“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16 NLT)
Every good thing we think, do, or say begins in our heart, motivated by the Spirit of God who indwells us as God’s child. Good does not originate in us, as we’re dominated and directed by our sin-nature from which the only deliverance and cure is forgiveness through Christ our Lord.
To believe we are capable of good without the Spirit’s prompting is to misunderstand the source of all goodness. God is good; thus, everything that is good is derived from Him. That’s why even people who don’t know Him, because they were created by Him, can have some measure of goodness in them. My parents were very good to me even before they came to know the Savior.
However, as God’s child, the good things I do must be credited to the activity of the Spirit; otherwise, I may wrongly believe they originate with me, and I take credit that only God deserves. Am I splitting hairs? Maybe, but I’d much rather err on the side of giving God too much glory, honor, and praise, than not enough.
The title of this article may throw some of you a “curve ball,” as you may be thinking: “Shouldn’t that be ‘Speak Well?’” And, technically, you’d be correct; however, after reading the following quote by Craig Groeschel: “Each time you think something good, speak it. Never rob someone of the blessings of an unspoken treasure,” it launched my mind into considerations of how we might do that, how we might “speak good.”
What do you think? What do you think about that is good? The first thing that comes to mind in this moment is my wife 😊, but closely behind is the Lord who gave her to me. Speaking good involves sharing with others the good that the Lord has shared with me. That’s the basis of these articles.
As long as the Lord gives me breath and the ability to write, I will share insights, understanding, and revelations of anything good that I can find, whether from my heart or someone else’s. I already regularly use Sylvia Gunter’s beautiful and impactful devotionals on the 15th of each month. Periodically I have used articles from Ron Hutchcraft, Ray Majoran, John Stonestreet and others from the Colson Center, as well as Rick Warren and writers from Family Life.
It behooves us to pass on the good things we read or hear to others in our spheres of influence. For many reasons, the Lord has prompted me, beginning July 1st, to use the articles of various ones whom I respect and from whom I’ve learned over the years. So, for now, I will dedicate the 1st and 15th of each month to those whose words have blessed me, in hopes they will bless you as well. Additionally, as I have been doing, I may sporadically use others when prompted by the Lord.
I invite your feedback as to how you feel about this idea and whether you believe it will be helpful to you. You can respond by giving feedback to this article or writing me directly at walkingwithjesus09@gmail.com.
My heart is to be God’s instrument of blessing to you and to those in your spheres of influence. Words cannot adequately express how much I appreciate those of you who read these words. With all my heart my prayer is that they come to you from the heart of God. Be blessed, dear friends. I love and appreciate you and often thank the Lord for you and your faithfulness.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 