2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Good morning Zebras,
I have a friend who does not like it when people talk about the struggle between the old nature and the new. Like today’s verse says “the old has passed away; behold, the new has come” and Galatians 5:24 says And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Her point is: How can there be a struggle between the old nature and the new nature when one of them is dead? There can’t be and yet I think we would all agree there is.
Maybe the reason we continue to struggle is we don’t really understand that the person we were before the cross is gone and a totally new person has been born.
People say you can’t go home again but physically that isn’t true. Unless the building has been destroyed it is possible to go home again. But it shouldn’t be the same. You can’t go back to the way things were because you’ve changed.
Some people, however, refuse to change. Although physically they have grown, emotionally they remain a child. And instead of letting go, they hold on to childish things and refuse to grow up. They embrace who they were instead of who they can be.
And I think that’s what happens with the old nature, we hold on when we need to let go.
Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection has given believers a new nature. But instead of embracing the new, too often, we continue to drag around the old, forgetting that it is dead and should be dropped.
Jesus doesn’t want us enslaved to our old ways of acting or thinking, Satan does. Jesus wants us to get up and walk with a new life fixing our eyes joyfully on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith
Love,
Jill
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Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church
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Zebra Basics:
* Accepted Christ as Savior.
* Agree the Word of God is true.
* Desire to grow in your walk
* Be transparent
* Willing to speak and hear truth.
* Agree the Word of God is true.
* Desire to grow in your walk
* Be transparent
* Willing to speak and hear truth.
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.
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.
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.
Vision
The vision of Zebras is to unite all God's people in a single goal; to love, honor and serve Jesus Christ. To give them a sense of being part of something bigger than themselves and the strength and support to grow in their faith.
Mission
To fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
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
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.
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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