God Is Love

Posted on December 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Life is hard. Are you burdened with something or struggling with something? Sit in silence and invite Jesus to be with you. Bring the burden or struggle to Him. Jesus promises to bring you rest. This tells us Who God is! God has no interest in chastising you…only comforting, forgiving and loving you. Rest in that.

Suggested song of the day– “I Will Give You Rest” 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!

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Unconditional Love

Posted on December 10, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:12-14
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

We have all at one time or another (or perhaps many times) strayed…and have made choices that did not honor God. Isn’t it wonderful that God does not hold grudges? Jesus says that God will always pursue us when we stray and will rejoice when we come back. There is no talk of retribution or punishment…only love. After all…God’s love is unconditional. And as a matter of fact…we have no concept of what that kind of love is until we stray and God finds us in our brokenness. Let that thought settle into your soul.

Suggested song of the day– “How Wonderful to Me” 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!

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Unique Path

Posted on December 9, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 1:38
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

This is Mary’s response to the angel’s news that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. Talk about being handed a major twist in your life plans! Mary gave us the perfect example of saying “yes” to God’s call. But to say yes…we first have to be open to hearing God speak to us. How many of us are taking quiet time to listen for God’s unique calling and inspiration? And how many of us really would rather not hear God’s message because it might require changes that we aren’t willing to make? Each of us has a choice. Will you keep the status quo which is safe but unsatisfying…or will you follow an inner voice calling you to risk tough changes that will lead you to fulfillment and becoming your true self?

Suggested song of the day– “Take the Road Less Traveled” 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!

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Trust Jesus

Posted on December 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 9:28-29
When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

The healing Jesus performed was always connected to the person-in-need’s faith. These two blind men were healed…but not until they first sought Jesus out and called to Him…then they believed they would be healed. But Jesus also taught us in the “Our Father” to pray that God’s will would be done. If healing in the way we want it isn’t God’s will…we have to be willing to accept it. Perhaps there is something greater we can achieve to build God’s Kingdom on earth if we continue to shine God’s light while dealing with some affliction. That’s faith! Perhaps the going through the affliction is the only way your true self will ever emerge. When we trust and believe…an amazing act of healing and inspiration is already underway!

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!

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Guided by God

Posted on December 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 7:24
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.”

Listening to Jesus’ words means more than just hearing them. Listening implies we are letting His words settle into our minds and hearts…and that they are making a difference in our lives. Notice how Jesus also requires action on His words. Are you making it a regular practice to listen to Jesus’ words in scripture? Then after listening…are you acting on the messages He gives you in your heart? If you do…Jesus promises that you will have a sense of peace and security deep inside…even amidst the storms that life will inevitably bring. You will be acting on your calling and on the path of discovering your true self.

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” 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!

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Restorative Justice

Posted on December 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 15:29-30
Moving on from there Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.

What in your life needs healing? It may be a physical healing that you need…or it may be an emotional, psychological or spiritual healing. Do you carry resentments or deep wounds from something that has been done to you in the past? Go to Jesus in prayer and ask for His healing…then see what happens. God answers prayers and wants nothing more than to see you restored and whole. The way to that restoration and wholeness may not be the way you envisioned…but trust that it will happen.

Suggested song of the day– “Heal Me” 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 that God loves you!

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Jesus Is the Way

Posted on December 3, 2013 by billtonnis

Isaiah 11:4
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

By the grace of God…Isaiah the prophet was able to speak of the coming of Messiah about 700 years before Jesus was born. Who would have believed at the time that this coming Messiah would not use violence and power to defeat the “ruthless” and the “wicked”? Jesus would use words, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and non-violence. This is the model the Son of God gave us to deal with adversity and evil. Do we follow it?

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” 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!

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Body of Christ

Posted on December 2, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 8:8
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.

A centurion was a professional officer in the Roman army. He was not a believer in the God of the people of Israel. He did not practice the Jewish religion. But it was a certain centurion who came to Jesus believing that He could heal his paralyzed servant. In this passage, Jesus doesn’t question the centurion about his belief system or anything…but immediately agrees to heal the man’s servant. The centurion, a heathen in the eyes of the Jews, calls Jesus “Lord” and tells Him he doesn’t even have to come to his home…but can heal the servant from afar. Jesus goes on to say that “in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” In other words…Jesus has found such faith in someone outside the so-called “faithful” or “in” group. Do we accept all people as children of God…as Jesus did?

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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Way to Wholeness

Posted on November 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 21:17-19
“You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Jesus promised His followers that they would be persecuted. But He also promised that if you persevere in following Him…you will “secure your lives.” I believe that means that as you follow Jesus in His example of letting go of things that don’t last and use your gifts and talents to make the world a more loving, merciful, forgiving, compassionate and just place…you will be in the process of becoming whole…the unique person (true self) that God created you to be. It’s the only path to inner peace and joy…to becoming fully alive as Christ lives fully in us. That is something to truly be thankful for!

Suggested song of the day– “Give Praise and Thanks” 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…you are loved!

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God’s Kingdom

Posted on November 26, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 21:6
“All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Jesus’ words predicting the destruction of the temple are just as true about any material thing we have…or will ever have. That beautiful, trendy sports car will one day be a broken-down, rusted piece of junk. Your beautiful home will be in ruins…your fashionable clothing in tatters. Our kingdoms will disintegrate…but God’s kingdom will never end. Love is eternal. What is it that you treasure and live for?

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” 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…you are loved!

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