Bill Tonnis Ministries

Psalm 69:9-10
I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

Following Jesus is not easy. Some people will criticize and persecute you…sometimes it’ll be those closest to you. Jesus sided with the outcast. He became the ultimate outcast to show us how ugly it is when we exclude and ostracize another. Following Jesus will make you the outcast…because it will lead you to being with the marginalized and rejected. It will radically lead you out of your comfort zone. Paradoxically, it is there where you will find transformation and wholeness. It is your call…to carry this cross.

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!

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

You are a creation of God…a beloved daughter or son. God loved you into existence. There is nothing you can do to change that unconditional love. God has a purpose for you and plans to bring you to completion! Your Creator wants you to realize your full potential…not for your own personal fulfillment…but to build the kingdom of God in the here and now. That will require letting go of ego-centered plans. As Jesus put it, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). You are a part in the puzzle. It might be a small part…but without it…the puzzle is lacking. What has God called you to be? Why not ask…and then listen?

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!

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?

God is in the energy that holds everything together. God holds all and loves all without condition. That includes you. You do not have to do anything…achieve anything…prove anything for this to be so. So why fear? Why not mirror the Loving Light that is always shining on you? When times are tough…God is not absent…but is getting you ready for a wondrous turnaround! New Life is budding that you could never have accomplished without a Divine Helping Hand!

Suggested song of the day—“May I Be Light” 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 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!

Whatever you are going through now…know that you will get through it! It is in the getting through it that you will find new strength and transformation. This is of God’s doing…of our Loving Creator’s desires…Who is in the process…delivering you to a better place…to wholeness. This is your salvation. One day you will look back on this struggle and thank God for what it has done for you. Look at Jesus on the cross and see how what appeared to be the ultimate humiliating defeat…turned into the ultimate glorious victory!

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 8:51
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”

This moment is eternal. There will never be anything other than this moment…now. Jesus wants you to experience the wonders of God’s love right now and says we can…if we live what He says. Jesus said that He is “the way, the truth and the life.” He showed us that no struggle or hardship…even crucifixion…can prevent New Life from happening! The name “Jesus” literally means, “Yahweh saves.” Open yourself to that salvation now…in this moment…and follow where Jesus’ word leads you. New Life…is at hand!

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!

John 8:31-32
Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The words of Jesus are living words that still impact and transform lives. When we read His words and allow them to sink deeply into our hearts the Holy Spirit will speak to us and lead us to living a unique life that will build the kingdom of God. An experience of the living Christ at the heart level will soften the rigid “rules and regulations” model of childhood Christianity and allow you to move into the Compassionate Mystery that will lead you to love unconditionally and accept everything as “belonging.” This is truly freedom.

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!

Psalm 102:2-3
Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

In the Psalms we see every human emotion expressed to God. It is part of the human experience to call out to God for help in time of need…and the God we believe in actually listens and cares! God is as close to you as your breath. The Divine Spark is inside you. But sometimes it seems as though God is not answering our calls. Could it be that God is not absent…but that the silence is an answer? We are all very impatient. I know I am! But let us trust that God is answering us because we are beloved sons and daughters. Perhaps the waiting is part of the process that will lead us to a deeper trust and faith, healing, wholeness…and becoming our true selves.

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.
Have a blessed day!

John 8:10-11
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.”

Sometimes we gloss over the radical words of Jesus because they are so difficult. We don’t allow them to sink in so that we don’t have to deal with them. Here is the case of the woman caught in adultery. She was guilty. The religious leaders want to stone her. Jesus heads off their vengeance by saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then…Jesus makes the radical move of telling the woman who was caught breaking a Commandment…that He does not condemn her. The woman has not even asked for forgiveness! This is what happens when vengeance and sin is met head on by radical unconditional Love. I suggest to you that many lives were transformed that day. How might we help God transform others by offering love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion?

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!

Psalm 34:19
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.

We hate to fail. We are taught from childhood to win, win, win…at all costs. We must defeat the opposition. But Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus says to love your enemies! Jesus says that instead of winning…your objective in life should be to extend love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. When we become the so-called loser, the outcast, the one who is suffering…we know that Christ is near to us because those are the people that He spent His time with. When we are at the end of our ropes…it is the place where God is waiting to embrace us. This is where we let go of our agendas and allow God to begin transforming us and taking us to greater heights than we could ever imagine!

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 5:44
“How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?”

Are you a people pleaser? Many of us are raised to please others…so that we only feel good inside when we are earning the praise of others. We are trained to be happy only when we make someone else happy or perform in ways they expect. We seem to be trying to become what others expect of us. The shocking truth is that God loves us even when we do nothing. God loved us before we did a thing…and there is nothing we can do to stop God from loving us! God is not like us. Jesus showed us the perfect example of being human. When we are becoming fully what God intended us to become…we are showing the glory of God. What does God want you to become? Listen to the gentle, loving voice in your heart and then follow God’s directions. It may take you on the road less traveled…but will lead you to great peace, joy and wholeness.

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!