Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Gut Feeling!

10/31/2023

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12

What is a gut feeling? I had a gut feeling one time on Halloween when I nearly ate the entirety of the candy I acquired. But that isn't what is meant by a gut feeling. We all make countless decisions each day. We use everything from facts and empiricism to intuition and a "gut feeling". Common sense is also a go to for many. Unfortunately, most things that make sense aren't necessarily correct. When we find ourselves in a swell in a river, attempting to swim out will only result in us fighting the current and it will end up in our demise. Going limp makes NO SENSE but that allows the current to kick us out to safety. We believe that we are smart and we are, but God is smarter.

Lord, help me to use wisdom more than knowledge and the most wise thing I can do is to trust You.

Starting New!

10/30/2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and see, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

We can wait until the New Year to start New things. Or we can use Monday as the New start day. Or the first of a New month as the New start day. Or after a break as a New start to a New period of time. It is never a bad time to start being New again.

Lord, unfortunately, we are bad at change and even worse at consistency so I need Your strength to do both and to not make excuses.

Jacket and Toast!

10/26/2023

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

We have a lot of choices throughout the day. Hoodie or jacket. Cereal or toast. Big choices that may impact our day ... or not. Our attitude is a choice. We can choose to be GRATEFUL or sad. We can choose to be THANKFUL or depressed. We can choose to be JOYFUL or overwhelmed. We can choose to see ALL THAT WE HAVE, or we can choose to focus on those things that we don't. Not making a choice is also a choice. We must take action and choose and if you are going to choose, then choose the option that is helpful and beneficial to you and those around you.

Lord, help me to have the strength and wisdom to choose wisely.

Perfect?

10/25/2023

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

Being flawless is impossible. That is why we need Jesus. The sooner we seek Jesus rather than the impossible status of being flawless, the more likely we will focus on the process of perfection instead of the result of perfection.

Lord, thank You that flawlessness is not a requirement but being complete is a process.

Daily To Do List!

10/24/2023

“These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your city gates. Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury, for I hate all this”— this is the Lord’s declaration.” - Zechariah 8:16-17

1. Wake Up.
2. Use the bathroom.
3. Be Honest.
4. Make Good Choices.
5. Be Nice and Don't be mean to others.
6. Keep Promises
7. Brush Teeth.
8. Go to Bed.

Lord, help me to realize that I make life really difficult by being selfish and by putting meaningless things before the things that truly matter.

Consistent!

10/23/2023

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation.” -- Psalm 33:11

We are far from consistent. No matter how much we would like to believe that we are NOT hypocritical or NOT selective in our moral outrage or NOT selfish in our justifications for our actions and decisions or NOT flaky and swayed by emotion instead of rational thoughts, a humans only consistency seems to be NOT being consistent. In a world full of change and fluidity, God is always the same, today and forever. His promises never cease.

Lord, thank You for always be exactly where I left You so i can find You when I need You.

Maps are Helpful!

10/20/2023

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

Maps are helpful. GPS on our phones are amazing. Back in the day all they had was an actual lamp, a foot lamp, that was affixed to their sandals. I guess you have to do what you have to do to find your way. Thankfully we not only have "Maps" on our IPhone to help us "find our way", we can also download the Bible on our IPhone too and actually reading it daily may help guide us even better throughout our day.

Lord, You have given me answers and tools to find the answers but I need Your help to remind me to seek YOUR answers.

Being Intentional!

10/19/2023

“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12

If we want to be successful in any aspect of our lives, we must be intentional. We must DO and not simply sit around and wish that things happen for us. Diligence, Fervent, Serve. Rejoice, Patient, Persistent.

Lord, help me to spend more time doing than thinking about doing.

Focus!

10/18/2023

“…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” -- Hebrews 12:2

Anyone who has ever driven a car or ridden a bike has made the mistake of looking at something other than the road (such as the ditch) and found the car/bike move toward the ditch. In performance driving, there is a simple rule of thumb ... "The hands follow the eyes. The car follows the hands. Make sure the eyes are looking in the right spot." Ask Peter, who was walking on water when he was looking at Jesus but started to sink when he looked at the water. When we find ourselves going somewhere that we don't want to go, we need to check ourselves and make sure we are looking in the right place.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You.

Lost and Found!

10/17/2023

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

I GOT lost once. Not a fun experience. I have BEEN lost many times in my lost. Even a worse experience. We have all been lost. We all find ourselves lost at different times in our lives ... when we attempt to do life on our own. Even those who accept Jesus will find ourselves lost again, like the sheep the wanders away from the herd. The shepherd never stops going after us.

Lord, thank You for finding me when I am lost.