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The CENTURION Law Enforcement Ministry & Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers

Newsletter

The "Satan-Proof" Mind

 
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry & FCPO Newsletter for Week of February 11th, 2013
 
An outreach of the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers
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DENVER-AREA  News, Announcements & Meeting Info

 

 

Denver-Area Meeting Schedules and related events for this ministry (TCLEM/FCPO-Denver),  POFCI-CO and others are posted on our website (left-hand side -- scroll down to the Denver-area Meeting Schedules) and are updated regularly.  As previously announced, we are now meeting twice a month at both Calvary South Denver (1st and 3rd Thursdays) and Calvary Aurora (2nd and 4th Thursdays).  

 

 

 

 

TCLEM/FCPO-Denver  

Contact Info:  

 

 

EMAIL 

Phone

(720) 371-1022

 

Want to help?   

 

Tax-deductible donations  (checks should be make-out to TCLEM or FCPO-Denver) to support this vital outreach can be mailed to me at:

 

 TCLEM/FCPO-Denver

P.O. Box 630854

Littleton, CO 80163

 

 

Fellow *Sheepdogs and Shepherds (servant-warriors all): 
   

Hope all are staying the course in Him as we focus on this week's special Valentine's Day Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver  fellowship and Bible study (Thursday, February 14th at Calvary Chapel Aurora starting in 7 PM in the big Agape Room right past the bookstore).  A major focus of this ministry is supporting law enforcement marriages (and marriage in general) and having a biblical impact on our profession's appalling 85 percent divorce.  My message is therefore appropriately entitled, "Protect and Serve -- A Cop's Valentine's Day."  Instead of doing the "same ole thing" with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, think "outside the box" (not Jack in the Box. guys) and bring your spouses for a message that you both need to hear.  Single?  Divorced?  This message is for you as well (consider it "field training" on God's plan for marriage)!  I'll of course post a RECAP (a summary of our Bible study that is designed to serve a devotional you can use/adapt as the Lord leads) in next week's newsletter for all our readers worldwide -- stay tuned! 

In addition to feeding you spiritually, Diana and I will give you something to snack on physically as well with some great goodies via our friends at Chick Filet (FREE for you guys courtesy of those who support this ministry financially).   
 
Speaking of recaps, we had a great time at last week's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver fellowship meeting at Calvary South Denver in Littleton where our own Jim Wattles (retired police detective and current CSP chaplain) shared a message he entitled "The Satan-Proof Mind."  Sound a little familiar?   It should.  Attending my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's outstanding Bulletproof Mind seminar should be required for EVERY cop,  combat soldier and true servant-warrior.   That said, our true Commander-in-Chief is calling us to "Satan-Proof" our minds.   How? Check out Jim's recap below (and then pass it on to a friend or colleague).  
   
Please read-on (and don't forget that all of my past newsletters and Bible studies are posted on our website along with a plethora of other great resources for the Christian officer and his/her family). 
  
MC
 
*Sheepdog?  Check out Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's "On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs."
 

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This Week's Resources & Announcements 

 

RESOURCES: 

 

(1)  In anticipation for this week's Valentine's Day fellowship, check out "The Art of Intimacy" by Eric Ludy.

 

(2) Sgt. Chuck Gilliland's latest interview on his website:  The Gospel of Matthew Through the Eyes of a Cop.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

I've posted info about the 2013 FCPO Golf Tournament and an upcoming Church Safety/Bulletproof Mind Seminar on our website.  Check it out (then pass it on)! 

 

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Police Bible Study/Devotional

  

 

The Satan-Proof Mind

 

Chaplain James "Jimmy" Wattles

 

Many law enforcement officers are familiar with the "Bulletproof Mind" seminars put on by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who does an outstanding job preparing law enforcement officers how to physically and psychologically prepare for the life and death situations they may face in the line of duty and then how to deal with the aftermath.  
 

I thought the same principals could be used to protect not only law enforcement officers, but everyone, in preparing for and winning those inevitable "life and death" battles with Satan and his minions.  The Bible is our training manual that instructs us how to prepare for and win those battles against Satan and how to deal with the spiritual aftermath that comes with those life and death struggles.

 

Christians know that Satan is a powerful enemy and many are quick to blame Satan for all their problems.  However, is it always Satan who is attacking us, or could it be God disciplining us?  Hebrews 12:5-6 says, And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you.  For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.   To recognize where our trials are coming from, we need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit to help us understand whether we are being "corrected" or "disciplined" by God in the same way a father disciplines his children, or that we're being attacked by Satan. 

