Deuteronomy 4:9

“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”

God’s constant message from the beginning of the bible to the end is: “I love you.” There are no strings attached. But the people seem to have short memories…easily forgetting God’s fidelity and care…slipping away to worship other idols. This continues today. But God does not abandon us…no matter how many times we turn away. Just so we can’t miss the message…Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified…and then while hanging on the cross…He forgave us…even when no one had asked to be forgiven! That’s Unconditional Love! Let us remember this…and pass it on!

Suggested song of the day: “Come to Jesus” from the Live to Love album

See itunes link above right

Psalm 42:2-3

As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God.

We each have a deep yearning inside…a yearning that longs to be satisfied. Why is it that we either try to numb that yearning…cover it up…or try to satisfy it with material or physical things? The yearning is on the “soul” level. It’s a spiritual longing. How is it that you experience God? Is it in music, quiet time, art, creation or something else? Maybe all of those! Allow God to nourish you. God yearns to embrace you!

Matthew 21:43

“Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

The only ones whom Jesus repeatedly reprimanded for “not getting it” were the priests and Pharisees. They held tight to laws and rituals even when it meant being cold-hearted to those in need. What is the “fruit” of the kingdom of God? Love…mercy…grace…forgiveness and compassion! Are we producing such fruit with our lives? If we did…the kingdom of God would be at hand! Dear God, open our hearts to be builders of Your kingdom!

Suggested song of the day—”Salvation”

Listen on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream.

God plants seeds in our hearts. They are God’s dreams for us. However, sometimes our egos take control and have more self-centered dreams for us. They can squash God’s dreams. If God’s seed is watered and nourished it will grow into a tree with deep roots that stretch to the never-ending stream which is God. Do you know God’s dream for you? Turn to your Loving Creator…open your heart…and listen.

Suggested song of the day: “Listen to Your Heart”

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Psalm 31:5-6

Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God.

Sometimes it feels like everyone and everything is conspiring against us. Jesus felt this. When the Son of God was thoroughly rejected and hanging on the cross He quoted Psalm 31: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Is God the one we are trying to please first and foremost in our lives no matter what happens? Surrender your ego’s needs. Place them in God’s hands and trust that your Loving Creator will redeem you!

Suggested song of the day: “I Surrender”

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Matthew 23:11-12

“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

What Jesus is telling us is exactly the opposite of what our culture tells us. It tells us to be first…to beat all the competition…to win the applause of all…to be the “American Idol”! We have a choice. God gave us free will for a reason. Which philosophy will you follow?

Suggested song of the day: “I Want to Follow You.”

Songs available on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Matthew 5:20

“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

The scribes and Pharisees believed they were doing everything right…following the rules…and therefore didn’t need forgiveness. The so-called “sinners” like the tax collectors and prostitutes allowed Jesus to reach out to them. They knew they needed forgiveness. Life is not about being right…but it is about right relationship…with each other and with God. God wants to forgive us. Didn’t Jesus show this quite plainly? When we allow God to forgive us and when we pass on this forgiveness to others…the kingdom of God breaks into the present. Dear God, forgive us as we forgive others…and may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!

Songs available on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Matthew 7:7

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Jesus is quite the teacher. He is not saying that God is a genie waiting to grant your wishes or is He saying that God is some cosmic Santa Claus. What God wants you to have doesn’t come wrapped in a box. Each of us has gifts to share so that God’s kingdom comes…so that God is made known now…in the present moment. What is it that you truly desire in your heart? Ask for God’s help. Seek! It is in the seeking…that you will find!

Songs are available on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505