The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter
&
Bible Study
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UPDATED
Greetings to all our fellow officers,
sheepdogs and supporters!
Like I said in my email edition, I'm still working out out the kinks in this new template (saw an issue immediately after I sent it) but hope you're finding these easier to read on your mobile devices (hint -- try turning your phone to the horizontal). Again, let me know what you think, but also understand that the Bible studies I share here are meant to involve an
open, real Bible (the paper kind with pages you can actually turn, passages you can highlight, etc.) and not just your phone! Yes, like my Bible, I'm old, but my "old" Bible is as powerful as ever ("
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart
." --
Hebrews 4:12
).
God has used some recent events to lead me into sharing a fresh study on a biblical concept that has powerful application for both cops (sheepdogs; servant-warriors) and civilians alike. One of the most common refrains I get from other officers and many men in general (our sisters leave us in the dust on this) is that they "don't like church" and/or "I don't have to go to church to be 'spiritual.'" (the latter expression being a lie from the pit of hell). Then there is the issue of shift work, days off, etc. But what does God have to say to us in His Word (the Bible -- both a love letter and policy/procedure manual) about this important issue? Scroll down to
Razor Sharp for Battle (a fresh look at
Iron Sharpens Iron!").
Meanwhile, and as I shared in last week's study, there is a real war raging around us. In New York, people are celebrating their "right" to murder unborn children right up to birth. Lawlessness and wickedness not only abounds but is celebrated (
Isaiah 5:20 -- evil being called good and good being called evil being played out before our eyes). Increasingly, our brother and sister officers are being shot, stabbed, run over and otherwise attacked on multiple fronts. Many who serve are losing their careers (or worse) not just to poor leadership at the top but also to their own poor choices. Through this, many are asking the proverbial "why" question (an issue I've tackled here many times).
Let me just reiterate for now that the reasons for all this mess ultimately come down to (1) a three-letter word -- SIN, and (2) our common enemy in the "sin-master," Satan. And the "cure" for our sin problem and the answer to the "most wanted" criminal behind it? His name is Jesus! Do you know Him? I mean really know Him as Lord and Savior? Scroll down for more on how to KNOW "the Answer" to all that ails us.
If you missed last week's newsletter/Bible study, here again is "
Cops at War" (both physical and spiritual). As always, I re-post past editions on our social media feeds (buttons below) and on our
website as well.
Again, can't encourage you enough to take the time to review the resources, prayer requests and upcoming events I've posted for you below.
Once again folks, let's "
Run to the Battle" and "
take the hill" behind Christ our Captain!
MC
_____________________
RESOURCES
(2) Fellow cold case detective and author/speaker,
J. Warner Wallace of
Cold Case Christianity has put out an updated app that I recommend highly. Jim writes, "
Wouldn’t it be great to have the answers you’re looking for “on the go”? Wouldn’t it be great to have Christian Case Making resources just when you need them? The COMPLETELY REDESIGNED Cold-Case Christianity Mobile App brings all the Christian Case Making features and resources of Cold-Case Christianity to your fingertips." Here's the link:
UPDATED Cold Case Christianity Mobile App
.
PRAYER REQUESTS
(1) Please begin praying for our
FCPO Police Week team
as we begin planning and gearing up for our
Police Week 2019
outreach to our own in DC.
(2) Prayer is requested for Florida
Officer Steve Grogan
who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
(3)
Prayer is again needed for wounded Wichita Officer (now medically retired)
Brian Arterburn
. He is once again back in the hospital.
(4) It's been all over the news, but we need prayer for our wounded in Houston! Thanks also to all who have been praying in the wake of two of our own who were shot here in Denver on Sunday. That said, it is so important that you understand that these incidents will continue to increase in number as we get closer and closer to our Savior's return (see "
Are we in the end times
?").
(5) Pray for all those dealing with the Arctic vortex (extreme cold -- cold that makes the "global warming" crowd lose their minds).
Have a prayer request or announcement you would like included here? Need help/prayer?
