Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Worth It!

7/26/2017

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12

Christ is worthy. Christ is worthy of power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. Christ is worthy of these things for many reasons but He truly only needs one reason to be worthy ... because He was slain and died on the cross for us. That is enough.

Lord, help me to realize that your sacrifice on the cross is enough for me to praise you and I shouldn't require minute by minute proof and validation of your worthiness.

Only Us!

7/25/2017

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

NOTHING! Nothing external can separate us from God's love. God will always love us. We may blame the circumstances that we are in or feel as if life has dealt us a bad hand and we are destined to failure and that God can't love us. But NOTHING can separate us from God's love. If we do feel separated and unloved, it is because we are separating ourselves from God.

Lord, thank you for never leaving me and please help me to never leave you.

What Else Do You Want?!

7/24/2017

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light. That is pretty cool. Oh, and He is my Salvation. That works too. Eternal Life is valuable. Wait a minute, He is also my Stronghold. Wow. One of those is worth having but ALL THREE! Light, Salvation and Stronghold. What am I complaining about?

Lord, help me to realize that You give me more than I deserve or more than I need, and please forgive me for always wanting more or wanting different.

Content (adj) With Your Content (n)!

7/21/2017

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

"Content" (noun) - amount of something. "Content" (adj) - acceptance of something. God has given us a lot and more than we deserve. We have a lot of substance and we have a large capacity that is filled by God. We need to accept this and not always feel as if we need or deserve more.

Lord, help me to be content with my content that you have given me.

Simple Math!

7/20/2017

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Anxiety = frustration, fear, worry, loss of productivity, strain on relationships, depression, and more anxiety.
Prayer = peace, contentment, comfort, joy and a stronger relationship with God.

Lord, help me to pray more and worry less.

"WHY God?! WHY?!"

7/19/2017

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:6

In a state of complete desperation and frustration, we throw our hands up and cry out "WHY GOD?! WHY?! Why am is my life so bad and why have you done this or allowed this to happen to me". A very typical response to the trials that arise in our lives. However, the first question should not be asked to God but instead, the question of "why" should be directed to ourselves. "Why (insert your name here) am I in this position? What have I done or not done that has lead me down this path?". If we look hard enough, our own sin probably has some connection to our current situation.

Lord, thank you for your amazing grace and help me to see my responsibility that has lead me to my situation so I may avoid similar behavior in the future.

Putting On An Act!

7/18/2017

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11

Swimmers Swim. Runners Run. Sailers Sail and Actors ... Act. Acting involves putting on the pretense (that is where "pretending" comes from) of someone else. Actors play a role. Actors go "in and out of character". Actors are able to become different people in different performances. There is a big difference between "acting" and "being". God calls us to "be" good and not merely "act" good.

Lord, help me to behave the way you desire me to behave and not merely pretend.

Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200!

7/17/2017

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." John 8:34

Sin comes with consequences. Yes, Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins but the scars of sin still remain. Grace is an amazing gift (hence the song). Grace saves us from our sin but grace does not prevent us from sinning. That is up to us.

Lord, thank You for Grace that only You can provide but don't allow me to use Your Grace as a "Get out of Jail Free Card" that allows me to 'sin abundantly so grace may abound'.

Choice AND Responsibility!

7/14/2017

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

Ironically, if given the choice, most people would choose choice. Very few people would prefer limited options and lack of control or lack of freedom. Unfortunately, it seems more and more prevalent in society for people to want choice without the responsibility that is packaged with making decisions. Obviously, we love to take responsibility when we make choices that work out in our favor, but when things go wrong, we are slow to take responsibility and quick to either blame, complain or whine.

Lord, thank you for the freedom and choice that I am given and help me to choose wisely and when I don't, help me to own my choices.

Perfect Vision!

7/10/2017

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

If we haven't seen what God has done or what he is currently doing in our life, it is because we aren't looking.

Lord, thank you for always being present and help me to be more aware of that presence.