The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter
&
Bible Study
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Fellow officers,
sheepdogs,
warriors,
spouses, supporters and ALL:
First, my apologies for not publishing a newsletter last week: I was swamped on multiple fronts. God willing, this week's will make up for it.
I don't have to tell you, these are truly tough times for us as a profession. God help us, I've not seen things this rough in my lifetime. But none of this is a surprise to Him. In fact, these events could very well be birth pangs for what the Bible (God) calls the "end times" and the
"last days."
Praise God, for those of us who know Christ as Lord and Savior, there is great
hope
(be ENCOURAGED)! Accordingly, in this week's study I'll do two things: (1) lay out the biblical meaning of the "last days" and (2) share God's direction for how He wants us to "stand" should He tarry. Scroll down to
"Living, Policing and Hope in the 'Last Days.'"
And speaking of these newsletters and Bible studies, here's our last one in case you missed it:
God, Racism, Lawlessness & Law Enforcement.
As always, don't forget that I re-post these newsletters on my social media feeds, including
Facebook
(both my
personal
and
Centurion Ministry
pages and
group
sites),
Twitter,
and on our
website
as well (usually some delay with the latter). I also encourage you to share these with others (with a "Code 3" sense of urgency, mind you) as part of our
Great Commission
"call for service."
Finally, let me reiterate that I'm "here" for you if you need to talk, pray, gripe, etc. Locally, our home is open to you as well. Just
reach out!
Meanwhile, let's continue to stay
armored-up
and watch each other's "six" out there!
Now let's get back in the fight and
"Run to the Battle"
behind Christ our Captain (hint: GOD WINS)!!
MC
_____________________
RESOURCES
(1) Make no mistake, my friend and brother-in-Christ, Travis Yates, is a courageous police leader... TRUTH is not "racist." Facts and evidence are not "racist." Here again is
The Lies of 'Systemic Police Racism.'
PRAYER REQUESTS
(1)
Praise report!
Thanks to all who prayed for fellow cop/chaplain
Jim Bontrager
concerning the officer appreciation event that was held in Elkhart (IN) whilst in the midst of all this demonic anti-police fervor. Praise God, everything turned out great!
(2)
Law Enforcement Day of Prayer:
Today, June 30th from 0800-2400 (yep, all day, from wherever you're at) we're calling for a day of prayer for law enforcement. Former Detroit officer-turned-evangelist
Emery Esse
asked me help get the word out. Just set aside some time to pray for our profession, those serving in it and our families.
(3) Pray for two Tulsa police officers who have been shot in the line of duty. They are in extremely critical condition at this time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(2)
Jim Bontrager is currently teaching his outstanding
Sun Tzu and the Art of Warrior Resiliency
seminar through
Enter the Lion.
We meet via Zoom each Tuesday evening from 8-9 PM EST. You can jump in anytime -- join us (FREE) and be encouraged!
(3) Our next
FCPO-Colorado
(the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry)
"cop church"
chapter meeting and interactive Bible study is set for Tuesday,
July 21st
(I'm cancelling our July 7th fellowship due to its proximity to the Independence Day holiday) at 6:30 PM. As always, spouses are welcome and encouraged to come with your LEO!
Email me
for the address and other 411. That said,
I am available to meet with you one-on-one
during this time.
*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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Policing (and Hope) in the "Last Days"
"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am."
(John 14:3)
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For most of us, we've never seen things like they are now. Yes, we've dealt with rioting in the past, but never with the demonic level of hate and overall lack of support we're seeing today. Morale is in the pits and many officers are making the decision to retire of otherwise leave the profession. That said, if you actually believe this is just about what happened in Minneapolis, we need to have a conversation (like NOW).
Here in my latest study in a series (building on our last study), I want to share God's direction for us in
law enforcement
in the midst of current events, and the
HOPE
He has for us as we approach the
"last days"
before He comes to take us home.
Now if you're new to the faith, or have never placed your hope in Christ as Lord and Savior (or you've not been taught properly), you are probably asking, "Last days"? or "What 'hope'"? And "What does this have to do with what we do in law enforcement (policing)?" Let me break it down for you!
First, what do I mean by the "last days" or the "end times"? Let's start by sharing the seventeen verses of
2 Timothy Chapter 3
from the New Living Translation (NLT)
:
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Are we not seeing these things played out before us? With the understanding that
we must NOT be "predictors"
(putting a date) on Christ's return, God is clear that we should in fact be living every day as though it were. So are you? And are you ready should
the Rapture
happen TODAY?
