Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Life is Hard Enough!

9/29/2017

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

Life is hard. Why do we make it harder on ourselves and why do we make it harder for others? We would love for life to be easier and we appreciate it when others help make our life easier. Why don't we keep that in mind with relating to others?

Lord, thank you for grace and for love and encouragement and help me to show those to others.

Prime Before You Paint!

9/28/2017

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

One coat of paint rarely does the job. Especially, if you are changing colors. Two, three or four coats are required to keep the original paint from bleeding through. However, put a good coat of primer down and one coat can do the job. Primer covers up a multitude of colors.

Lord, help me to use love as the primary "first coat" before trying to solve any problems with other means.

Christianity is a Verb!

9/27/2017

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

God calls us to action.

Lord, help me to speak up for those who don't have a voice and to help those who don't have the opportunity to help themselves.

Perfect Timing!

9/26/2017

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

We have all experienced "perfect timing". Something happens at just the right time and right when we wanted it or needed it. We typically react in awe when we experience "perfect timing" because it doesn't happen very often. We are pleasantly surprised and will often immediately tell someone about it. God's timing IS "perfect timing". God's timing is never late or early. It is right on time. The only reason we react surprised is because OUR timing is far from perfect. It is selfish. Our timing is all about US and not about what is best for us.

Lord, thank you for protecting me from myself and help me to experience "perfect timing" more often by simply understanding that most things happen when You want them to and not before.

We Will Receive When We Need!

9/25/2017

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

When will we learn that we are not on this earth to acquire the things that we want. We are here for a bigger purpose. And we will only receive what we need to fulfill that purpose.

Lord, help me to change my perspective to see my purpose as You see it and not how I want to see it.

Persuasion!

9/22/2017

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29

Notice that Paul didn't attempt to persuade Agrippa. Paul prayed. Paul prayed that God would do the work through him. Paul was faithful and hopeful and obedient and knew that persuasion is less effective than witnessing.

Lord, help me to pray first and then allow my witness through actions do the speaking for me.

Parking Lot!

9/21/2017

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

My four year old loves to run through the shopping mall parking lot. My wife does not love when my four year old runs through the shopping mall parking lot. It is very dangerous. Cars can't see a four year old darting out from behind parked cars. My four year old resists holding my hand (i.e. - submit) to me and my wife's rule. My wife and I know that the temporary lack of choice and freedom is for my daughter's own well being and allows her to have more choices and freedom in the future.

Lord, help me to understand that submitting to You and Your will is in my best interest.

What's Next?!

9/20/2017

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Uncertainty is unnerving. Most people don't enjoy surprises. We would rather know what is around the corner. God has told us what is next. He is next. Joy in His presence is next. Eternal pleasures are next.

Lord, thank you for not keeping me in the dark.

Big Fan!

9/19/2017

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32

Do we wish success on others or failure? Are we so insecure, selfish, competitive and jealous that we enjoy when others have less success than we do? Are we genuinely excited when others achieve their goals as we would want them to be excited for us? Are we a fan or supporter or do we root against others?

Lord, please help me realize enough success exists in the world for all of us to have some and there is enough opposition out there that we don't need to create our own opposition with others around us.

You Can't!

9/18/2017

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Ephesians 2:8

In the attempt to build self-confidence and independence, we preach "Yes, you can". But that attempt also leads us to an unrealistic expectation and the false sense that we are truly independent. Yes, we are free to do many things on our own but we are not meant to be truly independent. We will always be dependent on God, especially when it comes to our eternal salvation. In that realm, we can't save ourselves from ourselves.

Lord, thank you for saving me and help me to realize I can't save myself.