Insight for Living Canada - LifeTrac Podcast

Exodus 33:12-14Chuck Swindoll tells us to remain students for the rest of our lives. He says to those in education, “press on; never quit. Never stop studying. Never stop reading. Never stop learning. Don't believe it because someone says it. Find out for yourself. Never stop. Press on.” That's good advice for all of us.

John 17:3Self-absorption is a dead end, which will never bring happiness or fulfilment. It's only through the pursuit of knowing God we discover true contentment. And once we know God we're equipped to truly know ourselves.

Jeremiah 29:11Just because you can't see God doesn't mean He isn't there, continually at work in your life. You may not understand what He's doing but never doubt it—you are the object of God's concern. And you can trust that His plan for you is perfect.

Ecclesiastes 4:12Chuck Swindoll affirms a reasonably good marriage may not sound exciting but it's both real and achievable. Marriage enhances life because you're in it together. The world keeps changing but God's design for marriage hasn't. It's the basis of the family and even society.

John 13:35It matters that you get involved. This doesn't necessarily mean joining a protest march; it can be as straightforward as connecting with people and making a positive difference in their lives.

1 Chronicles 10:13Curiosity in the occult can lead to tragedy. What seems like harmless and innocent fun can quickly escalate to the point where you're involved spiritually and physically. Like Chuck Swindoll says, “Watch out for the enemy. He not only plays dirty; he plays for keeps. And he's playing for your soul.”

Exodus 15:2It takes courage to stand against the crowd and speak the truth. Sometimes it isn't easy, and it can be isolating and lonely. But that's how God shapes our character—when we depend solely on Him for our strength.

1 Samuel 15:23We tend to think of teens as the only ones who deal with rebellion and defiance but these tendencies are in all of us, no matter our age.

Matthew 10:29-31God not only moves in unusual ways, He also moves on uneventful days. He's just as involved in the mundane events as He is in the miraculous. His hand is in it all.

1 Peter 3:10Verbal restraint is a virtue, which applies to both men and women. If you struggle with this quality consider the three-second pause. Waiting before speaking gives you time to think about your words—are they true? Are they kind? Are they necessary?

Isaiah 25:1What do you do when a situation goes from bad to worse? You have two options: Focus on yourself and your problems or focus on God. Focusing on God helps you trust He's working out His perfect plan, no matter the circumstances.

1 Kings 19:14-18In an overpopulated world it's easy to underestimate the value of you, your vote, your convictions, your determination to say, “I stand against this.” Even though you can't do everything you can do something. It makes a difference.

Proverbs 21:11It's easy to think we know it all, especially as we get older. Somewhere along the way we lose our teachable spirit. The truth is, regardless of age or education no one has the corner on wisdom. There is never a time we lose our need for the input of others.

John 5:24When you imagine God's face...what do you see? If you visualize anger, you're wrong. All God's anger at sin was poured on Christ at the cross. This means if you're in Christ, you're free from God's wrath because of Christ's death and resurrection.

Romans 8:28Author John Bunyan was in a seemingly hopeless situation when he penned Pilgrim's Progress, a book still impacting lives today...300 years later. Whatever tough stuff you're dealing with remember God is with you, working through you, in His perfect timing and in His perfect way.

Philippians 1:27God is looking for men and women whose hearts are completely His. He wants to use you—you are uniquely placed in your situation to reach people for Christ in your sphere of influence. Never underestimate the difference you can make simply by refusing to blend in. The way you live can help someone find God.

Colossians 3:16Whether it's your family, friends, job, or home, everything you have is from God. Look within—are you more enamoured with the gifts God gives you than with God Himself?

2 Kings 1Have you ever wondered about the name, “Baalzebub?” The name is comprised of two Hebrew words—Baal meaning “lord or god,” and Zebub meaning, “to move here and there quickly,” referencing flies.

2 Thessalonians 3:4-5Beginning days are often the hardest ones. Chuck Swindoll says, “How do we learn consistent faith? We learn it one day at a time. We learn it through endurance.” He's right. As you walk into a new situation, don't lose heart. It's just one more opportunity to grow and learn and trust.

