Zebra Ministries: Quit Kicking the Door!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Quit Kicking the Door!

Acts 16:26 (NIV84)

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

Good morning Zebras,

Last week we went on a family bike ride. Katherine, my daughter was having trouble biking up the first hill but I wasn’t. Since she is nineteen and in much better shape than I am I knew the problem was the bike not the rider. When I looked at her bike I found out that I was right, her front brakes were engaged so she was literally biking uphill with the brakes on.

And God said that’s what it’s like to live the Christian life with your power instead of mine, possible but extremely difficult.

I had to ask myself, “How often do I continue “biking” when God has put the brakes on, ending up being exhausted and discouraged rather than joyful?”

Then this week God took me to two “great escapes” in the Bible, two men who were in bad circumstances who waited for God to get them out. The first is Paul’s release from prison as recorded in Acts 16:22-40.

Paul and Silas were flogged and thrown in prison for preaching God’s word. The Bible says “around midnight” there was a violent earthquake and the prison doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose. But rather than run for freedom Paul and Silas remained and because of it the jailer and all of his family came to know the Lord.

The next morning the magistrates set them free.

The second escape is recorded in Acts 12:1-19. This time it’s Peter who is in jail and God sent an angel to get him out. The Bible says his chains fell off, the doors opened by themselves and the two of them walked out of the prison together.

But I think what God really wanted me to notice was what these men were doing while they were waiting. Paul and Silas were “praying and singing hymns to God” and Peter was sleeping. They were not kicking at the door trying to get out or sitting around worrying about what was going to happen next.

And I knew God was expanding on the lesson from the bike ride. “Don’t keeping riding in your own power, and don’t kick doors that I have shut. Simply focus on Me, praise Me, and wait on Me, because even if you can’t see it I have a plan.”

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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