Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

I Don't Want To!

2/28/2023

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

It is amazing how often I don't want to do things. Thankfully, my "want" is not as powerful as my "should" most of the time or I would get nothing accomplished.

Lord, help me to turn my "most" into "all" when it comes to doing what I should do.

We Know IT When We See It!

2/27/2023

“So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

There are a lot of things in life that may be difficult to explain but when we see it, it is clear. This becomes evident when we ask someone to define something like "maturity" and they usually describe (not define but describe) something or someone who is "immature". Ask them to define "self-control" and they describe someone who is out of control. We are great at seeing the flaws in others and not necessarily the talents and gifts. We unfortunately also fail to see the flaws in ourselves and therefore are slow to fix those flaws.

Lord, help me to be perceptive enough to see when I am "aimless" and "beating the air" when I need to show discipline, maturity, direction and self-control.

We All Need Help!

2/26/2023

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

If a tree falls on YOU in a forest, will you make a sound? Probably, but if you are alone, no one will hear you and no one will help you. As much as life seems easier when we are alone and don't need to interact with others, life is much easier and even more important, meaningful, when done with others.

Lord, even if I may not think that I need help, I do, so in the meantime, help me to help others.

Not If but When!

2/25/2023

“'The 'kingdom of God is like this,' he said. 'A man scatters seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain on the head. As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

If we spread God's love, and share the Good News, it will eventually take hold in those around us. We may never see the harvest but we can trust that it will come.

Lord, I can't control everything and even guarantee results but You can and that should be enough for me to do my part in the equation.

Be Careful!

2/24/2023

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24

Be careful what you wish for, ask for or pray for. We may want the result but may not want the manner in which the result is achieved. Like most things in life, nothing worth having is easy.

Lord, help me to want more and to understand that more requires more sacrifice and discomfort.

Check YOurself!

2/23/2023

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31

How much of the good that you do each day is done out of convenience compared to intentional actions?

Lord, help me to not only be a Christian when it is convenient but more importantly, when it requires choice, sacrifice and effort.

Payback is a ...

2/22/2023

"Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

It is amazing how much of our life is driven by emotion and how those emotions quite often negatively impact our lives. When someone treats us poorly (however we define "poorly" at the moment which usually is much broader than we want others to define our actions toward them as poor), we rarely respond with "It is unfortunate that this person is having a bad day or even worse, has a bad life and probably a worse life than me and this current response to their circumstance is manifesting in actions that are directed toward me and although it makes me feel bad, I should see this as an opportunity to pray for them and ask God to intervene in their trials and tribulations". But instead we treat them poorly back.

Lord, when I feel I am wronged, please help my response to be a blessing to the other person as it is not only the right thing to do but the more productive thing to do.

Worth Remembering!

2/21/2023

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

If you only memorize one verse from the Bible, then this is the verse to memorize. In fact, if you only remember one thing every day for the rest of your life, this would be it.

Lord, this is why I follow You.

Caring Taking!

2/20/2023

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing. You are also to love the resident alien, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19

Besides yourself, who are you taking care of today?

Lord, thanks for allowing my life to be more than just about me so that my life has meaning.

Who Am I?!

2/18/2023

“Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Many spend their entire lives trying to figure out who they are. Jesus always knew who He was and what was His purpose. And because of that fact, we don't need to wonder who we are or what is our purpose.

Lord, help me to keep from making my life more difficult than it needs to be and allow me to trust that You light my path.