Zebra Ministries: Why Do You Obey?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Why Do You Obey?

John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

Good morning ladies,

If you asked me what the Old Testament was about I would say obedience, the big “O”.

If you asked me what the New Testament was about I would say love. “For God so loved the world….”

For me, this verse ties the two together.

I once asked my class: “Do you obey your parents because you love them or because you fear them?”

Most of the kids said they obey out of fear. A few said they didn’t obey at all.

Now as a parent I can tell you that either way works. My children can obey me because they love me or they can obey me because they fear me, but I expect them to obey.

Of course I want my children to obey me because they love me; it shows that we have a healthy relationship. They know that I love them and because of that they want to please me therefore they obey.

But I also have the power and I will use it if necessary.

The same is true of God.

He loves us and He wants us to obey Him because we love Him, it shows we have a healthy relationship, but He still has the power.

I think Christians often struggle with their view of God. They think of God as either a giant teddy bear who would never discipline them or as an angry entity waiting to strike them dead.

He is neither. He is God, and He wants us to obey.

Love,
Jill

1 comment:

Mrs. BauerOctober 18, 2009 at 7:02 AM
Oh NO, you said "O". Jill, it's so difficult to follow the God of the universe's word ALL the time, so I SIN. God to me is like a dad. He punishes, rebukes, compliments, and loves. I am so glad my Father in Heaven is my dad. No matter what I do, I can always count on His love to come back to.

Imagine, never diciplining the students in your classroom. Can you see it now? Disarray and complete disaster. God is faithful and just to forgive, but don't forget (Jen) that HE is also ready to let you sin and make that fool of yourself then come back to chastise.

Let the God of our Universe map out your life and then your life will follow His path.

Also, hearing you speak yesterday at AWANA was what I needed to hear, how I needed it, and when I needed it. I believe that God said, "Jen, this is where I want you to be."

Thank you for your time and effort to teach someone as lame as I!

Love you Jill, Jen
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Why Zebras?

In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Therefore:

Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Pastor Endorsement

Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.

Pastor Al Marks

First Baptist Church Vallejo

I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.

Pastor Kelly Patchin

New Harbor Community Church, Benicia

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church

Testimonies

The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.

The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.

When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.

I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.

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