The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter
&
Bible Study
Dear fellow officers, sheepdogs, servant- warriors, spouses and supporters:

This week's Bible study is one God put on my heart through prayer and discussions with my bride after seeing the new film, Overcomer (now in theaters -- see the resource section below). Brothers and sisters, who are you? Is you're identity in "the badge" (police work)? Are you just a cop or are you the Christian "overcomer" God has called you to be? So important that we get this right: scroll down to " Our True Identity ."

Miss the last study? Here again is the updated, " The Lion and the Lamb " (so much for us here). As always, these newsletters are re-posted for you on our website and social media feeds.

And speaking of these Bible studies, stay tuned for next week's special " 9/11 " message!

Finally, please take the time to review the new prayer requests , resources and events I've shared for you below.

As always, let's stay safe on the street but radically bold in Christ!

MC
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RESOURCES

(1) The new film Overcomer by the makers of Courageous and War Room is a "must see" movie and comes with a plethora of resources. First, support this endeavor by going to see it and second, check out the Overcomer Resources .

(2) Fellow trainer, author and police detective J. Warner Wallace 's article is a great follow-up to my recent Bible study on this topic: " WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN POSITION ON THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE? "



PRAYER REQUESTS

(1) Robert Sharp in Scotland (yes, these newsletters goes worldwide) is asking for prayer for a police officer who does not have a saving faith and is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Let's be in prayer for Gordon , his salvation and for the medical staff treating him.

(2)  Pray for Aurora PD's Matthew Springer and his bride Daphney as they head to Brazil on a very dangerous short-term mission beginning 9/10 (it will include an outreach to Brazilian officers). As you may recall, Diana and I discipled this couple and Matt took over the law enforcement fellowship we planted at Calvary Aurora.

(3) Hurricane Dorian is bearing down on our SE coast. Please pray for those impacted (including but not limited to the First Responders who are serving "in the storm").



UPCOMING EVENTS

(1) The 2019 Breaching the Barricade & Officer Appreciation Day   events are set for October 18-19 in northern Indiana. This provides incredible, uplifting training for cops and a "bucket list" (as in a huge "bucket" of FUN ) event for officers and their families. Mark your calendars and plan on joining us in Indiana this October. Also please be in prayer for  Jim Bontrager  and his team...the effort is massive and the challenges overwhelming ("but God..."). I'll be serving there as well -- if you're coming and want a FREE Centurion t-shirt, email and let me know your size.

(2) In the Denver metro area, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO-Denver is coming alongside police survivor Gracie Parrish (widow of slain DCSO Dep. Zach Parrish III) and The Shelter Foundation in two new Bible studies for cops AND our spouses (click on the "Bible Studies" pages under the "About" link).

(3) Law Enforcement Marriage Retreat: Colorado Springs, October 5th.


*Have a prayer request, event 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).   



Our True Identity

Who are you? Do you identify primarily as a cop (wrapped up in what we do in law enforcement)? What happens when your career ends? Friend, God has a much better plan for us!


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Updated 08/07/2019
 
This week's profession-focused (folks, it is just plain life-focused) Bible study is one God has pressed on my heart after seeing the new movie " Overcomer " with my bride. Frankly, this study is as much for me as it is for you. Let's open our Bibles (and our hearts) and dig into what God has for us here!

It is no secret that many of us who serve in law enforcement have our identities wrapped up in what we do ("the badge"). The same also extends to members of some branches of our military (for example, " Once a Marine, always a Marine "). Now understand me here: I am not saying that this is necessarily a bad thing in principle but it can be an absolute nightmare in practice. How? How many police officers and military service members commit suicide or literally fall apart soon after they leave (or are forced out) the force or retire? The numbers are, frankly, horrific (22 military and 1 police suicide each day). What is left for those of us who wrap our whole identity in our calling to serve when our tour of duty comes to an end?

