APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOOD!
Written by Dale Ebel
Please connect with me if you wish at dale@daleebel.org
or by phone 503-957-4547
[Philippians 1:10 KJV]
10 That ye may approve (to recognize) things that are excellent (good that is expressed in multiple places); that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
My purpose in this teaching is for you to saturate your day with words of encouragement, praise, and recognition of the good that you see people (Christians and non-Christians) doing all around you.
Being a Sweet Aroma
[2 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMP]
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, discernible both among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Friends, in general we are immersed in a culture of negativism and fear. Let’s bring out the “sweet aroma” of Christ through expressing kindness, happiness, and words of encouragement and courage.
About 80% of the time, I identify myself as a follower of Christ through my encounters. In a typical week, I will engage about 25–30 people with meaningful words of praise and substantive interaction.
One of many daily encounters
• While working out, a man in his late 40’s who was exceptionally fit 💪 was rigorously going through his routine. I stopped and said, “You are an inspiration to me! THANK YOU FOR BEING AN EXAMPLE!”
He stopped, took off his ear pods, and asked, “What did you say?”
I repeated my praise, and he was actually dumbfounded. He said:
“YOUR WORDS ARE SO MOTIVATIONAL TO ME! THANK YOU!!!”
Since then, multiple conversations have taken place that allowed us to connect the dots of relationships with our grandchildren, including Brock and his bout with cancer. He was so impressed one day after seeing Brock work out and realizing that he was my grandson that he posted some of his experiences with us on Facebook!!
You never know, do we?
Of course, I identified myself as a follower of Christ.
Two of my favorite uplifting verses in the Book of Acts are:
[Acts 10:37-38 AMP]
37 You know the things that have taken place throughout Judea, starting in Galilee after the baptism preached by John—
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
On many occasions I ask people if I can pray for them. On numerous occasions I pray for their healing out loud on the spot. Not one person has turned me down. One waitress, when I was having breakfast with a guy, actually reached out to clasp our hands when praying.
People sense and recognize genuineness.
This is the extraordinary in the ordinary, wouldn’t you say?
[Psalm 21:6 AMP]
6 For You (Yahweh God) make him (King David) most blessed (rewarded) forever; You make him joyful with the joy of Your presence.
God rewarded King David with the crown of finest gold, long life, splendor, majesty, eternal rewards, and joy. We too should look upon all that we have—position, family, wealth, and talent—as gifts from God that should be extended to others.
Think about it. What if we consistently expressed gratitude out loud for God’s provisions and simple thankfulness to others in our daily walk?
• The other day I was conversing with a gal and she asked me,
“Dale, how do you stay positive when you personally have experienced so much heartache with the health of your grandsons, the fact that you were cancelled as a pastor, and yet have such a hopeful disposition when there is such a dramatic evil shift in our culture?”
I responded, “I express gratefulness for what I have!”
While talking on the phone in my car, I said:
“Here I am able to drive a beautiful car, access gas for the car, live in a free country, heading toward the expertise of my ENT specialist, and I have my sensibilities about me so I can carry on intelligent conversations with you and others. I would say I’m very rewarded (blessed).”
By “approving the things that are good,” my presence elevated her joy.
Friends, I don’t do this enough, but it is an application of Truth that can potentially encourage (bring courage) to many others!
• While working out at Active Edge in West Linn, an older man was next to me. I commented to him, “Aren’t we grateful for such a beautiful place to exercise and to live in a great country that affords liberty, allowing us to experience freedom?”
He stopped working out and looked at me and said,
“I have not heard the word ‘grateful’ in years! I never thought to be grateful for the place I work out at.”
How are you doing?
Are you approving the things that are good and excellent? What is your presence providing for others?
Are your words uplifting, positive, illuminating, redemptive, offering hope, interesting, Christ-glorifying, inspiring, and joyful?
Come on, gang. None of us are batting 1,000—and we never will—but we can clearly come to the plate and take a swing with our redemptive presence!
Rate yourself on the “approving good” scale:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
[2 Corinthians 1:24 ESV]
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
I personally believe that without gratefulness we are not able to influence people for good, joy, happiness, or holiness.
If we profess faith in the living Christ, we ought to have a happy disposition. The most grateful people are the happiest people.
After all, isn’t this what the Lord was saying in the Beatitudes?
“Blessed (happy) are …” (Matthew 5:3-11).
Oh, by the way, the Torah many times instructs God’s people to be joyful and happy!
[Deuteronomy 16:11 NASB95]
11 And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.
Our grandson, Max McNown, wrote a song which happens to be the 10th most popular Country song in the United States at this time (March 2026). He wrote it for his fiancée, who is now his wife. It is titled “A Better Me for You,” also known as “Brown Eyes.”
Repeatedly, I quote this title to many people and pose a comment something like this:
“I don’t even know you, but I should be a ‘better me for you.’ Imagine if more of us practiced this!”
This week alone here are a few responses:
“I am getting chills up my arms when I hear you say this!”
“That is so true!”
“What a powerful thought.”
“This is great! Your words motivate me to be a better person.”
EVERY PERSON WAS SMILING WHILE GIVING THEIR RESPONSE! 😊😊😊
When I talk about Max’s song, pretty much 90% of the time I identify both myself and him as followers of Christ who have a moral compass.
It takes me about 30–60 seconds to make these comments.
Pretty simple, wouldn’t you say?
I am not picky. Neither was the Apostle Paul.
[Acts 17:17 NIV]
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
• While on a walk I observe people walking their dogs. I say something like this:
“What a good-natured dog. He or she is a reflection of you!”
Most people provide a hearty “thank you,” and one guy told me,
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody make such a nice comment to me while walking my dog.”
Friends, I’m not making these responses up.
• While checking out at Costco or Safeway, I will thank the person for doing such a great job and helping me.
A comment I’m hearing consistently is:
“I’m trying.”
To which I respond by saying,
“You’re succeeding!”
Pleasantly startled, they look me straight in the eye and say,
“WELL THANK YOU!”
Are you willing to up it a notch or two by approving the things that are good?
Bringing the sweet aroma of Christ,
Dale