 

Who is Satan?  He is known by many names, to include; Lucifer, Beelzebulb, accuser, son of perdition, thief, deceiver, wicked one, tempter, beast and the devil to name a few.  2 Corinthians 11:14 says, Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.   Satan was created as a holy angel but his pride to "ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars" (Isaiah 14:13) led to his fall from heaven.   Satan will do whatever he can to oppose God and destroy his followers.

 

To prepare ourselves for Satan's attacks, we need to have faith in God's providence, His timing and His judgment.  Psalm 18:30 says, His way is perfect; His word is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  Isaiah 55:8 adds, My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.  Our faith, obedience and submitting to His will is how we prepare.  Don't think we can win these attacks on our own!  Our best defense is being totally committed to God.  James 4:7 says, Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.   Satan is no different than many "bullies" who seek out weak and vulnerable targets.  Bullies don't pick on those who stand up to them and don't fear them.  But Satan is also deceiving and may not present himself as a bully.  We shouldn't walk alone, but walk with other Christians in a well "lighted" area, not in the "darkness" by ourselves.  Seek protection from the flock (other solid believers) who will help keep you alert to Satan's presence and keep you focused on God our Shepherd.

 

Law enforcement officers, like everyone else, live in a world that Satan has filled with violence, evil and immorality. While Satan tempts us, understand that God never tempts but rather tests.  Don't fall victim to Satan's  entrapment and deceit.  Use the "full armor of God" that He has provided us:  The "shield", "sword", "helmet", "breastplate" and the "belt."  They all part of a our life-saving equipment we should wear everyday (Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

We also need to prepare ourselves physically for Satan's attacks.  Romans 12:1-2 tells us to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.   In Galatians 2:20, Paul wrote that "Christ lives in me".   How formidable an opponent can Satan have when Christ is living in you and your mind is focused on God!  How can Satan attack you when you our completely focused on God?  Satan wants to fill our hearts with unhappiness, discouragement, hate, criticism, bitterness, unforgiveness and lusts of the flesh and will deceive us with just the opposite..  Isaiah 26:3 tells us, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you.

 

Perhaps you were not prepared or failed to listen and obey the warnings of the Holy Spirit and in so doing lost a battle to sin.  So how do we deal with a successful attack by Satan?  God has promised us grace, mercy and forgiveness, but it does require us to seek those things out by professing our love for God and confessing and repenting of our sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 says that If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness

 

We have just been in a life and death struggle with Satan and it seems we have lost the battle, but God is forgiving and His desire is that we all seek our personal holiness through sanctification.  Sanctification is the "will of God" (1 Thes 4:3) and the process that separates (sets apart) believers from their sins.  1 Thes 5:23 tells us, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The sanctification process, by which we change our lives to become "pure", "holy" and "blameless", is done to "set us apart" so that God can use us for His holy purposes.  We can never, on our own, become pure, holy and blameless.  Rather, it is accomplished through Christ's finished work for us on the cross.  

 

Plan and prepare to be attacked by Satan.  These attacks could mean life or death in how you fight off the attacks through the power of the Holy Spriit: eternal life and reigning with Jesus in Heaven or death and eternity in Hell.  Don't ever give up your faith in God.  Fight to win each and every battle.  If you find yourself injured or having lost a fight against Satan and succumbing to his attack, don't give up!  Remember that God has given you another chance.  Confess and repent of your sins and strap on the armor of God as you prepare yourselves for battle once again.  Remember God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are your allies in your battles against Satan.  Seek their direction in God's Word and in prayer.   But, most importantly remember what Jesus said in Matthew 4:10 when he was repeatedly tempted by Satan: Away with you, Satan!  Live to fight and glorify God another day!  

 

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National News, Prayer Requests, Denver-Area Meeting Schedules & Announcements...

 

...are posted and updated regularly on our website.   A link to this newsletter will also be re-posted on both our website and  Facebook pages (don't forget to "LIKE" and share with us there).   Check back frequently and please let me know if you have a news item, prayer request or message that you would like for me to consider for this newsletter or our website.   

 

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Time to "run to the battle" (spiritual warfare is a constant -- which is why we are never told to take our "armor" off).   As always, feel free to CONTACT  me if you need prayer, counsel, etc.  Also don't forget to pass-on this newsletter to others on your contact list (great way to share Christ). 
 
Stay safe but radically bold in Christ!   
 
MC

 

Police Lieutenant & Chaplain M.C. Williams