flows out of us. In order to be wise about time use, we must be aware of the "vortex" dangers of media, consider what a balanced diet of media and other things looks like, prioritize the Bible, and remember that we will give an account for the stewardship of our time. We should be intentional about planning our media consumption, knowing that to honor it as a gift from God used for our recreation or other positive ends, we must care for our souls, weigh our impact on the next generation, and ultimately - and for our joy - make our highest aim the glory of God.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to check out Ray's devotional books! 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! | |||
| 08 Mar 2022 | Ep. 41 - Freedom From Condemnation: How to Walk in God’s Grace | 00:46:10 | |
After diving in with Olympic games and a chicken leg hopping competition, the group turns to the topic for today's episode: freedom from condemnation, that is, how to walk in God's grace. The guys have spoken a number of times before about the issue of false conversion, but on the other side of the coin is the problem of a true Christian laboring under a sense of condemnation and struggling with eternal security. This experience is all too common, weighing down Christians and keeping them from experiencing the freedom that is theirs in the gospel. The voice of condemnation is founded on a quid-pro-quo foundation, and aligns with the human impulse to focus on performance. Conversely, the gospel declares the grace of God in Christ, that is, His unmerited favor. And how otherly this grace is! God saves not because of our works, but simply because He decides to save. He redeems not because He sees something lovely; rather, He redeems first, and only then is something lovely created in us.
The gospel of grace must be central to the life of the Christian, and it is the antidote to condemnation. Meditating on the gospel is crucial if we are to apply it in all areas of life, including to the experience of sin and the pressures of condemnation and fear. The gospel of grace shows us that, though we will inevitably sin and struggle, Christ died for our sins and we are free - even time after time - to draw near to God in full assurance that He will draw near to us. In light of the gospel, we see that God loves us as our Father, and corrects us in love rather than punishing us in wrath. Stories of David, Jonah, the Prodigal Son, Peter, and so many more show us how God loves us and gives grace, and call us to always respond to our sin by getting up, receiving God's grace, and moving forward. Even as we pursue righteousness, we do so from a place of sure acceptance before God and celebration of His kindness to us. And ultimately, we foster humility by turning from our own sin to our gracious God; we honor God when we take Him at His word, and when we view ourselves as He views 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! Check out a few recommended books: Gospel Primer, The Discipl 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! | |||
| 10 Mar 2022 | Ep. 42 - The Folly of Atheism | 00:42:19 | |
The topic for today's conversation arises out of Psalm 14:1, which states that "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This topic is the folly of atheism, and it is a topic that hits close to home for the guys. Ray, for one, comes across as a man obsessed with atheists. As he pointedly explains, this is because atheism is the epitome of stupidity. It is disingenuous and insane, even as it has taken on a cloak of respectability. Oscar also has a unique connection to atheism, as he is the resident former atheist in the group! He shares about his story, emphasizing what finally made things click for him: the work of the Spirit and the fervent prayers of his grandmother. He already knew the points of the gospel well before his conversion, so he didn't gain any new knowledge; rather, God opened his eyes outside of his own power! Oscar's conversion and the growth he has experienced since offer hope for listeners, offering a clear demonstration of the fact that God can and does redeem atheists, and of the fact that our prayers have an impact!
Turning to some arguments atheists often use to try to defend their view, the guys first discuss the idea that religion causes wars. This idea fails as a defense because of several points: institutional atheism has led to even worse wartime outcomes than religion, wars are contrary to Christianity, atheism leaves no ground for moral indignation over war, and atheists often contradict their anti-violence views by supporting abortion. Shifting to the reality of suffering in the world, which atheists draw on as another defense of their position, the guys consider the theological question and personal dilemma the defense involves, note that Christianity is the only way we can validate our suffering, and meditate on the significance of Jesus' own suffering in the place of sinners. There are many ways to apply reason and logic when engaging with atheists about their views, but at the end of the day, atheists need to see that the truth, beauty, and goodness we all want can only be found in Christ. They need to have their eyes opened to see God as beautiful and glorious, and they need their hearts transformed to treasure Him.
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 recommended resources: The Atheist Delusionmovie, 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! | |||
| 15 Mar 2022 | Ep. 43 - The Holiness of God | 00:45:09 | |
The topic for today's conversation is crucial, yet so hated by the modern church. The reluctance for pastors to preach on the holiness of God is, in part, because it is unfamiliar and taboo. We can only ever just begin to scratch the surface when it comes to Holiness. In fact, holy is the only word in the Scripture in which one word is repeated three times. The more our pastors proclaim God as holy, other, and separate, the greater the view we will have of Him. Jerry Bridges said, “Holiness describes both the majesty of God and the purity and moral perfection of His nature. It is as necessary as His existence... It is a perfection of all of God’s other attributes.” It is a misconception that someone focused on God’s holiness is harsh and uptaight, and Ray is the perfect example of this. Isaiah 43:15 says “I am the Lord, your Holy one, the Creator of Israel, your King.” D.A. Carson does a great job at helping us understand what he means by this, asking whether holiness is communicable or incommunicable. Holy is, in fact, an adjective to describe God.
Turning to the argument atheists often use in claiming God is an egomaniac for demanding us to worship Him, the guys discuss the idea that God’s glory and holiness is for our joy and good. When He calls on us to worship Him, it is all while knowing we will experience the joy which comes with knowing His glory. God’s law is a reflection of His perfection. When we break one, we break them all. Before we become a Christian, we feel relieved of our sins rather than enslaved to them. Galatians 4:8-11 states “When you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not Gods.” Finally, they touch on how the holiness of God affects their own preaching. Only God can bring us to a place of awe and wonder, so we should be careful in how we use those words. As the episode wraps up, listeners are reminded that without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
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! 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! | |||
| 17 Mar 2022 | Ep. 44 - The Wrath of God | 00:40:26 | |
Today, the guys consider the wrath of God - an essential component of faithful preaching, but also a reality that is often misunderstood, ignored, and even maligned. Contrary to popular belief, the wrath of God is not an embarrassment or flaw within Christian theology; rather, it is part of what holds the whole picture of the gospel together. While atheists and deconstructionists argue that the wrath of God indicates a bloodthirstiness in God and divine child abuse and child sacrifice, they miss the workings of the Trinity in the sacrifice of Jesus. God didn't inflict undue suffering on a person lesser than He, but the second Person of the Godhead - the eternal Son who is co-equal with the Father - took on the sin of His people and willingly laid down His own life. Ultimately, God bore God's own wrath toward sin and sinners.
To not hate evil would make God morally reprehensible, but the disconnect humans face is that they simultaneously want and need God to bear wrath toward evil and are themselves evil. As terrifying as this disconnect is to face, we need to feel the weight of it. We cannot rightly grasp the good news of the gospel and the mercy it holds out to us without first understanding the law, our breaking of it, and our standing as sinners before a holy God who hates evil. It is only in view of God's wrath and our deserving of it that we truly understand our need for Jesus and are driven to cast ourselves on His grace! Seeing the truth of wrath allows us to see the beautiful exchange of the atonement. Jesus took on the sin of His people, and His perfect righteousness was imputed to them. The wrath due them was borne by Him, and when God now looks at them, He sees the righteousness of His Son.
What great news this is! And because this news only arises out of the unadulterated reality of God's wrath understood in its own right, we must remember in our evangelism that the wrath of God is a necessary terror to the unconverted. It urges them to stop playing games and to flee from the wrath to come and find their refuge in Jesus.
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! 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! | |||
| 22 Mar 2022 | Ep. 45 - The Justice of God | 00:39:15 | |
Today, the guys consider the justice of God - which, for Christians, is one of the sweetest things imaginable. The reality of Christianity can be validated in all that the Apostles endured for the sake of Christ. It is the justice of God which allows His believers to rest after all they have been through. A Biblical understanding of justice is that God acts right, always. This means we never have to question His actions or His plan. He rights all wrongs, and we can find comfort in knowing the evil done unto us will not go unpunished. As Christians, God calls on us to be the same.
Using the natural is a good way to help people understand the spiritual. When we find ourselves asking how God can create something as evil as Hell, we must instead remind ourselves that there must be retribution for such worldly evils. Every single thing will be perfectly dealt with, perfectly, in the perfect justice of God. Those of us who have experienced such worldly suffering will find comfort that those debts will be fulfilled. We see the justice of God perfectly illustrated in the cross of Calvary. We want a God of wrath and justice who deals with sin in the ways it should be dealt with. Ultimately, justice is the vehicle which delivers the wrath of God. We have the choice of taking God’s hand in mercy, though if we don’t, we can’t deliver ourselves from His justice.
Contrary to popular opinion, with God there is no such thing as mere forgiveness, there is only justice. God’s justness is a launching pad for believers and non believers alike to understand and long for the reality of the Gospel. We all long for the glory of God to manifest itself on earth, though self righteousness and pride prevent us from realizing that the things we hate most about the world are the very things we find inside of ourselves. To long for heaven is to recognize that we too are sitting on the judgment seat. The desire for justice separates man from beast. When we understand that we too are part of the problem and are deserving of the wrath of God, we realize we are free from it because God himself paid it on His behalf.
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! 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! | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Ep. 46 - How to Tame Anger | 00:45:43 | |
The topic for today's conversation is focused on anger, an emotion which can have massive repercussions. Anger itself is not sin, as God himself feels wrath. Anger which is not sinful is the kind of anger born out of love. Sinful anger, however, comes from idolatry and false loves. Along those lines, anger and bitterness are two signs of being focused on oneself and not trusting God’s sovereignty in life.
Ephesians 4:26-17 says, “Be angry and do not sin.” Righteous anger serves and protects and gets angry at sins and injustices. Unrighteous anger is inward and self-serving to our desires. Anger only reveals what is already boiling inside of you. It is not enough to just subdue anger, we have to kill our idols and recognize we don't deserve authority and power. If we walk in the spirit, we won;t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Proverbs 22:24 says, “Make no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man, do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” Humans unconsciously imitate the things we observe, thus we as Christians have to be careful about the people we surround ourselves with and the media we consume. We are created to be reflectors, and when we aren’t reflecting God we are reflecting other things. Scripture promotes the idea of self control rather than anger.
Shifting the discussion to the things which are righteous to be angry over, the guys discuss righteous indignation towards evilness and sin. If we are really being selfless and not self seeking, we will realize that when someone sins it is against God and is hurting themselves and hurting others. Thus our anger is for the sake of God’s glory, the person’s well being and the well being of others. The guys offer advice for someone who considers themselves an angry person. Steeping ourselves in the love of God and Jesus, and knowing that love is unprovoked allows us to walk in the spirit. We must also view our actions from an eternal perspective rather than a temporal one, and always be assessing our hearts and realize the motivation behind our feelings.
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! 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! | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Ep. 47 - How to Tame the Tongue | 00:44:21 | |
From Nike's "Just do it" to Mastercard's "There are some things money can't buy," company slogans highlight the reality that the guys discuss today: the tremendous power of words! Words have the ability to shape and destroy people and relationships, and they pervade our lives. As the book of James affirms, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it is also both untamed and mighty enough as a small flame to set an entire forest ablaze. Our responsibility as Christians is to work at taming our tongues, using words (in person or even online!) with self-control. In evangelistic conversations, Christians must guard against the pitfall of demonizing other people and debating without empathy. In evangelism and in general, both what we say and how we say it matter; a tone of harshness pollutes even the best of words! Gossip represents another major pitfall. It is an affront to a person's status as an image-bearer, and we must guard against it even in conversations that concern public figures.
Since the tongue is the thermometer of the heart, not only can it showcase sin within, but it can also be a mighty tool for pointing people to the Lord. We can use our words to build up other Christians with intentional encouragement, and to share the gospel with unbelievers. The guys remind us that even our idle words will be judged, and that being a leader (in whatever spheres the Lord has placed us in this role) requires great care with words. They also point out that communication takes both verbal and nonverbal forms, and we have the ability and responsibility to love in both areas. In light of these realities and the fact that we so often fail in taming our tongues, it is crucial to remain centered on God and His words. After all, His perfect words created life, and His perfect words continue to pour forth from the pages of the Bible and to create new life in Christ. Even as we time and again fail in our use of words, we can remember with gratitude that God has spoken better words of freedo from condemnation!
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! 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! | |||
| 31 Mar 2022 | Ep. 48 - How to Tame Jealousy, Envy, and Covetousness | 00:47:49 | |
On today’s episode, the guys tackle the difficult topic of jealousy. They start by defining jealousy, envy, and covetousness. They all interrelate as issues of the heart that go back to wanting what others have. Our culture is designed to stroke jealousy and technology continues to fan the flames. Commercials, social media, targeted ads, they’re all designed to make us desire. Envy makes us forget that we are stewards, we are not to keep the things we have. True joy doesn’t come from having things, it comes from God. If it does not come from God’s hand, we should remember we should not want it.