Email me
! I also post prayer requests on
my personal Facebook page
("friend" and message me).
UPCOMING EVENTS
(3) Time to start getting the word out about the
2019 Breaching the Barricade/Officer Appreciation Day
events (October 18-19 in northern Indiana). Incredible training for cops and a "bucket list" event for officers and their families. Mark your calendars and plan on joining us in Indiana in October, and pray for
Jim Bontrager
and his team...the effort is massive and the challenges overwhelming ("but God").
(5) Minister and retired officer Jimmy Meeks of
Sheepdog Seminars
(also highly recommended) is starting a new outreach specifically for police officers:
New Covenant Cops
.
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Razor Sharp for Battle!
A fresh look at "
iron sharpens iron
" in a culture of "dull."
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I share parts of
Proverbs 27:17
("
iron sharpens iron...
") in just about every Centurion newsletter and in many of my messages, but I've not dedicated a study to it in some time. However, God has used recent events to press me into taking a look at this concept in this week's Bible study.
Proverbs 27:17
(NLT) reads, "
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend
." What is the meaning in this verse and related passages? When metal (iron/steel) blades are forged, hammered or moved across one another, friction occurs which in turn produces intense, transforming heat. In the forging and sharpening process, metal is folded and hammered, burrs and nicks are taken out and a dull blade eventually becomes sharp and effective (a dull sword or ax is a poor tool indeed). Likewise, when warriors train against one another, their skills are sharpened. The same concept takes place when
Christian believers
are actively involved in one another's lives: mutual accountability and edification occurs -- we "sharpen" one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
is a similar passage: "
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken
." While it was NEVER comfortable, those of us who understand being truly cold in battle or in military training have no problem using one another for warmth (ask any sailor who has made it through SEAL BUDS training, or the "
Frozen Chosin
" Marines in Korea). As cops, we don't go through the academy alone and most police agencies still pair-up officers on the street either for field training or as car partners. Moreover, the academy/military training process is designed to involve group pain and discomfort -- with the goal of hammering and sharpening us into the razor sharp servant-warriors God has called us to be.
Beyond that, God made us for fellowship (
Genesis 2:18
)! Even when a believer sets himself apart from others to be with the Lord in prayer and the study of His Word, we are in fellowship (intimate relationship vs. cold, empty "religion") with Him. In fact, the whole counsel of Scripture provides numerous examples of what happens when we become "Lone Rangers" without the backup of -- at a minimum -- a faithful "Tonto." David was alone when he lusted after Bathsheba and planned their illicit meeting (and Bathsheba was alone when she tempted him); Samson never placed himself in an accountable relationship, etc. Moreover, you'll note that our Lord, with the exception of Judas before His Passion (and you know what happened there), never sent his own disciples off alone (
Luke 10:1
--
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go
.).
[
NOTE: I have intentionally NOT hyperlinked most of the following Bible passages -- I want you to OPEN your Bible as this is in fact a Bible study]
The New Testament is replete with instructions (not mere "suggestions") concerning how believers should relate with one another. They are to
do good to each other
(
Galatians 6:10
), bear each other's burdens (
Galatians 6:2
), forgive each other (
Colossians 3:13
), restore each other (
Galatians 6:1
;
James 5:19-20
), submit to one another (
Ephesians 5:21
), encourage each other (
1 Thessalonians 5:11
), admonish and exhort each other (
Colossians 3:16
;
Hebrews 3:13
), pursue peace and mutual growth (
Romans 14:19
), and stir one another on to love and good deeds (
Hebrews 10:24-25
). The Body of Christ -- made up of true, born again believers -- should be
e
ncouraging,
e
xhorting and
e
difying (the 3-e's) one another. When we do, we are like iron sharpening iron, honing one another not only to obedience and sanctification (growth), but also to more effectively carry out the callings and purposes God has for each of us. In fact, we should all be in discipleship (mentoring) relationships of one kind or another, and have at least one brother-in-Christ who will be truly honest in offering sound, biblical counsel (and, if need be, loving criticism) that will help us grow in our walk with Christ and as believers in general.
