Available, Surrendered, and Believing
A Revive Our Hearts episode that draws lessons about surrender from the Christmas story—looking at Jesus’ obedience, Mary’s example, and how ordinary lives can be used when surrendered to God.
Useful takeaways from this story.
Surrender is a year-round posture: Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will and Mary surrendered to an extraordinary plan, and those examples apply beyond the Christmas season.
God can use ordinary, obscure lives when people say yes: Nancy compares surrendered lives to the boy’s small lunch that Christ multiplied.
Surrender requires dependence on the Holy Spirit: the task God gives can be humanly impossible and needs God’s power to accomplish.
The useful part
Christ surrendered to the will of the Father, and Mary surrendered to God's extraordinary plan. You may be in a very obscure place and thinking, My life can't really make any difference here. The fact is, when you surrender your life, then He takes those little fishes and loaves of bread in that little boy's lunch, He breaks them, He distributes them, and He causes a life in His hands to bless a multitude.
How it works
- How to Listen Listen on the Radio Listen on Alexa Listen on Google Home Blogs Revive Our Hearts Wonder of the Word 40 Days of Praying for Your Nation Leaders Ambassadors Women's Ministry Leaders Event...
- She was a virgin, but God said, "You're going to have a child." She understandably said to the angel, "How can this be?" The angel explained that it was the power of God that was going to come upon her and...
- The Christmas story teaches us a lot about surrender—a lesson that's relevant all year round!
- God the Son surrendered to the perfect will of the Father, and a young woman surrendered to … Read the Full Transcript Dannah Gresh:
What to take from it
Like any engaged young woman, she was planning the wedding, planning to be married to Joseph and to live happily ever after. God the Son surrendered to the perfect will of the Father, and a young woman surrendered to God's plan and gave birth under extraordinary circumstances. Nancy: I am so glad that God has given us in His Word examples of women that can be positive role models for people like me.
Example or evidence
- She had her little picture in mind of what her life was going to be like.
- For many years, my life has been very challenged and blessed by the characteristics out of the life of this special woman.
- We're looking at those characteristics, and we've seen that God chose this woman for a task that was humanly impossible.
- It's a task that's impossible if the power of the Holy Spirit is not upon us.
Details worth keeping
life-belief 2026-09-15 15 9 2,026 Holidays Surrender Women of the Bible Luke 2:35-45 --> Skip to main content Podcasts Revive Our Hearts Revive Our Hearts Weekend Grounded Seeking Him The Deep Well True Girl Revive Our Hearts Bible Studies Revive Our Hearts App. Do you ever feel like your life matters little for the kingdom? Turns out, your life has incredible kingdom purpose!
Related coverage
- Hiskingdomprophecy: Advance — Army of The LORD! We must categorically refuse to surrender to the circumstances that the enemy is creating to stop us, trying to make us retreat!
- Flatimes: Billy Graham Devotional 20 September 2026 – Do You Surrender?
- Christianity: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1).
- Reviveourhearts: What happens when you say "Yes, Lord"?
More context around this story.
Believing Believers, Advance!
Advance — Army of The LORD! We must categorically refuse to surrender to the circumstances that the enemy is creating to stop us, trying to make us retreat!
What it Means to Surrender Everything - Senior Living - September 25
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1).
Celebrating 25 Years (E5)
What happens when you say “Yes, Lord”? We will see how surrender to the Lord can lead to some amazing stories. You’ll be encouraged to follow God’s plan for your life. As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month: Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!" . Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Je
Celebrating 25 Years (E1)
Was it hard for Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth to trust God with her singleness for more than five decades? Find out on Revive Our Hearts. As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month: Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!" . Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Samaritan woman at the well;
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