It is not uncommon for men (in particular) to describe themselves by what they do. Likewise, many women identify themselves through their relationships, backgrounds, aspirations, heritage, possessions and physical attributes. Over time, these become an identity.

These identities -- the ways we describe ourselves -- can shape our core beliefs which in turn drive what we think, say and do. Cops (for example) generally see life through the lens of someone who fixes problems (the life and death kind of problems) and takes on evil. But when our time of service has passed (or even in our off-duty hours), many find themselves lost. And the response of many? Seeking extended overtime assignments or hanging out only with fellow officers if not wholly alone (often involving alcohol and prescription drug abuse).

Praise God Almighty, His plan for His own (those who have placed their faith and trust in Him) is altogether different. Contrary to our worldly pursuits, our identities as Christians should be first and foremost in Christ Jesus (He is the ultimate Cure for all that ails us)! So where do we find this in Scripture?

Part of the inspiration for Overcomer (and this study) is found in Ephesians 1-2 . Clearly, many of the first-century Christians to whom Paul the Apostle wrote these chapters didn’t understand their identity in Christ anymore than we do today. Here we find Paul praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to their hearts (and ours) what is true about our identity and relationship with God in Christ.

Through this passage in Ephesians (and others that I've shared below), we are given a front-sight focus on the God who created us and what/who He designed us to be in Him. We don’t need to let our emotions, our jobs, our rank, our ministries or our relationships define who we are. On the contrary, the One Who knows us best, Who created us, Who loves us the most, and Who has all authority, should be the One Who tells us who we (YOU) are!

Now yes, ours is a God-ordained profession through which He has called us to be " ministers for good " (the law abiding) and a " terror against evil " ( Romans 13:1-4 ). But He has called us to so much more than than "the badge"!

God, through Paul, goes on to show us that, through the Gospel, we are adopted into God’s family as His beloved children ( Ephesians 1:5-6 ). We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus ( Ephesians 2:10 ). He seals with His Spirit, and you have an inheritance that comes with your identity in Christ ( Ephesians 1:11-13 ) alone.

It is vital that we understand who God says we are and that we're not defined by "the badge" and all that comes with it. Because of who we are in Christ (if -- and ONLY if -- we truly know Him as Lord and Savior), the rest of Ephesians ( chapters 3 to 6) can take place in our lives: we can forgive because we've been forgiven; we can walk in love because God loves us first; we can be strong in the Lord in spiritual warfare because we know who we are in Christ.

Aside from Ephesians , God has so much more for us in His Word about our identities in Him. Consider just the following (with thanks in part to our friends at Got Questions Ministries ):


In our new identity in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin ( Romans 6:6 ), but we are reconciled to God ( Romans 5:10 ). This new identity completely changes our relationship with God and our families, just as it changes the way we see the world. Our new identity in Christ means we have the same relationship with God that Christ has—we are His children. God has adopted us as sons. We are able to call Him “ Abba ! Father!” ( Romans 8:15–16 ). We are both joint heirs ( Galatians 3:29 ) and friends ( John 15:15 ) of Christ. And this relationship is even stronger than those we have with our earthly families ( Matthew 10:35–37 ). Instead of fearing God as judge, we have the great privilege of coming to Him as our Father. We can approach Him with confidence and ask of Him what we need ( Hebrews 4:16 ). We can ask for His guidance and wisdom ( James 1:5 ) and know that nothing will take us from Him ( Romans 8:38–39 ). We also rest in His authority and respond to Him with trusting obedience, knowing that obedience is a key part of remaining close to Him ( John 14:23 ).

Is there even more? Absolutely! As born again believers -- Christians as only He can define it ( John 3:1-21, 14:6 ) -- we are no longer citizens of the world but apart from it ( 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1 ). We understand that we are a part of a heavenly, God-ruled kingdom. Things of the earth -- including our service in law enforcement -- no longer dominate us ( Colossians 3:2 ). We don’t fear or over-emphasize suffering on earth or the trials we face ( Colossians 1:24 1 Peter 3:14 4:12–14 ), nor do we place importance on things the world values ( 1 Timothy 6:9–11 ). And our new heavenly perspective (what I also call a "biblical worldview") means we understand that our enemy is not the people around us but rather the evil forces (as in "spiritual warfare") that endeavor to keep the people from knowing God ( Ephesians 6:12 ).

