Salvation

Posted on April 25, 2014 by billtonnis

Acts 4:8-10
Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders; If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.

This is a very telling comment by the Apostle Peter. He equates the physical healing of a crippled man to his being “saved.” God wants each of us to be restored…redeemed…made “whole.” That would be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually whole. Any such healing or restoration is done by God alone. However, God does use us as instruments in the healing of others…if we cooperate. Our part might be through our role as a doctor, nurse, chaplain, mother, father, teacher, brother, sister, priest, minister, writer, singer, mechanic, CEO, etc. No matter what your calling is…God can use you in the healing process. Peter knew it was not he but Jesus who had healed the crippled man. Sometimes restoration and wholeness are not so instantaneous. Sometimes it’s a process that can take years. But have no doubt…you are in the process of becoming whole.

Suggested song of the day– “Shall We Sing” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Redemptive Justice

Posted on April 24, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 24:36
He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When the risen Christ appeared to His followers there was not a word of retribution or reproach for their abandoning Him. There was total forgiveness, acceptance and love. Notice that they didn’t even need to express their sorrow and remorse over their actions after Jesus was arrested. Jesus’ message before His crucifixion and after His crucifixion was the same. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The saving result of His resurrection was that death does not win. New life always follows death. Love is victorious. God’s love for you cannot be defeated. That changes everything in the present. Rejoice! Now pass this message on by the way you live your life!

Suggested song of the day– “Make Me a Channel” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blessed Brokenness

Posted on April 23, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 24:30-31
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

The resurrected Christ appeared to two of His followers on the road to Emmaus…and they didn’t even recognize Him! Not until He broke the bread at table did they realize that this was indeed their Messiah. Jesus became the bread broken for others. In the same way, He calls us to receive His body in the bread. Allow that bread to become one with you…so that you will now become the bread broken for others. God loves you in your brokenness and wants to embrace you and bring you healing and wholeness. Allow God to transform you through unconditional love and acceptance. How will you then give of yourself to become an experience of Christ for others?

Suggested song of the day– “Changed” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

He Is Risen

Posted on April 22, 2014 by billtonnis

John 20:15-16
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.

How hard it is to lose someone we love. Mary of Magdala had witnessed her beloved friend…the one who had turned her life around…brutally killed on the cross. She must have been crushed! She is so overwhelmed by grief that she doesn’t even recognize that Jesus is standing in her midst. Close your eyes and contemplate what it would have been like to witness this scene. Notice the tenderness in the exchange between the two. Jesus chose Mary of Magdala to be the first to witness Him in resurrected form. She is the first one sent to preach the Good News. Jesus has risen! Jesus shows us that death is not the end. Love wins. Allow the Risen Christ to lift you! He is risen…and death does not win!

Suggested song of the day– “My Lord and My God” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Friday

Posted on April 18, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 31:6
Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God.

Jesus showed us the face of God throughout His ministry…all the way to the end. He responded even to His persecutors and killers with love, mercy and forgiveness. He hung on the cross for you and me to show us the way to redemption, new life and wholeness. We must go through the struggle. We must learn to sit in the pain. It sounds so counter-intuitive…but I have found it to be true. Jesus shows us that it’s the way to new life. A “birthing” is underway. To borrow a line from author Brene Brown, your religion should be a midwife not an epidural. No matter what suffering or injustice you are going through…Jesus is hanging there with you and showing you that this is not the end. A new beginning is underway. Cling to Him…for resurrection is coming!

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Following Jesus

Posted on April 17, 2014 by billtonnis

John 13:14-15
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Jesus, the Son of God, was on his knees washing the feet of his followers! Instead of being a mighty warrior, the Messiah was a suffering servant. He is our blueprint…our model for living our lives. This is quite different from the model given by our consumerist culture…Hollywood…professional sports, etc. Until we follow Jesus as servants to others, true inner peace and lasting happiness are impossible. How are you being called to serve?

Suggested song of the day– “Make Me a Channel” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s music by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All Are One

Posted on April 16, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 69:9-10
I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

Jesus became the “outcast”…the “scapegoat”…so that we could see what happens when we make someone the “rejected other” in the name of being right or more worthy. We are called to follow Jesus…to feed the hungry…clothe the naked…comfort the sick…visit the imprisoned (all the “outcasts”)…and to love our enemies as well. That’s a tall order! But if you do this…you will see wonders and will experience the kingdom of God breaking into the present. But…you will also experience scorn and you will likely be cast-out by others. When this happens, will you be able to respond in love as Jesus did? “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Savior

Posted on April 15, 2014 by billtonnis

John 13:21
Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Before we look down on Judas and lay the blame on him…let us remember that we are all ‘Judas.’ We have all turned our backs on Jesus over and over and over again. Thankfully, God is an unconditional Lover and Forgiver. Jesus showed us this when He forgave everyone while hanging on the cross. He told his followers to do the same. We must forgive…always. Who do I need to forgive? It could be myself. Invite Jesus…the suffering servant…into your heart.

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Covenant

Posted on April 14, 2014 by billtonnis

Isaiah 42:6-7
I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

God spoke these words through the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah…700 years before Jesus. Jesus read these words and came into the knowledge that they speak of Him and His mission. God is very patient and creative…yearning to use all of us in a wonderful love story. It’s God’s love story. There were many characters in this story before Jesus…and many after. Each of us is an integral part of God’s great love story. What part do you play? If you are a follower of Jesus…then you are also meant to take part in His mission stated above. How are you God’s Light to the world, opening the eyes of the blind and setting prisoners free?

Suggested song of the day– “May I Be Light” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Leave a comment

Redemption In Progress

Posted on April 11, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 18:3-4
I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies.

Sometimes we are persecuted in life. But if we rely on God…we will be rescued. When you are unable to save yourself…allow God to take care of it. God is really good at it! Jesus showed us the extent God was willing to go to show us unconditional Love. If you are amidst a storm…allow God to hold you like a father or mother would cradle a child while whispering into your ear, “I love you…we’re going to make it…together!”

Suggested song of the day– “You’ll Lead Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment