Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We all have goals in life; things we must achieve for the sole purpose of something greater. But we can't achieve those goals if we're not willing to stretch beyond a lie, the lie the enemy wants you to believe, that your Limitations can be used as Intimidation to make you live in your unmet Expectations. Because had Jesus believed the lie, He would not have achieved the goal set forth through resurrection. So keep pressing toward the mark in spite of the enemy's lie. Your goal is up ahead, you just have to be willing to reach for it.

Acts 4:13 says, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." One of the our greatest attributes to attracting people to God, is being real. Being real for Christ attracts those far from God, because we can relate through our struggles. Even though we're only ordinary people, God has called us to complete his extraordinary work! Yet authenticity is a must when laying down your platform in him. It's easy to decipher the difference between a relationship and a religion, because real people reach people. But can others recognize that you've been in the presence of Jesus in your walk of faith?

Acts 3:7-8 says, “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” If you're going to get anything from God you have to be willing to stretch for it. You have to be willing to take the opportunities presented to you and go after the miracle. But you can't lay down on the problem. You have to make a move toward the miracle. You have to get up, go up, and grow up. Now the question is, are you up for it?

Acts 3:2-6 says, "Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them." God leaves his mark when we stretch our faith, because He wants to do something through us. It is easier to watch someone else preform His works, instead of completing the same tasks ourselves. But God is constantly trying to stretch our mindset, and grow his kingdom within us so we can reach others far from God and lead them to live a God-First Life!

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 says, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” God has given to each of us gifts to perform efficiently for the body of Christ, and in order to be efficient we must do things right. We cannot be lazy, complacent, or full of excuses. However, we must have balance in our lives, so that when those who are broken come to us for help, we are able to help them. In this way they reap the benefits of the Church, and receive the gift of life that Christ so freely offers.

1 Timothy 6:17 says, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." You will run out of time before you run out of money, so today is the day to stop your hope from migrating from God, because the greatest decision of your life is right around the corner. It's called the planning stage, or the process, in which God is equipping you to handle things later down the road. This helps us remember that God gives us wealth as a resource that will sustain us through survival in this world, but that He is the source from which all things come.

According to society being rich means having a lot of money and striving to gain even more. However, there is a richness on the inside of you that is greater and will far outlive the wealth you gain on the outside. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You were created for a purpose; to use what God has given you and pour into the lives of others. In this way you should strive to be rich in good deeds and share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. But what are you doing with the wealth that lives inside of you? Are you using it to make the name of Jesus famous, or are you saving it for yourself while the world remains in debt?

1 Timothy 6:17 says, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." God is more concerned with the consistency of our giving rather than the amount of our gift. By remembering that wealth is just a resource, or supplier, we soon realize that wealth will not sustain us. Therefore, when we're connected to the source, i.e. Jesus Christ, He gives us the resources to supply our needs. So when we pre-decide to put our hope in the ultimate source, we activate our faith to receive blessings from the one who richly provides.

Society today will tell you the more money you have the more secure your life will be. However, money is unstable and won't sustain you, but when we fix our focus on God we become rich in Him. 1 Timothy: 6:18-19 says, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” We must be willing and able to give of what we have regardless of our trials. We must look at our situations through God instead of seeing God through our situations. And even though it may look hopeless, if we put in God's hands He can do more than we could ever imagine and sustain us for an even greater purpose.

People everyday are desperately trying to become rich in this world, whether it's material or financial reasonings. Yet this desire is fueled by the spirit of comparison, which is a killer for the souls on fire for Christ. In 1 Timothy 6:17 it says, "command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Meaning we are all rich in the eyes of God, given to us by his glory! Most rich people today are plagued by the feeling of in-contentment and never finding true happiness, or true joy, but its not what we do, its who we are. That true feeling is in the Lord, who we need to trust in to provide us our riches once promised.