Zebra Ministries: Getting Up Early

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Getting Up Early

Mark 1:35

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Good morning Zebras,

I have gotten lazy and quit taking my own advice, or I should say I have quit taking God’s advice.

I have been a firm believer for years that it’s REALLY important to get up early in the morning and set your day before God, but lately because of my schedule, I have gotten rather lax. Since I don’t have a fixed schedule to keep now, I’d slipped into the REALLY bad habit of doing my quiet time after I got my family out the door.

I would never have done that when I was working because I knew if I didn’t get my quiet time in first thing in the morning there was a good possibility I wouldn’t get it in at all. But since I have time, I figured there was no reason for me to get up at 5:00 in the morning to spend time with God when I can just do it at 8:00 after they leave. That lets me have a whole extra hour of sleep. (Yippee!)

This morning God showed me my error. For some reason when I woke at 5:00, I didn’t roll over and go back to sleep like I have been doing, I got up and wandered downstairs to chat with God. And I then realized what I’d been missing.

There is something so special about having the first thoughts that go into your head be from God. It sets the tone for the whole day and it gives God a chance to speak to me before I get distracted.

How could I have forgotten how wonderful it is?

When I did a word search on “early in the morning” I found Abraham got up early in the morning to sacrifice Isaac, Moses got up early in the morning to confront Pharaoh, David got up early in the morning to go meet Goliath, Joshua and Gideon both got up early in the morning to lead the Israelites into battle, Job got up early in the morning to offer daily sacrifices for his children and according to Luke 21 all the people came early in the morning to hear him (Jesus teach) at the temple.

Isn’t that amazing!

Ben Franklin is quoted as saying: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Now I don’t know about the healthy or wealthy part but if you get up early and seek God I know it will make you wise.

Love,
Jill

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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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