CHANGE

Change is a word that majority of people does not want to hear or experience. Why not? It is because change will either bring favorable or unfavorable consequence to the person concerned. How are we to respond to change whenever it comes our way? I want to propose this simple solution: Get ready for it! Change is an inevitable fact of life. It is what defines every situation both small and huge. Many have used it as their slogan and still many desires it to occur in their lifetime. Many aspire for change and it cannot be stopped from happening when the right time comes. It will be like an unstoppable flood that will sweep away everything in its path.

Let me share the story of Mercedes Benz to give us a glimpse of how mode of transportation changed because of a vision of one man: “In 1886, Karl Benz drove his first automobile through the streets of Munich, Germany. He named his car the Mercedes Benz, after his daughter, Mercedes. The machine angered the citizens, because it was noisy and scared the children and horses. Pressured by the citizens, the local officials immediately established a speed limit for "horseless carriages" of 3.5 miles an hour in the city limits and 7 miles an hour outside. Benz knew he could never develop a market for his car and compete against horses if he had to creep along at those speeds, so he invited the mayor of the town for a ride. The mayor accepted. Benz then arranged for a milkman to park his horse and wagon on a certain street and, as Benz and the mayor drove by, to whip up his old horse and pass them--and as he did so to give the German equivalent of the Bronx cheer. The plan worked. The mayor was furious and demanded that Benz overtake the milk wagon. Benz apologized but said that because of the ridiculous speed law he was not permitted to go any faster.” Very soon after that the law was changed. 

You see, if there was no change, we will not experience all of this sophisticated technology and breakthroughs in the past century. Yet changes are still happening with breakneck speed. Just begin to browse through any scientific magazine and you will discover new things being invented and introduced. One of which if not the greatest change is the mode of communication that people are enjoying through email, text, phone and the internet with many possible ways of communication. Every aspect of life is experiencing changes and many are not coping up well with it. One reason that I can think of is their fear of change. No matter what our apprehensions might be, changes are here to take place, sooner or later.

What needs to be maintained even in the midst of all these changes is our relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:8 states that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NIV) It is a truth that will stand the test of time. Furthermore, Hebrews 13:5 provides an everlasting truth of God’s never-ending presence "…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV) We can hold on to this truth even if everything around us changes. Our family members may change but God will not towards us and especially to those that are faithful to Him.

Here is another basis of God’s never-ending love for His people as Lamentations 3:21-22 states, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.“(NIV) We can rest on these words spoken thousands of years ago for today and tomorrow. The rapid change of our society will only continue no matter what but God will remain the same. Therefore, our faith in His word and promise must never be affected by the changes we experience externally. Remain steadfast and unmovable in our commitment and faith in God’s ability to bring us to our destiny and His will for our lives. As one Sunday school song declares, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Never lose sight of this fact and no matter what changes arise, God never change!

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RIGHT WORDS

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation." Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other, we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party. Here's a simple story to illustrate such a situation: A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted," Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school." On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, "Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker." She answered ,"You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you." Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It will only yield endless arguments and hurt feelings. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed. In order to learn the proper application of right words, we must hold fast to the biblical principles in regards to it:

• Proverbs 10:19, When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
• Proverbs 12:18, Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
• Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
• Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
  

Let us keep in mind that words cannot be taken back, even if desired to. Therefore, if you do not have anything good to say, stay quiet until you do. Furthermore, the best way to make sure that the words spoken are appropriate is to think hard and long before speaking. Rights words must be formed in order to build up people most of the time. It is by using constructive criticisms with an intention to promote the development and growth of the person involved. Words were designed to express the thoughts and intents of the person. Without it, there will never be relationships and ideas developed. Just think that dreams and visions need to be articulated by the right words to inspire people. Revolutions and movements were started by charismatic leaders with eloquent speeches; and the rise and fall of a leader were determined by its great rhetoric during rallies. Many more have been indirectly and directly affected by words spoken. But most importantly, belief systems like Christianity were started by the words of Jesus when He spoke of the Kingdom of God and His words were written by many to provide timeless education for our betterment in our relationship with God and others.

As much as speaking the right words reverberates across history, speaking the wrong words has the same effect with an opposite consequence that has plunge the world into wars and destruction. Thus, one can choose the right or wrong words to say to receive a right or wrong response and a right or wrong action. Here's an important reminder: control your tongue and never be controlled by it! Failure to do so will always bring unnecessary troubles. Guaranteed!

What I have shared to you in this article are words that I want to contribute to your success with your very important other and others in your life including your boss, children, teachers, government employees, police officers, pastors and priests to name a few. We all know how saying the right words deliver favors and blessing but the wrong words have the opposite outcome.

Now that I have given you some things to think about, make a firm decision to use the right words wisely to benefit others primarily and to secure some for yourself in the process. You will like what you will hear from people in response to your right words. Do not forget the biblical saying, 'what you sow is what you reap." Speak great things and expect great things; speak bad things and they will come as fast as they can!

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