Live to Love

Posted on October 26, 2012 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 is your call? A good point to ponder! 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 imprisoned!

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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Infinite Love

Posted on October 25, 2012 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 Jesus…a love that is so vast that it is beyond human understanding. That’s the love He has for you. It’s a love that would do anything for you to show you the path to love and to true life…even die on a cross.

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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All Belong

Posted on October 24, 2012 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. The Holy Spirit continues to be available to all of us to reveal God’s desires for each of us. We also have the Bible to help us “hear” what God is revealing to each of us…as well as the tradition of the Church. St. Paul is telling us that each of us is a “copartner in the promise in Christ Jesus.” That means you, me…everyone. Jesus described Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who would not let even one sheep get lost. That’s GOOD NEWS!

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

Posted on October 23, 2012 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.

Are you 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 present to God’s unconditional love, and fully willing to serve 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–“I Surrender” 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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Be You

Posted on October 22, 2012 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…UNIQUE…loved infinitely by the Creator of the universe…to “live-out” our uniqueness by using our gifts and talents in good works. This is how we become our true selves. How are you being called to be a unique expression of the love of God?

Suggested song of the day–“Singing My Song” 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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Infinite Worth

Posted on October 19, 2012 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 has it stopped us in our tracks…or pushed us to do what we did not want to do or not do what we want to? One of Jesus’ most quoted phrases was: “Do not be afraid.” Do we fear that God really doesn’t love us? Jesus says…we are loved beyond what words can express…no matter what we do! “In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory…” (St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 1:11-12). Fear not…YOU are God’s beloved!

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

Posted on October 17, 2012 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 so that we know the boundaries. But what is most important is that we form a relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading His 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–“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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True Intentions

Posted on October 16, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 11:38-39
The Pharisee was amazed to see that (Jesus) did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.

How many times do we wear masks…putting on a false, outer appearance…when inside we have very different feelings. Jesus knew that what mattered was what was in a person’s heart. Doing all the rituals and following all the rules doesn’t mean anything if the inner motivation isn’t love. It’s interesting to see that Jesus had nothing but compassion for those who struggled and failed…who humbly admitted it. His contempt was for those who looked down on others in self-righteousness…putting the Law…ahead of Love.

Suggested song of the day–“Heal Me” on the Live to Love 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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Truly Free

Posted on October 15, 2012 by billtonnis

Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

So many people think that by following Jesus we will be restricted from doing a lot of fun things…that somehow our “freedom” will be limited. But, instead, as St. Paul writes to encourage the Galatians (and us), following Christ will actually keep us from getting entangled and snared by things that will enslave us…not free us. By following Jesus…each of us will actually be freed to become the person we were made to be.

Suggested song of the day–“I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click 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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Redeeming Grace

Posted on October 12, 2012 by billtonnis

Galatians 3:10
All who depend on works of the law are under a curse.

Sounds confusing. We are told to follow the rules…but then St. Paul tells us that if we depend on “works of the law” that we “are under a curse.” Following the rules keeps us in line. We know that with little kids. They need rules to make sure they don’t get into trouble. But when we grow up…while the rules are still good…we come to realize that we cannot possibly follow them perfectly. And there is a good reason for that. We can’t depend on the rules to make us whole (or “holy”). It’s not by our works! We are made whole (saved) only by the grace, unconditional love and forgiveness of God. Jesus shows us the way!

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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