As I shared above,
Proverbs 27:17
also likens the interaction between two servant-warriors seeking to hone their skills by "sharpening" their swords against one another (iron/steel blades coming together as they train for combat), in training and ih the "heat" of battle. The analogy is even clearer in the Hebrew, where the second half of the verse is translated "
one man sharpens the face of another
" (anyone who has been hit in the face in competition or in combat knows what that's like). Likewise, this kind of sharpening occurs when a faithful Christian brother/sister equips fellow believers for success through constructive criticism, tough love (if needed) and sound, biblical counsel.
Giving a tool or weapon the desired sharpness took time in the ancient world where there were no powered whetstones or other high tech sharpening devices. Along with fire, persistent, careful striking or pressure of the tool against the sharpener or anvil was required, and the process lasted longer than a matter of seconds (
Japanese swords took weeks or even months to make
). Thus, the proverb underscores the importance of persistence in friendship. One does not sharpen another with just one speech or dialogue, though words spoken in the right season can go quite far in helping improve (sharpen) another person. Instead, people sharpen one another over time, through years of friendship and going through tough times together. A truly constructive friend is faithful over time to offer his criticism and instruction, and he does not give up the first time his friend rejects biblical advice. Of course, for those of us serving in law enforcement or combat roles, this sharpening is a matter of life and death (and the bonds of brotherhood forged in training or the heat of battle last a lifetime).
Again, God repeatedly reminds us in His Word that personal and spiritual growth is a group affair. From the very beginning, God did not make just one human being but two (
Genesis 1:26-27
). David had Nathan the prophet, a faithful and wise counselor who brought him to repentance (
2 Samuel 12:1-15
). Jesus went on to direct that His church be led by a body of elders and deacons to come alongside one another and their pastor (
Acts 6:1-7
). Jesus even called for his friends to come alongside Him as He prayed and waited to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Clearly, we all need others in our lives to sharpen us and encourage us in the work of ministry (and EVERY Christian is called to ministry -- service -- of one kind or another).
Police officers are not very good at reaching out or trusting others (especially those outside of our unique profession). Neither are we particularly good at recognizing when others may be reaching out to us. We talk far more than we listen (as my bride -- a true accountability partner -- lovingly reminds me). We tend to isolate ourselves from others and too many of us prefer it that way. How many police suicides are you aware of where the suicidal party was with others when he/she ended their lives? Likewise, how many surf porn or commit adultery when their spouses or battle buddies are in the same room with them or otherwise holding them accountable?
Part of my own testimony is that I isolated myself -- a true Tonto-less "Lone Ranger" if there ever was one. While God had to break me to get my attention, He also brought other committed brothers into my life to hold me accountable, build me back up and lead me to true repentance and salvation (Vince Harrison, Roch Hart, Todd Griffin and Kevin Cunningham, among others -- love you guys).
Coming together in
iron sharpens iron
fellowship (the Greek word used here is
koinonia
-- literally "to share in common") -- whether it be a men's or women's study, a Centurion or FCPO "cop church" chapter meeting or regular attendance and service in a solid, Bible-teaching church -- is
NOT OPTIONAL
(read the whole of
1st John
and of course,
Hebrews 10:24-25
where Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, encourages us to "...
consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near
.").
Sadly, many officers still shy away from both "church" and this kind of mandatory fellowship for reasons that generally hold no weight. Moreover, they are leaving their families in the dust (God REQUIRES us to be the
spiritual SERVANT-leaders of our spouses and kids
) in the process.
What about shift work? Most solid, Bible-teaching fellowships have something going on just about EVERY night of the week. Overtime? Can't encourage you enough to not base your life and budget on that! Regardless, it is vital that we MAKE time to be in "
iron sharpens iron
" fellowship with one another (fellowship that goes well beyond just regular church attendance). Beyond that, I can't encourage Christian officers enough to answer the call to become servant-leaders in your church's security ministry (If they don't have one, start one -- I can help you with that. If you can't or the pastor refuses to protect his flock, LEAVE).
