Listening Prayer

Posted on October 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 6:12-13
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles.

Before making the major decision of picking apostles…Jesus “spent the night in prayer to God.” He went off to the mountain…alone…and immersed Himself in the silence of prayer so He could “hear” God speak to Him. How often do you take time to sit in silence to simply “listen” to what God has to say to you? It is not easy at first and may seem like a “waste of time”…but with practice it will become life-changing.

Suggested song of the day– “Turn Off the Noise” 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.
Have a blessed day!

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Free Grace

Posted on October 28, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

God has reached out to us in the most amazing way through Jesus. God became one of us…became flesh…and showed us how to live, love, and forgive. In turn Jesus asks us to do the same. How can I reach out in love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion today?

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Unique Reflection of God

Posted on October 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 4:1-3
I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

What “call” have you received? A good point to ponder! Perhaps you haven’t received it yet…or perhaps you haven’t opened yourself to hearing it. While you and I are called to reflect God’s love in our own unique way, everyone is called to be humble, patient, caring and to bring people together. Do you and I do this? It’s much easier when things are going well…not so easy when circumstances are difficult. That’s exactly when we are challenged to be the face of Jesus to others. St. Paul wrote this passage…while in prison! Following Jesus will not be easy…but the pay-off is a deep and abiding inner peace.

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

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on October 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 3:17-19
…that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

St. Paul is trying to describe the love of Christ…a love that is so vast that it is beyond human understanding. That’s the love God has for you. It’s a Love that would do anything for you…go to any length to show you love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion…even when it was met with persecution and crucifixion. Nothing can keep you from the love of Christ. There are no conditions…no strings attached. Allow that understanding to fill you.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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You Belong

Posted on October 23, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 3:4-6
When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

God was always revealing Himself to humanity…but Jesus was the ultimate revelation. His death and resurrection sent forth the Holy Spirit Who continues to reveal God’s desires for each of us. St. Paul is telling us that each of us is a copartner in the promise in Christ Jesus. The promise is that love wins. Death, suffering and persecution do not have the final say. Resurrection and new life are assured. If you are struggling with anything now…cling to that promise. Jesus described Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who would not let even one sheep get lost. That’s Good News for you, me and everyone else!

Suggested song of the day– “Give Praise and Thanks” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Listen to 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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Live Now

Posted on October 22, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 12:35-37
…light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

Jesus wants to know if you are “ready”? When you are “ready” for whatever it may be…you are fully present in the moment…not daydreaming or rehashing something from the past or worrying about something in the future. When we are living each moment, fully aware that we are loved by God, and fully willing to serve God by serving whoever comes into our presence to the best of our abilities…we will find the God of the universe humbly ready to serve us as well.

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to 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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Now Is the Kingdom

Posted on October 21, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

Each of us is made uniquely by God. We are unique…handcrafted…loved infinitely by the Creator of the universe…to live-out our uniqueness by using our gifts and talents in good works. You have a calling to help bring about God’s kingdom in the present. How are you being called to be a unique expression of the love of God in the service of God’s kingdom here and now?

Suggested song of the day– “Glorify You with Me” on the Give Praise and Thanks 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.
Have a blessed day!

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Eternally Accepted

Posted on October 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Fear. How often does it stop us in our tracks…or push us to do what we don’t want to do or not do what we want to? One of Jesus’ most quoted phrases was: “Do not be afraid.” So then why do we fear? Are we afraid that God really doesn’t love us? Jesus tells us that God loves each of us beyond what words can express…no matter what we do! Our eternal worth is built-in and cannot be revoked. Fear not! You are God’s beloved! Allow that knowledge to fill your heart.

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

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God Is Love

Posted on October 17, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 1:5-6
In love (God) destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

Whenever you read the words of St. Paul, you have to re-read them and re-read them to let the meaning sink in…because he is so deep. But just think…God “destined” you and me to be with Him through Jesus…out of total unconditional love. It’s purely based on grace. There is nothing we have to do to earn it. That is truly Good News! So take a moment…and bask in that reality!

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album. Listen 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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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on October 16, 2013 by billtonnis

Galatians 5:19, 22-23
Now the works of the flesh are obvious…In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

As Jesus rails against the Pharisees for their narrow focus on following the law without regard to love, St. Paul writes on the same topic to the Galatians. Rules and laws are necessary to keep us all in check. But what is most important is that we form a relationship with God through prayer, reading Jesus’ words and following Him. For then the Holy Spirit will begin to transform our hearts. The fruit…or results of that…will be “love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Who doesn’t want more of that in their lives?

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

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