I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 NIV
No Greater Joy
Jia Yueyue (Chinese: 加悅悅, meaning ’Canadian Joy’) and Jia Panpan (加盼盼, meaning ’Canadian Hope’) are twin giant pandas born at the Toronto Zoo on October 13, 2015. They were the first giant pandas to be born in Canada, and only the second giant panda twins to survive the neonatal period in North America. The pandas went on public exhibit at the zoo on March 12, 2016, and stayed on display there until March 18, 2018.
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Over the years, I have been grateful for many who have poured their lives into mine. As a child, my mother took time each evening for devotions with my brother and me. Throughout my high school years, I had godly Christian men who helped develop me in my walk with Jesus and taught me what a Christian leader should look like. In ministry, I had mentors who trained me, directed me, sometimes chastised me. As I got older, I realized the importance of pouring into others what they, and decades of ministry, have taught me. In his last two epistles, the elderly apostle John expressed his joy in hearing how well those he had discipled were doing in ministry and in Christ. In 3 John 1:4 he says: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” No greater joy. That’s a powerful statement. There was no doubt that many things brought John joy, but none greater than to see Jesus working in the lives of those he had discipled. If there are those into whom you have poured your life who are bringing you joy, take time today to let them know.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley