Insight for Living Canada - LifeTrac Podcast

Isaiah 49:16Sid Vicious is an example of the downward spiral of someone living with no sense of worth. If you're wondering if your life has any value, consider this: the God who created the universe has written your name on the palms of His hands.

Matthew 12:35-37We live in a time where wrongdoing is rationalized and excused. We're quick to blame others...and slow to accept responsibility for our actions. However, the reality is no one else makes our choices for us. A sign of maturity is admitting our offences and making things right.

Galatians 5:19-21Jealousy is a sin, which cannot be hidden. It starts small but ultimately leads to envy, strife, and conflict. Whether it's at home, at work, or on a team jealousy always promotes bitterness. The only cure is contentment. When you accept where you are and who you are, you're able to contentedly live your life...and give others the freedom to do the same.

Psalms 9:9Trials. Challenges. Hardships. There will always be tough stuff in life. So what is there to do? God tells us to let go, and trust Him completely.

Genesis 25:28Playing favourites is nothing new. In fact, the Old Testament story of Jacob and Esau describes a family torn apart by favouritism. Parents and teachers today can learn from this family story—favouritism causes division that continues for generations.

Proverbs 13:15Defiance affects everyone, no matter your age. And it traps you in your selfishness, stubbornness, indifference, resistance, and contempt. Why not get rid defiance and live according to God's Word. “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard,” (Proverbs 13:15 NASB).

Ephesians 4:31Anger never corrects itself. It never disappears...in fact the longer you leave it the stronger it grows. Confronting your anger is the best thing you can do to deal with it—confess it and let it go today. Don't wait another moment.

John 10:1-18If you could be any animal, which one would you choose? No one ever chooses to be a sheep, and yet that's how we're described in the Bible. We are all like sheep needing a shepherd. And we have one—Jesus Christ. He guides, protects, and keeps us in the right rut.

Lamentations 3:31-33When your life goes sideways and bad things happen, it's easy to question God's love. But it doesn't make it less true. God loves us, even when life doesn't make sense.

Matthew 11:28-30When you worry, it's like you're carrying around a heavy burden. You're weighed down with anxiety and you can't think clearly. Wouldn't it be so much easier to give your burdens and worries over to God? He says He'll take it and will give you peace in return. That's a pretty good exchange.

Matthew 11:28You know what causes stress? Anxiety. Do you know how to rid your life of anxiety? Rest. Resting in Christ is the quickest way to rid your life of harmful stress. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Philippians 4:5If you want to relax and get rid of anxiety, you need to lighten up. Are you typically harsh or critical? Try cultivating a more gentle and understanding approach to life. “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”

Ecclesiastes 8:7Just when you think you have everything planned perfectly...something happens to change everything. It's a good reminder that none of us know what the future holds. There's a bigger plan unfolding...God's plan.

Psalms 23:4We don't like to think about death, but the Bible says believers have nothing to fear—we have a Shepherd, Jesus, who will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death when the time comes.

Hebrews 13:5You don't have to look very hard to find negative people filled with self-pity. That's why it's so refreshing to find positive people...no matter the circumstances.

Mark 10:27When you find yourself unable to move forward in life, it's probably because you're focusing on the obstacle rather than the objective. Remember nothing is impossible for God...He specializes in the impossible.

1 Timothy 6:6-7Our culture doesn't exactly inspire contentment—everything around us is designed to promote dissatisfaction, comparison, envy, and competition. But you can stop this disappointment cycle by being thankful. When you count your blessings your worry shifts to gratitude, and you begin enjoying all God has given you.

Matthew 5:14-16We are called to be light in this world. You're the match. You're the light. You're the light at school. You're the light in the classroom. You're the light on the team. Let it shine. Never underestimate the effect of a smile...courtesy...or help to someone in need.

Romans 2:1-3No one is qualified to judge another. We don't have all the facts, we don't know motives, and because we have our own prejudices and worldviews, it's impossible to be objective. The only one who has all the information is God. He alone is qualified to judge.

Romans 12:15Being genuinely happy for the good fortune of others doesn't come to us naturally. Often it's easier to commiserate with friends rather than celebrate with them. But when you rejoice with those who rejoice, you're modelling Christ.

1 John 2:15-17We live in a world that has lost its way. Many are being deceived. But God has given us His truth; He has shown us how to live.

Joel 2:25-27When you don't deal with the trash from your past, it can eat away at you like an army of locusts. God is not waiting to condemn you for past wrongs. He's waiting to embrace and forgive you. He meets you where you're at today.

Romans 14:10-12Comparison can be lethal. What others drive, or wear, or how others look is no one's business but theirs. Living in harmony means letting others be—and cutting each other some slack.

