Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

We Win!

5/31/2023

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" Romans 8:37

Regardless of how you feel about yourself right now, you are a winner. Regardless of whether you feel you can ever win, you have already won.

Lord, thank You for making me a winner and promising that no matter how bad things may get, You will help me through it.

What's Your Plan today?!

5/30/2023

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23

You may wake up in the morning with this question in your own head or you may have someone in your life who actually asks you this question daily. A good answer would be, "I am not sure exactly, but I know for one thing, I am going to do it for the Lord and not for people".

Lord, help me to live me life for You and not for me and definitely not for others.

NO Discipline!

5/26/2023

“for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12

When we all view discipline as being "training" and not "punishment", then we all benefit.

Lord, thank You for teaching me and correcting me and please help me to realize that it is for my benefit and not because you are mean.

False Start!

5/25/2023

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.” Mark 1:35

Having a bad day? How did it start? It isn't too late to start over.

Lord, help me to pray more and earlier.

WHO Is God!

5/24/2023

Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits--
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s Psalm 103:2-5

Oh, that's why I believe in Him and follow Him.

Lord, help me to remember why You are worth knowing, and not just knowing about.

Disappointment!?

5/23/2023

“For his faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!!” Psalm 117:2

We are disappointed when others don't meet our expectations. Word of advice ... EVERYONE on this planet will not meet your expectations. We have a lot of disappointment ahead of us when we believe that others will fulfill every promise or meet our random thoughts and feelings about them. We are human and we fail A LOT. Why do we think others won't? God is the only one who will never fail us. And if you think He has or does, then YOUR expectations about God are unfortunately incorrect. God will say NO to us but only when what we want is not what He wants for us. Most often, God will say YES or NOT YET when we are faithful to Him as we desire Him to be with us.

Lord, help me to have more faith in You and put less value in the faith of others.

Stupid Question!

5/21/2023

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. 1 Joshua 1:9

When I was much younger, a much older friend told me about a job offer that they were contemplating that would require them to move away. In my pious wisdom I asked, "Where do you feel God wants you to go?" His response, "That's a stupid question. God doesn't care what job I have or where I go. God only cares that I take Him with me wherever I go and whatever I do.". Lesson learned.

Lord, help me to take You wherever I go and include You in whatever I do.

Finish So We can Start!

5/19/2023

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit ”Psalm 51:10,12

When we find ourselves finishing or at the end of something it is a perfect time to start anew.

Lord, as I finish this step of my life, help me to take the next steps, and all that follow, with You.

Perfect!

5/14/2023

"Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

When God talks about perfection, He is referring to being "Complete". When God talks about being complete, He is referring to a process more than a destination. Our life is never finished, unless we quit. Our life is never done unless we have no hope or no purpose. Our life is complete because we have Jesus and because we pursue God and all that He has for us. We are complete now when we choose to get to know God more and to help others to know God more. My mom taught me that. She is in heaven so I am responsible to teach others for her.

Lord, thank You that life isn't a mystery or a puzzle that needs to be solved, but a journey that You have chosen to walk along with us if we choose to walk along with You.

Just One thing!

5/11/2023

“I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

If I learned anything from the movie "City Slickers", life comes down to one thing. Unfortunately, my one thing is not always God's one thing. No wonder I struggle sometimes.

Lord, help me to have the right priorities.