Avondale Church of God Service
February 6, 2025 – Wednesday Prayer Service
Speaker: Sister Rebecca Byrne
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
Sister Rebecca Byrne began the evening by humbly acknowledging that speaking was outside her comfort zone, but she was willing to follow where God led. She reflected on how recent sermons, revival meetings, and Sunday School lessons had shaped her thoughts, ultimately leading to the theme of the evening: Trust.
She posed the simple yet profound question: What is trust? Defining it as confidence or reliance on the integrity and principles of another, she explored how trust plays a vital role in both human relationships and our relationship with God. She pointed out that while we might trust people due to their roles—like teachers or community leaders—true trust in God requires a deeper, more personal connection.
Trusting God Without Conditions
Sister Rebecca challenged the congregation with the question: Does God have to earn your trust? She firmly stated that God doesn’t need to prove His trustworthiness, as His Word is filled with promises and examples of His faithfulness throughout history. Referencing Hebrews 13:8—“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”—she reminded everyone that the same God who guided Moses, Ruth, and Peter is the one we serve today.
She highlighted 1 Peter 5:7, encouraging everyone to “cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” Sister Rebecca explained that trusting God involves bringing our burdens to Him in prayer, fully surrendering them, and resisting the temptation to take them back when things don’t unfold as we expect.
Visual Demonstration: Letting Go of the Burden
To illustrate the weight of carrying burdens through our own will, Sister Rebecca brought out a fishing rod and a box labeled with things like your future, your afflication, your job, etc. She explained that the box represented the burdens of life—our worries, fears, and uncertainties about what lies ahead. The fishing rod symbolized our will—the human tendency to try to control outcomes and manage life’s challenges in our own strength.
She cast the line, symbolizing how we are supposed to lay our burdens on the altar and “cast them on God.” However, just like a fisherman keeps the line connected to the rod, we often remain attached to our burdens, unwilling to fully let go. The tension in the fishing rod vividly demonstrated how holding onto our burdens adds unnecessary stress and strain to our lives.
“Look at how this small box causes the rod to bend and strain,” she pointed out. “This is exactly what happens when we insist on carrying our burdens through our own will. Even when the problem seems small, holding onto it creates tension that God never intended us to bear.”
Sister Rebecca concluded the illustration by showing that in order to experience true peace, we must not only cast our burdens onto God but completely disconnect our will—letting go of our desire to control the outcome and trusting God to work in His perfect way.
A Trust Playlist: Songs of Faith and Encouragement
In a creative twist, Sister Rebecca introduced the idea of creating a “Trust Playlist”—a collection of songs to help believers navigate life’s trials. She compared this to Brother Jack’s frequent encouragement to pick up our “five smooth stones” of promises, referencing scriptures to strengthen our faith during battles.
1. “Give It to God” – This song became personal for Sister Rebecca during her son Isaiah’s health struggles. She shared how, after numerous prayers and treatments for his skin condition, God inspired her during a service to bring Isaiah forward for prayer once more. Though hesitant, she obeyed, and from that point on, Isaiah began to improve. The experience taught her the power of fully surrendering to God.
2. “Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There” – Sister Rebecca warned that after giving our burdens to God, we often try to take control again when circumstances don’t align with our expectations. She illustrated this with an object lesson, showing how holding onto our problems unnecessarily adds stress. Trust requires not only surrendering but also disconnecting from our desire to control the outcome.
3. “It’s for My Good and for His Glory” – She admitted that it’s often difficult to see how trials could serve a greater purpose. But trusting in God means believing that He’s working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it. She encouraged the congregation to remain faithful—attending services, praying, and maintaining devotions—even when answers seem far away.
4. “Stand Still and Let God Move” – Sharing another experience from Isaiah’s early years, she described the helplessness of watching him suffer through painful diaper changes. Despite trying every remedy and consulting doctors, nothing worked. In those moments, all she could do was stand still and trust God. She acknowledged that waiting isn’t easy, but it’s during these times that faith grows the most.
5. “In His Time” – Sister Rebecca reflected on her personal health struggles, particularly the frustration of being bedridden with chest and rib pain while her family attended church without her. She described the emotional toll of watching live streams and seeing her empty spot in the pews. But through it all, God repeatedly reassured her that healing would come in His time. Looking back, she realized that the lessons learned during those hard seasons were invaluable.
6. “What an Anchor” – Despite life’s storms, Sister Rebecca emphasized that God provides a peace that surpasses understanding. Even in the midst of trials, believers can have an unshakeable confidence that God is in control.
7. “I’ve Still Got a Song” – This song captured the essence of maintaining joy and faith even when the enemy attacks. Sister Rebecca encouraged the congregation to hold onto their song, no matter how long the battle lasts.
8. Bonus Track: “Trust and Obey” – She closed her playlist with this classic hymn, reminding everyone that true happiness in Jesus comes through complete trust and obedience.
Complete Surrender and Faith
Sister Rebecca concluded by admitting that she doesn’t have it all figured out, but she’s learned to trust God through personal trials and victories. She encouraged the congregation to fully surrender their burdens to God, disconnect from their own expectations, and allow Him to move in His perfect time.
“God has never failed,” she declared, inviting others to reflect on their own testimonies of God’s faithfulness. She reminded everyone that while the journey of trust isn’t always easy, the rewards on the other side are more than worth it.
Reflection Questions for Personal Application
1. Are there areas in your life where you’ve struggled to fully trust God?
2. Have you ever taken a burden back after surrendering it to God? What was the result?
3. How can you create your own “trust playlist” to encourage your faith during trials?
4. What lessons has God taught you during times of waiting?
5. Are you willing to let go of your own understanding and fully rely on God’s timing and methods?
Scriptures for Further Study
• 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.”
• Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
• Isaiah 30:21 – “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”
• Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Conclusion
Sister Rebecca’s message was a heartfelt reminder that trusting God requires more than just words—it demands complete surrender of our burdens, expectations, and timelines. As she shared through personal testimony and scripture, God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are always for our good and His glory.
“Lord, help me to trust You completely, knowing that Your plan is always the best.”
コメント