Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

"It could always Be worse!"

11/30/2020

“Be thankful in all circumstances…” 1 Thessalonians 5:18a NLT

We say it to others but we don't often believe that it applies to us and our situation. Things can indeed always be worse. Our circumstances are typically not what we expect. However, just because they aren't what we expect, it doesn't mean that they are horrible. My car breaks down. At least I have a car and can most likely fix it or can buy a new car. At least it broke down and didn't blow up or worse, get in an accident, or worse, get in an accident and kill me, or worse, kill someone else. We can play the game all day. Our circumstances are more likely inconveniences and not as devastating as we make them to be.

Lord, help me to realize that my life is good and I need to be more thankful!

GIVING tHANKS!

11/25/2020

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

Amen!

Forever!

11/24/2020

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

We often lose steam. Our motivation wains. Our tastes and preferences change. God never does.

Lord, thank you that You are FOREVER!

Highlight Film!

11/23/2020

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Unfortunately, our lives are often reduced to highlight reels (or social media posts). Nothing but the best moments, with the failures and dead space cut out. Most our our highlights make up a very small portion of our lives. In any given day, there may be only a couple "big events", with a lot of minutia and a few failures tossed in between. God cares about our whole life and not just the best moments and successes. In fact, He cares about every moment and especially the "small" or seemingly insignificant words and actions, as they are the ones that tend to define us.

Lord, help me to understand the value of every moment and not just the "big" ones.

Represent!

11/20/2020

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

How would you want someone else to represent you? If you have kids, you already know the answer. If you were a kid at some point, you now understand why your parents pestered you constantly to behave properly. As kids, we think it is about us. Now that we are adults, we realize our misbehavior was also about them and how they were viewed as parents by others.

Lord, help me to be a better representative of You, just as I want my kids or others whom I am responsible to be a proper representative of me.

Trifecta!

11/19/2020

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:14-15

Love. Peace. Thankfulness. A pretty good Top 3 list if you want to have a meaningful life.

Lord, help my focus to be on the things that matter to You because they are the things that really matter.

Worst Gift Ever!

11/18/2020

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” Romans 12:6

The "worst gift" label is not determined from the receiver's opinion of a gift, but it is determined from the giver's perspective. A gift that is viewed by a giver a a gift not used is believed to be a bad gift given. God doesn't give bad gifts but we make them bad by not using the gifts given us.

Lord, help me to appreciate the gifts I have by using them.

For The Love Of God!

11/17/2020

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16

Our actions shouldn't be simply motivated by our own self-interest and the desire to seek the praise of others. Our actions should be motivated by our desire to express our love to God and to bring others to both know Him and to know Him more.

Lord, help my actions to be about You and not about me.

More Than Nice!

11/16/2020

“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15

In a world that is so divisive, we often feel that "being nice" to others is a huge accomplishment. Unfortunately, even though the bar is pretty low in the world, God's bar remains uncomfortably high. We are to be more than merely nice to others. We are called to serve and serve to the point where it requires sacrifice. Sacrifice of time or money or comfort or even of pride.

Lord, help me to serve the way You desire.

I don't Have the Time!

11/13/2020

“Do not waste time…Instead, train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:7

"I don't have the time" most often means "I choose not to make the time." Our phones, TV, listening to music or podcasts while driving, or just day dreaming and procrastinating use up a lot of our time. We have the choice to use that time differently.

Lord, help me to make time for You so I don't sound foolish and selfish when I ask You to make time for me.