Zebra Ministries: Ordinary No More

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Ordinary No More

Acts 4:13 (NIV)

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Good morning Zebras,

I am starting a Bible study with some Zebra sisters here in my area. We are going to work through Francis Chan’s book The Forgotten God : Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit together. This morning I started lesson one.

The first thing we are asked to do is to write what we believe about the Holy Spirit and honestly access why we have those beliefs. Have we searched scripture for ourselves to see the work and purpose of the Spirit or have we simply accepted what other people have taught us? Prior to last year I would have to say I just accepted what I was taught. Recently I have been studying the Spirit for myself. But when dealing with an infinite God, no matter how much you learn there is always more right around the corner,

So this morning as I started my lesson I was not surprised when Acts 1:4-8, a very familiar passage, took on a deeper meaning.

Jesus was telling the disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them power to be His witnesses in world. In the past I have always thought about that verse in the context of their speaking. They would have the power to go and tell others the Gospel. But this morning God showed me it is way more than that. They would have the power, given by the Holy Spirit, to go and live lives that would testify to the world about Jesus not just by words but by actions as well. Now that makes more sense.

Not all of us are called to wander the world and preach the Gospel, but all of us all called to be His witness in the world. All of us are called to live lives that are honoring to Him. All of us are called to look different than the world, to value pleasing God above pleasing men, to treasure heavenly rewards more than earthly ones, to love our neighbors even if they are totally unlovable and to keep our bodies and tongues under control so that we don’t dishonor God with what we say and do. To accomplish this we have been given the power of God.

Therefore no Christian should ever say: “I can’t” when it comes to obeying God because they can, they just don’t know it or they don’t want to.

And that is exciting! It means that everything God has asked me to do; He has given me to the power to do, from the smallest task to the scariest leap of faith, not so that I can look cool, but so that my life is a living witness to the power of God.

I love you little Zebras and if you are thinking “Rats, I want to be in that study!” just pick up the books and learn along with us or make a group of your own. The more the merrier.

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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