In Matthew 13: 54 - 56, Jesus was rejected by the Nazarene; people of His hometown. They scoffed at the idea of how He was able to do miracles and possessed great wisdom. After all, they knew His family and Jesus was only the carpenter’s son. How did He learn all these things?
 
“And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him” – Matthew 13: 57

Jesus knows that His calling would face opposition yet he take no heart of the offence and stayed true to righteous living and teaching that offended even His disciples (John 6: 61). We tend to see things through the lens of worldly wisdom; we reject anything foolish or anything that does not make sense to us and we may even take to offence to some sayings or teachings that offend us.

Jesus has every right to feel offended from the judgement of the Nazarenes or even His own disciples yet offense is not something He teaches us to take. He forgives our offences and encourages us to do the same. “Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13

If you are hurting because you get offended in the past. Do not let the hurt dwell within you any longer. Do not let the hurt define and make who you are. Your identity has always been the beloved child of
the Almighty God. Jesus extends His loving hands toward you, let Him heal your grievances. Forgive those who offended you and forgive yourself, then fully surrender to Him.

The Lord is willing and He wants to take away the offense and the hurt. He promises love and rest, like a good Shepherd in Psalm 23. The question is now, are you willing?

- Annie Pisca

​In everyday life, the Lord lovingly leaves His fingerprints on His creations. I believe, these are reminders for us to believe in His provision and plans.

Take a look at a palm tree – 1) This tree will bend but it will not break. Despite how strong the storm or wind may come its way, the palm tree will bend its branches even to the ground and when the storm eases, it will straighten its branches and be its strongest in the place where it bent. 2) You can’t kill a palm tree; you may be able to cut it but it will grow again. The nutrients it need to survive are stored through the tree’s rough outer rings and it also remains close to its roots. 3) Palm tree’s roots can grow as deep as hundreds of meters in search of water hence why it could thrive even in a dry place as it stays close to its water source.

If the Lord could equip a palm tree to be enduring and robust, how much more would He equips you? He readily equips us, His beloved children with His enduring grace. You may be overwhelmed and bend but you will not be broken, lay your root deep to the source of the Living Water. Let no wind nor storm be able to uproot and break your faith.

​Yes, you are more than able to endure and rise stronger. The Lord is your source and you have His enduring grace to rise stronger.
​
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- Irene Soon

 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." (1 Kings 19:7)

After killing the false prophets, Elijah fled for his life. At one point he asked God to take his life and God said nothing but told Elijah twice, to get up and eat for the journey ahead will be too much for Elijah to bear. God then asked Elijah what he was doing and he told God that he was the only believer left and the rest have been killed.
 
Probably most of us can identify ourselves as Elijah sometimes. We think we have done the right thing for God or that we have done our best but instead of achieving victory or a breakthrough, we felt like we have hit a big boulder or a dead end.
 
Can we listen to God’s voice when we feel exhausted and even to the point of desperation? Can we feel assured that God knows what happened, what you are currently experiencing and what you will experience in the future?
 
Just as God assured Elijah that He knew the journey is too much for him and did not belittle his response to fatigue, we can rest assured that God knows what we are going through. As He provided for Elijah’s sustenance to continue his journey, we also have the assurance to continue our journey in the midst of any uncertainty life may throw at our path. Cry out to the Lord, He is listening attentively and He will provide.  

- Jenni Wang

​In Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 (ESV) Paul wrote:
 
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
 
What are the strongholds that spiritually imprison people? Arguments and opinions.
What arguments are raging in your mind? What arguments and opinions do you have of God and most importantly what do you know of His arguments and opinions of you? Arguments and opinions are more than just strongholds. They are deadlier than any weapons. Adam and Eve (and us, included) fell to sin because of an argument. They believed the serpent’s argument and stopped believing God.
 
When we stopped believing God, whose argument and opinions do we believe? The argument and opinions of the world? And where do you think they come from? Our enemy, the devil. We do not want to believe his lies, he is a liar and the father of all lies - John 8:44. He is out to kill us with his lies.
 
When we believe wrongly about specific things or issues, emotions such as anger, discouragement, depression, anxiousness, self-pitying, fearfulness or irritation may likely follow.
 
Monitor your emotions as it may indicate what arguments are currently raging in your mind. The devil does not want you think clearly, he wants to keep you confused, unclear, imprisoned and disarmed. Press on and fight, warrior of God. He has overcome the world and in Him, we will find peace. .
 
John 8:31-32
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 
 
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 8: 43 - 44 
Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

- Annie Pisca

Recently, my relative responded to a distressed neighbor’s call. Together, they found another neighbor who has just committed suicide and the scene left them scarred in ways they would never forget.
 
