Zebra Ministries: Two Sauls

Monday, June 11, 2012

Two Sauls

Job 42:2 (NIV84)

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.

Good morning Zebras,

Here is your “God thought” for the day. Until last week I’d never made the connection that there were two men named Saul in the Bible, even though I had all the information. Maybe you haven’t either.

The first Saul’s story is recorded in 1 Samuel 9-31. He is the man chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. Anointed by Samuel and given power by God, he still did not live up to his responsibilities.

His downfall is recorded in 1 Samuel 15 but here’s a quick recap. Saul was told by God to destroy the Amalekites, he was to put to death everything including women children and all livestock. But Saul didn’t do it. He allowed the Israelites to keep for themselves everything that was good and he spared their king.

When confronted by Samuel, the first Saul lied saying, “I have carried out the Lord’s instructions,” but when Samuel asked him to explain the bleating of sheep and lowing of cows Saul broke down and admitted he hadn’t killed everything. He explained they’d saved the best to sacrifice to God. But that wasn’t the true answer either. Saul did not kill everything because he was afraid of the people, so he allowed them to keep some of the plunder.

As a result God removed Saul as king and one chapter later Samuel anoints David.

The second Saul is in the New Testament. His story is told in Acts 7:58-28:31 and throughout the New Testament letters. He is of course Paul.

Saul was advancing on Damascus breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples when Jesus appeared to him on the road and changed his life. He showed him the error of his ways and after a few days of blindness he was given the task of carrying Christ’s name to the Gentiles.

And becoming a new creature in Christ, he more than lived up to the challenge.

Paul did not fear any man, but instead feared and loved God and because of that he devoted his life to his service. Paul always did what God told him to so as he faced death he could confidently write: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—“

All of which just confirms to me that God’s plans will not be stopped. God will accomplish what He has intended to do, the only real question is “Will I be a part of it?”

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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