In the Bible, Paul likens envy to carnality. He reminds his readers that they are not mere men, they are Children of God, heirs to the throne who cannot be envious and content at the same time. Often our prayer life is a list of our wants, our jealousy. Instead we should focus more on gratitude to God and worshiping him. In Christ we have all things; He will never leave us or forsake us, this is directly related to jealousy. Ephesians 5:5 reminds us that no covetous man will have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Having many things but losing Christ will ultimately leave us empty.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider leaving us a 5-star review, and we’ll see you next time!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 14 Jun 2022 | Ep. 69 - Could You Be Committing Idolatry? | 00:45:56 | |
If we love anything before or above God, we are setting our affection on the gift rather than the giver. The Bible refers to this as inordinate affection and is a direct violation of the first, second and tenth commandment. Our discussion today is centered around a topic which every Christian has found themselves in danger of: idolatry. Our call to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength is constantly something which makes us susceptible to idolatry. Idolatry is defined any time we love something more than we love God. In fact, you can never break any of the other commandments without breaking the first one. In today’s world, we see idolatry everywhere, from the cars we drive, the homes we live in, social media, our reputations and more. Idolatry can refer to idolizing good things, too.
The human heart is an idol factory. We must be aware of our own hearts and identify the false idols all around us. Nothing dissipates the fear of the Lord like idolatry. The guys distinguish the three different types of idols: cultural, personal and religious. At the crux of the matter is the fabrication of Gods from things which are not. The two elements of idolatry are not worshiping God and worshiping God in the wrong way. There is only one Savior and only one God, and He sees the grand picture of everything. Therefore, we must surrender to him and trust His plan. It is in our nature to become what we worship and we have the choice to become more like our Creator or like our blind and mute idols. While it’s valuable to call out false idols, you are advised to be prepared for the backlash you will receive in turn. Cultivating a fear of the Lord will help keep us from falling into idolatry. Ways to identify our own idolatry is to get involved in a faith based community and ask yourself through prayer and meditation reflective questions on where your idols lie. Through the sovereignty and goodness of God alone can we understand our deepest desires.
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 book, World Religions In A Nutshell. 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! | |||
| 07 Apr 2022 | Ep. 50 - Honoring our Parents at Every Stage of Life | 00:45:43 | |
Our call to honor our parents was so important to God that He even put it in the Ten Commandments. Generally speaking, there is a truism involved in which God blesses with longevity those who walk upright and honor their parents. We should honor our mother and father even when they are not worthy, because God commands us to do so. If our parents are non-believers, we as their children can honor them by preaching the gospel to them and serving them without sacrificing to them. We have the right to not honor or submit to authority when it goes against God’s commandments. The guys share their own experiences taking in and caring for their own elderly parents and the honor they felt by doing so. Ultimately, God gives us relationships, including our parents, to help us better understand Himself. By honoring our earthly father who is not great, we remember that there are times when we do not understand what God is doing, but still we place our trust in him anyway.
Honoring our parents goes deeper than just obeying them. Other ways we should honor our parents include recognizing the sacrifices they have made for us, being thankful for the things they do and blessing and serving them. As kids, we have the opportunity to honor our parents by hearing their stories and getting to know them. In comparison to our devotion to the Lord, our love for everyone and everything else must pale. 1 Timothy 5:8 says “If anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than a non believer.” For those reflecting on broken relationships or times they have not honored their parents, the good news is that there has been a son who has perfectly honored his father. He died on the cross so that we could die with him and, through his sacrifice, were given the freedom to honor our parents and God alike. What great news this is! We should teach our children to honor us the way God commands them to.
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Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! 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! | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | Ep. 51 - How to Handle Money Biblically | 00:47:26 | |
On today’s episode, the guys tackle the touchy topic of money. There are a lot of ways to view your money, but this episode outlines three. 1) Capitalist - my money is mine to handle how I see fit. 2) Socialist - my money is the state’s to be distributed how they see fit. 3) Biblical - my money is God’s for me to steward how he sees fit. Some Christians make it their god, while others, including pastor’s, refrain from the topic entirely. A Biblical view of money is looking at only using what you need and giving the rest to God’s will to be used where it’s needed
Your religion is not what you say you believe, it’s the way you act, behave, and spend here on the planet. What is in your possession doesn’t belong to you, rather to the Lord. Possessions can include money, but also talents and time, all things we should be good stewards of. The heart of those who have been given a lot of time, talents, or money from the Lord should move humbly and with gratitude that God blessed them with the treasures he’s given us. When we give, we should worship and do so sacrificially. There is never a “good time” to give, rather it’s a habit that should be cultivated at all times.
Worshiping God should be our default. Making money as an idol and worshiping is a cruel master. It is fickle and can be lost at any time, and those who put money first will never be content or satisfied. Instead, our investment should be into the Heavenly Kingdom. We can do that while working and making money by being a witness and stewarding that money and time well.
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more. 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! | |||
| 05 Apr 2022 | Ep. 49 - Will Smith’s Slap and Self-Control | 00:42:01 | |
Today’s episode dives into a recent event on the cultural stage - the moment at the Academy Awards when Will Smith slapped host Chris Rock in the face because of a comment Chris made about Will's wife Jada's hair. Chris's joke was followed within seconds by Will walking onto the stage, striking Chris, and then returning to his seat with no response beyond shock from others at the event. The Oscars went on, and Will won an award and received a standing ovation. But the event was shaped by the earlier act of violence, and much backlash and debate has followed.
The guys kick off the conversation by arriving at a foundational assumption that the conflict between Chris and Will was not staged, and only then turn to consider the significance of the event in the culture at large and for the Christian. The lack of an immediate response to Will's action raises the question of what compels us to defend our cultural heroes. The response to Will in the aftermath of the event has been mixed, and while the majority opinion turning against Will's action, criticism has been mixed with applause for Will's defense of his wife. This applause confronts us with the contradictions of a society that can at the same time defend women and be rife with debate over what gender even means.
For the Christian, the Will's situation calls to mind the value of self-control, the fleshly impulse to shirk it, and the way in which the gospel drives how we respond to offense. There was, of course, something good in Will's desire to defend his wife; however, the action he took was wrong. Will demonstrated fallen man's propensity to escalate, while the gospel teaches us to offer grace and forgiveness even as we defend the offended in ways that are just and good. We are free to respond in this way because God is just, and we can relinquish judgment to Him. We are called to self-control, and self-control allows us to see situations of offense as opportunities to witness to the gospel, and to respond to them wisely and with an aim to do good.
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. 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! | |||
| 14 Apr 2022 | Ep. 52 - The Power of the Resurrection | 00:43:47 | |
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.
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Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! 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! | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | Ep. 53 - The Second Coming of Christ | 00:45:45 | |
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! 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! | |||
| 21 Apr 2022 | Ep. 54 - How to Combat Doubts About the Faith | 00:42:55 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | Ep. 55 - Hermeneutics—How to Properly Interpret the Bible | 00:44:00 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 28 Apr 2022 | Ep. 56 - How to Be an Encouragement to Others | 00:45:42 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 03 May 2022 | Ep. 57 - How to Fulfill the Two Greatest Commandments | 00:45:56 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Ep. 59 - Why Evolution is Impossible | 00:43:04 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 12 May 2022 | Ep. 60 - Why Baptism Can't Save You | 00:42:26 | |
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 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! | |||
| 17 May 2022 | Ep. 61 - Why It’s Impossible to Lose Your Salvation | 00:43:24 | |
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! 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! | |||
| 19 May 2022 | Ep. 62 - How to Walk in Integrity | 00:46:38 | |
Walking in integrity is a topic which most young people seem not to have a clue about. E.Z. defines integrity as the quality of heart by which an individual manifests and maintains a consistent decision-making pattern rooted in the key principle that they will, in no shape or form, to any degree, in any circumstance or situation, intentionally or deliberately compromise an obedience and allegiance to the ways, commandments and leading of their God. When broken down, this covers every area of life.
In this day and age, integrity is especially in trouble. The supreme test of goodness is not in the greater, but in the smaller incidents of our character and practice. When talking about integrity, we are really talking about integrity. Social media has amplified our desire as humans to market ourselves as something we aren’t. However, when we try to pretend to be something we’re not, we destroy a piece of who we really are. The beauty of the gospel is that integrity does not mean we have to be perfect. Rather, it means we have to be honest about our entire selves, including weaknesses and shortcomings.
The guys then share a message for those who want to be more integrous in their line of work. We have to remember that, eventually, integrity will cost us something. We should serve God with integrity and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience. There is freedom in honoring the Lord at all costs. In everything we do, we must remember that our children are watching and we are actively setting an example for them. Having integrity is not that we never do wrong, but that we are quick to repent when we do. Proverbs 20:6 says “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
Something that hinders us from integrity is the fear of what people might say or think, but it is so silly of us to compromise our convictions to the Lord. In closing, they share a list of characteristics of a person with integrity. Integrity is freeing, liberating, honoring to God and is ultimately a blessing to you and those around you.
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! Check out our new tract, 11 weeks. 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! | |||
| 24 May 2022 | Ep. 63 - How to Honor God in the Workplace | 00:45:04 | |
In today’s episode of Living Waters, the hosts focus on the topic of how to honor God in the workplace. The majority of our time and effort is spent at work, and the hosts start out by focusing on some common misunderstandings when it comes to how work is viewed. Some view work to validate their existence or to place their identity in. However, the hosts take time to correct these views and how all work is meant to be done with integrity and with the aim to glorify God. This is done through integrating the Lord into all you do and putting him at the center. Additionally, they go one to discuss how God is our source of life and fulfillment, and work is the way we can serve and honor him in making it our mission field.
The episode goes on to talk about how changing our view of work can change our attitudes towards it. Finding fulfillment in God and using work to honor him can change work from being a place of exhaustion and pressure to a place of glorifying God in all you do. They dive into this deeper and share how this can be done through loving and serving co-workers, doing everything to the best of your ability, and seeking for ways to be God’s hands and feet. Additionally, they also speak about making the goal of work be first and foremost to honor God rather than to please others or make ourself look good. We can be a testimony of the gospel through actions that reflect the respect and truth that God teaches.
Next, the hosts speak about looking at work as more than a way to simply make money and instead as a calling and mission field from the Lord. This opens the door for work to be a place where the gospel is shared through having an attitude of working for the glory of God and being fully devoted and present in the place the Lord has you. They encourage listeners to be fully present and devoted to the work the Lord has them in. The hosts also point out the importance of taking time to rest and how it helps increase efficiency and refocus on what is important. Lastly, they encourage listeners to not let fear of failure stand in the way, but instead to focus on staying faithful in the circumstances God has them.
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. 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! | |||
| 26 May 2022 | Ep. 64 - What’s Up with Transgender “Women” in Sports? | 00:48:53 | |
Join the hosts of Living Waters as they dive into the topic of transgender women in sports. They begin the episode by talking about the different views on this topic along with sharing some of their own personal experiences with this in their ministries. With today’s culture of promoting feminism, the hosts speak about the irony of allowing men who identify as women compete in women’s competitions, which ultimately results in an unfair playing field. They share some of the most recent stories of how this is true in women’s sports today and how it has created an unfair atmosphere in sports.
They then dive in deeper to this topic and focus specifically on gender dysphoria and how this is a real struggle many people face. They define what gender dysphoria is and discuss how scripture offers a solution to those who struggle in this area. Many look to the world or sin to fulfill their longings, and the hosts point out the truth that only Jesus and his truths can truly satisfy those longings. They dive into Romans 8 and the truths it has to offer in our struggle with sin. These truths provide Christians with a way to communicate the gospel and its truths in a loving way to the LGBTQ community and help them find the fulfillment they are looking for that only Jesus can fill.
Next, they focus on the topic of learning how to die to sin rather than feed it and allow it to grow. As Christians, we need to encourage others by confronting their sin in love and compassion. Affirming lies is not going to save people from their struggles and temptations. When it comes to gender dysphoria, the hosts encourage conversations filled with love and truth to be had rather than judgment and condemnation. They also discuss real case scenarios of parents who have been confronted with this by their children and how the response needs to be one of seeking to show them truth in a loving way. They conclude the podcast by talking about the purpose of gender in showing that we are each made purposefully by God.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! Check out The Evidence Bible. 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! | |||
| 31 May 2022 | Ep. 65 - The Dangers of Gluttony | 00:46:12 | |
The driving topic for today's episode is the dangers of gluttony. Gluttony is one of the "respectable sins" in our culture today, but in spite of our efforts to laugh it off or treat it as no big deal, it is a serious sin. We must tackle this sin head-on for what it objectively is if we are to live in the temperance and freedom God calls us to, be the most winsome witnesses to the gospel that we can be, and honor God in how we engage with food. Food is a good gift from God, and He gave it to us not just for sustenance, but for enjoyment! But with food as with other gifts God gives us, we have a tendency to overindulge and turn the gift into an object of worship. We corrupt God's good gifts to us, and harm ourselves in the process. Gluttony may take the form of overeating (and is a main cause, though not the only cause, of people being overweight), but it can also take other forms of paying excessive attention to food. As it is an example of lacking self-control, it is a symptom of a larger disease that can spill into other areas of our lives.
In light of the dangers of gluttony and its pervasiveness in our culture, what should we do? Ultimately, we should eat physical food in a way that tends to the satisfaction of our souls and the glory of God. Food is meant to point us to God and to eternity, and to be handled with self-control. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and relating rightly with food requires being led by the Spirit rather than controlled by the flesh. Some practical tips for leaning into self-control and fighting the fight against gluttony include pursuing accountability, avoiding food shopping while hungry, planning meals and tracking caloric intake, drinking a lot of water, and intentionally remembering what food is actually for. And the good news for those who have already failed in their relationship with food is that they can repent. The Lord stands ready to forgive and to give fresh grace to use and enjoy the gift of food in moderation rather than being controlled by it.
