The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Newsletter & Bible Study
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Fellow officers, sheepdogs, servant-warriors/leaders, spouses and all:
With a lot of us still recovering from the exhaustion of Christmas (I don't think being this tired was God's intent, and the commercialism of it is definitely not His plan) and an even more exhausting year, I'll again try be brief here on the "top side" so that you can spend more time in the special year-end Bible study I've prepared for you below: Living and Leaving a Lasting Legacy (based in part on the life and legacy of slain Douglas County Deputy Zackari "Zack' Parrish III, EOW 12/31/2017).
This being said, please take a few minutes to review the resources and prayer requests I've shared for us below. And if you're a LEO (current, future, past) here along the Colorado Front Range, I invite you and your spouse to join us for our first FCPO/Centurion "cop church" fellowship of the New Year next Tuesday, January 5th -- scroll down to the "411" in the Upcoming Events section.
Looking for a past newsletter/Bible study? I always re-share them on our social media feeds (Facebook, MeWE [new] and Twitter) and eventually on our website as well. I also strongly encourage you to share these newsletters with others (with a "Code 3" sense of urgency, mind you) as part of our Great Commission "call for service" to WIN the lost to a saving faith in Christ; DISCIPLE the born again believer and SEND the trained-up Christian warrior back out to "repeat."
To all of you who will be on duty over the New Years holiday weekend, watch your six (and those of your colleagues), good hunting (should be a "target rich" environment with corresponding opportunities to make a real difference) and get home safe after your shift.
Finally, a huge "THANK YOU" to all who have supported this ministry in 2020, be it financially and/or through your prayers. Know that I've not allowed this stinkin pandemic to stop us! And after the incredibly rough year we've had, let's all join together and ask God to give us "cover" and the strength to endure what is likely coming for us all in 2021 (frankly, I'm praying for Rapture).
MC
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RESOURCES
(1) Enter the Lion is an outstanding resource (also on Facebook) -- "Biblically equipping those God has called to serve" (hey, that's what do as well...LOL).
(3) And speaking of Tim, he wrote an outstanding article through which he biblically exposes the fraud of the sadly popular "Jesus Calling" heresy that has misled so many (exposing false teachers -- and warning folks about them -- is part of my call in ministry): 10 Serious Problems with Jesus Calling.
My own pastor and fellow police chaplain, Dave Love (Calvary Castle Rock) also addresses Sarah Young's heretical "Jesus Calling" (clearly, the Jesus she presents is NOT the Christ of the Bible) in his outstanding series on false teachers starting at the 17-min mark of Part 7.
PRAYER REQUESTS
(1) As we enter 2021, please pray for our government -- that all who have been placed in authority will come to know Christ as Lord and Savior and will then govern biblically. And ask God to intervene against all who seek to destroy our miracle of a Republic. Finally, let's THANK God for the 4-year reprieve He gave us under an incredibly pro-police, pro-Israel and pro-Christian Administration.
(2) Pray for one another -- including all who will be on duty over the New Year's holiday (and "good hunting" in what will surely be a target rich environment).
(3) Please pray for me and this ministry as we move into the 2021.
(4) And again, pray for all those battling this pandemic, and pray for the families of those who didn't make it. On this, pray for my friend and brother-in-ministry. Kevin Bernard, who is battling this pestilence (hospitalized last night).
How can I pray for YOU? Just reach out and I'll share your requests here (or not -- just let me know what and how much you want me to share).
UPCOMING EVENTS
The next meeting (yes, in person) of our Colorado Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (FCPO Chapter #217) fellowship and Bible study will take place "next year" (I love saying that): Tuesday, January 5th at Calvary Chapel Castle Rock from 6:30-8:00 PM. We meet in the 4th/5th grade classroom (follow the signs). Shoot me an email for more info. As always, our "cop church" meetings are open to all current, former and future officers and their spouses. NOTE: We'll be setting time aside to pray for our nation.
Have a prayer request, event or announcement you would like included here? Need help/prayer? Email me and I'll include them here.