Then of course is our DULL"culture issue." Friends, we are living in an age in which being a "warrior" (sharp) is frowned up <sigh> and where "dull" (the world's standard) is celebrated over sharp (to include genuine, biblical manhood, for that matter). Again, this is good being called evil and evil being called good (
Isaiah 5:20),
but God is calling out His faithful to
stand firm (resist the dull)
and stay razor sharp in Him!
Finally, we need to understand that in the New Testament context,
iron sharpens iron
means believer to believer (Christian to Christian). Is that you? Have you truly surrendered in faith to Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you sure? What if you've fallen short (you're not alone). With the understanding that God longs to both save and restore you, please read on!
(1) Still think you can "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven and escape hell (a just and unending "death sentence" for your wickedness -- aka "sin") because you are a so-called "good" cop or person? Take the
Good Person Test
and see how you do!
(2) Jesus' first recorded words in His earthly ministry were and remain, "
Repent and believe in the Good News
" (
Mark 1:15
). To
repent
is a "180" -- a complete, radical change of mind and heart as it relates our sin (wickedness as God defines it). To believe (
pisteuo
in the original Greek) as Jesus intends it here is to cry out to Him for your salvation and wholeheartedly surrender to Him in faith in the same way we have "faith" that our body armor will do its job against the rounds it is intended to stop, that a well-maintained weapon will function properly when used against criminals intent on destroying us or others, or that a parachute will open when it is supposed to (we stake our very lives on it)! And the "Good News"? It is simply
the gospel of Jesus Christ
!
(3)
This same concept of "believe" (the saving kind) is further revealed in
John 3:1-21
where Jesus says, "
... you must be born again
." Again, note our Lord's emphasis on the word " must " (not "may" or "should"): this is ultimately the life-saving/life-changing personal relationship (and NOT "religion") with Jesus Christ that I stress here every week (see
What does it mean to be a born again Christian
? [hint -- there is no other kind]). Folks, it is only through this miraculous event that we can be made "righteous" before a just and Holy God and thus become part of His family.
(5)
Need more? Then check out this powerful, short video message by my friend, fellow officer and noted trainer,
Travis Yates
:
Cops and Salvation
.
(6)
Have you now said "yes" to Jesus but are wondering what to do next? Then click on,
Now what?
Understand that the "Now what?" MUST include regular "iron sharpens iron" fellowship with other believers, including (for us cops) other mature Christian officers who can help support you, encourage you, disciple (help you grow) you in the faith and yes, hold you lovingly accountable. Message me for how you can do that!
Brethren, we're at war, and our weapons had better be razor sharp, both physically and spiritually. Amen?
Blessings!
MC
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ABOUT US
The
Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
is
a national, FCPO-affiliated, evangelical Christian outreach to our own in law enforcement. These newsletters and Bible studies are part of this effort and past editions can be found on our website and our social media feeds. As always, feel free to adapt these messages for your own individual or group use and please share them with others.
The
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers
(FCPO)
exists to (1) be used of God to lead the unsaved in law enforcement to a genuine, saving relationship with God in Christ; and (2) provide biblical support ("backup"), accountability and iron sharpens iron fellowship for Christian officers first in the U.S. and throughout the world as well. Our metro-Denver FCPO chapter -- aka
FCPO Chapter 217
-- is a
Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
affiliate. Locally, we meet approximately twice a month in the south Denver-Metro suburb of Highlands Ranch for profession-focused and life-focused Bible study, prayer and servant-warrior/sheepdog fellowship (the
iron sharpens iron
kind). Spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO.
Contact me for details!
The Centurion Ministry and FCPO-Denver are led by Police Chaplain and Evangelist
Michael "MC" Williams
, an active (32-years and counting) sworn police officer/detective and and sought-after instructor and speaker at churches (including the popular
Centurion Church Security Seminar
) retreats and both police and civilian training conferences and seminars around the country. Contact MC via
email
for details on how to book him for your event.
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