There are 4 seasons that RAMP UP the stress for church staffs across America:

• Fall/Back to School
• Spring/Back to School
• Easter
• Christmas

Consequently, these are the SEASONS OF HARVEST.

MORE STRESS… MORE SUCCESS.

When you find yourself in a SEASON of STRESS, remember, it is likely an opportunity for a SEASON of SUCCESS.

Nothing is EASY.

Nothing GREAT is handed to you.

Don’t WISH for the easiest path.

God may intentionally walk you into a path of STRESS in order to answer your prayer for SUCCESS.

Don’t DUCK IT.

Don’t RUN from it.

Dive deeper into the person of Christ and allow him to create in you the heart, character, and appetites he desires.

I’m going to share with you what I always tell my staff.  This is one of the most foundational truths in my working, adult life.

MORE STRESS… MORE SPIRIT.

There are seasons in your life where the STRESS MOUNTS.

Some examples:

• Working double time to make a sale or close a deal
• Increased amount of traveling
• Taking on more work due to changes in personnel
• Pain, illness, or loss (economic, relational, or social)

When the pressure mounts… What is your reaction?

Will you STRESS OUT?

• React with anger or impatience
• Shut off emotionally
• Seek other outlets to ‘escape’ the stress
• Fantasize about being anywhere else, new job or marriage

I URGE YOU… Now is the time to SPIRIT-UP!

I remember the stress during one of our early financial hurdles at Keystone.  Spontaneous heat would generate along my spine every time I considered the possibility of failure.  It made me sick.

This conclusion gripped me: I need to dive DEEPER into the presence and the person of Christ.  The deeper the fear, the deeper I needed to dive into Christ.

Once, when I was laying on my bed praying diligently for Keystone, my meditation was interrupted by a phone call.  AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, an admired pastor called me to encourage me.  It gave me an incredible lift.

Today, I look back at that moment as DIVINE.

So, if you are STRESSED OUT… What you really need is THE SPIRIT.  Let God comfort you and bring you to a good place.

A pastor I admire a great deal has coined the phrase “next level-ology.”  Today I want to borrow it to make a point for our Keystoners.

Last night at our ‘CG CONNECT’ event I was able to talk to SO MANY people who are new to Keystone.  The conversations varied and I truly enjoyed it.  Hearing the stories and journeys inspired me greatly.

One talk was LIFE CHANGING.  I had the incredible opportunity to lead a first time guest into a relationship with Jesus!  Together, with one of our Keystone staff, we prayed through Romans 10:9,10 and she BEGAN her eternal life with Jesus.

As I recounted the event with Susan later, I remembered a pivotal moment in the conversation.

I ASKED THE EXTRA QUESTION.

Here are my questions and how the convo basically unfolded:

• Is church new to you or have you done this before?
• Are there any questions about God that you bring with you here to Keystone?
• Today, did you feel God speaking to you specifically?  Did you feel anything?
• What would keep you from crossing the line of faith tonight?

At that point, my guest began bringing some roadblocks to her faith… questions that she hasn’t resolved.  I was sure we were off-road into the jungle of apologetics and ALMOST said this:

Keep coming.  Keep asking.  Keep seeking.  God will show himself to you and I will pray for you… Could we pray now?

Instead, our discussion went this way:

You can have a life of faith WITH questions or you can have a life WITHOUT faith WITHOUT questions… I urge you to begin your walk with Jesus TONIGHT.

Followed by:

What would hold you back from beginning a relationship with Jesus TONIGHT?

At that point, she explained that NO ONE HAD EVER TOLD HER HOW!!!!  That’s what she wanted all along!

Here is my point: Fearlessly ask the extra question.  One more impulse.  Go the extra mile.

YOU NEVER KNOW THE IMPACT THAT AWAITS!!!

Thank you Jesus for getting me out of the way.  I almost delayed or diverted her searching heart from finding you.  Help all of us engage others spiritually to unlock life change!

At Keystone, we beg God to “trust us with your broken people.”  That means that God will position you to make a real difference in someone’s life.  When that magical moment happens… What do you say?  How do you share Jesus with someone else?

Check out this brief video that will equip you TODAY to make a difference in someone’s life FOR ALL ETERNITY!

This past weekend I spoke on the REALITY of hell.  I frequently mention hell in my talks… usually in verbal zingers like:

Hell is hot, heaven is not

or

We are plundering hell and populating heaven

But, I took the entire weekend to talk about the sobering reality of hell.  The craziest part of the talk was its CONTEXT… in the middle of a series about the GOOD NEWS of the gospel (KICKS)!!!

Why would I do this?  Am I sadistic?  Do I get a kick out of others being damned?

Here are a few reasons why I was COMPELLED to preach on hell:

• Jesus spoke about hell… a lot.
• I must be more concerned about God’s approval than the favor of friends.
• Where the Bible is clear, I must be clear… The reality of hell is clear.
• I didn’t want to.  This exposed a thread of ‘people pleasing’ in me that I had to PREACH through in order to have integrity with God.
• Recognizing the reality of hell builds health in the person and in the church.
• Sometimes to get to the GOOD NEWS you have to STARE DOWN the BAD NEWS.
• We must have an URGENCY at Keystone to reach those far from God.

The result: Major momentum coming out of the weekend.

One first time guest approached me afterward and blew my mind!  He was initially put off by the topic and resigned to just ‘get through’ the talk.  Yet, as he listened, God spoke to him in a powerful way.  His compassion for others was renewed and his determination to make a difference was ignited!  Good news for sure!

Don’t pick and choose the verses in the Bible you like… Face the hard truths and they just might release you to your potential!

INTIMIDATION is the enemy of our future success.  INTIMIDATION stands between us and our God-given potential.  INTIMIDATION blocks our ability to change the world!

Let’s punch INTIMIDATION in the jaw.  Step up.  Bow your back and make a move.

Step One: Name that GIANT. What is the NAME of that giant intimidating you?  Insecurity?  Approval of Others?  Fear of Failure?  Name that giant.

Step Two: Find his address. Stop LOOKING at the giant and let’s go to his HOUSE. Behind that GIANT lies a root problem within us… It’s not enough to REALIZE our intimidators, we must take steps toward removing it.  In other words, let’s deal with the SIN not just the SYMPTOMS.

Step Three: Call in the Special Forces. You can’t conquer this giant alone.  You don’t have the strength.  Call in the Special Forces.  Only the resurrection power of Christ can overwhelm the insecurities in your life.  God has laden the bible with PROMISES for you… Claim them!  Attach your name to them!  Be FILLED with Holy Spirit empowerment for your daily life.  God can conquer any GIANT.

Some Scriptures to MARINATE in your life and apply this truth:

John 10:10, Romans 8:2, John 8:36