Insight for Living Canada - LifeTrac Podcast

1 Peter 4:1If you've ever been in that muddy hole called the Slough of Despond, you can relate to Christian in The Pilgrim's Progress. Despondency, or the pits, is really pessimism. It's a gloomy, negative attitude, which often comes when we rely on ourselves instead of God. Whenever negative thoughts come knocking, don't open the door. Instead, turn your thoughts to God.

Matthew 6:30-34Life is not static; things are constantly changing. Have you ever stopped to thank God for not telling you the future? He dispenses life one day at a time and that's how He wants us to live—trusting Him for each moment of every day.

2 Corinthians 1:12Grace is a difficult concept, but when we do finally understand it, grace changes our lives and our relationships. Instead of trying to control and manipulate others, we begin to see things from the other person's perspective.

Psalms 144:11-12There is no pursuit more important than the cultivation of your family. That's the one eternal thing you leave behind. While you can't undo the past, you can work intentionally to reconcile and restore your relationships.

Proverbs 12:26There are four types of friends: acquaintances, casual friends, close friends, and intimate friends. While we may only have one or two intimate friends, they're the people who help to make the journey a little easier.

Acts 7:59-60When we've been wronged, it's tough to see things from the other person's perspective. But when we do that, it's grace in action. Grace lived out in our everyday lives revolutionizes our relationships.

Psalms 96:3To face the world with confidence, children need security, faith, and courage. Security comes from knowing the truth. Faith is strengthened when we believe the truth. And courage is the result of acting on the truth.

James 4:13-14Don't neglect the here and now while waiting for the hereafter. Today is part of eternity. And it matters how we live.

Isaiah 50:4Strong Leadership is essential. If you're in a position of influence, consider the example of Christ. He came not to be served but to serve. Strong leadership is servant leadership.

1 Samuel 16:14-23Music is medicinal. It calms, soothes, and lifts our weariness. It also delights and entertains, and helps us to forget our problems. Like the English poet William Congreve said—music has charms to sooth the savage breast, to soften rocks, to bend a knotted oak.

Romans 8:28Never discount anything of your past. God can pick it up and use it in the most incredible ways. If you have skills or talents you've put on the back burner, don't be surprised if one day you find yourself in a position where God gives you an opportunity to use them again. He draws from your life experiences at just the right time and in just the right place.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17Being left behind is a bad feeling. No one likes being out in the cold. But there will come a day when many people will know that awful feeling. It's the day of the Second Coming when those without Christ will be left behind. This is a lighthearted look at Christ's return.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10Tragic situations are transformed when God steps in. And He takes the most (seemingly) insignificant things to transform. Underdogs become overcomers, weaknesses turn into strengths, and obstacles are nothing but opportunities that launch significant events.

John 3:16Nothing on this earth is anything even like heaven. Nothing. We could spend the next decade only thinking about heaven and still come up so short we'd have wasted our time. Because when you move from the realm of the seen to the unseen it becomes incomprehensible.

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.