Finally, understand that one of the greatest blessings about the true identity the Christian has in Christ is the grace we’re given in order to grow into the spiritual maturity that truly reflects our new identity in Him ( Philippians 1:6 ). Our lives, in light of our identity in Christ, are filled not just with what we do as cops (or any profession) but rather with our heavenly Father, a large, loving family of fellow believers, and the understanding that we are citizens of God's kingdom and not of this world.

Friend, the culture (including the culture of law enforcement) and our common enemy (Satan and his demons) today tries to redefine our identity (who and what we are). But, it is God Himself who gets to define that. And, when you grasp your true identity in Him, we become the usable "overcomers" and world-changers He has called us to be! Praise be to God, whoever is born again in Him overcomes the world ( 1 John 5:4 )!

So is that you? Have you truly surrendered to Christ in faith? Is your identity in Him? Are you the " overcomer " God has designed us to be? If not (or you're not sure), I can't encourage you enough to scroll down to the " Know God? " section below and begin a new life in Him today. Without Christ, what we do in this life will have no lasting value, but, in Him and Him alone, we have the strength to leave an eternal legacy in accordance with His plan and will for our lives ( Philippians 4:13 ).

Need more? As always, you're welcome to reach out to me personally: just email me at thecenturionministry@gmail.com .

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KNOW GOD?

(1) Do you still falsely believe that you can "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven and escape hell because you consider yourself to be a " good " cop or "good" person? That you can be "good" enough without God? 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 to our sin (as God defines it). To "believe"  ( pisteuo  in the original Greek) as Jesus intends it here is to wholeheartedly trust and  surrender your life 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 in defense against criminals intent on destroying us or others; or that our parachute will open when it is supposed to (we stake our very lives on it)! For more, see What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

(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" or even "someday"): this is ultimately the life-saving AND 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]).

(4) NOW then, with this in place, go to:   How can I be saved?  

(5) Need more? Then check out this powerful, short video message from police servant-leader Travis Yates  Cops and Salvation

(6) Have you now said "yes" to Jesus as Lord and Savior but are wondering what to do next? The "now what" is also an important part in dealing with the issues that can lead to suicide and sin in general. Click on,   Now what?   

Questions? I'm here to serve --  contact me .    
MC



ABOUT US


The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry is a national, FCPO-affiliated, non-denominational, evangelical Christian outreach to our own in law enforcement. These newsletters and profession-focused Bible studies are part of this effort and past editions can be found on our website and our social media  feeds. Our desire is (1) to be used of God to WIN the lost in our profession to a saving faith in Christ; and (2) DISCIPLE the Christian officer; (3) SEND out discipled officers to "repeat" 1 and 2; (4) SUPPORT police marriages; (5) transform our God-ordained profession by infusing it with all-in Christian officers; and (6) IMPACT (reduce) police suicides and PTSD with the Cure found in Christ Jesus alone. In keeping with these 6 points, please feel free to adapt these messages for your own individual or group use and share them with others. 

We also seek both your prayers and your financial support for this ministry as the Lord leads.

The Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO-USA) exists to 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 Denver-area FCPO chapter ( 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-relevant Bible study, prayer and servant-warrior/sheepdog fellowship. Spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO.   Contact me for details or y ou can also give to our ministry by designating " FCPO Chapter 217 " on the FCPO donation page .

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and FCPO-Metro Denver (Chapter 217) are led by veteran Police Officer, Chaplain and Evangelist Michael "MC" Williams. MC is an active (32-years and counting) sworn police officer/investigator 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.


The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry | Email Address | (720) 371-1022 | Website