Insight for Living Canada - LifeTrac Podcast

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?

Colossians 3:12I'm wrong. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. These 12 simple words can add a whole new dimension to your marriage. Humility is an attitude—of the heart and of the mind. It puts the other person first.

Psalms 97:9We live in a world where the line between right and wrong, truth and error is blurred. Add to that biblical illiteracy and an embrace of postmodernism and you have a culture based on secular thinking where self is exalted above all else.

1 John 2:16We live in a world that says there is neither right nor wrong, and only relative truth. To avoid being swept along by postmodernism you'll need the discernment and direction found in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 5:9-10Loving the world means getting caught up in the attitudes and values that characterize our world...things that can lead to addictions and destroy you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. But that doesn't mean you're supposed to live in isolation and live a plain, drab life.

1 John 4:7-8A cross around a neck, an “ichthus” fish on the back of a car, a well-crafted sermon. None of these is the mark of a Christian—it is love. Like the old song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Honest, transparent love.

1 John 2:15-17You may be tempted to isolate yourself from the world but we're meant to live in it. People need to see the reality of Christ in you. The answer's not isolation, it's insulation.

1 John 1:5Darkness is just the absence of light. But isn't it amazing that no matter how dark darkness may get... it can never extinguish the light? God is light, and no amount of darkness can obliterate that light.

John 8:32Truth gives stability to your faith, strengthens you when you're tested, enables you to handle the Bible accurately, equips you to detect and confront error, allows you to live with confidence, and releases you from all fears and superstitions. Truth sets you free.

2 Corinthians 9:8If you want to have a great year, focus on these five things: contentment, trust in God, self-acceptance, forgiveness, and setting realistic goals.

Matthew 16:15-19Do you live life sensibly and carefully? Or are you someone who lives with great enjoyment, unafraid to take risks? It's never too late to live life to its fullest.

Ephesians 2:8Not nostalgia, not tradition, not trees. Grace is what continually draws us into celebrating Christmas, year after year. Giving is what makes Christmas great. It's a wonderful feeling to give a gift without expecting anything in return. This is a good way for us to understand God's grace—His gifts come with no strings attached.

Luke 1:26-33Nazareth isn't some holy hamlet. It's a rugged and dirty place, always has been. But it was there, in that lonely town, Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would bear the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.

John 14:6The dictionary defines “saviour” as one who saves from danger or destruction. Have you ever been saved?

Psalms 127:1Courtship is the time in a relationship to lay the foundation. It's the time you discuss children, finances, work, in-laws, faith, stress, goals... everything!

1 Peter 4:10The whole idea of Christmas revolves around the idea of a gift, appropriately enough. Giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is often a touching and sometimes surprising experience.

Luke 2:1-20Most of us have this idealistic idea about Christmas, but it will never be perfect. And you know what? The first Christmas wasn't perfect either. It was beyond messy. So why worry when things go wrong this year?

Psalms 103:19-21We are incurably curious about the spiritual realm. Although our imaginations tend to overrun truth don't ever doubt the presence of angels, for they are about us and above us. And, who knows, maybe even within one or two of us.