Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Before. With. Won't Leave!

4/29/2024

“The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Fear and anxiety are based on uncertainty. When we don't know, we feel scared and worried. If we know or if we have someone with us who knows, we tend to have more courage and will trust in what is to come.

Lord, thank You for going before me so You know what is ahead and then going with me and leading me and not leaving me, so I can choose to be courageous instead of dis-courageous.

Ambassador!

4/24/2024

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. " 2 Corinthians 5:20

Life is so hard. Life is confusing. Life is frustrating. There are times that I feel as if I don't belong on this planet. BECAUSE LIFE IS HARD, CONFUSING, FRUSTRATING AND WE DON'T BELONG HERE. We are ambassadors. Ambassadors have citizenship in one country but travel to another to live and represent their home country. We are ambassadors for Christ. It makes sense that the languages, customs, traditions and routines of this world feel awkward to us.

Lord, help me to realize that trying to fit in is not what my responsibility is but my purpose is to share You to this world, and then I get to go home.

No Thanks!

4/23/2024

“I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:4

When you are a parent, you quickly realize that you don't expect constant praise and appreciation for all of the food, house, trips, rides to school and sports, friend sleepovers, unexpected medical bills, etc, etc etc. Parents do what parents do out of unconditional love with the only "thank you" being correct actions and good choices. Parents welcome an occasional thank you but don't expect it. Parent simply want their kid to be good and be productive and act appropriately. Correct actions are enough. What parents don't desire is their kid ending up in jail.

Lord, I am sorry for not saying "thank You" enough, and even more sorry for spending too much time in jail.

God Is Great!!

4/22/2024

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31b

We have and will continue to accomplish A LOT of great things in our lives. Praise Jesus.

Lord, thank You for anything and everything that I may do that is good.

Grown Ups!

4/17/2024

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

You can tell when someone becomes a grown up. Instead of "wanting" and "needing" things for solely their own benefit, or seeing what they have as "theirs" ... they want things that allow them to enjoy time with or to help others and they see what they have as an opportunity to spend time or bless others. A child who wants a toy and then once they have it, sits and plays with it for hours by themselves is cute. An adult who sits and plays with something by themselves for hours is missing out on the true value of the gifts that they have been given.

Lord, life is a TEAM sport and I need constant reminders to make life more about others and not myself.

Asking For Stuff!

4/16/2024

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8

We ask God for a lot of things. We are not shy in asking God for what we want and even for what we need. With all of our asking, we fail to ask God for what we need the most and should want the most. We fail to ask God for forgiveness. When we ask for forgiveness, God is extremely generous and will provide it. And then God will reveal Himself more to us.

Lord, I am sorry for that thing I did.

You have a Purpose!

4/15/2024

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

You have a purpose. On days that you are down and struggling for motivation. You have a purpose. In those moments when you find yourself asking "why me". You have a purpose. When the self-esteem and self-worth are low. You have a purpose. When nothing seems to being going right and you seem to have more questions about life than answers. It is ok because you have a purpose. You are valuable. You are here for a reason. God loves you.

Lord, thanks for always reminding me and thank You that I have a purpose.

Take a Stand!

4/11/2024

“As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b

What do you stand for?

Lord, as for me and my family, we will worship You!

Not If but When!

4/9/2024

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Fact: We will mourn.
Fact: We will be blessed.
Fact: We will be comforted.
Fact: We will act surprised when stuff happens and we will resist the advice to seek God for His comfort and peace until we find no other solution and/or time doesn't pass fast enough for us to forget our pain.

Lord, thank You for not keeping life a secret and help me to not be so stubborn or resistant to Your help.

Constant!

4/4/2024

“His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1b

In a world that is always changing and unpredictable, thankfully God is neither.

Lord, thank You!