Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Why? Because!

5/31/2017

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10

"Love our enemies"? Why should we do that? Our enemies are our enemy and they have done something to deserve that title. Why should I forgive them and even more so, love them? Well, because we were God's enemy at one time, and He loved us enough to send His only Son to die on a cross for us. That is why!

Lord, thank you for loving me and forgiving me and please help me to see your example each time I struggle with others in my life who are hard to love and forgive.

Start Well, Finish Well!

5/30/2017

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

In most aspects of life, starting well doesn't guarantee success but it definitely increases the probability for success.

Lord, help me to start well and if I fail to start well, thank you for helping me to get on the right path.

Parenting is a Gift From God!

5/29/2017

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20

If you have ever had children, you know how frustrating it can be when your child disobeys you.

Lord, sorry.

Sleep Well!

5/22/2017

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

I don't sleep well when my brain doesn't turn off and it is thinking about too many things when it should be at peace. That lack of peace/hope is linked to anxiety that arises from my lack of trust in what is to come in the future. I sleep great when I either don't have anything to worry about or when I choose to not worry and instead choose to trust that God will take care of things.

Lord, help me to trust you more, not only at night when I lay down but also during the day when I am overwhelmed with life.

What Is It Good For?!

5/18/2017

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

We all want certain things. We rarely ask "why do we want it?" We may think we know why we want it and and we may even be able to justify the want. However, rarely do our wants match up with God's want for us. We may want power and God even wants us to have power but does our purpose for that power match up with God's? If not, that is why God isn't giving us what we want.

Lord, help me to align with you so that when I ask for gifts from you, I will receive them and use them for your purposes.

Stay!

5/17/2017

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49

The most simplistic actions are often the most difficult behaviors. Falling backwards takes little more than gravity. However, we don't want to fall backwards (ie - see "trust fall"). Praying doesn't take any special language or place to do it but it is done much less often than it should. Waiting doesn't require any energy but being patient and standing still is painful for most. Stay. Wait. Patience. Trust.

Lord, please give me the strength to do the more difficult behaviors that don't take much effort, other than choice.

Plugged In?!

5/16/2017

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— Exodus 31:3

My Cable TV didn't work so I called customer service. They sent a "signal" and found nothing. The very kind customer service representative asked in a very non-accusatory manner "Sir, can you please look to see if the power cord is inserted into the wall socket?". A great question. Thankfully it was so I could save embarrassment. How often have you been frustrated or confused or anxious or overwhelmed and you ask God for help and He responds, "Can you please look and see if your power cord is connected firmly to the Holy Spirit?"

Lord, thank you for providing the power I need and help me to remember to be constantly plugged in.

We All Need A Coach!

5/13/2017

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

Good coaches are good teachers. They teach and don't merely "tell". Good coaches are leaders. They lead and don't merely expect others to follow. Good coaches make good athletes much better. Good athletes become better by listening and following good coaches

Lord, thank You for providing the teaching and the leadership that I require to grow and please help me to listen and follow.

Why Not?!

5/12/2017

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Why don't we "get" everything we want? Because we don't deserve everything that we want. God promises to give us everything we "need", not everything we "want". And why don't we "have" everything we think we need? Because we often think we need things but those things aren't necessarily used for "good work". God will provide what we "need" if He feels we will use it for good work.

Lord, thank you for providing, now let me provide You with good reasons to provide for me.

Rich Man!

5/10/2017

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Character is something that is seldom heard but often seen. A person's character comes out in actions and behavior, especially when times are tough. Character is not the first thing we can identify when we meet a person but it is the first thing that we can point to when we have problems with a person.

Lord, me to be more concerned about my own and others character than initial impressions.