Insight for Living Canada - LifeTrac Podcast

Matthew 14:23It's important to set time aside to put your priorities together and focus on the essentials of life. Essentials like family. It's never too late to mend relationships with your parents or siblings or children. Don't die with broken relationships.

Ephesians 3:2-5The Bible contains the secrets our Heavenly Father knows and little by little as you read His book, the more the secrets are revealed.

Matthew 25:37-42God's judgment isn't something we like to think about—it's much easier to focus on His other attributes like love, compassion, and grace. But the Bible has a lot to say about God's judgment. From the Old Testament to the New, God has never winked at sin.

Romans 8:35God takes full responsibility for you. He loves you and there's nothing He wouldn't do for you—He proved that by sending His Son.

Hebrews 4:12These contradicting terms are often humorous—like “pretty ugly” and “lightweight tank.” However, there is nothing funny about a dead church. Is your faith alive and passionate or is it lifeless and dull?

Romans 8:28We are surrounded by insurmountable opportunities. The problem is, they're often disguised as impossible situations.

Psalms 119:105God's Word equips us to handle the stuff that comes our way in life. And when we let His Word penetrate our hearts, it changes us and we become more like Christ.

Matthew 24:3-8, 24:36We all want to know where we're going and we've wanted to know since Jesus walked the earth. But the exact date of Christ's return is not information that we've been given. However, the Bible says that we're living in the last days. So while we don't know when Christ will return, we are to be ready.

Proverbs 22:11Negativity is all around us, but it is possible to rise above it. The key? Grace. Grace changes our attitudes, and makes an incredible difference in our relationships. Grace will give you a "yes face."

Psalms 144:12Some days you just can't win. You feel distant from your kids when you want to be close and no matter how hard you try you fear you're only passing bad traits—instead of the good ones. Sometimes the lyrics of a song express accurately the attitudes of the heart better than anything else.

Proverbs 3:5-7For all you parents worrying about your kids at summer camp, take heart—this letter is fictitious. But sometimes we're not unlike Scoutmaster Walt—when we don't follow God's instruction manual we lose our way.

Matthew 7:13-14Like the frog in the beaker, we don't realize our small compromises are destroying our lives until we're faced with the consequences of our wrong choices.

1 Thessalonians 5:11Often the best gifts in life are unexpected and better for us than we could imagine. Parents, do you have a vision for your children's future? It's so important to recognize our children's natural skills and abilities and encourage them to reach for their potential.

John 4:6-10Whether we admit it or not, prejudice is something we all battle. Human beings are so innately prejudice we constantly create divisions where there are none. Thankfully, prejudice can be overcome with grace. Where grace exists, there is no barrier.

1 Corinthians 11:1It doesn't matter how old they get, or how many parenting books you read…kids still fight. Sibling rivalry is here to stay—our need isn't to get rid of it, but to know how to deal with it. And that is where the Bible comes in handy.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21Here is a great story of reconciliation. It beautifully illustrates how broken relationships can be restored by building bridges to one another…instead of fencing each other off.

Ephesians 6:4Dads, what will your legacy be? It's never too late to make positive changes. Your godly influence will impact your family for generations to come.

Hebrews 10:25You never really know who is in need of encouragement. Encouragement spurs us on; affirms us. A word of kindness, an arm around the shoulder, a note, a phone call, a random comment said in passing... genuine encouragement never fails to help.

Psalms 31:24You're not very far along in life before you struggle with tough questions. It's at times like this we really need hope.

Proverbs 22:6Chuck Swindoll did not discover from his parents who he is. Knowing who you are as a child, through your parent's eyes, gives you security and confidence.

Colossians 2:18-19Are you caught in a life filled with insecurity, inner struggle, and confusion? Perhaps it's because you're disconnected. Disconnections lead to disqualification and dysfunction. Connections lead to victory. Get connected to Christ.

Proverbs 12:25You can't escape the trials of life, but you can choose how you react to them. When you choose to give your worries to God, you stop allowing life to intimidate you.

Psalms 119:11When the bottom drops out from under you, sound theology gives you confidence and strength. Sound theology comes from understanding God's Word.

1 Peter 1:13Your attitude is the most important thing about you. More than your past, your success, your fame, your position, your income, your mate, or your reputation, attitude is above all of that. How much time do you waste losing your temper on things you can't change?

1 Thessalonians 5:12Do you remember a great teacher you had? When people are given the space to make mistakes and grow at their own pace, it makes a lasting impact.

