Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Underwhelmed!

2/28/2018

"But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan."
Luke 17:15-16

For a society that seems to throw around words like "awesome", "amazing", "incredible", and "wow" when referencing just about anything from food to movies to a benign action, we seem to be underwhelmed when it comes to what God has done for us.

Lord, forgive me for being more excited and grateful and thankful for a relatively meaningless action in my day to day life compared to what You constantly do for me.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?!

2/27/2018

"For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!" Psalm 117:2

Our commitment should not correspond to the length of our memory.

Lord, forgive me for allowing my faithfulness to You and others to be conditional.

Feeding Others Fruit!

2/26/2018

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

The fruits of the Spirit are more about others than they are about us. We benefit from the fruits of the Spirit, but the focus of our love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control should be to those around us.

Lord, please help me to see that making others better should be more important to me than being right.

Not A Crutch!

2/22/2018

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

People accuse Christians of using God like a crutch and only leaning on him when they need help. God is more than a crutch. God is one of those scooters you often see older folks use at the grocery store. God does not only want us to lean on Him but rely on Him.

Lord, help me to not only look to You for strength when I can't do it on my own but to seek You always.

What Are You Doing?!

2/21/2018

"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

If we aren't doing these things, are we really doing anything? If we are doing other things than these, and not doing these as well, do those other things really matter?

Lord, thank You for making life simple and help me to not make is so complicated.

Justification to Sin!

2/20/2018

"While He was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came as guests to eat with Jesus and His disciples." Matthew 9:10

Many young Christians (young by age or young by faith) use this verse to make themselves feel good about going to parties or hanging out with those who may not be the best company or example. The main point of this verse is typically missed. Jesus was a LEADER. Jesus was an INFLUENCER. Jesus didn't hang out with people and take part in their 'bad stuff". Jesus hung out with people with hopes that He would rub off on them and not that they would rub off on Him. Yes, Jesus hung out with sinners but Jesus didn't sin.

Lord, help me to be a witness, leader and influencer to those around me, whomever they may be.

High Standard!

2/19/2018

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12.

It has been said that a Christian's responsibility is to be "Jesus with skin on".

Lord, I am not worthy but help me to not be a deterrent when people should see you in me and not me in me.

Everything!

2/16/2018

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Justification has surpassed baseball as the "American Past-time". We love to justify our thoughts and action. God knows our human nature and it is why He uses terms like "everything" and doesn't use terms like "when it feels right" or "occasionally".

Lord, help me to not be a "Convenient Christian" who only follows You when it works for me.

Everyone Struggles!

2/15/2018

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

You are not the only person in the world who is going through a tough time. Everyone struggles. God knows it even if you may not. God uses those struggles to make us better and also helps us along the way. God knows that even if we don't.

Lord, I don't want others to have troubles but it is reassuring to know that I am not the only one who is struggling and it is better to know that You care about my troubles and are present to help.

What Is In It FOr Me?

2/14/2018

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
1 Corinthians 13:4

So let me get this straight ... love is not "what have you done for me lately?"

Lord, forgive me for not loving the way that you love and for defining love very narrowly and selfishly.