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! Check out Ray's book, The Ultimate Health Foods (and stay tuned for a future recipe resource!) 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! | |||
| 02 Jun 2022 | Ep. 66 - Why Fasting is So Powerful | 00:37:05 | |
Today's episode focuses on the topic of fasting, which is arguably as nebulous and misunderstood as it is crucial to the Christian life. Rather than the sort of seasonal recreation many Christians consider fasting to be, it is actually meant to be treated as a spiritual discipline. Fasting offers to be a restraint on the flesh, testimony of humiliation, and preparation for prayer. It provides a way to recall mortality, flee from sin, repent, and even grow in gratitude for gifts like food that the Lord provides. There is a profound spiritual dynamic to prayer and fasting, with fasting reminding us of the relationship between the physical and the spiritual and pushing us to feed on the Word of God and depend on the Spirit, rather than depending on the flesh. And since the Bible speaks of the"when" Jesus' disciples fast (versus "if"), it's clear that fasting is an expected practice in the life of the believer. 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! | |||
| 07 Jun 2022 | Ep. 67 - Should Christians Even Get Involved in Politics? | 00:43:41 | |
In today's politically charged climate, the guys have noticed that Christians are often confused and split on how to engage with politics. What is the proper role of the Christian in the political space? The foundational truth the guys want to convey is that God wants us involved in the public square - and this includes politics! And in the US, we not only have the responsibility to be involved, but the privilege of easily accessible ways of doing so. Voting is one way of engaging with politics, and it is both a gift and a responsibility; after all, not voting at all gives tacit approval to the status quo! Some Christians might argue that, since God is sovereign, we do not need to involve ourselves in politics. What these believers miss, though, is that God uses means to accomplish His ends, and our involvement in the politics of our nation is one of those means. God is advancing His kingdom in the world, and He has given His followers a moral, ethical, and spiritual command to engage in this work, willing the good of others through action. We obey, in politics and other areas, and trust that He is bringing His plan to completion.
The real question, then, isn't whether or not Christians should be involved in politics, but how they should be involved. The guys discuss the importance of being aware of politics on a local level and loving nearby neighbors before centering attention on national issues. They also talk through the problem of hypocrisy in politics (and the disillusionment it brings) and work through the dynamics of being willing to partner with non-believers in politics while still holding to biblical values. Christians must, they explain, avoid the pitfalls of adopting secular expectations of the world around us, elevating politics such that it takes priority over our faith, allowing political engagement to crowd out spread of the gospel, and looking at others as merely conservatives or liberals. We must give to politics what belongs to it without making it the center of our identity, and we must encourage the presence of evangelistic Christians in politics. As the conversation ends, the guys talk about a healthy balance of news intake, the importance of praying for political leaders, and aiming to impact the world by raising godly 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! 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! | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | Ep. 68 - What to Look for in a Future Spouse | 00:48:40 | |
As many people are opting not to get married at all, while others are quickly dissolving their existing marriages, the sanctity of marriage is currently in big trouble. On today’s episode, the guys offer advice for listeners who are not yet married on what to look for in a future spouse. They begin by sharing how long they have all been married to their wives: Ray for 51 years, Mark for 22, Oscar for 10 and E.Z. for nearly 26 years. What a joy it is for each of them to think about the beauty of a marriage rooted and grounded in the Lord. We are reminded that the institution of marriage was not man’s idea, but God’s. Beginning in Genesis, the first thing we look for in a future spouse is the opposite sex. It is when people redefine or reinterpret God’s word on the basis of current cultural trends that we get into great danger. Then, they share how to advise our kids on choosing a future spouse. We are reminded that beauty is vain and what is most important is that a person really loves the Lord and will push you, as their spouse, closer to Him.
We often believe that falling in love will be this enchanted kingdom experience, but we need to love others in a gospel, rather than a selfish, way. We’re reminded that expectations can either be disappointment or a saving grace entering a marriage. Beginning with what a man should look for in a wife, the guys identify first and foremost that she should love and fear God no matter what. Proverbs 31:30 reads “Charm is deceitful, beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” In a world which has tainted every aspect of God’s original design, there is nothing better than to see a man and wife fulfilling their God given roles. We must help our daughters understand the importance of choosing a man who has a biblical understanding of leadership and masculinity. Other attributes for potential husbands is someone who is a hard worker in whatever he does. God calls for man to emulate the greatest love that this world has ever known. For the women listeners, you are told not to settle when choosing a husband. We must be satisfied in the Lord before we can ever be satisfied in our marriage. As the episode wraps up, the guys share some hard questions one should ask a potential spouse.
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! 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! | |||
| 16 Jun 2022 | Ep. 70 - The Hebrew Roots Movement: Their Dangerous Beliefs & Why You Need to Know Them | 00:42:32 | |
In today’s episode, guest RL Solberg (Rob) joins the conversation in an interview at the NRB conference to discuss the Hebrew Roots Movement and what RL has termed as Torahism. They chat about Hebrew Israelites and distill the misunderstanding of where theological errors begin to form in their theology. Listen in to better be equipped to evangelize to these groups and gain resources for informed responses to fringe conversations that are becoming more prevalent through social media!
RL shares about his new book, Torahism, that was spurred on through conversations he engaged in with people who were adamant about keeping the Old Law. Are Christians required to keep the Law of Moses? Rob is an author, apologist, and professor who shares here his definition of Torahism, and the story that started him down this journey. Learn about the Facebook conversations and blog articles that got turned into a book.
Rob shares about the umbrella of belief systems that says Christians are required to keep the Law of Moses—a system often named Hebrew Roots, Messianic Christians, and a variety of other terms. Through street preaching, the hosts share their own experience of the importance of names used for Christ. Rob’s book helps people better know how to answer the difficult questions Torahists present. Learn where this error begins to form in their theology and how, while many may be sincere in their search for truth to go deeper into the roots of their faith, they often go too far. Rob explains that to understand a deep, rich, and theologically sound Christianity, you do have to understand the Jewish roots. So, where does the theological and exegetical error start? There is not just one “silver bullet” in scripture to address this, there are many verses! However, Rob touches on the complexity of the issue that this is not just an intellectual thing, there is a spiritual and emotional commitment of these people for what they’re doing. There is often a pre-commitment to thinking the law is still binding. Patience is necessary to approach the Word and get into it with Biblical literacy that steps back to look at the contact of the proof texts.
As the episode draws to a close, listen to how RL suggests one might respond to an online post regarding these topics. Learn why it is so important to first emphasize where both sides do agree, before starting to tease things apart. RL discusses the work of the law and of Christ with the New Covenant, deciphering between principal and expression. While God is unchanging, His people do change. How do you properly and practically interact with the Old Testament laws? Rob 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! | |||
| 07 Jul 2022 | Ep. 71 - The Power of Hymns and Worship Music | 00:46:45 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss music, something that is at one and the same time an amazing gift and the focus of huge controversy among Christians. Focusing first on the gift that music is, the guys discuss how it is powerful and embedded into the very fabric of creation and meant to bring joy. Music is also meant to honor and point us back to the Lord. Because of God's common grace, we can honor Him through music that is not overtly Christian. While there are examples of secular music that are improper for the Christian, and while discernment in what we listen to is crucial, the world is full of beautiful music to enjoy as a reminder of God's goodness. Of course, music can also be used to glorify God in more overt ways. This occurs when we engage with music that is explicitly God-worshiping; that is, music that directs praise and adoration toward God. True "worship music" is God-centered, focusing at heart not on the human response to God or petitions to bring before Him, but on God Himself.
The frequent debates among Christians over music concern everything from what instruments may be used in a church service to whether a congregation should sing hymns or contemporary worship songs. The debates often involve a high level of subjectivity, rather than direct biblical command. The guys try to cut through the fog of debate and offer simple advice: look for music to sing in a church context (and even to use for personal edification and worship) that is biblically grounded, theologically sound, and centered on the Lord. Artists like Shane & Shane, Beautiful Eulogy, City Alight, and Sovereign Grace Music offer good examples of this kind of music. The guys also talk about the difference between hymns and contemporary Christian songs, the way in which Christian music reflects the state of the church, and how the rich history behind many of the most widely loved hymns demonstrates what Christian music, at its best, ultimately is. This music arises from a heart enamored with and trusting in God through the circumstances of real life, and draws others to worship, as well.
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 book Made in Heaven. 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! | |||
| 12 Jul 2022 | Ep. 72 - The Importance of Christian Counseling | 00:40:13 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about the importance of Christian counseling. Christian counseling is one means by which we may look at ourselves and our health in a holistic way; that is, from physical, spiritual, and mental lenses. While people looking for counsel need to follow advice that Ray offers to read the Bible and obey what they read, they also need to understand that physical and mental realities impact overall well-being. Counseling, the guys go on to explain, is a modern-day need. It has not always been available, and Christians have lived for centuries without it. However, the shift to modernity (and the isolation modernity fosters) has not been good for the human soul, and has created the need for a dedicated space for focused conversation on matters of the heart. These conversations do not all need to take place in formal counseling contexts, though. At its core, Christian counseling is simply Christians talking together, speaking truth to one another, and exhorting one another.
Not all counseling calls itself "Christian," and even church counseling can be unhelpful. The guys dive into what to look for and what to avoid in counseling, first warning against the dangers of secular counseling. Secular counseling lacks a foundational sense of human nature, sin, and the remedy of the gospel. It also tends to either offer no constructive input at all or point the counselee inward to the self. Church counseling can go awry, as well, by taking a "just stop it" approach to helping people. What people truly need is counseling that gets to the heart, seeing where they may be harboring idols and how the gospel applies to their lives and struggles. The guys offer extensive counseling resources to explore, run through counseling principles, and explain why they espouse a counseling model called nouthetic counseling. Nouthetic counseling involves "confronting a friend" and leads the guys to their final charge to listeners: do the work of counselors simply by speaking truth and wisdom into others' lives!
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 book God Speaks. You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com. 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! | |||
| 14 Jul 2022 | Ep. 73 - What Should Christian Discipleship Look Like? | 00:45:53 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about Christian discipleship and what it should look like. Not only do we see discipleship mentioned throughout the New Testament, it is at the very heart of the Great Commission. We often don’t focus enough on the fact that God holds all authority of heaven and earth. The guys define discipleship as any student, pupil, apprentice or adherent as opposed to a teacher. In the ancient world, it is associated with people devoted to a religion or philosophy. People tend to view the Great Commission as a commandment to go out and create converts, but really it commands us to make disciples. Disciples are followers of Jesus whose lives are marked by God and reflect His glory through thought, word and deed. The only way to make a disciple is by sharing a life with them and true discipleship is seeing how this individual we are looking up to handles day to day affairs.
The word disciple comes from the word discipline, which is exactly what we need to be a part of God’s army. Knowing that discipleship is a lifestyle creates better accountability for every believer. You can not make a disciple unless you are a disciple yourself. Christians are called to share the content of the gospel in the context of relationships that reflect God’s relationship with us. Then, they guys share advice for communicating with someone in a loving way when the conversation has gone off the path. On one hand, we should not be afraid to challenge a Biblical brother in his sin. On the other hand, we must be the type of person who is willing to confess his own sins. Part of Biblical discipleship is being comfortable in calling out our brothers. We must also realize that if we are not being disciples to our children, they will in turn be discipled by other people. The only real sign of true Christian growth is a life rooted in holiness.
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. 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! | |||
| 05 May 2022 | Ep. 58 - Supreme Leak! Roe v. Wade | 01:22:43 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 19 Jul 2022 | Ep. 74 - Why Justification is So Amazing | 00:44:56 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about Christian justification, the foundation upon which our faith is built. Justification by faith is one of the pillars of the reformation. Justification is defined as an act of God’s grace wherein he pardons all of our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone. To be justified means more than to be declared not guilty, but rather to be declared righteous before God. Today, the doctrine of justification is under attack, specifically by Christians in the deconstruction movement. However, confusing justification and sanctification will undermine the gospel and turn justification by face into justification by performance.
If we have been declared righteous, then sanctification will complete its work inside of us on that day when we see Him. The work of grace is absolute thoroughness because it comes from God, not from us. Oscar speaks to the significance of double-impunity and the selflessness of Christ becoming sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God before Him. Often, we become so accustomed to the world of our faith that concepts like this don’t contain the weight they deserve. The more we see ourselves as sinners, however, the more graceful God seems in our eyes. We can’t begin to imagine God’s anger and wrath towards our sins. When we understand the righteousness of God and his wrath towards sin and sinners, then we are truly able to understand the love and grace shown to us on the cross. Diminishing His wrath also diminished His love and grace. Shifting gears, the guys discuss justification as a theology which should penetrate our daily lives, seep into the trenches of everything we do. Humans are programmed to be constantly justifying our own actions. When we truly understand what God has done for us and that he is ultimately pleased with us, all of those fears melt away. Justification fortifies our life of those things, and what a relief that is!
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com. 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! | |||
| 21 Jul 2022 | Ep. 75 - How Sanctification Really Works | 00:44:53 | |
In today's episode, the guys focus on sanctification. Sanctification occurs in two parts: initial sanctification occurs instantaneously when a person is saved and is all God's work. This initial change involves being set apart for God and delivered from the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ. After conversion, we spend the rest of our earthly lives going through progressive sanctification, which is grounded in God's work of conforming us more and more to the image of Christ as we are involved and responsive. We play a passive role through dependence on God, and an active role through obeying and yielding to God. God will ultimately complete the work He has begun of making us each holy as He is holy, but He uses our involvement as a means by which He completes this work. Since we were made positionally holy at the time of initial sanctification, progressive sanctification is actually the process by which we become who we already are in Christ. We are new creations, and as the flesh and Spirit continue to war within us, we can know that the completion of our sanctification is sure!