Mark 16:15-18Someone did the math and figured there are 7,474 promises in the Bible. Are they all for you and me to claim? Chuck Swindoll says there are two kinds of promises in the Bible: personal and universal. Learning to discern between the two is the challenge.

Galatians 5:13Being under grace beings being free in Christ and no longer a slave to sin. However, this doesn't mean you're free to do whatever you please. It means you do what pleases Christ.

Galatians 5:19-21The world is full of bad news because we're full of sin and depravity. But here's the Good News—God bought you a way out, a way back to Him.

2 Corinthians 9:15Everything we have is a gift from God and once you learn to appreciate what you've been given, giving back is a natural response. Generosity increases contentment and instead of striving for more, you enjoy what you have.

Romans 7:24Unfortunately, the battle between right and wrong, good and evil, will always be at war within us. Despite our best efforts, we will always be strugglers. But Christ enables us to overcome wrong. He gives us the power to do what's right.

1 Timothy 1:15No matter what you've done God loves you. The Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, calls himself the worst of sinners. Before he met Christ he killed Christians and yet he was rescued by God's grace. And you can be too.

Romans 6:6-7Sometimes as believers we become preoccupied with what we do wrong—we live as though we're still slaves to sin. Instead, our focus should be on following Christ. He has set us free, and gives us the power to live free.

Luke 6:47-49A house needs to be built on a solid foundation or it will crack, sag, and even collapse. In the same way your life needs to be built on the foundation of God's Word so you won't be swept away by false teaching.

Isaiah 9:6You won't get bad advice from God. When He reveals His plan, it will never backfire on you. Isaiah 9:6 says God is a Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Genesis 1When you look at the perfectly ordered universe, it's hard to believe it just happened. Both science and history reveal an incredibly and intricately designed creation. And creation always requires a Creator.

Hebrews 10:30We've all heard the old spiritual “It's me, O Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer.” But how many of us live this way? Judging others is a job best left to God. He alone knows our hearts and our motives; He alone is qualified to judge.

Matthew 6:34Sometimes it seems like your situation is hopeless and your life is unredeemable. But the truth is, there is freedom. In life there are two masters. One is an enemy, who will put you into bondage and a deathlike existence. The other is your Redeemer and Friend. You can only serve one, and the choice is yours.

John 3:16This is the Good News—“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16 NIV). The price for our sins is paid in full. It's a free gift for you, for me, for everyone who believes.

Ecclesiastes 2:13The Christian life is tough to get started because it's not just a new way of thinking it's a whole new way of living. It's like moving from darkness to light; from being self-centred to being like Christ. But as you persevere, the journey keeps getting better and better.

Psalms 119:37Chuck Swindoll half-jokes that email has just about ruined great writing. Would you agree? Unlike today's emails, the New Testament letters weren't written in a hurry. They were meticulously transcribed with the words of wisdom and truth, which are still treasured today.

Romans 5:12-15Just like you can't unscramble an egg that's been broken, we all have a dark side we can't quite shake. We have a root problem with sin, which sounds pretty hopeless until we remember God, in His mercy, doesn't leave us there. Through His Son He provided a way out of our brokenness and despair.

Romans 6:6-7“Whose slave are you?” It's a great question. Are you a slave to work? Possessions? People's opinions? Bad habits? The good news is you don't have to be chained to any of these. As a child of God, you're free.

Romans 10:9-10Despite the hymns we sing, many people think they can earn their way into heaven if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. Replace your good deeds with the Good News—your salvation was accomplished on the cross. It's simply a gift. All you have to do is accept it.

Romans 8:38-39Depravity is never pretty. More often than not it's ugly and dark, marked by scandal. We've all experienced depravity. But the Good News is we can come to Christ just as we are. Our depravity does not disqualify us from salvation.

Hebrews 4:16No matter if we're four or 84...when we're told not to do something, we immediately want to. Don't touch wet paint. Don't walk on the grass. Don't fish off the balcony. We're all guilty of wanting to do what we're not supposed to. And that's why we all need God's grace.

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.”