1. By running in this race with our eyes on Jesus Christ! (Heb 12:1-3) – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus did not quit! Jesus persevered. Until His last breath on earth He finished faithful as our Redeemer. As we look to Him, He both motivates us and empowers us to persevere. How are you doing?

2. By keeping a good attitude! (Phil 4:8) – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

You have heard it said, “Our attitude control our altitude”! A negative attitude results in a negative lifestyle; i.e. a quitter.
How is your attitude? Change your thinking. Think right.

3. By not quitting! (Gal 6:9) – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

When we over do it we get weary. Stress, pressure, along with cares of this world can overwhelm us and cause us to be incapacitated. You know. Right? Perseverance is the key. In other words, we have to pace ourselves in this very demanding society in order to stay useable. Where are you at?

Introduction: We can offend others as well as being offended. Here is a brief study on this subject taken from one passage of Scripture. It is a follow up from a previous devotion. 

1. We can offend others! (Luke 17:1,2) – “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

Can we be an offense and not even know it?

The word “offense” is σκανδαλίζω,(skan-dal-id’-zo): It means to “put a snare (in the way), to cause to stumble, or to give offense. Furthermore, it can have to do with causing someone else to sin. 

Has that happened to you? Perhaps every parent or person for that matter must admit to causing someone else to stumble. However, Jesus Christ stated the seriousness of doing such; i.e. hanging a milestone – heavy rock – around one’s neck and thrown into the sea.

2. We can be offended but make it right! (Luke 17:3,4,5,6) – Yes. Listen to the words of our Lord. 

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

Don’t forget. Forgiveness is a choice. But remember Jesus forgives us, if we trust Him. 

3. Faith is the key to making it right! (Luke 17:5,6) – “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

Notice the word “Sycamine tree”. It is συκάμινος, (soo-kam’-ee-nos), which is the mulberry tree, a black mulberry. Jesus said real Faith can pluck it up – from the roots – and thrown into the sea where it dies! 

Conclusion: Offenses happen. But they need to be made right if possible. Jesus can make it right.

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1. First, notice his FAVOR! (2Chron 26:1-3) – “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.”

At sixteen he was crowned King of Judah…imagine a 16 yr old today being President! Nevertheless, it was so; God favored him.

2. Next see his FOLLOWING! (2Chron 26:4-15) – “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.”

Because Uzziah did right in the sight of the Lord, God blessed him with prosperity. Has our Lord blessed you?

3. Thirdly, watch his FAILURE! (2Chron 26:16-19) – “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense…..”

Prosperity can lead to adversity. When the king was “strong” he took things in his own hands. Here is a warning to every Christian that has been blessed. Choices and decisions need to be handled with much PRAYER and CARE!

4. Finally he’s FORGOTTEN! (2Chron 26:19-23) – “Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar…. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD.”

Because of his bad choices and poor judgment, king Uzziah suffered immensely. First he was ejected out of the house of God. Next he was stricken with leprosy until the day he died. What a bad way to go! Probably he was remembered by how his life ended instead of his great accomplishments. Sad. How are you determined to finish?

The Elder Brother! (Luke 15:28) – “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.”

You would think that he would be happy! Why? Because his brother had finally come home! But no, he was mad. This shows he had a bad attitude all along. His motives were greedy. His heart was deceitful. His life was exposed when someone besides himself got some attention.

Application: There are quite a few people sitting in Church every Sunday that do not really care about the salvation or restoration of others. Instead, they are concerned about their own convenience. Self interest is driving them. When others get attention then jealousy raises its ugly head.

This elder brother was religious. Do not forget who Jesus is talking to. He is addressing the religious crowd of His day.

A good gauge to check up on your attitude and anger in the Church is to evaluate if you are humbling yourselves under God’s mighty hand….not just lip service….talking the talk….but walking the walk.

1. First comes our Lord’s instructions! (Jonah 1:1,2) – “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

2. Next came Jonah’s direction! (Jonah 1:3) – “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”

Jonah learned; You can run, but you can’t hide from God. Instead of going in the right direction, he went in the total opposite direction. Although he paid a high price, he learned a valuable lesson.

** What is worse than learning from our mistakes is not learning from our mistakes.

3. Next comes the restoration! (Jonah 2:1) – “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly.”

4. Finally, the message of restoration turned into a message of reconciliation! (Jonah 3:1-3) – “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.”

1. By REFRESHING! (Philemon 1:7) – “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

Everybody needs refreshing! Do you feel drained? Worn out? Tired? Stressed? Worried? Angry? Hurt? Remember. When we refresh others, our Lord sends people to refresh us!

2. By REMEMBERING! (2Tim 1:3,4) – “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee.”

Think about those who have been a blessing to you. Why not take a moment and Praise the Lord for them!

3. By REJOICING! (Rom 16:3,4) – “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

Paul writes to CHRISTians in Rome and us today rejoicing in those who have served our Lord Jesus. Are you serving?
Have certain ones been a blessing to you? Tell them. Show them. Thank them.

4. By REAFFIRMING! (Rom 16:1-2) – “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”

Evidently, Phoebe was a tremendous helper to Paul and the Church. So, he gave honor where honor was due. Ultimately, it is all about JESUS CHRIST our Lord and Savior who died for our sins and rose again for our justification.