There are several different views of sanctification, and the guys highlight the Wesleyan view with its practice of waiting for God to simply sanctify people out of certain sins. Contrary to this view, the testimony of Scripture is that we must not sit on our hands, but rather get up and get moving! The sign of a true Christian, the guys explain, isn't that someone has arrived. Rather, it is that someone is sensitive to sin, continually responding to it by repenting and turning to Christ. As the conversation winds down, the guys talk about the need for patience and accountability in relationships among Christians, as well as the importance of being in the Word every day. We need to hear from God if we are to be changed; this requires the self-control of a daily commitment, and at times may require developing a taste for the different flavors of Scripture through increasing in knowledge of God Himself. Ultimately, all the effort required of us is well worth it, as we can see the sweet reality of God renewing us after the image of His Son!
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. 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! | |||
| 26 Jul 2022 | Ep. 76 - The Errors of Sinless Perfection | 00:46:39 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about sinless perfection and its many errors. There are two angles people most often take to this topic. First is that once you’re saved, if you’re really saved, then you become completely sanctified and you will never sin. The second view is that you can get to a place where you grow so much in the process of sanctification where you no longer sin. Those that hold on to sinless perfectionism not only don’t understand what the Scripture says, but they also don’t understand the true nature of sin itself. If a person was actually tuned in with both of those things, they would never believe they were perfect or could be perfect. To believe yourself free of sin is a sin in itself.
Especially for young believers, the doctrine of sinless perfection is extremely harmful because it bypasses the Gospel. Ecclesiastes 4:20 says “There is no one on earth who is righteous. No one who does what is right and never sins.”, while 1 John 1:8 tells Christians “If we say we have no sins, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We can never attain the level of Christ and must not forget what he did for us. Even if we’re not as far as sinless perfection, we Christians all need to be weary of the pull towards legalism and antinomianism, through which we may give no weight to sin. Sin is not an enemy out there, but rather a beast that we are all constantly fighting from within. The Scripture tells us that even as Christians, we are living in habitual sin and rebellion from God. It is natural to desire a life without sin after we have been saved, but we must remember that we have the advocate of the Father on our side. We often talk about sin as simply the act of doing something unrighteous. Augustin saw sin as ultimately disjointed loves. As long as we live in this fallen and broken world as fallen and broken people, we are going to sin.
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. 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! | |||
| 28 Jul 2022 | Ep. 77 - Hamming It Up with Ken Ham | 00:41:41 | |
Today, the guys share a special interview recorded at the recent NRB Conference! The episode features not only theological and practical discussion, but a healthy dose of ribbing between an Australian and out resident New Zealander. Who is the Australian, you ask? He is none other than Ken Ham, CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis and a key figure in the development of the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum! Oscar and his producer friend Eddie Roman caught up with Ken at the conference, and first asked him what the problem is in being a Christian and believing in evolution. The problem, Ken explains, boils down to the need to take God at His Word and uphold the authority of the Bible. If we work man’s view into our worldview and rework God’s Word to fit it in the area of creation and evolution, what is to keep us from doing the same elsewhere? Even now, we’re seeing the generational impact of compromising worldview formulation, and the undercutting of Genesis 1-11 - the foundation of everything else to come - is leaving people open to question the rest of the Bible, too.
Moving forward, Ken, Oscar, and Eddie consider whether or not Christians are anti-science. This question, Ken argues, requires careful definitions of terms. There is a distinction between observational and historical science, and both Christians and non-Christians generally agree on the observational side of things. Along the historical vein, there is frequent disagreement, but both the Christian perspective and the non-Christian “scientific” view require forms of faith. Evolutionists, after all, believe in things that they cannot see or scientifically prove. Ken roots the willingness to accept the wild notions of naturalism rather than affirming that God spoke and created in human nature and sin before wrapping up the interview with a connection to CRT, updates on the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, and an introduction to his new book, Divided Nation.
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 Ken’s books, Divided Nation and Creation to Babel. Learn more about Answers in Genesis, the Ark Encounter 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! | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | Ep. 78 - She Told Us How She Escaped an Assassin’s Bullet | 00:44:46 | |
Today’s episode features another special conversation recorded at the recent NRB Conference! This time, Eddie is joined by Living Waters VP of Outreach and Operations, Miguel, to conduct the interview. This interview is actually more of a testimony, and the guys are excited to introduce listeners to the encouraging and challenging story of guest Virginia Prodan! Virginia is the author of Saving My Assassin, a memoir recounting her experience as a lawyer defending persecuted Christians in Communist Romania under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Virginia trained to be a lawyer, with the stated aim of finding truth in the law books so that she could stand up for it in the midst of her troubled society. Rather than finding truth in law, an unexpected visit to a client’s church led Victoria to see that the truth was, in fact, Jesus Christ. She was converted, and saw that it was a God-given mission for her to defend the persecuted Christians no one else would defend. As she fought on behalf of believers, she was declared an enemy of the state, arrested, beaten, and tortured. Eventually, she even became the target of an assassination order. Virginia’s God-enabled display of peace and love under profound pressure had a marked impact on those around her - from guards shaken by her forgiveness to her assassin who, with gun in hand, believed the gospel message she shared with him. Virginia’s efforts had the attention not only of her nation’s dictator, but of the watching world, and even such prominent figures as President Ronald Reagan. As she watched, she saw God at work bending the most powerful men in the world to do His bidding, protecting her, and ultimately reshaping her nation from a place of deep darkness to a place where Christians thrive.
Virginia hopes that her story will urge other believers to speak up and act on behalf of truth, letting themselves be used as tools in God’s hands. In this way, they will see His power on display, and may even find themselves used to reshape the trajectory of their entire nation!
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 Virginia’s website to contact her, find resources, and check out her book! Learn more about NRB and its recent 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! | |||
| 04 Aug 2022 | Ep. 79 - Exploring Near-Death Experiences | 00:41:49 | |
In today’s episode, the guys consider the topic of near-death experiences. These phenomena seem to be rather common, and scientific study has even started to lend credence to them. We as Christians may be inclined to write off these experiences, or even to be swayed by the emotional testimony of someone who claims to have had one. But we need to consider near-death experiences with a respectful, humble attitude. Like the Bereans, we want to hold the things we’re told up to the rubric of Scripture and see how they stack up. So, does the Bible have anything specific to say about near-death experiences? It offers ten examples of related situations, along with seven visions of heaven. The common theme across all of these biblical events is the glory of God producing humility and fear, and these events offer parameters for how we might see God truly use near-death experiences today. We also have a couple of important biblical guardrails to bear in mind as we consider near-death experience stories: the guardrail of the completeness of biblical revelation, and the guardrail of biblical context. These two guardrails, the guys explain, teach us not to trust stories that claim to add to biblical revelation, and also keep us from proof-texting in our efforts to hold experience up to Scripture.
While most near-death-experience stories ultimately miss the bar of biblical reliability, there is often reason to believe that those who claim to have had near-death experiences have, in fact, experienced something. We don’t have to understand what exactly it is, though scientific research and studies based on cultural context offer some basic hints. It is also absolutely possible for God to use near-death experiences to draw people to Himself; we don’t want to write off this possibility any more than we want to assume it. Finally, we should bear in mind that near-death experiences, if nothing else, offer a segway to talk about the Bible. They inherently involve the topic of death, which should direct our eyes to the One who rendered death powerless by defeating it on the cross!
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. 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! | |||
| 09 Aug 2022 | Ep. 80 - What Does it Look Like When God Judges a Nation? | 00:47:04 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about the signs of God’s judgment on nations. There are many people within the church who are hesitant and afraid to talk about the aspect of God judging, but this is an important part of the story of the gospel. In order for us to truly understand the gospel, we have to see Him as a judgemental God. In the Old Testament, a nation is important because of God’s plan to do something through them. In the New Testament, the nation changes from a homogenous group of people to His church. According to Revelation, every single country nation is essentially Babylon, a prostitute to God’s goodness. God promises to destroy Babylon.
Man derives pleasure from lawlessness and there is a fearful future that awaits those who indulge. We Christians simply can’t survive today’s day and age with just a brief devotion every morning. Rather, we need to grab a hold of God’s word and allow God’s word to go through us. The gospel is the ultimate hope for our nation. It’s easy to feel depressed and pessimistic when we look at the world around us, but the Gospel offers hope. We must not fear for our children to grow up in this world, but instead be honored that God chose us to parent the generation facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime. God isn't scratching His head trying to figure out what to do with this world. He is preparing an army to drive away the darkness and to make Himself known over all the world. People don’t look at sin from the perspective of a holy, righteous and pure God. From our own perspectives as sinners, it’s easier to brush off. One of the biggest disservices we can do is assimilate ourselves into the way of the world. We should be in the world, but not of the world and watch God’s transforming powers work through us. We as a nation have lost God’s blessings of long life, health and prosperity as we have turned our backs on Him. With God’s commandments, we are reminded, comes blessings for obedience. Restoration all begins with revivals and repentance within ourselves.
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. 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! | |||
| 11 Aug 2022 | Ep. 81 - The Life of Jonathan Edwards | 00:47:38 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the life of Jonathan Edwards. Looking at the lives and testimonies of Godly saints offers us a different perspective, inspiration and instruction. Jonathan Edwards is one of the most famous and impactful intellectuals to come out of American history, even in the secular world. His sermon, Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God, is studied in high schools and colleges alike.
Jonathan Edwards was born in 1703 in East Windsor, Connecticut. He is known as a great theologian, philosopher, a British American puritanism, a stimulator of the religious revival known as the Great Awakening and one of the forerunners of the age of Protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century. Rather than some theologians we hear about who lead poor family lives, Edwards was a dedicated husband and father to 11 children. The beauty of reading old theologians from a different era is that they had different blind spots than we do. This allows us to view things from a different lens and reveals more about who we are and the culture we live in today. Edwards became saved in 1721 under a delightful conviction meditating on 1 Timothy 1:17. His impact comes largely from the fact that he spent much time alone with God in the wilderness. At the age of 18, he had written 70 resolutions and meditated on them every single week of his life. Edwards and his impacts are considered to be cross-denominational. When he gave his sermon Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God, it was a frequent thing to witness a house full of outcries, convulsions and more coming from the audience with distress, admiration and joy. We often hesitate to bring fear into our gospel proclamations, however they should really be thoroughly flavored with fear. Edwards is someone who started life with the end in mind and lived a calculated existence. As the episode wraps up, we are encouraged to live a life dedicated to the Lord just like Edwards did, and remember that no figure is perfect.
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. 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! | |||
| 16 Aug 2022 | Ep. 82 - How to Practice Biblical Hospitality | 00:45:52 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 18 Aug 2022 | Ep. 83 - What’s Behind Self-Harm and Suicide? | 00:48:21 | |
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 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! | |||
| 23 Aug 2022 | Ep. 84 - The New Age Movement and its Demonic Roots | 00:42:24 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 25 Aug 2022 | Ep. 85 - Why Today’s “Cool” Churches are Very Uncool | 00:44:07 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 30 Aug 2022 | Ep. 86 - People Who Identify as Animals—Wait, what?!? | 00:45:19 | |
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 Bible 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! | |||
| 01 Sep 2022 | Ep. 87 - The Lost Art of Christians Reading Good Books and its Tragic Impact | 00:46:55 | |
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, 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! | |||
| 06 Sep 2022 | Ep. 88 - How Important is Church Membership? | 00:41:23 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 08 Sep 2022 | Ep. 89 - Why Bullying Should Make You Angry | 00:44:31 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 13 Sep 2022 | Ep. 90 - The Amazing Life of Charles Spurgeon | 00:44:56 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 15 Sep 2022 | Ep. 91 - How to Resolve Marital Problems | 00:45:53 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 20 Sep 2022 | Ep. 92 - Repentance—What Does it Really Mean? | 00:46:13 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss repentance. Of anything, this is the topic Ray has had people give him the hardest time about. You can get someone to believe in Jesus, but if they have not repented, they are not yet truly saved. We are reminded that David would not have repented if he hadn’t trembled under the words of Nathan. Repentance will never come if we aren’t living under the law of the Ten Commandments.
There is a fundamental misunderstanding on this subject in terms of where we’ve come from as a ministry. Repentance means a change of mind, and with a true change of mind comes a change of action. This is one of the most positive words in the Christian vocabulary. It refers to the turning away from a destructive path and moving instead into God’s plan. Repentance should be even louder than the sin was. Luke 13:3 warns “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.” When confession comes from a repented soul, there will be no holding back what comes out of the innermost being of the individual.
Repentance is commonly misunderstood, but most theologians agree that it fits in the very center of the conversion process. An aspect of repentance also means turning from your sins and towards your home in God. It is not about avoiding damnation, but about wanting to know the God who loves us and has died for us. God is not asking us to clean our lives up, but rather to lay our lives down for Him. Though it deals with justification, repentance doesn’t mean that we will never struggle again with sin. The life of a Christian is one of daily repentance as God gradually reveals to us the flaws we have as man. God has appointed a day on which he will judge all the world for righteousness. This alone should call us all to fierce repentance. As the episode wraps up, the guys reiterate that, despite its negative connotation, repentance is actually a very beautiful and hopeful thing. A Christian who repents will be filled with so much joy that they will go out into the world and tell others about it. In closing, we are all urged today to repent today.
