September 12, 2026
The Most Holy Name of Mary
Speaking From the Heart
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45

Sometimes, the good in our hearts seems to get buried. In my family of origin, sarcasm and well-timed zingers were valued more than kind words or actions. Put-downs about my ability to play softball or chess or memorize poetry often inspired me to ridicule those who weren’t as skilled as I was in other areas. My clever comments made me feel good for about a minute but cost me friends in the long run. I like to think the goodness in my heart was there, just covered up by the reflex to hurt others before they could hurt me.

Loving Jesus and following his example help replenish our goodness and dilute the badness. When the Lord calls out the bad behavior of others, he does so from his authority and not for sport or to show his cleverness. The deeper we allow him in our hearts and souls, the purer they become.

Jesus, help me to monitor my tongue and my heart.

- Melanie Rigney

1 Corinthians 10:14-22 ✚ Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18 ✚ Luke 6:43-49
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Comments

freeter
September 12, 2026 at 02:40 PM

Amen. :)

Gary
September 12, 2026 at 02:09 PM

" Jesus, help us to monitor my tongue and my heart. " Thanks for your words today, Melanie. Amen!

Debbie H
September 12, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Amen!

Pam
September 12, 2026 at 11:31 AM

Oh my gosh Melanie, this has been my prayer for YEARS! My heart is good, and I know that, but all of a sudden the words that come out definitely are not from the love in my heart! “In my thoughts, and in my words…”! Thank you Melanie for sharing your heart❣️

Salina (not in control)
September 12, 2026 at 08:52 AM

“Good” reminds me of the truth in this song based on the book of Romans! *** Good by Matthew West https://youtu.be/fAEEc-y1WqE?is=Nl9RWFwYDUSTmvZI *** The truth that no one is “good” (except Jesus) in Romans 3:10-12, “It is written, “No one is right with God, no one at all. No one understands. No one trusts in God. All of them have turned away. They have all become worthless. No one does anything good, no one at all.” *** The truth is no one is “good” (except Jesus) because of our sinful nature in Romans 7:15-16a, “I don’t understand what I do. I...
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Salina (not in control)
September 12, 2026 at 12:53 PM

I love to believe my heart is good, the idea makes me feel better about myself! This idea or feeling is however farthest from the truth in God’s Word :-( *** Jeremiah 17:9, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” *** Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” *** Matthew 15:18-19, “But the words...
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Holly
September 12, 2026 at 08:45 AM

Amen!

Mike
September 12, 2026 at 08:40 AM

Amen

CBR
September 12, 2026 at 08:39 AM

Amen Amen Amen God bless us all

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