Bill Tonnis Ministries

Acts 4:32
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.

This is what the life of the Christian community looked like at the beginning…just after the death and resurrection of Jesus. At least…this was the ideal. Knowing human nature it probably was a far cry from perfect. But this describes the way the followers of Jesus lived their lives as “Church.” They shared everything. The scripture goes on to say that “there was no needy person.” There have always been more than enough resources to satisfy everyone’s needs and yet the divide is widening ever more between those who are compiling riches beyond measure and those who have nothing. Children in some countries are dying of starvation while their parents can do nothing about it. People risk their lives to come to the United States out of desperation to save their starving families. Perhaps each of us needs to stop and ponder what is excess in our lives? What possessions are we clinging to instead of sharing? How can I be a better steward of my time, talent and treasure for the building of the kingdom of God in this time and place?

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

John 3:3
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

The Pharisees were the religious leaders who had all the answers based on the law. But Jesus broke laws sometimes when he was healing people. One Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the secrecy of the night looking for explanations. Jesus gave him something beyond religious answers. Black and white theological information is a nice foundation to build on but it does not bring about the transformative journey into the kingdom of God. For that there must be a rebirth from above. When we come to the end of our rope and see that we are unable to save ourselves with our answers, then we are open to experience the transformative unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness of God. Then it’s not about our goodness…but God’s. The kingdom of God is truly at hand right here and now for those who are willing to die to themselves…so God can give birth to something new.

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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Acts 4:9-10
“If we are being examined today bout 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.”

A man crippled from birth had just been miraculously healed after Peter and John commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to rise and walk. Some of the religious leaders were questioning them about proclaiming the resurrection. Curious words that Peter used when he equates the crippled man being “saved” to him being “healed.” His salvation was in being made whole…not only physically but in regard to him being restored to the community as a well. A crippled person would have been an outcast…thought to have been inflicted as a punishment from God. The Living Christ wants to restore and redeem…not punish! Christ is interested in our salvation…our being made whole and complete. Salvation begins now through a relationship with the Living Christ! God wants this for you and wants you to let others know as well.

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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Luke 24:36-37
Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”

Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection…the ones who had abandoned Him…the ones who had turned their backs and ran away. But Jesus didn’t return with threats of reprisal and punishment. He didn’t even call them on the carpet and scold them. No. He instead said, “Peace be with you.” We’ve all been there. We’ve all turned our backs on Jesus. We’ve all been troubled and have doubted. But we are told that this same Jesus who was dead on the cross…stood in the midst of his followers to show that death does not win. Pain and suffering do not have the last word. Fear and doubt are dissolved in the presence of the Risen Christ. The peace of Christ is with you. Pass it on to someone else today.

Suggested song of the day—“Make Me a Channel” 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 the “store” icon.
Have a blessed day!

Luke 24:32
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”

I truly believe God is speaking to us all the time…but we are not paying attention. How often are we deep in thought about something so much that we can’t remember anything about the last five or ten minutes of a drive? How often have we stared blankly at what’s in front of us only to be amazed by some spectacle like a beautiful sunset or starry sky that we would have totally missed had someone not jostled us from our daze and pointed it out to us? How often have we had our minds made up and were completely closed to miraculous possibilities? The two disciples of Jesus on the way to Emmaus finally recognized Jesus…but only in retrospect could they recognize the “burning” in their hearts when Jesus had “opened up the scriptures” to them. Wake up! God is yearning to speak to you…if you are paying attention!

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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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.”

In John’s gospel there is no mention of the Eucharist at the Last Supper…but instead there is Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. When we eat His body and drink His blood Jesus literally becomes part of us. We are meant to then become Christ to the world…to wash the feet of others…to be servants. Jesus tells us this quite explicitly in today’s scripture. Each of us must ask ourselves: How am I following His example?

Suggested song of the day—“Make Me a Channel” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 69:21
Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak; I looked for compassion, but there was none, for comforters, but found none.

Jesus became the outcast so that we could see what we do to others when we make them the outcast. Jesus became the outcast so that we would have someone to empathize with us and comfort us when we experience being the outcast. Jesus became the outcast so that He could show us that God is an unconditional lover and forgiver. Jesus became the outcast so that He could show us that once and for all…Love wins. Death leads to life.

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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Isaiah 49:1
The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

We spend so much time looking for answers outside ourselves…when the God who made us lives in our deepest self. Each of us has been named by God from the moment we came into being. We are part of God’s divine plan. Only God can tell us who we are and why we are here. The Divine Voice is speaking inside you leading you on a journey to discover your true self. It’s a Voice of Unconditional Love. Are you listening?

Suggested song of the day—“Listen to Your Heart” 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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?

If there is one thing Jesus told his followers over and over it was to not be afraid. Fear is of the ego which doesn’t want to lose power, prestige or possessions. These are all masks and illusions that will not last forever. Fear paralyzes us. It prevents us from moving forward…risking loss…and willingly letting go so that we can grow. The true you is not your power, prestige or possessions. The true you…is a unique, beloved daughter or son of God. That’s it! You are significant and infinitely loved as you are…warts, blemishes, and short-comings included. You do not have to earn or merit God’s love or acceptance. Jesus showed us this quite clearly. What is there to fear?

Suggested song of the day—“Come to Jesus” 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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 18:2-3
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!

God is the thread that is wound through all that is. God, our Loving Source, is holding all things and accepting all things as they are. God is constantly loving all…calling all things to be a part of an on-going creation. Wherever and whenever we are weak and stumble…God is there ready to strengthen us and lift us, embrace us and carry us. God will never give up on you! God will deliver you!

Suggested song of the day—“Sing a New 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 the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!