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. 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! | |||
| 22 Sep 2022 | Ep. 93 - How to Break Free from Selfishness | 00:42:41 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss selfishness. We live in a culture which celebrates selfishness to the extreme and views it as the route to pleasure and happiness in life. Selfishness is one of the things which is constantly dying small deaths during our sanctification process which God continues to reveal to us. It can manifest itself in many ways and show up at random moments. It is also, however, an act of grace that God reveals those selfish tendencies to us so that we may repent and put our sins to death. We, as humans, all have the tendency to view ourselves as idols.
Walter Chantry defines selfishness as the controlling force of sinful living. It is the manifestation of the depravity of man’s heart and is the root of all sin. The roots of this depravity is especially prevalent in young children. Outside of Christ, the self is the idol to which all men fall. On the other hand, the cure to selfishness is love. Love does not seek its own, it demonstrates self-forgetfulness and desires to give ourselves away for the sake of others. The only way to truly become selfless is through the Word. God gave up his own life to pay for every selfish ambition that we will ever have, for the dark corners of our hearts which have yet to be revealed and as a ransom that we will have freedom from our sins. Servanthood is the ultimate epitome of selflessness.
Then, the guys offer advice for parents on things they can do to prevent their children from becoming selfish monsters. It is important to realize that any time you catch your child in sin, it is an opportunity for the gospel to come forward and for discipleship to happen. Our children should know from observation of confession and repentance that their parents are sinners, too. In closing, we are reminded that selfishness is a demonic thing which results in evil and confusion. In order to avoid it, we should turn towards Christ as our example.
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. 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! | |||
| 27 Sep 2022 | Ep. 94 - How to Avoid Becoming Worldly | 00:47:00 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how to avoid becoming worldly. They define worldliness as the love of the world and the pleasures within it. A friend of the world is an enemy of God. This, however, is not to say that we should not partake in worldly things such as having a job or being friends with non-believers. We may actively enjoy the things God has given us while still remembering that the earth is a place we are just passing through.
We can push back against the world by committing our heart, mind and soul to better knowing who God is. To know God is to immerse yourself in Him. We must be careful when walking through this world about the things we give our attention to. It all comes down to having a discernible understanding of what is corruptible to you and those around you. As we don’t conform to the patterns of this world, but instead allow ourselves to be transformed through God’s word, then we are equipped with discernment. Similarly, it is valuable to begin teaching our kids the lesson of discernment at a young age so they may avoid falling into worldliness.
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Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com. 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! | |||
| 29 Sep 2022 | Ep. 95 - Can Christians Smoke Weed and Drink? | 00:47:54 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the substances of marijuana and alcohol. Beginning with alcohol, the guys stress that the idea is not to allow yourself to be mastered by these substances. If you are going to drink, you must do it in faith, because anything done not in faith is a sin. We are free to abstain from alcohol, but we are not free to condemn those who choose to drink in moderation. In scripture, wine is considered a gift from God. However, as we know, people have the incredibly sinful capacity to distort God’s gifts and make them into something atrocious. In the scriptures, alcohol is an important theological symbol. It is not by accident that the first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine. We have to keep in mind that in our culture today, alcohol is not used as a symbolic celebration of what God is doing, but instead as a numbing mechanism. The very thing the Bible condemns, drunkenness, is the reason why people drink today.
Then, they apply everything just discussed about alcohol to the issue of marijuana. As the substance is being legalized, this is a huge question in the minds of many, especially younger people. Compared to wine being used in Scripture as an act of celebration, marijuana is a mind-altering drug used to get high. With this in mind, it’s difficult to see how a Christian could smoke weed with a good conscience. Recreational marijuana use can be compared to drunkenness in the Bible, which is a sin. We are reminded that when you are in God’s will, you will not want to partake in sinful activities. If you are questioning whether partaking in substances is okay for you to do as a Christian, this is demonstrating where you are in your relationship with God. We can't forget that our bodies are temples to the Holy Spirit, and marijuana is very bad for our bodies and impairs our intelligence.
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. 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! | |||
| 04 Oct 2022 | Ep. 96 - What is the Sin Nature All About? | 00:41:11 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the destructive element of sin nature. They start off by saying there are two parts to a sinful nature- the historical depravity and how sin is played out in the life of a Christian. They first discuss that the original sin does not refer to Adam’s first sin, but comes from the guilt and tendency to sin with which we are born. However, we were not created to be sinners. Adam rebelled in the Garden of Eden and then brought on the nature of sin. Sin is in total depravity, which means that sin’s power affects the whole person. There is no part of man that can escape sin. If you could imagine a world without God’s hand on it or even if civil law was removed, we would see the complete evil that human beings would do. Man is a predator by nature and is naturally evil. Some people think that man is naturally good because they surround themselves in circles that do good or they don’t see how people truly are in private, but all men have an evil or sinful nature. Culture tells us that the reason why people sin is because of the structures and authority that people grew up in, but man created those structures and authority.
Then, they talk through the manifestation of the sinful nature and how you can even see it in children. We don’t teach our children to sin, but even from the womb they are born with a sinful nature. They discuss how the modern parent puts so much pressure on themselves thinking that they aren’t doing something right or they messed something up, so they coddle their children. But in reality, children are born sinners and it is our job to teach and disciple them. It is not our job to raise Christian men and women, it is our job to model what a Christian is to our kids and then let God do His job.
The guys continue on by discussing what happens to sin nature when you are born again. They say it is a constant battle of the flesh against the spirit that continually wages. As Christians, we should be the first to confess when we are wrong to be good examples and to show that we are not a slave to sin. Guilt of our sins leads to confession and repentance. We need to lead the charge when we do wrong. However, there is victory as a Christian through the good news of the gospel. Jesus Christ bore our sins on the cross so that we would die to sin and become alive in Him.
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 theLiving Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! 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! | |||
| 06 Oct 2022 | Ep. 97 - The Life of John Wesley | 00:46:25 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss John Wesley, founder of the Methodist faith. He was born June 17, 1703 and died March 12, 1791. His father was a minister in the Church of England and he was 15th out of 19 children. This was a man who lived constantly with the realization that he shouldn’t be alive. He was driven by the eternal and once said “I have thought that I am a creature of a day, passing by life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God.” He attended Oxford and was immediately recognized as an extraordinary student, and became a minister right off the bat.
He arrived in Savannah, Georgia, where he was invited to serve as a pastor for the colonies. He was converted in May of 1738. He writes of the reassurance he felt at this moment as Christ had saved him from sin and death. In order to know his savior, Wesley first had to understand his sin. In order to experience mercy, he had to know wrath. He began to feel uncomfortable by the emotions his preaching often elicited and warmed to the new method of ministry.
His journal reveals his intimate relationship with God, which is what likely helped him complete all of the amazing things he did over his lifetime. For example, he averaged about 5,000 miles a year in travel, equal to traveling around the globe 12 times. Most of this he did on horseback. He delivered an average of 15 sermons per week, mostly in the open air, and under difficult circumstances. Over his lifetime, he preached a total of 42,400 sermons. His list of extraordinary accomplishments goes on, including planting over 400 small local churches. Then, the guys discuss how we should respect our forefathers not as God, but as wise men we can learn greatly from. In closing, we hear Wesley’s wish to see the world grow closer to God in body, soul and substance before his own passing. It is reported that his final words following an illness were “Best of all is God is with us.” And he is with you, too!
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. 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! | |||
| 11 Oct 2022 | Ep. 98 - How Technology Will Challenge Our Faith | 00:47:30 | |
In today's episode, the guys welcome special guest Emilio Ramos to talk about an important and relevant topic: technology and how it will challenge our faith in the days ahead. In order to wrap our minds around this topic, we also need to understand the related concept of futurism. “Futurism” is an umbrella term that deals with predicting what our lives will look like in the future. Thinkers ranging from philosophers to tech developers weigh in on this future, and their ideas are not only relevant to the future, but have ever-growing implications for today. The agenda for tech now and moving into the future is more and more integration into our lives, and we can see even now that tech giants inform us not so much about new gadgets as about what these gadgets can do. Technology is part of our lives, and is becoming nearly part of us. And as things continue to move forward, we step toward a point of “technological singularity,” which will occur when tech will advance so far that we won't be able to comprehend what it will look like to live in that world or to be human in that space.
This may sound concerning, but the guys also explain that technology in itself is amoral; this lack of a clear moral problem is, in fact, what complicates the situation of developing tech for us as Christians. The guys love technology for many reasons, but are wary of dangers that it brings along with it. Technology can, for instance, oppose our resting before God and our meditating on His Word, and we can easily transition from using technology as a tool to help us to being used by technology. Technology can turn us into overly political or conspiratorial people, distract us from the gospel, and have negative effects on our kids. Ultimately, technology shaping us is not a new thing, but it is a matter that we have to deal with in new and different ways. As developers pursue life-extension tech and delve further into VR, we must remember that these things can never be true eternal life. We must always work to be wise in our use of technology, saying no to things that will be unhealthy in our lives and homes, and factoring in the realities of technology and its influence in our discipleship relationships.
Links: Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources! Check out The Evidence Study Bible, Ray’s boo 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! | |||
| 13 Oct 2022 | Ep. 99 - The Insanity of Transhumanism | 00:51:18 | |
In today's episode, the guys are joined by Emilio Ramos, and they all discuss the idea of transhumanism, which is the integration of technology into human life and experience. Transhumanism is all about how technology can help the advancement of our human lives, and how technology can aid us. The guys discussed wearable examples of this such as the ring doorbell or our smartphones. However, this can become very serious when transhumanism enters posthumanism, which is when technology is used to achieve versions of humans other than what constitutes humans now. Transhumanists are saying that technology will take us to the next stages of evolution and that we can play a part in it. They believe that integrating technology into our bodies will be the next stage.
The guys talk through these four stages of posthumanism. Phase one is “wearables” or technology that creates benefits for humans. They gave an example as a pacemaker, which keeps people alive and helps people lead more comfortable lives. The second phase is integration of silicone technology for our health. The hosts mentioned this technology called “CRISPR”, which futurists expect to put an end to diseases such as cancer. The third phase is “enhancements,” where futurists believe scientists will be able to adjust genetic mutations for diseases, but then also mutate genetics for preferences, such as specific eye colors, higher IQ’s, etc. They discuss that in this stage, changing genetics will only be available to the elite and to the wealthy. People will not be created equal anymore. The last phase is where these futurists want to transfer our subconsciousness into a computer, virtual reality or an avatar in order to “live forever.” The futurists are saying that technology will give birth to future centiens and not just humans. They also discuss what does it actually mean to be human and what consciousness really is.
The guys also talk about how this idea of posthumanism is really humans trying to become like God and how this idea is not really new. Humans have been trying to become like God since the beginning of time. It all started with Satan wanting to become like God and then convincing Eve that she could be like God as well if she ate the fruit. But, we are already like God by being made in the image of God. In the story of Babel, the people tried to build the tower to reach into the heavens, but God destroyed the tower and did not let their plans succeed. Every time we try to be like God, it falls apart because we created something less than good. No matter how much man tries to reach His level, God will always be on His throne in heaven. God is in control and it all c 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! | |||
| 18 Oct 2022 | Ep. 100 - How to Strengthen Your Christian Worldview | 00:47:57 | |
In today's special episode, the 100th episode of the show(!!), the guys welcome back special guest Emilio Ramos for a third conversation! This discussion is the broadest of the three, and it focuses on Christian worldview and how to strengthen it. To get things going, the guys first consider what worldview is, focusing on a definition from Got Questions: “A worldview refers to a comprehensive conception of the world from a specific standpoint,” and it is a person’s big picture and way of both understanding reality and making decisions. Emilio explains how a significant worldview issue among Christians today is that they leave eschatology out of their worldview formulations. They think of eschatology, or the study of the last things, in terms of apocalyptic predictions and church debates, relegating it to the sidelines of their lives. In reality, eschatology is central to the Bible’s storyline, and is present from the very beginning in the hope that God will bring all things to a beautiful redemptive culmination. Eschatology, and our theology more broadly, the guys urge, has everything to do with how we live now!
Of course, factors other than theological misconception oppose the Christian worldview. As people living in the world, Christians must immerse themselves in Scripture to curb the influence of the world on their worldviews. The guys revel in the sufficiency of the Bible as the standard to build our lives on, and work through dangers of modernism, a gnostic dismissal of the present world, the deeply self-refuting “worldview” of atheism, and the problems of process theology. They explain how people can be boiled down in terms of worldview to Christian theists and practical atheists, and how the three absolutes of truth, goodness and beauty - central pieces of worldview - require something transcendent to define them. A biblical worldview is grounded in the fear of God, and it has its start with the miracle of regeneration, when a person is given a new heart and desires. As the conversation wraps up, the guys offer insight on drawing non-Christians toward the true worldview of Christianity, sharpening one’s own worldview as a believer, and helping to train up children in a biblical worldview.
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 Evid 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! | |||
| 20 Oct 2022 | Ep. 101 - Why Legalism is so Destructive | 00:47:51 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss legalism and its destruction. Legalism itself comes in two forms. On one hand are the legalists obsessed with their obedience to the law as a condition for acceptance with God. At the heart of this is the idea that works are a condition for justification. The other kinds of legalists demand that others submit to his own image of what constitutes spirituality and judge those who fail to measure up. It is inevitable that legalism ends up in hypocrisy.
