Zebra Ministries

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Good morning Zebras.

When God has me write z-mails I copy any Bible text straight from the Logos software I have on my computer. Then when I run spell check I ignore any suggestions that Scripture should be edited. I don’t care if it is grammatically incorrect, I want to use the words exactly as they are written.

That is why I feel yesterday’s post was so significant.

There really is a difference between constantly repenting and asking God to forgive us for every single sin and living in a state of being forgiven. At Salvation, we received forgiveness for all our sins past, present and future because we didn’t repent of “sins” as in actions we repented of our sin nature.

When we did, God replaced our old nature with His nature and restored us to a right relationship with Him. Then He filled us with His Holy Spirit and made us a new creature in Christ. Our job is to maintain our side of the relationship.

Gary said that at BSF the guys used the phrase “Jesus plus anything isn’t Salvation.” Again, another truth but I don’t think we realize how many “pluses” we live with every day, things people want to add on to our faith.

I can’t cut and past the entire New Testament into this post but here is the truth:

God came in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, to conquer sin. His life, death and resurrection put us back into the right relationship with God and placed within us His Holy Spirit. Evidence of that is manifested in the way we live. No longer do we want to live in sin because the Spirit God placed inside us prefers to live in a way that keeps us close to God.

It isn’t about “doing this” or “doing that,” it is about yielding to the Spirit inside that desire to live in the presence of God.

So, so simple, yet even in Paul’s time they were already messing it up. Below are selected passages from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, CliffsNotes for those of you who don't have time to stop and read the book.

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all… You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?...I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature…live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Love,

Jill

2 comments:

Jill GetchellMarch 2, 2017 at 8:20 AM
I think, for me, the biggest change when we think like this, is that our ability to live a life for God becomes His gift to us as well as our gift to Him. He is the one who gives us the strength and desire to resist sin and then He is pleased when we do.
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Jill GetchellMarch 2, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Every day becomes an exciting opportunity to exercise the power, love and self-control God has placed within us. (2Tim 1:7)
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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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