Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Life is a Journey!

10/31/2016

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Life is not meant to be lived in a one room house. Life is a journey. A journey consists of traveling over a variety of terrain and through a wide range of unpredictable environments. Over mountains, across oceans and through valleys. We can't avoid any of these unless we choose to stand still. If we truly wish to take the journey of life, we must go over the mountains and through the valleys and deal with whatever we encounter.

Lord, I may want to ignore or complain are avoid the valleys in my life but help me to instead navigate them and navigate them well.

If Everyone Agrees With You, You are Probably Wrong!

10/30/2016

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:14

It is said that "If no one walks out agree during a church sermon, then the pastor isn't preaching the truth". That may be a little heavy handed but maybe not. The idea makes sense. If you have a large group of people in a room and everyone is satisfied and agrees with what is being said, you may be either speaking about topics of little consequence or you may be sharing what the audience wants to hear and not what they need to hear. The Gospel is Good News but it isn't always favorable news to many. If our intent is for people to agree with what we say, it is hard to fully share the Good News.

Lord, thank you for making Your message clear and help me to avoid watering it down.

If You Don't Think That You Deserve Grace!

10/27/2016

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17

If you believe it to be true, Adam brought sin into the world. If you believe it, Jesus made grace possible to the world. If a human can bring in sin, how much better can sin be paid for when paid by the Son of God. We may be bad but Jesus's goodness wins every time.

Lord, thank you that Your Grace is enough and I don't need anything more.

First Round Draft Choice!

10/26/2016

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

There are two ways to go through life: Act like a winner or act like a loser. And when acting like a winner, you can act one of two ways: Act as if you have won already and simply rest on your past successes or act as if you should earn/keep your title. God has chosen us to be winners but He also expects us to behave in a way that warrants that title.

Lord, thank you for choosing me and help me to live each day as if I deserve to be chosen by You.

October 25th, 2016

10/25/2016

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

We seek comfort as much as we can. Being comfortable is not always wrong but often times it isn't right. We should seek God more than comfort and if that means being uncomfortable, then we need to be uncomfortable.

Lord, help my faith to not merely be a faith of convenience.

A Life On Trial!

10/24/2016

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1

If you had to go to court because someone accused you of the crime of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you of the crime? Unfortunately, our perception of who we are and who we aspire to be don't always mesh with the facts. If a private investigator dug into our daily activities, what type of evidence would they uncover?

Lord, help me to lead the life that I desire, with not only words but actions.

I Don't Understand So It Must Be True!

10/23/2016

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

I read in a book in college that "You know that the Bible is true because it isn't easily explained by humans. And you know that some other religious books are man made because they are too "clean" and understandable". Predestination. Grace. Trinity. Miracles. These are just a few things that we tried to explain using human terms and they still don't do them justice. I have always functioned under the premise "If I can't understand it, it proves that God exists".

Lord, thank You for attempting to make You and Your plan for my life as understandable as possible.

"Burn the Ships"!

10/22/2016

And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1 Kings 8:61

When there is only one option, commitment is easy. When there are more than one option and an easy option is one of those options, then commitment is tough. When we make a conscious choice to "Burn the Ships" as Cortez commanded his men to do so their was no other option other than moving ahead, then we put ourselves in the position to commit without much temptation.

Lord, as I journey through life, please help me see that You are the only option.

Cut From the Team!

10/21/2016

The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. Deuteronomy 28:9

There is a misconception out there that Salvation is Unconditional. God is very loving but He is also just. The gift of Grace is unconditional yet Salvation is not. Christians are to "bear fruit". We are to live lives that are obedient to God. If we don't, God will "cut off the vine" because it bears no fruit.

Lord, thank You for Grace and help me to not take it for granted.

Reluctant follower!

10/20/2016

Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1

If you have ever been in any type of leadership situation, you have most likely experienced having a reluctant follower. This is someone who is under your leadership but not by choice. They would much rather be the leader themselves or at least follow someone else. Reluctant followers are not fun to lead. God desires cheerful and willing followers. We should desire to be cheerful and willing followers.

Lord, forgive me if I ever come across as being a reluctant follower and thank You for the grace as I pursue being a cheerful and obedient follower.