Then, the guys share about their own encounters with legalism. Oftentimes, those who are legalistic are trying to give an outward appearance of piety, holiness and righteousness, but the corruption that is still within ends up coming to the surface in other ways. It is, however, often the byproduct of a sincere zeal for God that is lacking in knowledge. Looking to Christ and His righteousness outs to death any idea that we can gain, earn, prove or pay off the righteousness that has been given to us through Jesus. Legalism comes from a very man-centered way of viewing himself. Legalism forgets about grace and mercy and replaces it with appearance by negating the gospel.
We are so prone to want to demand our own ways and become frustrated when things don’t go according to our own plan. We may often find ourselves in situations where we are demonstrating self absorption, and should recognize that these times should be flipped as an opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace. Next, the guys differentiate between legalism and what isn't actually considered legalism. Legalism is distorting the gospel by adding conditions to free grace, substituting manmade regulations for the word of God, majoring on the minors and neglecting the more important issues, overconcern with externals while disregarding matters of the heart and regarding with contempt or judgment based on matters of personal conviction. Legalism is not a zeal for the Commandments of Christ, a ministry that teaches others to follow Christ and obedience and having strong personal convictions not required for others. In closing, we are reminded that a part of grace is recognizing that our quality is not based on the output of our performance. When we recognize that the love of God is where our true value lies, we are freed from the need to prove ourselves in life.
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 f 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! | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | Ep. 102 - The False Teachings of the Catholic Church | 00:46:08 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss Catholicism. To begin, they reiterate that they are in no way trying to talk down to Catholic people, but rather are speaking the truth and being honest about a religious institution which they believe has serious harmful teachings. Catholics and Christians do have things in common, such as believing in the existence of God and the person of Jesus Christ, but the glaring differences can not be overlooked. 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! | |||
| 27 Oct 2022 | Ep. 103 - How to Be an Effective Ambassador for Christ | 00:46:29 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how to be an effective ambassador for Christ. This topic never gets old, because it is all about living out who we are in Christ. We are reminded that each of us is a witness for Christ. What a person believes is much less important than the way that they act. Our Christian lives should gravitate people towards us who are ready to hear the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:20 proclaims “Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ.” If we have been born again for Christ, we are automatically His ambassadors. When we remember who Christ is, it is astonishing that he has called upon us sinful human beings to be His ambassadors. An ambassador is defined as an accredited diplomat sent from a country as its official representative to a foreign country. We should remember that this world isn’t our home, we are only passing through in exile. Our mission here is singular: To bring glory to Christ and to make Him known.
The number one most important trait for an ambassador is discretion with words. This refers to the ability to know when not to say and do certain things as to avoid offense. The ultimate work of evangelism actually has little to do with our power to transform lives. God calls on us to be His ambassadors as a way to live out our faithfulness to Him. Anger, sarcasm, demeaning comments and self righteousness are some traits often seen among evangelists who forget that they are also ambassadors. We should be careful to avoid these traits as we walk through life. If you haven’t shared the gospel with others in a while, the guys urge you to get started just by being friendly in public places.
It is important to keep in mind that as ambassadors, we are not just representing the Lord, but also other Christians. Our witness has the potential to extend far beyond what we can imagine. Christ left us an example of what we should do for one another as believers, and it all starts with the representation of the love and service within church. In closing, we are reminded that we represent the God of the universe. This realization should sober us, honor us and lead us to recognize the seriousness of our calling. It is in His grace alone this calling may be achieved.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com. 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! | |||
| 01 Nov 2022 | Ep. 104 - Live Q&A at the Ambassadors' Academy - Part 1 | 00:45:42 | |
Today’s episode is part one of a live recording of a Q&A held at the recent Ambassadors Academy. Before getting into the Q&A, they share a little bit about the annual Ambassadors Academy. While keeping the handpicked group of participants small, AA is essentially a crash course for evangelism. Many participants enter on the first day never having spoken publicly about their faith before and leave with the confidence to do so. Many have even started their own groups within their church that ultimately nourish their community at large. Joining the guys for this Q&A is their senior pastor of Kindred Community Church Philip DeCourcy.
To begin the Q&A, Ray is asked about his first open air springboard. Then, they are asked to share advice on the best resources for someone struggling with assurance on their salvation. They recommend Saved Without a Doubt by John MacArthur and always turning towards the sufficiency and truth of the Word of God. In moments of uncertainty, there is nothing better (besides God’s Word) than having pastors and people of faith alongside us to affirm and hold us accountable. Scripture makes it clear that God has given us eternal life based on the fact that we have placed our own worth in Him. We are reminded that despite what we may feel, we can continue to show our faith by our works by continuing, in obedience, all that Scripture calls us to.
Next, the guys are asked about open air preaching in places where public speaking is deemed illegal. First, we are urged to explore areas in which public speaking is allowed. However, when it comes to the proclamation of the gospel, the only time we have a right to rebel against authority is if we are commanded to do something God forbids or are forbidden to do something God commands. Thus, we should generally always obey the orders of God over the orders of man. Then, they offer encouragement about handing out biblical tracts in person. Before wrapping up, they identify the key thing they want participants of AA to leave with: a sense of joy over evangelism.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com. 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! | |||
| 03 Nov 2022 | Ep. 105 - Live Q&A at the Ambassadors' Academy - Part 2 | 00:35:43 | |
Today’s episode is part two of a live recording of a Q&A held at the recent Ambassadors Academy. First, the guys answer how we can help other Christians understand that the Sinner’s prayer is not a very good idea. We are reminded that when we are born to God, he does all the work himself. We often make the mistake of bringing our modern desire for instant gratification into our discipleship. Evangelism and discipleship is a long investment game, and the Sinner’s prayer often disrupts what God really wants us to do. Pastor Philip DeCoursey adds that the prayer can be used as a tool to some extent, but when it gets in the way or hinders someone's true expression, it becomes a problem. It is out of the heart that the mind speaks.
Next, they make their case for the position of an evangelist within the local church. Pastor DeCoursey believes that when it comes to the people in our local churches who have a special gift or calling in evangelism, it is their job to model their passion and equip others to do it, too. In the book of Acts, the Apostles went everywhere and appointed elders in every city. The ultimate goal of evangelism is to do the same, equip our churches for the work of ministry to be His ambassadors in this world. Then, they share how a new believer can increase their fear of God, especially in seasons where they don’t fear God at all. First, you should study the nature and character of God revealed in the Scripture. The Bible is the revelation of God’s nature and character that we will face on Judgement Day. The Bible tells us that it is through the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil. Our calling as Christians is to know God, and the more we know Him, the more we fear Him. The more we become familiar with the holiness of God and contemplate who he is, the more we realize our own lack of holiness and will begin to fear who He is.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! 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! | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | Ep. 106 - What is the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ? | 00:47:02 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the Great White throne judgment of God. They talk about how God is actually very judgmental because He holds us humans to high standards. God is a good and perfect judge, and He will give out wrath and condemnation for unbelievers. Our culture today says that judging others is wrong and most people don’t want to talk about how God judges us. However, to deny that God is a judge is also to deny that God is good. If He was a passive judge, then there would be something wrong with the judge. As Christians, we want judgment for those who wrong us, but we don’t want God to judge us. There is an element about judgment that delights the Christian, because we gratify people getting justice when they do us wrong. A good example the guys talk about is when Osama bin Laden died. All Americans rejoiced that he was killed because of what he did to us on 9/11, and for how he destroyed our freedom and democracy. We celebrated that justice was served. God is a holy and just god, and will give each person their reward or condemnation on judgment day.
Next, the guys confer about how fear is actually a good thing and is our friend. Fear reminds us to keep our seatbelts on or to not get too close to alligators. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. We won’t let our sins go, unless we see danger from the fear of God. He already knows everything and is omniscient. They also discuss the facts from the Bible from the book of revelations that we can refer to. These facts include: Jesus Christ will be the judge and Lord, all unbelievers will be judged by Christ and they will receive wrath, unbelievers are storing up for themselves wrath that will be given, God will give to each person according to what he has done, and believers will be judged but because of Christ’s righteousness given to us and our names are written in the book of life, we will be rewarded.
In addition, the guys also explain two very big distinctions from the judgment seat of Christ and the Great White throne judgment of God. They talk about how the Great White throne is when God will condemn the unbelievers, but the judgment seat of Christ is for when God will judge all of the believers. But, as believers, we do not need to fear being condemned by God because we can live in confidence that God won’t leave us or forsake us. God will take a survey of what we have done with our talent, time and treasure, and He will give us a reward in heaven based on what we have done. Another element the guys talked through is that every believer in heaven will be happy and there will be no envy in heaven. Envy is created by a lack, but there will be no lack in heaven. The 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! | |||
| 10 Nov 2022 | Ep. 107 - Why Does God Allow Suffering? | 00:46:00 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about suffering and the question of why God allows suffering to occur. This question is one of the most common objections raised to Christianity, and it entails a logical breakdown, as suffering is not about the reality of a creator, but rather indicates that something is horribly wrong with the created order. The question is also raised by two different sorts of people: those who ask with a “gotcha” mindset, and those who have suffered and have a genuine desire to understand and believe. The Bible answers both groups, holding the first under judgment, and meeting the second by speaking to the reality of suffering. When we interact with people asking how a loving God could allow suffering, we must first ask why they are asking the question and what their baseline assumptions are. With those asking out of a true desire to understand, we need to offer tenderness and compassion. We then need to offer answers. We don’t always receive specific explanations for why certain things happen (and so we must always meet suffering with faith!), but we do get a big-picture answer in the Bible. Ever since man’s first sin, the world has been fallen and broken. Christianity defines suffering in light of the fall, and is the only worldview to offer both a clear definition of and hope within suffering.
When we count the cost and become Christians, we know we are not signing up for a life free of suffering. There will be all manner of suffering for us until the day we see our Savior face to face. But in the meantime, suffering takes on a new meaning for us. It is an honor granted to us. It tests our faith as a fire, conforms us to the image of Christ, reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and points us to the cross. At the cross, God the Father allowed the brutal death of His Son, and Jesus willingly took suffering upon Himself. In this climactic moment of suffering, we also see our final victory over suffering secured. We look ahead to the end of suffering, knowing that the trials we endure now are - in light of Romans 8:28 - being worked together for our good and God’s glory. We can worship with joy even through our suffering, and far from being a shallow or cheesy thing, our joy is a deep, sustaining confidence in the character of God. We can also use suffering as an opportunity to evangelize, urging others to join us as we hope in God.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! 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! | |||
| 15 Nov 2022 | Ep.108 - What is the Kingdom of God? | 00:44:29 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the Kingdom of God. Many people either misunderstand God’s Kingdom or ignore it altogether. However, the idea of Kingdom is pronounced by the first chapter of the New Testament. A good starting point for understanding the Kingdom is to ask ourselves why Jesus lived. The most common subject throughout the gospel is the Kingdom of God. It was the ultimate paramount for everything Jesus taught and the reason he lived. Kingdom carries with it the idea of God’s reign. It can create a realm or people, but is not synonymous with those things. In its truest essence, the Kingdom of God is the reign of God manifesting itself in the Heavenly realm and through his people. A common thread found throughout the Scripture is of man trying to establish his kingdom over God’s Kingdom.
When we become a citizen of this new Kingdom presented by God, our value systems will drastically change. While man’s value system is motivated by fear and envy, in God’s system the only thing to fear is God Himself. This doesn’t mean that we should remove ourselves from the human world, but should do everything we can to allow righteousness to rule. When we find ourselves worried about things happening on earth, we should look up to God sitting on His throne to remind us that we are fighting a spiritual battle more than a physical one. Further, we should be careful in recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not just spiritual, it is also physica. It is not just where we go when we die. It is actually in the world making its presence known and penetrating our everyday experiences. We should see the earth in the same microscopic perspective as God sees it. The way God goes about bringing Heaven on earth is totally inverted from the way man brings about power, and we must trust in His way of doing things.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! 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! | |||
| 17 Nov 2022 | Ep. 109 - How to Overcome Jealousy and Envy | 00:45:05 | |
In today's episode, the guys talk about envy and jealousy, as well as how to overcome them. Both of these sins, which relate to the sin of covetousness discussed in a previous episode, lead from what may feel like a relatively non-threatening start to all manner of mischief and further sin. In order to deal with them and the bad fruit they lead to, we have to start at the root. The root of envy and jealousy is dissatisfaction with God and our lot in Him. We fail to believe that whatever is not within God’s will for us is not something we need (or should ultimately even want). We embrace “discontented longing for someone else’s advantages” (envy) or “unpleasant suspicion or apprehension of rivalship” (jealousy). Saul offers an apt picture of jealousy as it grows and turns into evil action - in his case, attempted murder of David. And envy, the guys explain, is opposition to the prosperity or happiness of others. It is unhappy self-justification, and its antidote is finding satisfaction in the justification offered by God.
