Bill Tonnis Ministries

John 12:44-45
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”

Did you ever see Jesus squash anyone? How about threaten to harm anyone? Humanity’s understanding of God evolved over thousands of years…usually reflecting the way human beings behaved. If they were vindictive and vengeful…well then God was as well. But Jesus said that if you knew Him…you knew God. Jesus spent his life showing love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. He didn’t condemn anyone…even the woman caught in adultery. The only people who really angered Jesus were the self-righteous, judgmental religious leaders. Christ offered compassion to those who messed up…who were broken and in need. This is 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 10:27-28
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

How can we hear the voice of Jesus if we are not listening? If your life does not include some time set aside for silent listening as well as reflective reading of the scriptures…you will not be able to hear Christ speak to you in the depths of your heart. If you listened you would hear words of unconditional love. Following Him would be a joy. Notice that Jesus does not say that when His sheep follow Him that one-day He will give them eternal life. He says, “I give them eternal life.” It begins now. If you want to experience a taste of the reign of God, if you want to experience amazing grace now…follow the Good Shepherd.

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 10:16
“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

We all start out in life believing that we are at the center of the universe. Sadly, some people never seem to get beyond this way of living. The ego feeds on being separate from others…inflating its own self-importance. It wants me to believe that I am on the winning side…that I am in the “in” group. Of course, that would mean that someone else is not. When we exclude we are clearly not being Christian. Jesus insisted that all will be one flock and that He will be the one shepherd. This is what the kingdom of God is about. For this to happen…egos will have to diminish. Ask yourself, “How can I change in order to accept everything as belonging?”

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.
Have a blessed day!

Acts 9:10
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

God has a plan to redeem all things. The kingdom of God will come about on earth as it is in heaven. It can only happen “on earth” with the cooperation of human beings. Ananias was certainly a man of great spiritual depth whose prayer life consisted of being silently attentive to the Spirit. Whatever way that he sensed God’s voice…it was clear to him that he must go to a certain house and lay his hands on Saul…so that Saul might regain his sight. Saul was the great persecutor of Christians who through the grace of God and the cooperation of followers like Ananias was transformed into one of the greatest followers of Christ…St. Paul. Who in your life needs the transforming grace and healing of God’s unconditional love? Perhaps God is trying to send you. Are you listening?

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!

John 6:45,47
“Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”

Listening to God will take some effort and letting go. It’ll mean devoting some time to simply being present. Most of the time…we aren’t. Our brains are constantly at work either mulling over things that have already happened to us or worrying about things in the future. Past and future are not real…they exist only in our minds. The only time that is real is now. Spend ten to twenty minutes in silence to be present to the Great Presence…the Loving Source of all things. Listen with the ears of your heart. Read the words of Jesus and follow His example. Notice Jesus says “whoever believes has eternal life”…”has“…not “will have.” When you are living in the presence of God…eternal life is at hand. It is only through this Presence that your true self can emerge.

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 6:37-39
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.”

This is one of the most profound and amazing statements made by Jesus. For those who mistakenly believe in some fear-based religion in which you are constantly trying to do things to make God somehow love you or so that you can appease God enough to let you into some distant heaven…please re-read today’s scripture verses. Read them slowly…and then re-read and then re-read them again. What seems too good to be true is so. Jesus said it. Believe it! This is the Good News of Christ!

Suggested song of the day—“My Lord and My 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!

Acts 7:52
“Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?”

The prophets got plenty of praise after they were long dead. While they were alive they generally got persecuted by those who were in power…whether government or religious leaders. The prophets were always calling attention to the ways that the people of God were failing to make serving God their top priority. The prophets had to be prayerful to listen to the inner voice of God and then they had to be brave in speaking out to those in power. For the prophet Stephen…it cost him his life. Following God’s will is not always easy but it is everyone’s calling! This is the only way of true freedom. Who are today’s prophets? They are likely the ones being persecuted and thrown out. God is still calling prophets…maybe you?

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 6:27
“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

So many people work for gaining material possessions and wealth. It’s the result of living in a consumeristic society. It’s starkly different than the lives of the earliest followers of the risen Christ who worked to make sure everyone in the community was taken care of. Life was not about amassing individual possessions which will all disintegrate eventually. In a couple of hundred years each of our bodies will be dust. Jesus said He would give us what would endure forever. Listen to Him. Allow His words to sink into your soul and open your mind to a deeper truth and a bigger dream. Follow Him and you will find riches that flow abundantly now and forever.

Suggested song of the day—“God Is the Goal” 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 5:40-41
After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

It was only a short time before this that these same followers of Jesus were cowering inside…hiding out in fear that they would meet the same horrible demise as their teacher. What could have changed these men into bold proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus? What could have made them so willing to be harshly treated and eventually even give their lives in order to spread their Master’s teachings? Seeing the risen Christ with their own eyes…speaking with Him…touching Him…is the only plausible explanation. Do you long to live for a cause that you could die for…a cause that is bigger and more meaningful than anything this world could offer does? Christ is calling you. It’s never too early or too late to answer the call. Let the adventure begin!

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!

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.”

So many people say they are Christian but they seem to pick and choose when they follow Christ. Following Him will require making tough choices in life…when those in authority, popular culture, our country, our friends or even our family want us to do what in our hearts we feel is not what God is asking of us. Jesus said to love God and your neighbor as yourself (that means everyone). Jesus said to love your enemies. Will you be an agent of God or of human beings? Will you be the voice of compassion when it is not popular? Are you a Christian? If so…be ready to carry your cross. But don’t worry…Christ will help you!

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