Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Mulligan!

4/30/2018

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

In golf, it is called a "mulligan". In other aspects of life we use the term "do over". A second chance, a clean slate, a new creation, or pushing the reset button.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to start over.

I Matter!

4/27/2018

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

I matter ... as much as I advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, help me to realize my purpose on this earth is for You and not for me.

Not a Suggestion!

4/26/2018

"Never stop praying." 2 Thessalonians 5:17

God doesn't make suggestions. God commands us because He knows that if He makes a suggestion, we won't follow the advice. After all, we know a lot more than God. What does He know anyway? What has He ever done compared to all of my experience? And I know myself way better than God could ever know me. It isn't as if He had anything to do with me being here. Unfortunately, our attitude has evolved to hear commands as suggestions. Commands are made to those who are unable to make correct decisions on their own.

Lord, help me to know the difference between suggestions made by those around me and commands made by You because You know what I need and You know I won't do it unless I am told to do so.

No Regrets Starts Now!

4/25/2018

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

At the end of our lives (or the end of any period of time or season), we tend to look back and wish we did something better. A common phrase to motivate people is to "have no regrets". Having no regrets starts right now. Having no regrets is a moment by moment decision. Having no regrets can not merely be a poster or a t-shirt slogan. The substance of "no regrets" lies in our sacrifices today.

Lord, help me to keep my faith among the challenges and distractions today.

The Truth Hurts!

4/24/2018

"The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall." Proverbs 28:18

Speak the truth! It is hard. Saying what is right will often bring conflict.

Lord, when in doubt, help me to speak honestly, even when it may cause conflict.

Why So Scared?!

4/23/2018

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7

We are scared of a lot of things and that fear is seldom, if ever, productive. God didn't give us fear. We manufacture fear because we don't trust. We don't trust that God has control of everything we don't.

Lord, help me to trust you more and worry and be scared much less, if at all.

Never Stop!

4/18/2018

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

We often feel quite pleased with ourselves when we make a right decision or accomplish a specific task successfully. The problem is that we often stop there. One right decision should lead us to another and one successful task should motivate us to accomplish more. When we accept Christ and choose to follow Him, that is a joyous day. But each day that follows should be equally as important as that day of decision. We must continue to live and grow and pursue God.

Lord, thank You for calling me to You and help me to live each day as excited as I was on that first day.

Speaking God's Truth!

4/17/2018

It is the same with my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11

Many people are reluctant to confront another person. Conflict avoidance is more common than conflict seeking. We all worry that our words will not be received properly. God never avoids conflict because He knows that He is right and His words always produce fruit. If we know we are speaking God's truth in a situation and have the other person's best interest in mind, then we shouldn't struggle to have confidence to speak the truth.

Lord, when I know that I am speaking out of love and for the best interest of another, help me to use your words and not my own.

Knowing Isn't Enough!

4/16/2018

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;" John 11:25

Even the devil knows about Jesus. We need to do more than just know about Jesus. We need to know Jesus so well that we have no other choice than to believe in and follow Him.

Lord, thank you for knowing me and help me to know You and believe in You more.

Defeating the Enemy!

4/13/2018

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God." Ephesians 6:11-13

First you must know your enemy. Then you have the chance to defeat them. The most difficult enemy to defeat is the one you do not see or that you are not aware of.

Lord, help me to correctly identify who is my true enemy.