After all, in Christ, we have all things! What else is there for us to strive for? We live before God, who sees our every thought and deed, and He is to us a sure hope. Any other hope will surely let us down. Turning to envy for justification and satisfaction ultimately makes us discontent with the good of others, haters of our neighbors, and our own tormentors. Using envy, as people so often do, to motivate others and even to shape the behavior of our children, will damage us and cause these other people to stumble. Allowing any jealousy but a righteous jealousy to dwell in us will, time and again, lead us to evil action. But as believers, we need not behave as “mere men”! We must be rooted in love, which doesn’t envy, and cry out to God to help us daily to live as those filled with His love.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! 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! | |||
| 22 Nov 2022 | Ep. 110 - How to Walk in Joy | 00:46:11 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss what it means to walk in joy. To begin, they clarify the difference between happiness and joy. While happiness is fleeting and comes from circumstances, joy is objective and transcends circumstances. When Heaven is the prime object of our rejoicing, it is impossible for anything to steal our joy. A perfect example of this is in Luke chapter 10, when the apostles were rejoicing even though the demons were subject to them, because their names were written in Heaven. We can never know what tomorrow on this earth will bring, but we can rejoice nevertheless knowing that our salvation lies in Heaven. We must remember not to be governed by circumstances, but instead by what is written in God’s Word.
For anyone in our lives who may currently be experiencing immense suffering, the guys advise that we lend a listening ear and a helping hand to that person. This can be as simple as picking their kids up from school or dropping off a meal for them. Then, when the time is right, it is important that we give them the opportunity to speak up. Rather than asking someone if they have moved on yet, we should instead ask what they have done to move forward or how we may be able to help them along their journey. People need to be reminded that there are always others thinking about them and caring for them.
It is not only circumstances that can rob us of our joy. Sometimes, Ray shares, it can be for no reason at all. This is when we must be almost mechanical in pulling our soul up by its bootstrings and remembering all of the blessings we have in our lives. It is easy to become distracted by the busyness of our lives that we forget that we have ultimately been adopted by God into the Kingdom of Heaven. We are reminded that the pathway to joy is through God’s presence and remembering our standing in the eternal. Through the blood of Jesus Chirst, we have been adopted by God as heirs to His Kingdom and are in need of nothing. We must fight for our own joys in life by pursuing the Lord and entering His presence. When we truly rejoice in our own salvation, we can’t help but want to tell others about that same thing.
Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! 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! | |||
| 24 Nov 2022 | Ep. 111 - The Passing of Ray’s Beloved Dog, Sam | 00:45:45 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the passing of Ray’s treasured friend and partner in the gospel: his beloved dog, Sam. The guys talk about grief, loss and how to weather the storm through the grace of God. Sam was a fluffy, white dog that would ride on a bike wearing red sunglasses. Many people would approach Ray because of Sam, and that would be his instrument to witness to people. Sam became so popular on social media, that many people commented on Ray’s instagram post about Sam, saying how sad they were about his passing. Sam at first was a hyper, crazy dog and Ray tried to get rid of him multiple times! After Sam calmed down, he became a docile, sweet dog that would patiently sit as Ray talked about the gospel to hundreds of people. Recently, Ray had to bring Sam to the veterinarian to put him down. Ray says the loss of his dog Sam has helped Ray grow closer to the Lord because instead of being by himself when he gets home, Ray is glad that the Lord is with him.
The guys then discuss how popular pets are, with now 70% of all households having a pet. During COVID, 23 million people adopted pets. Ray speaks about how dogs have unconditional love and complete trust in their master. They discussed this hypothetical question of whether you would save your dog or another person from a river if they were drowning, and a surprising amount of people said they would pick their dog. As much as we love and care for our pets, they are not as valuable as human beings. God names Adam and then lets Adam name the rest of the animals. God intended for us to be his representatives, to love, nurture and care for the rest of the world. Pets speak into a specific type of companionship and sing the glory of God. By having pets, we can honor God through the way we take care of them and use them for God’s will. Even though pets are wonderful, we need to not create idols in what we worship (animals) instead of who we worship (the Lord).
The guys then discuss the idea of whether or not dogs go to heaven. They talk about how heaven will be full of God’s image-bearers with animals, but maybe not necessarily our personal pets. They then say how it won’t actually matter if we have our pets in heaven or not. Heaven will be so good with being face-to-face with Jesus, that everyone else won’t actually matter to us. They also talk about how we should not console or comfort people by saying dogs or people are in heaven, but that we should ask what they would do or say if they were here. They discuss how grieving is really important and in the Bible, they would actually hire mourners to help people grieve. Grief is God’s way of healing us. You can’t let it p 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! | |||
| 29 Nov 2022 | Ep. 112 - The Cure for Loneliness | 00:43:23 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss loneliness. Statistics show that loneliness is likely to increase a person’s risk of death by 26%, is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, is worse for you than obesity. Loneliness and social isolation also put individuals at a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. To begin, the guys define loneliness as being in a place with no sense of community or companionship. Loneliness and isolation tends to convince a person that they have no value or significance to anyone. It is possible to experience loneliness in a crowded room, or to be completely alone but not experience loneliness at all.
In Genesis, the first declaration made by God was that it was not good for man to be alone, and then he created Eve for Adam. Unfortunately, our isolated modern lives in western culture are designed for loneliness. In place of the community we need as people, our culture has created ineffective substitutes in online communities to fill this void. However, this environment only further isolates us as true companionship and commitment can not be achieved in online relationships. The guys share about times they might feel a tinge of loneliness in their own lives. Everybody out there is frantically trying to create community because we all feel lonely, but the guys point out that there is no substitute for Gospel community.
A big motivating driver for many of us is the fear of being fully known and not loved. This insecurity keeps us from experiencing community. The beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus, God Himself, was forsaken by the very people He came to love and safe. He endured this all for the promise that His children would never be forsaken by God. To be truly known and loved is what we need more than anything, it is a lot like God’s love. The cure to loneliness is remembering that we have Christ, have been accepted into the beloved and finding our true identity in Him. As Christians, we must ensure that we are not replacing the love of Christ with other things. Loneliness is simply a state of mind, and realizing that Christ is with us is the answer in this dark tunnel. For listeners who may be in a stage of loneliness in their life, the guys encourage you to let God be your refuge and cling to Him.
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! 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! | |||
| 01 Dec 2022 | Ep. 113 - The Life of George Whitefield | 00:45:20 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the evangelist George Whitefield. Whitefield was born in Gloucester, England in 1714 and died in 1770. At age 21, he was converted while studying at the University of oxford. Along with John Wesley and Charles Wesley, he was part of the Holy Club. For 5 years, Whitefield sought after salvation and became nearly ascetic to obtain favor with God. It wasn’t until Charles Wesley gave him a book by Henry Scougal that Whitefield was radically transformed into a brand new creature of Christ. He began preaching in London and Bristol before coming to the U.S. at 24 years old.
Whitefield is credited as being the impetus behind the First Great Awakening. He traveled from town to town on horseback to preach the gospel around America during a wicked time. He preached 30,000 sermons in his lifetime and was known to study the gospel while on his knees. He was a person who was able to disengage himself from the fear of man and momentary comforts for what is more important. They key for him and for us is to realize all we have in Christ. The guys encourage all listeners to think about how differently we might move through life if we knew today was our last day on earth.
From the preaching of Whitefield and his contemporaries, we can glean and be inspired to love the Lord in a fiery way. As Christians, we have the entire history of the family of God as our ancestors. The same Holy Spirit that was in George Whitefield is in you, too. Since the Apostles, there has not been anyone who has preached as prolifically and effectively as Whitefield. One thing we can not do with heroes of the faith is venerate them. While we can look at them as heroes, we have to remember that they were also flawed and sinful creatures just like us. To do this, we must remind ourselves that we too have blind spots. Even with his flaws, however, we can be sure that Whitefield was a man who lived for 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! | |||
| 06 Dec 2022 | Ep. 114 - The Marvels of Meditation | 00:44:56 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 08 Dec 2022 | Ep. 115 - How to Know God's Will for Your Life | 00:47:34 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 13 Dec 2022 | Ep. 116 - Tips for Healthy Communication | 00:47:02 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 15 Dec 2022 | Ep. 117 - Mormonism and Its False Teachings | 00:50:27 | |
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! 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! | |||
| 20 Dec 2022 | Ep. 118 - Is the Trinity Biblical? | 00:49:44 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 22 Dec 2022 | Ep. 119 - Why Do Some Think King Charles is the Antichrist? | 00:41:03 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 05 Jan 2023 | Ep. 123 - How to Witness to Family & Close Friends | 00:44:09 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 27 Dec 2022 | Ep. 120 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 1 | 00:11:49 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 29 Dec 2022 | Ep. 121 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 2 | 00:11:11 | |
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! 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! | |||
| 03 Jan 2023 | Ep. 122 - The Amazing Definition of Initiative, Part 3 | 00:12:40 | |
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. 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! | |||
| 10 Jan 2023 | Ep. 124 - The Life of John Bunyan | 00:44:06 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss the English writer, John Bunyan. His most famous book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, has been printed 250 million times. He was born in 1668 in Elstow, England. Married at 21, and was brought to Christ through the Christian books his wife brought into their marriage. He recounts the many overwhelming temptations he felt to let go of his faith.
Charles Spurgeon was radically impacted by Pilgrim’s Progress and quoted it often in his own sermons. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan stresses that no matter who you are, you can exercise faith in God. For anyone listening who has the desire to create, there is an opportunity to reach out into the Heavenly realm and bring back something which displays the glory of God. This same calling which John Bunyan exercised to write his books is still prevalent in our lives today. He wrote 9 books while imprisoned. After four years of being saved and becoming a minister, his sermons began to draw huge crowds. Though he was a very poor man, Bunyan became popular during the restoration of King Charles II, during which time those who would not conform to the church of England were arrested. In January of 1661, Bunyan was thrown into jail with the opportunity to be released if only he stopped his preaching, which he declined. In a stunning reversal, by the age of 59, Bunyan had become one of England’s most famous authors. In 1688, while riding through heavy rain to reconcile a father and son, he became ill and died.
Much of the greatness Bunyan produced was born out of times of great difficulty and struggle. We are reminded that God has a plan for each of our lives. We must trust in Him and learn to not despise the difficulty He places before us. Then, the guys touch on prayer as one of the most difficult practices of Christians. We are reminded that God is a God who both listens and speaks. In closing, listeners are urged to run to Jesus and be forgiven. 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! | |||
| 12 Jan 2023 | Ep. 125 - How to Reach Those Who Have Strayed From the Faith | 00:47:10 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how to reach those who have strayed from the faith. The majority of people who have “backslidden” actually had a false conversion to begin with. This does not refer to the times in which a Christian struggles with his faith. There are many, unfortunately, who profess to know Christ but really do not. The longer we walk with the Lord, the more stories like this we will be able to recall.
There are gateway sins which open the door to stray further from God. Someone who has strayed may find themselves in the position of wondering how they got to the place in which they find themselves. In the book of John, Jesus speaks of sin as an addictive behavior. The way to put sin to death is by looking to the Cross. Only God can offer us the strength to write off the things which rob us of our everlasting joy. Research shows that 85% of Americans pray. However, most of these prayers tend to be selfish rather than giving glory to God. The prayers of the righteous, however, are angled towards the glory of God rather than the glory of man.
It is important to acknowledge that many people who stray from their faith have been hurt by their church. When a pastor falls, for example, it causes many people's faith to be rattled and confusing. For these people, we are called to be the rod of God and bring these lost people home by listening, understanding, and empathizing. We must go after people with the heart of Christ, welcoming others back to the faith. Similarly, we should be very careful of the judgmental spirit which may creep into us as the result of watching someone stray. Listeners are reminded that online pastors are not a replacement for having a local church of your own. The Bible often equates sin to not living. Then, listeners are offered points of self-reflection for consideration to determine if they are in danger of a backslide of their own. Finally, we receive valuable advice on how to avoid a potential backslide and reestablish our faith and relationship with God. Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Ep. 126 - How to Handle Criticism and Correction | 00:44:21 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how to handle criticism and correction. Though the word “criticism” often comes with a negative connotation, we are reminded that criticism can be constructive, too. When it does come our way, the very first thing we should do is slow down and consider the source. Coming from a loving friend or family member who cares for you, criticism should always hit deeper than when coming from someone you are not close to. We all need someone in our lives who is not impressed by us, who God can use to sanctify us and offer constructive criticism. When that person approaches you with loving correction, you should listen.
We can often find ourselves undone based on the criticism we have received. However, it is important to consider the substance and truth of the criticism. We should practice seeking truth rather than defending rights. The reason we usually don’t like criticism is a result of our pride, but as believers, criticism can be beneficial when we are in the right mindset to receive it. This can go the other direction, too, when it comes to giving constructive criticism to someone else. When we are correcting someone, we should do it with humility and gentleness because we don’t always have the full picture of what might be going on. These instances can be viewed as the opportunity to have a loving conversation with somebody so the truth may be revealed.
It is crucial to remember that everything in our life in terms of our conduct boils down to the fruit of the Spirit and of love. When we correct without seeking our own, it is out of consideration of 3 things: the person has sinned against God, hurt themselves, and hurt others from undermining the testimony of the gospel. In this case, we’re seeking the best not for ourselves, but for God and others. The only way to achieve this selflessness is through patience, time with the Word, and prayer. Finally, we are urged to be open and receiving of correction which comes from a place of love. Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! | |||
| 19 Jan 2023 | Ep. 127 - How to Experience Personal Revival | 00:42:39 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how to experience personal revival. Personal revival, E.Z. explains, is gained by coming back to the things that put you in the place of understanding that Christ is the center of it all. In this state, a person has integrated Christ into every area of their lives rather than living by compartmentalization. This comes from having a hunger and thirst for righteousness and being in the presence of God.