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LIVING & LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY
If you died today, what kind of legacy would you leave, and where will you spend eternity? And what kind of legacy are you "living" now? As we move into what will be a very challenging new year, it is not too late to get it right.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9)
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As New Year's Eve approaches, God is again pressing me to share a message of hope based, in part, on the life and legacy of Douglas County (Colorado) Sheriff's Deputy Zachari "Zack" Parrish, III who was killed in the line of duty on New Year's Eve three years ago.
Let's start with a definition followed by three biblical points (it's a Bible study -- you "gotta have points" -- LOL) based on it.
First, what is a LEGACY? Webster (the dictionary guy) defines "legacy" as, "a gift...an inheritance" left to others in the wake of a person's life. And what does God say to us about legacy through His Word, the Bible? Frankly, a plethora (my favorite word to use in a police report): see What does God say to us about legacy?
Second, what does it mean to LIVE your legacy NOW? A motto widely circulated in the wake of Zack's death is, "Live like Zack" followed by his life verse (as shown in the graphic above). Joshua 1:9 is also one of my life verses, but it is vital we understand it in context. Take a moment to read the full 18 verses of Joshua 1. What single word/concept does God repeatedly use in this passage? OBEY (obedience).
Moses, in passing on his own legacy to Joshua and others as his own "End of Watch" (death) approached, adds powerful "backup" to this in Deuteronomy 12:28 -- Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God (added emphasis). In short, the whole context of Scripture reveals that to biblically LIVE your legacy means to walk humbly, boldly and in obedience to God -- to be "all in" for Him so that your children, spouse, colleagues and others can see it, learn from it and play it forward.
Sadly, obedience is rarely preached today by supposedly "woke" (I despise that bogus word) "pastors" (not by God's standard) and "leaders" in our modern society. But God never waivers on this subject, nor does He change. In fact, obedience to His standards is His constant counsel and direction to those He has called to lead and serve. Here are but three examples (again, context):
(1) To Joshua God says, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to OBEY all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:7, added emphasis;
(2) To Solomon God says, “If you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and OBEY my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever…" -- 1 Kings 9:4-5, added emphasis;
(3) Jesus instructs, “Anyone who loves me will OBEY my teaching.” -- John 14:23, added emphasis.
But you would rightfully argue, "They ALL failed!" (all had instances of disobedience -- see, Was Solomon saved?). Folks, that is why we need the Savior, and the true secret to living your legacy is by first being in a right relationship with Christ and then walking in obedience under the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Do you have that? If not, you can (stay with me)!
Thirdly, what kind of legacy will you LEAVE behind when this life ends, and how can we ensure it will LAST? Folks, with very few exceptions (the thief on the cross who repented and came to faith being one of those), leaving a lasting legacy again involves obediently living "all in" for Christ NOW.
An example I like to share on this is the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards and his bride Sarah -- a Colonial American husband and wife team who lived "all in" by faith and, consequently, left an incredible, lasting legacy that went far beyond anything they could have imagined (note the husband/wife team concept here -- part of why we place such a huge emphasis on supporting police marriages). Here's a short excerpt about the Edwards' legacy from Dennis and Barbara Rainey of Family Life (with information I added from my own research as well):
Jonathan Edwards felt God’s call to become a minister and he began to pastor a small congregation in New England. During the years that followed, he wrote many sermons, prayers, and books, and was influential in beginning the Great Awakening. Jonathan and Sarah produced eleven children who grew into adulthood. Sarah was a partner in her husband’s ministry, and he sought her advice regarding sermons and church matters. They spent time talking about these things together, and, when their children were old enough, the parents included them in the discussions.
The impact (legacy) of the Edwards’ lives have been far-reaching, but the most measurable results of their faithfulness (obedience) to God’s call is found through their descendants. A study by A. E. Winship conducted between 1897-1900 lists a few of the accomplishments of the 1,400 Edwards descendants he was able to identify:
- 100 missionaries, pastors and theologians
- 66 physicians and a dean of a medical school
- 65 college professors (and 13 college presidents)
- 30 judges
- 3 mayors of large cities
- 3 governors of states
- 3 United States senators
- 1 Vice President of the United States
Pretty impressive (click the study link for "the rest of the story")! But, that all being said, the legacy they -- and we -- will leave that has a truly LASTING (eternal) impact involves those who came/come to a saving faith through our service and example; those we disciple and those we help, encourage and yes, even save (when God uses us to save lives through our service in law enforcement, our hope should be that they will then have every opportunity to know Christ as Lord and Savior).