This reminded me on how peace could be an elusive element in today’s society. Ephesians 6:12 clearly states that we are in a war-zone, whether we like it or not, we are in a war. This war is cosmic in proportions. It involves the big league, bigger than we what we can see. Everyone alive is enlisted, God is in it, so are the angels and demons.
 
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
 
These battle in our everyday lives can be chalked down to pressure of life; work, financial issues, relationship problems, health concerns and the list goes on. However, where is the actual battle? It’s in waging aggressively in our mind.
 
Jesus has promised His peace for us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14: 27).

When the pressures of life harangue you to the ground, do not give up. Remember the promises of God that He has given us peace not as the world gives. This is a spiritual fight where we need to stand our ground and involve God in every aspect of the battles. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not let fear reign in your mind. The Lord is our victory.

- Annie Pisca

The month of June has always marked a turning point of my life. I remember he sleeps in the storm but today, decades ago, I sent him off in a white wooden casket. He had a peaceful smile on his face, his storm has passed but losing him marked the start of my self-discovery’s journey. The memory of his casket being lowered down to the soil humbles me.

There laid my hero, my father; lifeless and free from all pains. Who are we to clench our fist to God asking why He did so, which I freely admit that I did so for many years or who are we to boast a list of promises we could do? A man's heart plan his course but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16: 9).

Looking back in hindsight, the tragedy birthed courage within us, taught us a new level of humility and surrender to the Lord. Through the change of perspectives and trust, we watched together as a family on how God restored us; spiritually, financially, emotionally and mentally.

​Yes, plan the course of your lives but in all that you do, remember to prayerfully lay all of the plans at the throne of the Most High. It is through His grace, we could achieve a milestone and complete any task or wake to see another day. Let us give thanks for such gift and in time, He will reveal to you the silver linings of all sorrows

- S.I.L 

A story is told of a well-to-do lady who had become a Christian late in life. One day she was walking along a city street accompanied by her granddaughter. When a beggar approached them, the lady listened to his tale. She then took a bill from her purse and placed it in his palm. At the next corner a Salvation Army volunteer was waiting, and the lady dropped a gift into her kettle. Her granddaughter looked at her with curiosity and then said: “Grandma, I guess you have lost a lot since you became a Christian, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” said the lady, “I have. I have lost a quick temper, a habit of criticizing others, and a tendency to spend all my spare time in frivolous social events and pleasures that mean nothing. I have also lost a spirit of greed and selfishness. Yes, indeed, I have lost a good deal.

“And what I have gained is invaluable! Peace of mind; power in prayer; a Friend who is always with me, who knows, loves, and protects me; fulfillment and richness in life that I never knew existed; faith that allows no room for fears; a promise of a wonderful heavenly home when I’m through with this earthly one—and much more! Yes, I’m happy about what I’ve lost, and what I have gained is priceless!”

Matthew 6: 19
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

- Author unknown

There two pans heated next to each other on the stove. The pan with water was boiling at 100 degrees while the one with oil was heating faster but its boiling point is higher at 300 degrees.

The heat capacity of oil is faster than water and its element is more appropriate when it is faced with heat. When heated situation comes our way, do we respond aggressively like water splashed onto a heated pan, only producing splatters of water and hot steam?

Proverbs 29:11 writes “a fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.” James 1:19 reminds us, “My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Christ-like character encourages us to develop the fruit of self-control and this will enable us to be slow to anger and discern our respond or words in a heated situation.

​Is this something that you need God to guide you in? Pray for wisdom and our God who gives generously will give it to you; enabling you to hold your temper and be slow to anger.
​
James 1: 5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

- May Inu

One of the cool characters that get my attention is a listening character. Few times I have found myself in a room where everyone talks, at the same time but the facilitator asks the opinion of the person who have been quiet and doing most of the listening. That moment the room went so quiet and everyone’s attention shifted to that person. He grabs the attention of everyone in the room for simply being a listener.

On a different scene the listening principle still applies. I know we all lose our cool at times. Temper flares and we seek avenues to let it burn. If you take some times to observe friends or family members who are fighting. There is one common rule, everybody love talking when they fight, and this allows no room for understanding. Keep a cool attitude in moments like this with.

James 1:19
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
​
- May Inu

Have someone offended you? Mistreated you?
Said something mean/ insulted you? Back stabbed you? Betrayed your trust? Broke your heart?

There are many reasons to be angry.
But let's see what the Bible says about anger management.

1. Do not prolong your anger.
Ephesians 4:26  - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

2. Remember that God is the righteous judge, commit the situation unto His hand.
1 Peter 2:23 - Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

3. Knowing that vengeance is the Lord's. The Lord will repay.
Romans 12:19  - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

4. *Come often to His presence for healing*
Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds

5. Forgive. Stop replaying those unpleasant scenes that caused your sadness and disappointments in your mind
Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

6. Seek the opportunity to be the first to make peace
Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

- Diven