Simply put, there is no global or national revival without personal revival. Oftentimes, we can go about our Christian lives and duties but forget that the primary reason the church exists is to be a tabernacle of witness. If we want to be effective, we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and not hold anything back. The miracle of personal revival is that we love doing the acts God wants us to do. Part of the challenge for many is the lack of obedience and short attention span. Discipleship, however, requires daily discipline and unwavering obedience. Once we begin to practice obedience despite how we feel or are being told, we begin to be revived.
Next, hear about some ways we as believers can stir up our own personal revivals. It is crucial for every Christian to understand that we would not be alive if not for God’s grace. Because God has given us this life, we owe Him everything. Despite its connotation, repentance is one of the most beautiful words because it is a sign of hope and the potential for forgiveness. Repentance is always connected to a change of behavior. A liturgy, for example, is a spiritually-forming habit. One of the main characteristics of historically great men of God is that they all had discipline. It is important to realize that the things we place the most value on will impact how we behave. One can obtain discipline by realigning our value system to coincide with God’s value system. Our daily habits are a way of realigning our compasses. Spending time in God’s word, prayer, and devotion will realign your compass and make sure you are pointing towards heaven. In closing, we are reminded that devotion is not just a daily ritual lasting a few minutes, but the act of submitting ourselves completely to God. Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | Ep. 128 - What’s the Significance of Communion? | 00:44:32 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss communion and how this practice is extremely central to faith. They talk about how communion is a sacred doctrine and how this sacrament symbolizes a recognition and renewal of a covenant with Him. Communion is also viewed differently in various denominations of faith. In Catholicism, they believe in transubstantiation, that the bread and wine physically change into the body and blood of Christ. Other denominations believe that the elements coexist with the real body and blood, but they don’t believe this actually changes into Jesus’ physical body or blood. There is also an orthodox or reformed view of communion, which says that the spiritual presence of Christ is in and with the elements of communion, but not His physical presence. As Christ followers, they believe they are saved and are continually being saved. This renewal of communion shows that the covenant is equally important today as it was on the first day.
Next, the guys talk about how communion has become flippant in some churches and this practice has lost its sacredness. They also discuss the frequency of communion in that we should be taking communion every Sunday. If we teach every Sunday in church, then we need to take communion every Sunday. In the scriptures, the disciples took communion regularly before a meal because that was the precedence that you met on Sunday for a meal, and the meal was communion.
Finally, the guys discuss what communion itself means. Communion is the breaking of the bread, which is the meal at the Lord’s table. There is a spiritual significance in that and a chance where you can examine yourself and your heart. Jesus says in regard to communion “do this in remembrance of me.” Communion is all about remembering what Jesus has done for us, what He is currently doing and what He will do in our lives. We also need to remember God’s second coming and what a beautiful privilege that communion is. They also say that communion is a testimony to unbelievers, and an invitation to someday join in this sacred practice. 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! | |||
| 26 Jan 2023 | Ep. 129 - How Should Christians React to National Tragedies? | 00:44:59 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss national tragedies and how Christians should react to these situations. As a culture, our world is news-fanatic and it’s in our sin nature to want to hear about the bad news. Social media and news outlets built an algorithm that fires us up in anger. They have figured out how to tap into our sin nature and make money off it. It is important to study all sides of the news because every piece of news could be portrayed differently depending on which outlet you are receiving it from. 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! | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | Ep. 130 - How to Discover Your Spiritual Gifts | 00:44:35 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss spiritual gifts and how to discover yours. The Lord gives us gifts that are imperishable and irrevocable for the purpose of His kingdom. Our culture is enamored with the whole theme of purpose, but very few things indicate greater purpose than when God gives something. He gives us spiritual gifts for and with a purpose because He wants us to be a part of His epic story. He has created each one of us uniquely with His gifts for a specific role. God saves us and gives us a commission and the tools to go and complete that commission. Our spiritual gifts are given to us so that we can serve others. There are no unemployed Christians–everyone has a role and needs to be an active participant in the church. When we aren’t active with the gifts that God has given us, we stifle our spiritual growth and joy. Next, the guys talk about how we need to use our spiritual gifts. Identifying our spiritual gifts might limit how, when, and where we serve. The better question is: how can I best serve the people around me? Sometimes, if we believe that we don’t have a certain gift, then we won’t use our abilities to play our part. We should not find identity in the gift, but our identity is in being a child of God. Also, we mistake our spiritual gifts for our fruitfulness. Just because you are good at your gifts, doesn't mean you’re growing in the Lord. The Lord gives us these gifts because He wants us to use them in a specific way. The use of our gifts should be shining His light for His honor, not for ourselves or our glory. 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! | |||
| 02 Feb 2023 | Ep. 131 - What Does it Mean to Have Childlike Faith? | 00:46:59 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss having childlike faith and Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:2-4, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus said this in response to the disciples arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom, which is a relief because the disciples are so relatable to us. Jesus displayed so much tenderness towards little children. We will always be there for our own children and never leave them, even if we are not pleased by their actions. We can trust in our Heavenly Father like kids trust in their earthly father. There is nothing that can be uncovered to be held against us that hasn’t already been covered by the grace of God. Scripture also tells us that you won’t even enter the kingdom unless you become like a child.
It's one thing to know what childlike faith is, but it’s also important to understand what having childlike faith is not. It’s not a rebuttal to answering tough questions. It is not meant to be an excuse to not go deeper into God’s word or with our relationship with God. Having a childlike faith is also not blind or ignorant—as a Christian, we need to always be ready to give an answer for our faith. Rather than remaining ignorant, we must be informed Christians who study God's word. This is where we will see growth and live in wonder of God and all He has done for us. Childlike faith is relational faith in God. Like the trust, care, and confidence children have in their earthly parents, we can rest assured in childlike faith in our Heavenly Father. When you catch a glimpse of God’s character, it is easy to trust in God and believe in His promises.
Finally, the guys discuss what childlike faith looks like and the qualities that children have. Children are teachable, trusting, carefree, loving, and have a humble heart. They talk about three qualities in particular: comfortable dependency on the Lord, reverence and respect for authority, and admiration and wonder. It is hard for some adults to respect authority because they want to be the only authority in their lives. Also, we have every reason to be in awe of the Lord. Taking a pause to enjoy God’s creation or contemplate all He has done can help you to keep that awe and wonder. Another reason to be in awe of God is to remember all the times that God has forgiven us and will still use us for His purpose. Our future is secure as Christians and we are forgiven by the only one who truly could condemn us. Children are also very forgiving and quickly forgive others. The last thing the guys discuss is how childlike faith all comes down to belief. We all believe in somet 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! | |||
| 07 Feb 2023 | Ep. 132 - How Does a Woman Submit to Her Husband? | 00:46:45 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss how women should submit to their husbands. This is a topic which makes many people feel uncomfortable, but is a legitimate question for many Christians. Many people write this topic off completely due to today’s culture. However, when the church becomes a reflection of the culture, we are in big trouble. Submission is not a reflection of inferiority. In fact, Christ consistently submitted to His own father.
Part of the reason why so many people cringe at this topic is because we have terrible examples of leadership in the world today. We should never look to modern times for examples of leadership, but rather to Christ and how He led the church. It is valuable to speak about servant leadership just as often as submission. It is pointed out that every good leader is just a follower of someone else. If our wives submit to us, this means that we are submitting to God first and foremost. We often forget how much God emphasizes oneness within marriage. Each of us has the responsibility to fulfill our roles and create the type of atmosphere that will be most conducive for our husband or wife to fulfill their role. The secret to a perfect marriage is for husbands to love their wives as God loved the church and for wives to submit to their husbands and love their children.
We are reminded that wives' disobedience to their husbands is nearly blasphemous to God’s Word. Next, the guys offer examples from their own marriages in which submission played a role. To men, submission and leadership should look like your wife joyfully growing and thriving to be more like her Savior. God has created your wife in His image, and she has a unique understanding of what she is bringing into the household. Many times, the husband and wife are working together to understand God’s will for your life and home. Listen as they run through the things which a wife’s submission is not. Submission means that a wife sees herself as part of her husband’s team, supporting his decisions and recognizing that her husband has the authority to make the final choice. Finally, sisters listening are reminded not to feel ashamed to submit to their husbands, but to live the truth of God’s word. 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! | |||
| 09 Feb 2023 | Ep. 133 - Can Women Be Pastors? | 00:45:13 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss why women may not be pastors. It is not that women don’t have the ability to be pastors, but that God has given the role of a pastor to men. The reality is that women are equally capable of understanding the Word of God and communicating it. In this episode, they don’t aim to diminish the value of women or their spiritual gifts. God commands women to teach other things, including how to serve their husbands and love their children. Today, we have seen a surge in women pastors as the church has become desensitized towards many things.
Rather than devaluing women and their contributions, it is important to recognize that Jesus elevated women in ways that had never been seen before. He was “pro women” to the max, but he simply didn’t choose them to be apostles. Women ought to be built up in their theological understanding of God’s Word and truth and should be equipped and guided in their spiritual gifts. However, the Scriptures make it clear that men have the role of a pastor. When it comes to God’s design for the church, the Bible does not miss a single word or point.
This is a topic which has caused the rest of the world to look confusedly at the church. There are some things in the Bible which are difficult to grasp, but we must be careful that the things which are plain and simple are widely accepted. The world’s culture really wants to blur the lines between men and women, but the Scriptures embrace the beauty and reality that men and women have specific roles in the church and the home. This should not be seen as a restriction, but rather an invitation to reflect the glory of God. There is beauty in God’s intent to make even the details of the organization of the church speak to His glory and the roles of the Trinity. Similarly, the public can tell when the church is not conceding to God’s commandments. In closing, they reiterate that God restricts women from serving in certain leadership roles and instead calls them to serve in equally important and complementary roles. We should rejoice over the fact that God has called different people to serve different functions. 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! | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | Ep. 134 - Do Christians Really Have to Tithe? | 00:48:24 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss tithing. Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that Christian churches are money-hungry and selfish, but is it really true? We are commanded to tithe in Scripture, but for what purpose, and is it still required today? The guys share a story about a pastor who decided to stop passing around an offering plate because he saw that the majority of the congregation were giving either out of guilt or spontaneity. Then, they dive into the scriptural instructions for giving as Christians. This is a topic which is quite controversial within the church.
The first time we see tithing referenced in the Bible is in Genesis 14, when Moses tithes to Melchizedek. The American way of looking at money is very capitalistic and industrial. However, a Biblical way of viewing finances is that all the things we own belong to the Lord, and we are simply stewards of those things. The Lord gives us stewardship over His things, and we should rejoice in gratitude that He allows us to enjoy a portion of it. In the Old Testament, tithe was given to the priests for the upkeep of the chapel so that there were goods for offering, as well as charitable tithes every third year.
Many scholars would argue that tithing is no longer a requirement because it is a Mosaic Law. However, the New Testament calls us to give generously out of stewardship to the preaching of God’s word, the building up of God’s Kingdom, and to those in need. Our response for the love which God has shown us is to give back to Him without hesitation all that we have. God judges what we give by what we keep for ourselves. Giving is the best way to fully demonstrate our love for others, and God Himself loves the cheerful giver. The key is that our giving should reorient our hearts to the great Giver in Heaven. As the episode wraps up, they reiterate that there is not one set amount which believers are required to give. We are also reminded that the Biblical doctrine of generosity is completely antithetical to the customs of modern times. For anyone feeling shame around the fact that they have not been generous enough, you are urged to look towards God and understand that it was He who never held back a thing. Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! | |||
| 16 Feb 2023 | Ep. 135 - Can Christians Use Self-Defense? | 00:46:16 | |
In today's episode, the guys discuss whether Christians should engage in self-defense. We read in Matthew 5:38-39, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Jesus was speaking to the issue of retribution when He said this. According to the Old Testament law, this was considered equal retribution. He was not being literal in this verse—he was talking about the principle. This “slap” could also be referred to as an insult and not a physical act. We need to be careful in thinking that the most loving thing we can do is to turn the other cheek. We must have wisdom and ask God for guidance in all situations, especially regarding insults or harm from other people.
When considering violence, we can look towards Jesus’ teaching and His reaction to persecution as examples. Christ rebuked Peter when he cut off the ear of a high priest because Peter was interfering with God’s ordained plan, and instead taught his disciples to be nonviolent in the face of persecution. The guys discuss Augustine’s theory of a “just war” and the concept that war can be waged for the protection of others. Modern-day pacifism calls for individuals to lay down and let others walk all over them, but the scriptures call us to carefully consider the image-bearing qualities of one another as well as ourselves in order to correctly measure our response to others. As Christians, we are not expected to be passive or unresponsive when someone is trying to insult or hurt us or our family. It is our responsibility to care for the needs of our family and ourselves, and to help those who have a need or are in a weakened position. Psalm 82:3 states, “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” We need to cautiously consider every situation and exercise discretion, since not all situations are the same.
Lastly, the guys share some practical advice. First, you should not put yourself in dangerous or tempting situations. If you are ever questioned by the police, you should never answer questions unless there is a lawyer present—even if you are innocent. When driving, just get into the slow lane and let other vehicles go by. We must use discretion in the context of persecution and seek the Lord on how to conduct ourselves. 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! | |||