The Living Waters Podcast

• Ep. 334 - The Power of Leading by Example in Evangelism

  Cory McKenna, founding president of The Cross Current, joins Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar to discuss the power of leading by example in evangelism. Cory, once a pastor who struggled with sharing his faith, shares his story of conviction. The discussion highlights that all the men at the table are byproducts of strong leadership in evangelism. Cory emphasizes that pastors should be examples in evangelism, as imitation is central to discipleship. Modern Christianity often prioritizes information over transformation, but biblical discipleship resembles an apprenticeship. Jesus didn’t simply teach—He commanded His followers to walk alongside Him. Leaders should bring people into their lives as Paul instructed Timothy.The discussion explores how evangelism should be ingrained in church life. There are only three times in scripture the world evangelism is used, yet the role is essential in equipping the church. Many Christians are being discipled but not discipling others. E.Z. warns that churches neglecting evangelism should concern us. Christians should feel compelled to reach the lost because today is the only guaranteed time to share. Evangelism is a natural expression of joy in salvation. Cory stresses that worship is obedience, and witnessing is an act of worship. Everything we do should reflect Christ. Fear often hinders evangelism, but love should overcome it. Christians should not linger too long in apologetics—rather, they should step out and share the gospel.Being a witness extends beyond words; our lives must align with the message we preach. Just as lawyers attempt to discredit witnesses, the world watches Christians closely. We are heralds of the kingdom, returning from glimpsing the future to tell the world. The most enthusiastic evangelists are those deeply impacted by the gospel. Evangelism is unique—it’s the only pyramid scheme where everyone wins. If a Christian isn’t sharing the gospel, they should examine their faith. Fear is common, but fearing the Lord should motivate us to persuade others. Serving the world over God means lacking holy fear. A judge doesn’t seek eloquence but truth—likewise, Christians should simply share what they’ve seen and heard. Guilt over inaction should drive us toward evangelism. Paul exemplifies this burden for the lost in Philippians.Evangelism begins in the home. Parents must model faith to their children, showing them the power of the gospel at the dinner table. Small, consistent efforts—preaching to neighbors, handing out tracts, setting goals—will grow into a lifestyle of evangelism.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at [email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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• Faithful Leadership, Evangelistic Worship, and Living by Example – Highlight Episode 334

  Evangelism is at the heart of discipleship, yet many churches and leaders neglect it, focusing more on knowledge than transformation. True discipleship follows the example of Christ, who led by action, and pastors should embody this by equipping their congregations to share the gospel. Evangelism isn’t about expertise in apologetics but about faithfulness, overcoming fear, and expressing the joy of salvation. Christians should take responsibility for reaching others, recognizing that evangelism is an act of love and worship. The Great Commission starts in the home, with parents modeling faith for their children, and extends into daily life through conversations, gospel tracts, and intentional outreach.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at [email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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• Ep. 333 - That’s NOT in the Bible: Examining Verses That Don't Exist

  Today Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss things that are not in the Bible along with verses that are often taken out of context. Ray shares that as a new Christian, he wanted to know what wasn’t in the Bible. It’s easy to see what is, but harder to identify what isn’t. Many phrases sound biblical but aren’t. One common phrase is “God helps those who help themselves.” In reality, Christianity is about relying on God, not self-reliance. People like this phrase because they crave self-discipline, but true faith means trusting in God’s help, not our own efforts.Another phrase is “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” In truth, God often allows overwhelming situations so we rely on Him. He isn’t looking to harm us but to draw us closer. When we come to the end of ourselves, we find the beginning of Him. Oscar shares a personal experience of realizing his reliance on himself and learning to trust in God’s strength. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” suggests outward cleanliness equates to righteousness. But morality alone isn’t enough—we need the gospel. Many misquote “Money is the root of all evil.” The Bible actually says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Money itself isn’t the problem; it’s the trust people place in it. Wealth can be a snare, but true contentment comes from trusting Him, not accumulating wealth. “God wants me to be happy” is another misconception. The Bible prioritizes joy over happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy is rooted in Christ. God is more concerned with our holiness than our comfort. Jesus endured suffering, and if our ultimate pursuit is happiness, we will lose our way. “Name it and claim it” theology is challenged by the story of the paralytic, who was healed because of his friends' faith, not his own declaration. Similarly, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is often misapplied. Paul’s message wasn’t that we can accomplish anything we desire, but that we can endure all situations through Christ. A verse commonly found on jewelry, spoken between Jacob and Laban, is often misunderstood. It was actually about distrust, not a general blessing. Likewise, “Judge not lest you be judged” is misinterpreted to mean Christians shouldn’t judge at all. However, scripture later says to “judge rightly.” Finally, “God causes all things to work together for good” is often quoted without the full meaning. The rest of the verse explains that God works through our circumstances to make us more like Christ. Even hardships serve a purpose in shaping our faith.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at [email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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• Highlight: Ep. 333- That’s NOT in the Bible: Examining Verses That Don't Exist

  Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar examine phrases often mistaken for biblical truths and verses taken out of context, emphasizing the need to rely on God rather than self-reliance. They discuss misconceptions such as “God helps those who help themselves,” highlighting that Christianity is about dependence on God, not personal effort. They also address the misinterpretation of “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” explaining that God often allows overwhelming situations to draw believers closer to Him. Other topics include the misquoted “Money is the root of all evil” (which actually warns against the love of money), the difference between fleeting happiness and true joy in Christ, and the misunderstood command to “judge not,” which actually calls for righteous judgment. They conclude that God works through every circumstance to transform believers into the likeness of Christ, using even hardships for His purpose.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at [email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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• Ep. 332 - When the World Fights Against the Church and Christian Ministries

  Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis (AIG), joins Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar to discuss the challenges Christian ministries face in an increasingly hostile world. Throughout his career, Ken has encountered opposition, yet he has seen God use these challenges to further the gospel. Protests outside The Ark Encounter are a regular occurrence, but instead of responding with anger, AIG staff members witness to protestors, demonstrating Christ’s love. Ken shares that stepping out in faith, such as building The Ark, often seems insurmountable, but God makes a way. Ken’s journey has been filled with trials, yet each step has reinforced his trust in God's provision. Historically, faith thrived in times of persecution. Ken explains that Christianity's influence in the West was once dominant, but secularism has eroded the foundation of biblical belief. Generation Z is increasingly distant from faith, though many in the church are awakening to the need for a stronger biblical foundation. A key point in the discussion is the importance of biblical authority. Ken explains that all reasoning is circular, but the Christian worldview is based on a virtuous circle, where the Bible provides a foundation for understanding reality. Without absolute truth, morality becomes subjective, forcing even non-believers to borrow from Christian principles when making moral claims.Ray reinforces the idea that opposition often fuels the spread of the gospel. The guys discuss how most non-Christians simply repeat arguments they have heard rather than forming well-reasoned objections. AIG equips believers with apologetics training, helping them defend their faith with clarity and confidence. Ken has written a devotional that merges apologetics with scripture, providing practical tools for engaging with a skeptical culture. Ken and the guys remind Christians that faith is not blind but responsible. Christians are called to step out in faith while using wisdom and discernment, trusting in God’s sovereignty. Ken reminds believers that the ultimate solution to society’s problems is the gospel.The discussion closes with a challenge to Christians to live fully for Christ. Athletes push themselves to their limits for temporary rewards, yet believers often hesitate to give their all for eternal purposes. Ken urges Christians to be all in, recognizing that every person they encounter is someone who will spend eternity either with or without Christ. With this urgency in mind, he encourages believers to go into the world with love, sharing the gospel fearlessly and pointing others to JesusSend us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at [email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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