Bill Tonnis Ministries

Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”

Jesus continues his lesson today on how to pray. Yesterday’s lesson was to “go to your inner room” and to refrain from using many words because God “knows what you need before you ask.” Today’s scripture comes from “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus says we should pray that God’s kingdom would come…be made real in the here and now on earth. We’re told to pray that God’s will would be done…not our will. May we have the grace to ask God to direct us in building God’s kingdom through the circumstances of each of our lives by using the talents and gifts we’ve been given. God wants to work with us in those circumstances. As author and retreat leader Paula D’Arcy says, “God comes to you disguised as your life.”

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.
Have a blessed day!

Matthew 6:6-8
“When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Could Jesus have been any clearer in His instruction on how to pray? Prayer is a very intimate encounter with your Loving Creator where you spend time in the Presence of Love. God knows what you truly need…so why not go to the quiet place inside yourself, empty-out your ego’s wants and instead allow God to fill you with what you need. As the saying goes, “Let go…and let God.” What God wants for us is infinitely better than anything we could possibly imagine!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”

This is one of the teachings of Jesus that most people simply ignore. We make many Church teachings non-negotiable but for some reason a direct teaching from Jesus like this one is hardly ever quoted. That’s because it’s hard. But is this not what saves us…the unconditional love and forgiveness of God? Christ gladly comes to be with us in our failings to lift us so that we know it’s not about our own doing that saves us. It’s about Who God Is—Love. To love our enemy we must see that person as God does…as a beloved son or daughter. Let us ask the Lord for help…because forgiveness is the only way to the kingdom of God.

Suggested song of the day—“Love God” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!

2 Corinthians 6:2
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

This whole business about being present and being centered in the now…is not some new age concoction. St. Paul was aware of the importance of the moment. Saints and mystics were all aware that the only time that is real…the only time that you can connect with the Living God…is now! What happened yesterday is a shadow…and what is to happen in the future is unknown. God is present here and now and it’s the only place and time where your Loving Source can fill you with grace. It’s the only place and time where you can rest in a Love that is unconditional…a Love that completes and saves you. Stop and take a few slow, deep breaths. Allow that Presence to fill you. Now is a very acceptable time!

Suggested song of the day—“God’s Love Is All You Need” 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 103:1-2
Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God.

How amazing that the Creator of the universe created you and me! From space dust our bodies are fashioned and we are given eternal life. It’s a totally free gift from our Maker who loved us into existence and who could not stop loving us any more than we could stop loving our own son or daughter. It has nothing to do with what we do, achieve or accomplish…or mistakes we make or struggles we have…but it has everything to do with Who God Is: Love. As St. Paul says, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

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.
Have a blessed day!

Acts 23:6-8,10
Paul called out before the Sanhedrin, “I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him…

Some things never change…groups arguing and dividing over religious and theological differences…even to the point of threatening St. Paul’s life. Meanwhile, if you examine the ministry of Jesus you will be hard pressed to find him arguing theological points with anyone. Instead, He was forgiving a woman caught in adultery, hanging out with known sinners, and was on His knees washing the feet of His totally clueless disciples. Instead of arguing to change minds, Jesus was extending compassion and forgiveness…and changing hearts. Instead of being right…He was concerned about right relationship.

Suggested song of the day—“Love God” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!

John 17:16,18
“They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”

Ever get the feeling that you just don’t fit in? Are you trying hard to fit into the world’s idea of normal, acceptable or “cool”? Some people have fallen so far into this trap that they have accumulated many layers of masks. They are quite unaware of their “true selves.” We are not meant to mirror the world…but to mirror God to the world. You and I are unique expressions of God who are meant to be the one and only you and me in order to allow our Creator to build the “kingdom of God” through us in the present moment. What is the unique note you are meant to add to God’s on-going symphony?

Suggested song of the day—“Shall We Sing” 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!

Acts 20:22,24
“But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know. Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.”

What is the Holy Spirit asking you to do? Is there a growing desire in your heart to do something positive…to live out some passion inside yourself? Are you in tune with the Spirit…taking time to listen in silence with the ears of your heart? St. Paul realized that Christ was calling him to follow and spread the good news of God’s grace (unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion) to all people. You are being called as well. How does God want you to live out your call? Listen to your heart…and follow!

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 16:32-33
“Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Wishy-washy people. The same men who moments before told Jesus that they believed that He came from God…would shortly abandon Him. Jesus knew this…but did not reject them because of it or threaten any sort of reprisal. What they believed…wasn’t worth much. The love of God didn’t appear to depend on their belief at all. Don’t we all do the same thing…repeatedly turning away from following Jesus only to come back to Him over and over? In return for the disciples’ impending abandonment…Jesus offered peace. The love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion of God are unconditional because we are God’s beloved daughters and sons. Love wins…and that, my friend, is transforming and truly Good News!

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 16:20
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

We all go through hard times. But be careful in labeling these times as “bad.” In today’s scripture verse Jesus was preparing his followers for his death and resurrection. He goes on to say that when a woman gives birth she no longer remembers the pain of labor…she only experiences the joy of the newborn child. For the joy of birthing something new in our lives…we have to go through the labor pains. Childhood, self-centered ways of satisfying ourselves have to go so we can experience the true joy of giving and the realization of who we truly are. Take a moment to focus on your breathing. When you do…you will be totally present. Surrender your desires to God…and know that God is with you and will lead you to new life. Jesus promises this!

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.
Have a blessed day!