And this then leads us back to Zack (along with his bride, Gracie Parrish). As you take in the most evangelical, Christ-centered police memorial service of my 34-year law enforcement career, pay special attention to the messages shared by Colorado State Patrol Trooper Troy Kessler (staring at the 1:50:30 mark) and by Zack's former pastor, Mike Romberger (starting about the 2:48:00 mark). Praise God, both Zack and Gracie know Christ as Lord and Savior (Christians as God defines the term), and many -- including many officers -- have come to a saving faith in Christ because of their godly obedience and faithfulness. Their lives impacted and continue to impact others for eternity -- a truly living and lasting LEGACY -- because of what Christ first did for them (and He wants to do the same through us).
So here then is...
I don't know what challenges you are facing today (2020 has been FULL of them), but, like Zack, I do know that God will enable you to tackle them bravely, calmly, and victoriously if you will first place your whole trust in Him for your salvation and then continue to grow in the faith. Let's be obedient to God's command to be, "strong and courageous." To "Live like Zack" while building legacies of our own (including but by no means limited to ensuring that the Gospel is preached at our own celebrations of life when our course is finished here).
So, it is with Zack's "legacy" on my heart that I close this last study of 2020 by again asking the most important question anyone can ask (part of what I hope is my own legacy -- so help me God): Do YOU, like Zack, truly know Christ as Lord and Savior? Simple "belief" (the English definition) is not enough. Religion is not enough. Being "good" in the world's eyes is not enough, and being a "good cop" is not enough (again, we can't "badge" our way into heaven or out of hell). On the contrary, God tells us in His Word that ONLY those who have repented of their sin and are born again into a genuine, life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with Christ -- those who are the "children of God" -- have a place waiting for them in heaven. Is that you? Please - I beg you - turn to Him in faith today (scroll down to the "Know God?" section below or reach out to me directly).
Amen!
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KNOW GOD?
(1) Do you hold to an utterly false hope that you can "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven and escape hell because you consider yourself to be a "good" cop or a "good person"? That you can be "good" enough without knowing Christ as Lord and Savior? That mere "belief" is enough to "save" you (as our Lord, through James, tells us, "...even the demons believe, and tremble" -- James 2:19)? That you somehow "deserve" heaven because of your so-called "good" and honorable service in law enforcement? Take the Good Person Test and see how you do!
(2) Jesus' first recorded words in His earthly adult ministry included, "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 -- a different word than James used in James 2:19) 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 against criminals intent on destroying us or others; or that our parachute will open when it is supposed to on a combat jump (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"). Friends, 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.
(5) Need more? Then check out this powerful, short video message from Maj. 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 vital in dealing with the issues that contribute to police suicide, PTSi and more. Click on, Now what?
MC
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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 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; (2) to DISCIPLE the Christian officer; (3) SEND out discipled (trained) officers to "repeat" 1 and 2; (4) to SUPPORT police marriages; (5) to transform our God-ordained profession by infusing it with all-in Christian officers; and (6) to IMPACT (reduce) police suicides and PTS 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.
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 generally meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening of the month at Calvary Chapel Castle Rock starting at 6:30 PM for profession-focused, uncompromising Bible study, prayer and "iron sharpens iron" fellowship (and spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO). Contact me for further details.
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry is led by veteran police officer, chaplain and evangelist Michael "MC" Williams. MC is an active State Criminal Investigator, retired Police Detective (after 34 years) 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.
Finally, we covet your prayer and financial support for this vital ministry outreach. Reference the latter, you can give in two ways:
(1) Send a check to the address posted below.
or
(2) Go the the FCPO Giving Page, select "Donation to a Local Chapter" from the drop-down menu, enter the amount, click "SUBMIT" and then designate "FCPO #217" or the "Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry" in the box. All donations are tax-deductible.
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, P.O. Box 630854, Littleton, CO 80163 | Email Address | (720) 371-1022 | Website
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