Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Get Out of the Boat!

3/30/2021

"But Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Don’t be afraid,' he said. 'Take courage. I am here!' Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.' 'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus." Matthew 14:27-29

We don't know what God can do with us and through and for us until we climb over the side of the boat.

Lord, help me to trust you enough to step out of the boat.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

3/29/2021

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

God is a Gift Giver. God gives us things like love and self-discipline and power and kindness, gentleness, peace, compassion, empathy and many other good gifts. God does not give us fear. In fact, He gives us everything to overcome our fears. If we fear, we choose to fear. If we fear, we can get a dog or we can trust God.

Lord, help me to realize that my fear is not Your choice for me.

Something OUt of Nothing!

3/25/2021

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

We need allow ourselves to believe that God can make something out of nothing even though we don't believe or understand that we can.

Lord, help me to not put my limits on You.

Why Wait!

3/24/2021

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Easter is coming! Why wait until Easter to get all religious and spiritual and reflective about what Jesus has done for us. Start NOW and begin "the good things he planned" for you today.

Lord, thank you for loving me and saving me from myself.

Must Grow!

3/23/2021

"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18a

It is rare in life when something automatic is worth something. Most things in life that are valuable take time and effort. Grace and knowledge are both valuable and both require intentionality on our part.

Lord, help me to be proactive in my growth in both grace and knowledge.

Can't Change The World!

3/22/2021

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” 1 Peter 5:2

The world is a big place with big problems. We aren't expected to change the world. However, we are expected to impact those who God has placed around us and that is plenty to keep us busy.

Lord, help me to see the people around me as those who I am responsible for and that I not see them as a burden or disruption to my wants.

It Has Already Begun!

3/18/2021

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

We often lose hope when we either can't see the "light at the end of the tunnel" or when we see the light but it seems much too far away for us to endure. The most difficult step in running is the first one out the door. The same is true in many aspects of our life. We become overwhelmed before we even start with the thought of what we need to do to finish. The blessing is that God has already started. We must simply climb aboard.

Lord, help me to realize that I am not at the beginning of anything.

Measuring Up!

3/17/2021

"Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!" 2 Corinthians 10:12

Want to feel better about yourself? Go hang out with dumb people. Think you aren't worth much? It won't take long to find someone who will make you feel pretty good about yourself. Unfortunately, we tend to compare ourselves with others. We inaccurately compare ourselves with others who we think are "perfect" when in fact, we don't see all of their flaws and only our own. And then we compare ourselves with others and only see their flaws and not our own. Comparing is not helpful unless the purpose is to make others better and to make yourself better. God sent Jesus to be the measuring stick.

Lord, help me to avoid comparing myself to others, whether it is to make myself feel better or when it makes me feel worse.

Don't Stop The Spread!

3/11/2021

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Wearing a mask shouldn't keep you from sharing Jesus with others.

Lord, help me to realize that some things are extremely important to spread, like the Good News of Jesus.

Not OUr Day!

3/10/2021

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

We often find ourselves halfway or more through a day and feel that it "just isn't our day". And there is the problem. It isn't "our" day. It is God's day. Every day is a gift from God to be used for God. Maybe it "isn't our day" because we made it about us and not about God and others.

Lord, help me to make today about You and not me.