Bill Tonnis Ministries

Luke 4:22
And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”

When we follow Jesus…we will be asked to step out of our comfort zones. Sometimes the people closest to us may say (just like they did about Jesus), “Isn’t this Joseph’s kid…the one who is a carpenter? Who does he think he is?” We cannot be concerned with what others say when we start following Jesus. He warned us that we would be persecuted. Each of us will be called to be a unique reflection of God to the world. By following Jesus…you will find your true self. It will require courage to do it. Others will feel threatened by your change and may make fun of you. Despite that, follow Jesus. It will lead you to the life you were meant to live. And if someone close to you is stepping out of his or her comfort zone to follow Jesus…give that person encouragement!

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!

Mark 6:50-51
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded.

The disciples are already afraid as their boat is being tossed about by heavy winds…when they see Jesus walking on the sea. The sight terrifies them. The storms of life will come. That is a certainty. Perhaps you have already endured some difficult storms. The one constant in life is the fact that God loves us and will not let us go. Jesus is the manifestation of God in human form. His message is that we have nothing to be afraid of. When times get tough…turn to Him. The winds will calm. He will give you rest.

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

1 John 4:8-9
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

I followed many pursuits that I thought would lead me to becoming “someone” in the eyes of the world. I wanted the rewards the world said would make me happy and fulfilled. All those pursuits were dead ends leading me to wanting more and more…but ending up with misery. It wasn’t until I was thoroughly miserable that my ego was weakened enough that my true self was able to hear a soft voice in my heart that said I was loved…for no other reason than the fact that I was a beloved child of God. Allow God’s love to come into your life. Follow Jesus and you will discover a life abundant in love, peace and joy!

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!

Matthew 4:17
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

When the John the Baptist was arrested…Jesus’ ministry went into full swing. It was time. When Jesus is bringing His good news of salvation…of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness to all…the kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand! Jesus says, “Repent.” In other words, turn away from the ways you are looking for fulfillment and turn toward the only source of fulfillment that can truly satisfy and bring you peace and wholeness…or “salvation.” Follow Jesus and be a channel of God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion to the world.

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 96
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; announce his salvation day after day.

As we ring in the New Year with celebrations…let us be reminded that each moment is the eternal “now.” Each moment is all that is real…the only “time” when God is with us. It’s constant. So let us celebrate our loving God Who holds all and embraces all without excluding based on what we’ve done…but simply loves each of us for what we are…a beloved son or daughter.

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!

1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

First off, we know we are to love creation because God entrusts us as stewards or caretakers of the “world” in that sense. But we are not to love the “world” in the sense of material possessions or in the sense of making objects of other people or things for our own selfish desires. It’s all about relationship. If we give of ourselves to God…God gives back to us in an endless circle of abundant giving and receiving! The more you give of yourself…the more God gives back. This is mirrored in the Trinity…an endless cycle of a loving relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The key is to be present…and in a loving relationship with everything in each moment.

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!

1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.

God is Light…only Love. Allow that Light to shine into the darkness inside of you. We all have a place of darkness…a place where we feel we could not possibly be loved…a place where we don’t “measure up“…a place where we are afraid or are embarrassed because of shame. Allow God’s Light to shine into that area. God’s Light will not condemn, accuse or shame you. On the contrary…it will embrace, console, accept and lift you! It is the one place where we know we can’t save ourselves and where God is the only One who can save us…and promises to never let us go!

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!

Matthew 2:13
Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.”

How amazing is it that Joseph would uproot his wife and baby and make a very difficult trip to Egypt with no idea what awaited them there…no plan…based on a dream? Joseph was attuned to God. He must have had an amazing contemplative dimension that enabled him to listen with the eyes and ears of his heart to the directions of the Spirit. What humility and lack of ego…to be able to set aside whatever his plans were…and to follow God with such trust and blind faith! Could it be that God is speaking to us in each moment…but our minds and egos are in such control that we are quite unaware? Maybe if we would take a moment to observe our racing, non-stop thoughts and egos…just maybe we might hear the gentle voice of God.

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!

1 John 1:4
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

The Son of God came to us as a baby. Close your eyes and envision the baby Jesus in the manger. Pick him up…and look into his eyes. There is no judgment or condemnation looking at you…only love! When you truly encounter Christ your life is changed. You are transformed and you can’t help but share the Good News with others in how you live your life and through your talents. Allow Christ to change you!

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 1:14
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

God is with us, in us and for us. May we all be channels of God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion so that the kingdom of God is at hand!

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, peaceful and joyous Christmas!