Bill Tonnis Ministries

Mark 8:27-28
Along the way Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Ah…that is the question, isn’t it? It’s the defining question. Jesus is asking that question of you right now. How you answer it will make all the difference in your life. At one time I mentally knew who Jesus was. I had all the information about Him. But if He truly was “the way, the truth and the life” as He said He was…then how would that knowledge affect my way of life? When you know…not just in your mind…but in your heart…that Jesus is the One who saves you, completes you and leads you to the real you that God intended…then you will be transformed. You won’t cling to mental certainties…but to the One who will lead you to new life!

Suggested song of the day—“Show Me…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!

Psalm 116:12
How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?

The fact is…you don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love. The beautiful truth is…God loved you into existence. It is love freely given and never withdrawn. In my life, there came a time when I realized this…and simply could not go on writing and announcing the troubles of the world on the radio any more. I simply had to use my talents and abilities to spread God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. God loves you and has never not loved you! Allow that to sink in. How will you respond?

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!

Mark 8:18
“Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?”

When Jesus asks this question of us today…do we not have to answer an emphatic, “ABSOLUTELY!” I will only speak for myself…but I know how many times God has pulled the rug out from under my “certainty” about understanding that which is mystery. Mystery is mystery! Beware of people who give you pat answers of certainty in the realm of mystery. If you had the answer…well then…there would be no need to take the journey that God wants you to take so as to lead you to transformation. Pat answers will not transform you. Good questions…just might! Following Jesus requires the humility to admit we don’t know…and willingness to be changed. Dear God, open my eyes to see…and my ears to hear!

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!

Psalm 50:16-17
But to the wicked God says: “Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your lips? You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!”

Some people are good with religious words…but not so good in living those words. Our religion should lead us on a spiritual journey of transformation. The rules and commandments are all well and good for a foundation and structure. This is the early “elementary” faith level. But as you encounter the messiness of life…the struggles and contradictions…your faith will need to move from the head to the heart level. It’s here where God wants to change you…transform you! Such transformation will lead to a life motivated by love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion that will make a difference in the world.

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!

Psalm 32:6-7
Then should all your faithful pray in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach them. You are my shelter; from distress you keep me; with safety you ring me round.

Jesus knows what you are going through. He felt the pain and distress of being rejected…of becoming the one cast-out and nailed to a cross. Yet He never gave up on His mission of extending God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. From the cross He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This is the God Who created you…the One who will never give up on you! Never!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Mark 7:24
From that place Jesus went off to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice.

Jesus had a mission…to bring the Good News of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to all people. This was unthinkable for a Jew at that time…that God could accept the gentiles…foreigners…who were considered “unclean.” But Jesus had a revelation for the world: God’s salvation is for all people. God loves all people unconditionally. Even in spreading this message…Jesus did not want to call attention to Himself…only to God’s love. There are no borders or divisions in the kingdom of God. No nation has ever truly understood this or tried to model it. What divisions are there in our lives that we can erase so that the kingdom of God can truly come and God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven”?

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 104:30
When you send forth your breath, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

All things belong to God. God breathes and life comes forth. Everything is sustained by God’s desire. Creation is on going in each moment and you are a part of that process. Allow God’s desire to fill you. What is it that your Loving Creator wishes you to do to renew the face of the earth? Be you! Give of yourself as Jesus did to serve others. Use your talents and abilities to make a difference for someone else.

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!

Mark 7:8-9
“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” Jesus went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!”

Jesus was quite at home with all people including the people thrown-out by their own religion as well as a wide variety of “sinners.” The only group Jesus had sharp criticism for were the Pharisees…the religious leaders. Rules are nice to have to give us some guidance. But don’t forget that Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind…and then to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:38-39). These come first. View the world and all that you do…through the lens of love.

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!

Psalm 104:24
How varied are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

A priest friend of mine loves to take photos of the amazing array of creatures at zoos all over the world. He has taken thousands of photos and routinely emails photos to his friends. The wide variety of these beautiful and sometimes strange looking creations of God…reminds me that God has made us humans stewards of all living things on the earth. Are we mindful of that responsibility? Do we care for God’s creation and do we stop to appreciate the glory of God in all that our Creator has made? We are all part of this wondrous circle of life. We are called into relationship with all of creation in this time and in this place. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…as it is in heaven.”

Suggested song of the day—“Seasons” 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 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?

We get so caught up in the struggles and challenges of life that sometimes we lose sight of the fact that God is in control…even when things appear out of control. Love wins in the end. You are loved eternally…unconditionally. God will not abandon you…and no matter how a particular situation in your life turns out…God will still love you! You are part of a love story in which God aims to bring you to fullness and completion. So…persevere…but relax in the knowledge that whatever today’s struggle is…it will pass…but God will never leave you!

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!