Zebra Ministries: Love

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Love

Romans 8:35–39 (ESV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Good morning Zebras,

Today’s attribute is “Love” and this is my second attempt at writing this z-mail. The first ended in failure for two reasons. First, I was trying to combine two attributes into one z-mail. I just figured I could do today’s and tomorrow’s and be done with it. But just like Moses learned in the desert when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it: God’s work must be done God’s way if you want His blessing.

And secondly, I tried to write the z-mail without looking up the backup verse. I figured I knew enough about God’s love that I could just “wing-it.”

Can you say “Pride goeth before a fall?” So in defeat I went to take a shower and regroup.

When I came back down I decided to look up the verse used to prove God’s love for us. I really expected it to be John 3:16 and so I was surprised to see it was Romans: 8:35-39.

And then I had something to say.

When I was a group leader in Bible Study Fellowship, we studied the book of Romans. I remember vividly when we got to this verse. Person after person shared about how they knew that nothing could separate them from the Love of God. No trauma, no heartbreak, nothing. But I couldn’t agree because I didn’t feel that way.

I knew there were things that could separate me from the love of God, because it had already happened. When I was a relatively new Christian something happened in my life that separated me from God’s love. And although I’d found my way back I couldn’t confidently say that it wouldn’t happen again.

But I was so challenged by the other women and the truth of God’s Word that I couldn’t let it go, so I asked God to explain it to me. How could I have been separated from His love when Romans 8:35-37 says that is impossible? And here is what He showed me.

Just because you feel a certain way it doesn’t make it true.

In my hurt and anger I turned away from God and as I turned away I lost the “feeling” of God’s love. That does not mean I lost His love, because if I had it would mean that God’s love was dependent upon me. But it is not--it’s dependent upon Him.

Sometimes we think we can mess up so badly that God no longer loves us, or we judge God’s love by the amount of blessings He’s throwing our way. But neither one is true. God loves us because He chose to and sending His Son was proof enough.

Love,

Jill

2 comments:

The Good TaleApril 17, 2012 at 12:26 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Janet CaferApril 18, 2012 at 8:34 AM
My prayer for all women is that of Paul: Epesians 3:16-21 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

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.

Zebra Events

Contact information