Philippians 2:5-7Do you have an unpleasant outlook on life? If so, are you aware it's defiling the air around you? If you're living like this, you're hard to live with. It's never too late to change your ways—to be sweet instead of sour.

Psalms 103:13Remember the first time you lived alone? What did you draw on in your mind first thing in the morning? It was probably some instruction or encouragement you remembered from your parents. You learn your first lessons from your family—they see through the fog.

Romans 1:11-12When was the last time you directly gave a word of encouragement to someone else? Form a new habit: think of a way to encourage one person every day. It will change your life.

Titus 2:6-8Today's workplace demands much from us: creativity, leadership, ideas, and enthusiasm. Oftentimes we're tempted to give our workplace the best of us. If you are drowning in a lack of energy at home, you are doing too much outside to stay afloat. Learn to say “no.”

Romans 5:3-5Hard times call for two things: Friends and character. If you have gone through hard times in recent days, you know the value of both. Character rests on truth, reinforces a life, and resists the temptation to compromise. Those who've impacted our lives the most have been people of character.

Matthew 14:23Basketball is a lot easier to follow than life. You never leave a basketball game wondering what happened, but life is a lot more ambiguous. You had no control over when you were born and you do not know how long you have left on earth.

Proverbs 12:1One of the best ministries a parent can sustain is confrontation. If you do not get the attention of your child, you are rearing a monster. You confront your children not because you want them to fail, but because you want them to succeed.

Colossians 3:19Men, accept your wife completely; love her unconditionally. A wife thrives in that kind of context. What it leads to, in the long haul, is commitment.

Hebrews 3:13Make a positive difference in someone's life simply by giving a word of encouragement. Never underestimate the impact of affirming and uplifting words.

Romans 12:10Honouring one another is essential for healthy relationships. Take time to show your loved ones how much you value and cherish them. You'll never regret the time you spend nurturing these relationships.

2 Corinthians 8:7-9Start today to have more fun with your family. Treasure the moments you spend with them. Take time to laugh. Your kids will love you for it!

1 John 3:1-3The housework will always be there, but the kids won't. Give them all the attention you can. The sacrifices you're making right now are worth the effort.

2 Corinthians 4:18Are you looking for something worthwhile to invest in? When you make sacrifices for others and go the second mile you're investing in people and eternity.

Luke 22:44Temptation is subtle, inviting, and treacherous. If you're being tempted by something the very best thing you can do is run from it.

Ephesians 5:28-30Men, take time each day to affirm and encourage your wife. Honouring her is a role that only a husband can fill.

James 2:8Kids watch parents and learn by their example. Parenting is an awesome responsibility and a tremendous privilege.

Matthew 6:25-30You can worry about everything. But the problem with worry is that it keeps you from enjoying what you have. You can never fully enjoy all the good things in your life when you're preoccupied with gloom and doom.

Philippians 4:10-12You can't always control your circumstances, but you can control your reaction to them. If you continually focus on the negative, find something positive and dwell on that. Make a positive perspective your life's message.

Philippians 4:19We look at problems from a human point of view and leave God out until we're desperate. But when we include Him at the outset, He helps us to look at things from His perspective.

Psalms 78:4-8It's easy to lose focus and get sidetracked by distractions. But when you stay committed to the task at hand—raising a family, strengthening your marriage, living a life of integrity— the rewards are immeasurable.

Proverbs 28:14Here's a comical but real reflection on the evolving nature of marriage. The challenge in our fast-paced lives is to take the time to fan the flame that once burned so brightly.

Philippians 2:5-7Inventor Thomas Edison refused to be bitter, even when fire destroyed his life's work. His response to disaster boils down to one word— attitude. Having the right attitude makes all the difference in the world.

Hebrews 10:21-23Life is all about growing and learning. And it's in the day-to-day living that we learn how to forgive, how to handle disappointment, and admit failure. It's in the day-to-day struggles that we mature.

Proverbs 20:11If you have a mindset of service, it will reflect in your work and in your relationships. No matter what you do for a living, your job can be an opportunity for you to enrich the lives of others.

Jeremiah 1:5There are billions of people on this earth, but there's only one you. You're the only one with your skills, your appearance, your touch, your voice, your style— you're the only one.

Proverbs 18:16Do you have vision for your kids? It requires knowing them and influencing them in the way they should go. It takes time, patience, and understanding but the rewards of raising a secure and confident child are rich.