Gratitude

Posted on August 15, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 1:46-47
“And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

Mary is the great example of listening to God and saying “yes.” When asked if she would be the mother of the Son of God…you can imagine how that upset the plans she had for her life! But if we make a practice of listening to God through scripture, prayer, meditation, creation and what others say to us…spend some time in discernment…and then say “yes” to what we believe God is asking of us…we, too, will see great things happen. We, too, will be able to say: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” What is God asking you to do?

Suggested song of the day– “Give Praise and Thanks” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Divine Relationship

Posted on August 14, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

God clearly wants us to be in communal relationships and not just on a personal salvation project. Jesus made it clear to each of his followers that when they gathered together to pray…He would be truly present and that God would answer their prayers. God’s answer, however, might not be exactly what we want. We must remember that God sees the BIG picture. God is not Santa Claus or a genie ready to grant our every whim and wish. It seems to me that God wants nothing more than for each of us to become our true self…whole…the person we were created to be. While we sometimes don’t understand why God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want…Jesus says we must be like “children”…trusting that our God has our best interests at heart.

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Childlike Trust

Posted on August 13, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Our culture says the one who wins…who comes out on top…who exults himself or herself above all others…who attains the most possessions and glory…is the greatest. Jesus, however, says the opposite. He says whoever is humble…who reaches out to help those in need…who trusts and depends on God like a child depends on a parent…is the greatest in God’s Kingdom. Are you building your own kingdom…or are you humbling yourself and allowing God to lead you to be a part of building God’s kingdom?

Suggested song of the day– “You’ll Lead Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Love Poured Out

Posted on August 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 17:22-23
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

Jesus showed us who God is: a never-ending out-pouring of Love. For Jesus, that meant standing up for the oppressed. It also meant telling those in power that they were meant to serve…not to be served. It also meant telling the Jews that God’s salvation was for all…not just them. He knew that if He carried out this message…lived it…those in power would react against Him. Jesus also knew that if he did not resist…but only responded to persecution with love…it would lead Him to execution on a cross. He also knew that resurrection and new life would follow. We are also called to serve, to stand up for the oppressed, to build bridges across boundaries and to respond with love when we are persecuted. Are you ready to be a radical follower of Jesus?

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Die to Live

Posted on August 9, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

This is a key message of Jesus. Unless you “deny yourself” (let go of your ego’s desires) and “take up your cross” (accept your hardships and unfair persecution that comes with following Jesus)…you will not find the life that was meant for you. You could actually gain much power, prestige and many possessions…but never become your true self! To figure out what God wants for you…you will have to do much listening in prayer and much discerning. It won’t be easy…but nothing could bring you more satisfaction and peace.

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Game Changer

Posted on August 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 16:15
Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Ah…that is the question…isn’t it? Jesus asked His followers the question point blank. Now…He asks the question of you and me. The existence of a historical Jesus who was followed by many Jews but was crucified by the Romans is backed up by much scholarly research. Why was this movement not squashed by His gruesome execution? What was it that made His followers come out of hiding and boldly proclaim that Jesus is the Savior of humankind…the way to salvation and becoming your true self? They knew that their actions would likely lead them to their own executions…but they did it anyway. Who do you say Jesus is…and what effect does that have on your life and how you live it?

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Big Picture

Posted on August 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 15:27-28
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Jesus had just appeared to insult a woman who had asked that He heal her daughter. He had said that it was not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs. The woman was a Canaanite…and the Jews did not associate with them. However she persisted. Jesus showed His followers that He did not come to show God’s unconditional love only to the Jews…but to all people. Who are today’s outcasts…regarded as “not us” or “the enemy”? How can I channel God’s love to those people? How can I work for unity instead of division?

Suggested song of the day– “All Are Welcome” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Transfigured by Love

Posted on August 6, 2013 by billtonnis

2 Peter 1:18-19
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Peter was with James and John when Jesus was transfigured into dazzling white on a mountain. They heard the voice of God announce to them that Jesus was His chosen Son and to listen to Him. Jesus was the perfect reflection of God. We are called to follow Jesus and His ways by using our unique gifts and talents so that we are unique yet imperfect reflections of God as well. Are you being attentive to the Divine Voice that names you the beloved son or daughter?

Suggested song of the day– “Turn Off the Noise” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Way to Freedom

Posted on August 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 14:13-14
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.

The people of Israel were yearning for a savior…someone to free them from bondage. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus. After John’s murder…the crowds flocked to Jesus. But while Jesus did not free them from the oppression of the Romans, He did free them from the oppression of sin. That is…He freed them from following paths that were leading them away from God. Jesus was always acting in love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…restoring people to wholeness. Those who were physically sick were outcasts due to the belief that God had inflicted them with illness for something they had done. Jesus wanted them to know that that was not true. He was always letting them know that God loved them unconditionally…no matter what they did or what illness befell them. Let that same knowledge transform and free you now! Jesus shows us the way to wholeness and freedom. The choice to follow His way…is yours.

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Forgiven

Posted on July 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.

Are you refusing to let go of your baggage? Are you still clinging to old hurts…old resentments…old wrong-doings (whether committed by you or against you)? God forgives you freely and completely. We see this repeatedly in the scriptures…whether it be the story of the Prodigal Son, the woman caught in adultery…or most magnificently when Jesus said while hanging on the cross, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). You see…that is what grace is. Grace is unearned, unconditional love and forgiveness…freely given to us. It doesn’t seem fair…because it’s not. It’s Grace! Allow yourself to experience it now…and be free!

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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