Bill Tonnis Ministries

Mark 6:12
So they went off and preached repentance.

When Jesus sent off the apostles they were not sent off to scare people with threats of punishment. They were sent out to tell the “Good News” of God’s love! They were sent out to tell all people to repent as in turn away from the ways you are looking for happiness…and turn toward God. When you know that you know that you know you are loved…your heart will melt…and you will want to share that love with others. You will want others to turn toward this God of unconditional love. What is the motivation of your daily living? Is it to please you…or to please God? Paradoxically, when you live to please God…you end up pleasing yourself…because God wants nothing more than for you to be happy and fulfilled!

Suggested song of the day—“Singing My 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!

Luke 2:26-30,32
It had been revealed to Simeon by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

Simeon must have been a very spiritual man. He must have cultivated a relationship with God by spending time in quiet contemplation so as to know the stirrings and movements of the Holy Spirit. He also was open…not stuck in his preconceived ideas of God or how God acts. He was open to something new…or he would not have been open to seeing God in the face of a little baby! Are you taking time to cultivate a relationship with God through quiet reflection and contemplation? Are you open to God doing something new in your life?

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!

Hebrews 12:3-4
Consider how Jesus endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Jesus showed us how far God would go to show us unconditional love. This is our God…not a harsh disciplinarian ready to punish us…but a loving nurturer who will go to any length to save us! Whatever you are struggling with now…turn to Christ for help. He knows what you are going through and will walk with you. When you reach the end of your rope…God is waiting there…not to scold you…but to embrace you! This is where God says, “I know you can’t do it on your own. Let me help.” Why wait until the end of your rope? Turn to Christ now…and allow Him to share your journey to wholeness and salvation!

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!

Psalm 31:23
Once I said in my anguish, “I am shut out from your sight.” Yet you heard my plea, when I cried out to you.

We all go through times of darkness and suffering. It seems it is a necessary part of this mysterious journey. Even Jesus, the Son of God, suffered. Jesus was our ultimate model of how to live our lives. He shows us that God will go to any length to love us and will never reject us…even when we reject God! This is unconditional love. When the tough times come…try not to label them as “bad” because God will surely allow those times to transform us if we are open to it. Christ will be there with you in your times of trial…all the way through it. It’s the way of the cross. New life and resurrection always await us…on the other side of the struggle. Count on it!

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!

Hebrews 10:34
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.

What is at the center of your motivation for whatever you do? Is it to please your ego…or to please God? We tend to treasure material possessions and wealth…while God treasures love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. We are actually spiritual beings in the process of becoming the unique expression of God’s love…but many times we get lost in the grasping for power, prestige and wealth. All those things you will have to let go of when you die. Why not start letting go of them now? You will never know who you are…until you focus your life on God. God loved you into existence…and will never let you go!

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 37:4
Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.

We all have a hole in our hearts that we are trying to fill…a yearning that we are trying to satisfy. Are you trying to fill that void with something material or physical? The yearning will only be truly satisfied with a spiritual solution. God placed that hole in your heart so that only God could fill it. God wants to fill it…but gives us our freedom to respond. What is it that you do that when you do it you experience joy? This is the place where God loves experiencing the world through you. How is God calling you to use your abilities and talents that give you joy…as a channel of God’s love to the world? Listen to that inner-voice…and it will lead you to your heart’s desire.

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!

2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Being a Christian is not easy. Jesus promised that we would be persecuted. But once you know Jesus…once you know that the only way to find yourself…to find your purpose in life, inner contentment and fulfillment…is in following Him…the choice is clear. It resulted in St. Paul being imprisoned and finally executed. He followed willingly and with courage as he relied completely on the strength given to him by God. Who are today’s prophets and apostles? Could it be you? Follow Christ and He will lead you to freedom!

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!

Acts 22:4
I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.

Before becoming Saint Paul…he was known as Saul…a persecutor of Christians in the name of God. Saul thought he was doing God’s work by rounding up followers of the “Way”…the name of the early Christian movement…and throwing them into prison. Some were undoubtedly put to death. Saul encountered the resurrected Christ in some mystical way…and his heart was changed. Saul was basically a terrorist. No wonder Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If Saul had been killed…it would have prevented one of the greatest conversions in history from taking place…and we would not have the writings of one of the greatest evangelists to ever live. What other amazing conversion stories are waiting to take place…in God’s time? Could it be yours? We’re all on the path to conversion…completion…and salvation!

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 98:1
Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous deeds.

Over the weekend I narrowly missed what could have been a tragedy. My car slid out of control on ice…just missing a head-on collision…before my car ended up off the road and over-turned. I did not sustain as much as a scratch or a bruise. I know that God would be with me no matter how this accident would have turned out. But I also know that God is reminding me of all the blessings in my life…of how awesome yet fragile life is…and how there is a responsibility to be present to carrying out our callings in each precious moment. Whatever is going on in your life…wake up to this precious moment! God will use whatever circumstance you are in for your good and the good of all if you are open to the Grace that is never-ending, always available…and totally free!

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!

Mark 3:14-15
He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Jesus is not just calling certain people. Jesus is calling you. He said he was “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). By following Him…we find our true selves and our calling in life. How will you use your abilities and talents to be a channel of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion? You are being sent to preach the unconditional love of God for all…and to drive out any “spirit” of division or denigration.

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!