Zebra Ministries: Inspiring

Friday, December 10, 2010

Inspiring

Hebrews 12:1-2a

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Good morning Zebras,

I have started in earnest to prepare for the upcoming Zebra retreat. And although I vowed not to write about it in my z-mails, I can’t seem to help myself because what I am learning is all I can think about.

The focus of the weekend is the pursuit of God so I have been looking at men whose lives demonstrated that principle. David, Paul, Moses and Abraham all did amazing things but it’s their relationship with God that most inspires me.

Abraham is called God’s friend, Moses talked to God face to face, David is the only man who has the honor of being a “man after God’s own heart” and then there is Paul.

Paul considered EVERYTHING in his life rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus and resolved to know NOTHING except Christ crucified and the power of the cross. Is it any wonder that he did so much?

Now God doesn’t need us to start a nation, or to lead His people out of Egypt, and most of us will never be kings or missionaries but we can all have the same intimate relationship with God that they did.

But it is up to us. We have to follow their examples.

Abraham left everything to follow God, Moses had to be humbled, and if you read David’s psalms I think you will see how often David prayed for a pure heart towards God. Paul just never forgot. He never forgot that moment when Jesus came to him on the road to Damascus and changed forever the direction of his life.

All of us, if we are saved, should have that road to Damascus experience. Maybe not as dramatic but we should all remember when Jesus first made Himself real to us. And each one of us has the ability to pray for a heart that is totally devoted to Him. And we all can obey God if we choose to because we have the Bible, which is God’s revealed will, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, two things Abram lacked.

I don’t know about you, but realizing that these men weren’t inherently great but became great because of their obedience and devotion to God is very inspiring.

Love,
Jill

1 comment:

NRIGirlDecember 10, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Thank you for the inspirational post. Glad to stop by.

When you have a minute please join me for some Coffee with Jesus
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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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