Let There Be Joy - Day 8

The Resolve of Your Heart

Mary, the very young, chosen mother of Jesus, utters one of the most courageous statements in all of Scripture.  In response to the announcement of the angel that Mary’s world had just been interrupted with heaven’s plan, Mary clearly said, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” - (Luke 1:38)

A “bondslave” was someone who could have gone free but instead chose to stay and serve his or her master.  Mary willingly chose to offer temporary housing to the Savior of the world because that was God’s desire.  When her world collided with God’s ultimate desire, Mary died to self and submitted to God the Father.

When was the last time that you quoted Luke 1:38?  Has God asked something difficult of you lately?  How have you responded?  Have you said, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord, may it be done to me according to Your word.”

When God requires one of His children to lay down their will and their way for His best plan, often there is a struggle of the human will.  Unfortunately, rather than respond with the maturity and wisdom of the young Mary, many of us whine and complain.  Some of us even may have the audacity to question whether or not God even knows what He is doing.

What has God asked of you?  Has He asked you to love a difficult person?  Perhaps He has asked you to raise a special needs child or serve an uncaring boss.  God is looking for bondslaves: men and women who are willing to serve Him out of love.  God is looking for those who willingly submit to His ways and plans simply because their heart completely belongs to Him.  God desires men and women who will allow Him to interrupt their perfectly planned lives with His unbelievable and miraculous plans!  It’s called being a bondslave.

Mary’s pure heart and true resolve are revealed through the final words of her statement, “ ... May it be done to me according to your word.”  Is that the resolve of your heart as well?  When your will comes into conflict with God’s Word, God’s Word must win at all cost.  Like Mary, settle this issue of human will and the authority of God’s Word today.  I declare, with Mary, that in my life, it will always be done according to His Word because I am His bondslave.

Bible Reading: (click on the Scripture reference to open in reader)

Luke 1:38

Psalm 119:1-16

Let There Be Joy In Me:

What is the hardest thing that God has ever asked of you?  How have you responded?

What does it mean to respond as a “bondslave”?  What are some of the heart attitudes that a “bondslave” would embrace?  

HDonateello, World!

If this devotional has been an encouragement to you, would you consider giving a year-end gift to Just Joy! Ministries this Christmas season?

Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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Let There Be Joy - Day 9

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Let There Be Joy - Day 7