Devotional Thoughts for the Week of May 11, 2025 - Greater Joy
My husband and I often remark that life - married life, family life, ministry life - is better, richer, sweeter than we ever expected it to be. If I had any expectations of how my story would unfold, they were way off. As I walked through my 20’s learning to know and trust God, I never let myself dream of children since I wasn’t at all sure He was going to give me a godly husband (and I refused to settle for any other kind). I am very thankful today for the way He is writing my story and for the family He has given me. Although I do not get to be physically present with my kids today, I thank God for where He has them. My heart echoes the words of the Apostle John, “Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Bible scholars estimate that 3 John was written approximately 90 AD, which would mean that John had been living as an apostle of Jesus Christ for several decades. In this personal letter he expressed great joy that Gaius was living faithful to the truth of the gospel. It appears likely that John had played some role in training up Gaius in the things of the Lord, similar to how a parent trains up a child. He found great joy in hearing that someone he had poured into was standing firm in his faith.
Isn’t that the longing of every godly parent? If you are a believer with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or other family members with whom you have shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, the great longing of your heart is to see them devote their lives to Him. If you have poured into kids in Sunday School or VBS, on the school bus or through coaching, you long for them to come into a deep personal relationship with the Savior. But this is not only true of those younger than you. You begin to feel that way about everyone you know, of any age. It may be coworkers, neighbors, or people you have met on social media. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we realize that what brings great joy is to see people we care about walking in faith. Other things matter less and less as we get older. That is what the apostle, who referred to himself as The Elder, was expressing in this verse.
If it gives us joy to see people living in a personal relationship with the Savior, how much more joy does it bring to our Father in heaven? What does He desire most? What was it worth to Him? When we begin to really know Him and understand a tiny fraction of His love, we begin to become aware how fully He is for us because of His immeasurable indescribable love. He who made us understands far better than we do that what will bring us joy and abundant life is surrender to Christ. He is always calling people closer so that they can experience the richest life imaginable - intimacy with Almighty God. Today, let us worship and praise our big-hearted God even as we pray for people in spiritual darkness. May many be saved, even today! Come Lord Jesus!
Lynn
My husband and I often remark that life - married life, family life, ministry life - is better, richer, sweeter than we ever expected it to be. If I had any expectations of how my story would unfold, they were way off. As I walked through my 20’s learning to know and trust God, I never let myself dream of children since I wasn’t at all sure He was going to give me a godly husband (and I refused to settle for any other kind). I am very thankful today for the way He is writing my story and for the family He has given me. Although I do not get to be physically present with my kids today, I thank God for where He has them. My heart echoes the words of the Apostle John, “Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Bible scholars estimate that 3 John was written approximately 90 AD, which would mean that John had been living as an apostle of Jesus Christ for several decades. In this personal letter he expressed great joy that Gaius was living faithful to the truth of the gospel. It appears likely that John had played some role in training up Gaius in the things of the Lord, similar to how a parent trains up a child. He found great joy in hearing that someone he had poured into was standing firm in his faith.
Isn’t that the longing of every godly parent? If you are a believer with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or other family members with whom you have shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, the great longing of your heart is to see them devote their lives to Him. If you have poured into kids in Sunday School or VBS, on the school bus or through coaching, you long for them to come into a deep personal relationship with the Savior. But this is not only true of those younger than you. You begin to feel that way about everyone you know, of any age. It may be coworkers, neighbors, or people you have met on social media. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we realize that what brings great joy is to see people we care about walking in faith. Other things matter less and less as we get older. That is what the apostle, who referred to himself as The Elder, was expressing in this verse.
If it gives us joy to see people living in a personal relationship with the Savior, how much more joy does it bring to our Father in heaven? What does He desire most? What was it worth to Him? When we begin to really know Him and understand a tiny fraction of His love, we begin to become aware how fully He is for us because of His immeasurable indescribable love. He who made us understands far better than we do that what will bring us joy and abundant life is surrender to Christ. He is always calling people closer so that they can experience the richest life imaginable - intimacy with Almighty God. Today, let us worship and praise our big-hearted God even as we pray for people in spiritual darkness. May many be saved, even today! Come Lord Jesus!
Lynn