Second, we need to understand the times we're living in, and that none of this is a "surprise" to God. In addition, for those of us who have been "born again"
(John 3:1-21)
"in Christ,"
the predictors of the
end times
should bring us great
hope
that is not unlike the promise God gave to Israel in
Jeremiah 29:10-11
during their captivity in Babylon (again, this passage was specifically for Israel -- and would not come true until some seventy-years later when almost all of those who first heard it were dead):
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare
and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
I truly believe that just as Israel's repeated sin as a nation brought them just consequences, the United States -- like other nations' before us (Germany after the World Wars, for example) -- will reap the consequences of our national sin short of collective repentance and turning back to Him in faith. That said, for us as Christians,
this is NOT our permanent "home" or final destination.
Rather, our
citizenship is ultimately in heaven,
and we are to remain
occupied
with the work God has called us to here
(Luke 19)
until we pass sway (death) or Christ comes to get us (the Rapture).
Now for those of us
called
to our very unique, God-ordained
(Romans 13:1-4)
profession of law enforcement, our job is to "hold the line" and protect and serve biblically until our Captain and Chief (Christ) comes to "relieve" us. To be beacons of light (the Light) and hope for the law abiding and a literal
"terror against evil"
(sadly, even wickedly, part of national sin is that our authority to be a
Romans 13:4
terror against evil
is being stripped from us). And as Christian officers, our call is an even higher one.
To illustrate this further, let's look closely at
Luke 19:12-26.
This shows us that
there are two types of people: those believers who
occupy
themselves with God's work and those unbelievers and Christian "backsliders" who do not. Which one are you? Are you taking advantage of every opportunity to witness for Christ? To live boldly for Him? If you are an officer, to police biblically? Are you being faithful with God's blessings and resources? Are you serving God with all of your heart and soul? Or are you like the servant who kept his resources to himself?
Like the hard-working servants who were rewarded, we will also receive our rewards in heaven. Now understand, we can't buy or work our way into heaven
(Ephesians 2:8-9).
Rather, our salvation is only through Christ alone. However, what we do here on earth for God's kingdom will determine our
rewards in heaven.
and we should most certainly want to hear from our Lord,
"Well done, good and faithful servant..."
(Matthew 25:23).
Paul explains further,
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames"
--
1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
During this life we will be
refined
with fire that will test us. Are we laying a foundation of material wealth or of eternal blessings? Are we working for our own glory and comfort, or for the furthering of God's kingdom? When we pass through the
Refiner's fire,
still seeking to honor God and bring Him glory, that work and dedication is going to shine like the sun. But if we only focus on what we can gain for ourselves in this life, our efforts will be nothing but smoldering ashes.
What does God want us to do until He returns? As Christians we are called to serve Him willingly and obediently in whatever He calls us to do (including what we do as cops). We are to witness to those who do not know or follow Christ. To warn them of the coming judgment and joyfully share God's love and plan of salvation. And we are to boldly equip and encourage our fellow believers so that they may also go forth and further God's kingdom (thus my call to serve and encourage you through this ministry). And we are called to warn (backup) the non-Christian of what awaits them unless they
"repent and believe"
(Mark 1:15).
More? Our friends with
Got Questions Ministries
have a great article (and series of articles that goes with it) that will provide you with further direction from God (via His Word, the Bible) on this topic:
Surviving the End Times.
Finally, there is the
HOPE
we have as born again believers. Do you have that? Understand that without Christ, we are utterly
hopeless
(without hope) and destined for hell. Praise God, you can have that eternal hope NOW -- today (and ONLY whilst you live): scroll down to the
KNOW GOD?
section below for the "how."
Friends, my prayer is that you will be encouraged by this message -- the hope we have in Christ -- even in the midst of these excruciatingly hard times. There is true LIGHT at the end of the tunnel -- stay "front sight focused" on the Light
(John 8:12)
who gives us
"strength for the street."
MC
_______________
KNOW GOD?
(1) Do you continue to 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 (the "I'm good" mess)? That you can be "good" enough without knowing Christ as Lord and Savior? That mere "belief" is enough to "save" you? That you somehow "deserve" heaven because of your so-called "good" 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) 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"): 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 that also comes to us from
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?
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 meet approximately twice a month in the south Denver-Metro suburb of Highlands Ranch for profession-focused, sound (uncompromising) Bible study, prayer and servant-warrior fellowship (and spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO).
Contact me
for complete details.
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.
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
and designate "
FCPO #217
" or the "Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry."
* 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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