James 1:19Perspective is a wonderful thing. It helps us when we look at the familiar and with fresh perspective see something we've never noticed before. It changes our thoughts and our behaviour.

Romans 14:20-22Allowing grace to flow freely means we let others be. You look different? We let you look different. You don't dress like others? That's fine, dress like you want to. That's what grace is all about. Here are some traps we can fall into if we're not careful.

Ecclesiastes 3:11Everything you have is on loan. You can't take any of it with you when you die. What matters most is what you pass on. When you make your life a gift to others, you're investing in eternity. And that's a great way to live.

Proverbs 13:25The world's idea of success is fortune, fame, and power. But the forgotten side of success is lasting satisfaction, contentment, and peace found through helping others. People remain the essential ingredient in life.

Romans 5:8Grace is a foreign concept to us because the world doesn't operate based on grace. It trends towards criticism and judgment. Grace says, “I forgive you...I accept you as you are...I value you.”

Psalms 139:13-14Everyone is formed and uniquely woven by God Himself. You can't get better than the hand of God shaping your life.

1 Peter 4:12-13There are some trials in life you just can't find reasons for. They hit you hard and you're left wondering. But it's often during these times of testing that God deposits some of His best lessons into your life.

Isaiah 55:2We live in a success-obsessed society. The traits of fortune, fame, power, and pleasure are vaulted as the signs of success but none of this will give you satisfaction.

Ephesians 4:26-27There are five stages of anger: mild irritation, indignation, wrath, fury, and rage. While anger itself isn't wrong, uncontrolled anger never results in anything good.

1 Peter 1:6-7Maturity is a life-long process, and it's often through times of testing we mature the most. Some people never get it.

Mark 12:30God wants you to love Him with all your heart, not just a part of it. He's looking for men and women whose hearts are completely His, and who are willing to make a difference.

Proverbs 22:1In our fast-paced world it's easy to lose touch with the basics of life. Basics like integrity, decency, honesty, and commitment. These are not character flaws!

Ephesians 1:7Have you ever seen a dog reach the end of his leash? Once he does he comes straight to a halt. We all reach the end of our own figurative leashes with each other and with God at one point or another. The good news is God will always forgive us and always extend His grace to us, no matter what. We just need to accept it. Now shouldn't we do the same with others?

Matthew 28:20No one knows what tomorrow will bring. But take the uncertainty of tomorrow as an opportunity to strengthen your faith—realize your future isn't in your hands; it's in God's. He is with you always.

Romans 6:23Grace is undeserved. You can't earn it, it's free, and you can never pay God back. All you have to do is admit your need and receive God's grace. That's how a gift works—you simply accept it.

Ecclesiastes 11:6Are you someone who's waiting for “some day” to accomplish your goals? It's time to stop preparing and start living! As long as God gives us breath there is a life we need to realize here on earth. And we need to live it.

Leviticus 19:18When people treat us unfairly, we want to get back at them in some way. But when we take the high road and don't give in to our desire for revenge, the blessings are immeasurable.

Ecclesiastes 11:8Don't wait until you reach some magical age to start enjoying life—start now! Don't take a single day for granted.

Psalms 85:13The one constant in life is change—and most of it is unexpected. Flexibility is the key to handling change. That way you can be open to it and live courageously and victoriously.

Luke 5:20What's holding you back from living your life to the fullest? Feelings of uselessness? Self-pity? Fear? Guilt? It's never too late—or too early—to make positive changes.

Psalms 92:12-15Whatever your age, you need to keep learning, trying new things, and setting new goals. As someone has said, “Age is a matter of mind over matter—if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11Some things are worth waiting for. Do you struggle with God's timing? Think of Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Trust that God knows what He's doing and wait patiently for Him to act.

Proverbs 27:1According to the theory of aerodynamics the bumblebee cannot fly. However, the bee doesn't know that. The same can be true for us—who told you your best years have passed? Who said you're too young to achieve your dreams? Stay open to what the Lord has in store for you. You never know what's just around the corner!

Matthew 5:6Taking God seriously is not only having a sensitive heart towards Him. It's an inner craving to know Him more. Do you hunger and thirst after God?

2 Corinthians 5:7At times we all find the route God has chosen for us doesn't make a lot of sense. Especially when life takes a turn we don't expect. But as Chuck Swindoll says, “Welcome to God's World.”

Psalms 139:9-12Change isn't easy, but it can be an opportunity for personal growth. As you learn to bend and adapt to change you become flexible. And when you're flexible, you're open to what God has in store for you.

James 1:26Complaining never happens solo. When you complain, you not only discourage yourself but those around you. Listen to yourself today. Are you impacting those around you with complaints or with encouragement?

James 5:16Intimacy is rooted in honesty. Acknowledging wrongdoing is the first step towards recovering intimacy because you've been honest. Is there someone you need to make things right with?