Live 360 with Tony Sutherland

Before my revelation of God's Grace, I used to be one of those preachers that pulled the "fear card" with sinners. Angry, frustrated, and irritated, I'd misquote Genesis 6:3, “God won’t always strive with man.” By this, I hoped to convince people that God would eventually run out of patience and give up on them. Unfortunately, this is a classic move to frighten people towards salvation and good works. Ultimately, it proves futile. Ever since Grace got a hold of me, this verse and so many others have a whole new meaning. In Biblical context with the New Covenant, this verse foretells a day when God will no longer require striving to earn righteousness. Child of God, you no longer have to strive to get close to God or make it to Heaven.

In life we are in one of three places. We're either in the middle of a wilderness, we're just coming out of a wilderness, or we're getting ready to go right back into another wilderness. I don't know about you, but many times in my journey I discovered that the mountains inspired me, but it was the valleys that matured me. In this episode, I'm going to share some encouraging thoughts that will help you get a better perspective of what's happening behind the scenes in your wilderness. I hope to expose some of the enemy's lies and help you gain a stronger determination to stay the course and complete the assignment God has given you in your wilderness. Take heart! There's a destiny in your desert!

In this episode, I share a basic summary of my daily routine that has helped me achieve a better sense of direction and energy in my life for the past 35 years. This simple process may be similar to your own daily routine. However, I wanted to offer you some insights into my personal regiment, with the hopes that it will help you make some positive changes and noticeable gains in your own life.

I ended this 4 part series in a blaze of glory! The final 6 tests I share here will put some fire in your bones. I promise, this episode will be one for the books.

I ended this 4 part series in a blaze of glory! The final 6 tests I share will put some fire in your bones. I promise, this episode will be one for the books.

In this episode, I'm slowly making my way toward 15 different tests and what they taught me. I've lived a little while, so I'm taking my time to go deep into some of what life and leadership has shown me. Be sure to catch up on the past two episodes to get some needed context for this episode. I truly hope the tests I've taken and the lessons I've learned from them will help you discover how to have peace and joy to the fullest in every area in your life.

In this episode, I'm sharing more tests that taught me lessons. We're on our way to 15 different tests and what they taught me and are still teaching me. Some lessons in life can’t be taught; they have to be caught. God has never let me out of an experience until I got what He wanted for me in it. And let me tell you, I sure needed His enabling grace to make it through those tests. I hope the lessons I've learned in these tests will add value to your life and greatly help you when it's your time to take your own tests.

In typical life scenarios, we learn lessons that prepare us for the tests. However, if you've lived any significant amount of time, you've probably discovered that life is anything but typical. In REAL life, we often learn the lessons, and then we take the tests. And the tests always teach us more than the lessons ever could. Some lessons in life can’t be taught; they simply have to be learned. God won't let you out of an experience until you get what is in it for you. You'll just have to accept this if you dare to pursue the call God has on your life. The things I’m about to share in this episode you may likely forget. However, rest assured, real life will remind you of them. The truth is, my mess is my message. Mess + Age = Message. My test is my testimony. And the funny thing is, I’ve failed at every one of these tests, but that’s how I learned the lessons.

I’m taking a week off to re-calibrate and focus on some important things that are coming in the days ahead. We’re about halfway through season 2. In the meantime, I encourage you to catch up on some of the past episodes. There are 52 episodes to choose from. That’s one full year of inspirational content. I hope this podcast is helping you discover how to have peace and joy to the fullest in every area of your life. I’ll be back with a new and powerful episode next Monday... And until then… We’ll see ya!

In this episode, I conclude with sharing some final, powerful thoughts about my Dad. At the recording of this podcast, my Father will have been gone from this Earth for almost a month and just beginning his glorious eternity with Jesus. My Dad's life made an indelible mark on me forever. You will want to listen all the way through this episode to the very end. I will share something unforgettable that will tug at your soul and hopefully will leave a mark on your life forever as well.