The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter
&
Bible Study
|
Fellow officers, sheepdogs, warriors, spouses and all who support us:
The Bible study I've prepared for us this week is so important that I'm going to be minimal here at the top end. Please open your Bibles and your hearts as you scroll down to "Never Surrender!"
And speaking of this ministry and my call to train-up and encourage godly servant-warriors, stay tuned for an exciting announcement in next week's newsletter concerning our twice-monthly Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (FCPO-Metro Denver, Chapter #217) meetings (Bible study, prayer and "iron sharpens iron" fellowship)!
Stay the course and finish strong behind Christ our Captain (and watch your "6")!
MC
____________________
RESOURCES
(1) Warning and educating you about false teachers and teachings is part of what I do here, and pastor/fellow police chaplain David Love's 9-part series is just the ticket on this. Click on False Teachers (scroll down on the page for the other teachings in the series).
OFFICER IN NEED
Please continue to be in prayer for veteran Officer Mike Maudlin (tragic circumstances all around) and please give to his cause as the Lord leads (most assuredly lets him see Christian love in action). This is my very first GoFundMe (not a big fan of the platform, to be sure) but this is the fastest way we can get some financial help to Mike. Click on Officer in Dire Need for more. Blessings.
PRAYER REQUESTS
(1) Continue to pay for our nation and our God-ordained profession in light of these "radical," Last Days issues we're facing.
(3) Please pray for Emery Esse who underwent knee replacement surgery this week.
(4) Please pray for CO DOC Captain Andra Cirbo who is battling cancer. Andra asks that we pray for strength, healing and the ability to continue working so she can care for her kids.
(5) With two major storms bearing down on the Gulf coast, please be in prayer for those who will be impacted (including but not limited to fellow First Responders).
(6) Both CA and CO are on fire: pray for rain, protection for homes/property and livestock/wildlife, and for those battling the flames in very high temperatures and rough conditions.
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
*Have a prayer request, event or announcement you would like included here? Need help/prayer? Email me and I'll include them here.
|
|
NEVER SURRENDER!
In the midst of this terrible war we're fighting against enemies both spiritual and physical ("foreign and domestic"), God is calling us to hold the line, fight and never surrender!
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)
__________
|
Aside from the understanding that coming to salvation means "surrendering" to Christ in faith, God is calling His faithful to man a post, stand firm in the breach and NEVER SURRENDER to the enemy.
Accordingly, I am pressed to share a short, five-point Bible study that dives in deep into this issue.
(1) Never Give In, Never Make Peace with the Enemy
On October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill delivered one of his most famous speeches to the boys of Harrow School, his alma mater. And the most memorable lines from this speech are these:
Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
We must understand the context of this speech. WWII had been raging for two years. France had fallen to the Nazis, along with numerous other smaller nations. Soviet Russia was reeling under a massive German invasion. The United States was trying to avoid sending its boys to death (Pearl Harbor would occur just five weeks later). Britain was standing largely alone as the bulwark against the violent tidal wave of Hitler's ambition. The days were still dark (or "stern" as Churchill preferred) and ominous. There were some rays of hope, but victory was by no means certain. Germany still had the momentum.
As Churchill addressed an auditorium of frightened young school boys who might soon be facing bullets as soldiers, and a terrified British public who were traumatized by the devastating bombs of the German Luftwaffe and demoralized by discouraging reports in the press, he did not speak words of consolation, but of exhortation: never give in. This was far more than a call for endurance; this was a call for relentless courage and take-it-to-the-enemy moxie.
(2) We Are at War!
We are at war. When Jesus called us as disciples, He not only delivered us from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13), he drafted us into His army fighting standing the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:3). War is not just a metaphor for the spiritual and physical (the latter for those of us who serve in combat and law enforcement) reality we experience; it's what it is. If anything, the earthly (physical) war is metaphor for the spiritual, though more accurately, earthly war is just one horrible way that spiritual warfare manifests itself in the physical realm.
If we don't believe we are at war, we will be ill-prepared for what's coming or disillusioned about what has happened. In war, conflict, hardship, risk, and suffering are the norm. The Bible tells all faithful followers of Jesus to expect these trials (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12), because we live like sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16); we live in enemy territory (1 John 5:19). If we don't believe we are in a war, we will keep trying to make peace with the devil, thinking we're doing the right thing.
Despite Churchill's continual warnings of the growing German threat throughout the 1930's, most of Britain's leaders lived in what my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman terms "a river in Egypt called 'DENIAL'" and excoriated Churchill's "warmongering." As a result, they led the British public to believe in a false security. In 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain even went to far as to sign an agreement with Hitler through which he falsely proclaimed "peace for our time." Less than a year later, a woefully unprepared Great Britain was forced to declare war on Germany.
We are at war, not peace. We must recognize the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). We must watch with biblical discernment the movements of the enemy and not be ignorant of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Now while we who serve in law enforcement are fighting a very real physical (human) enemy (Romans 13:1-4), what we're ALL dealing with here are spiritual principalities and powers, "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a time to secure peace. This is a time to get in the fight behind Christ our Captain!
(3) Expect to Fight
Jon Bloom writes, "Those of us who live in affluent regions of the world will need to fight just to view life as war. Affluence conditions us for comfort. It conditions us to expect abundance and convenience and leisure and entertainment. It encourages us to aim for material security."
But a soldier -- the warrior -- doesn't live a balanced or secure life. A soldier lives a focused life of strategic sacrifice. A soldier lives for one overriding aim: victory for the Cause.
Sadly, an enemy attack is often an unexpected shock to those who expect peace and security. In wartime, soldiers expect to fight. Those of us in law enforcement expect to be attacked. We train with that expectation and are not shocked when the attacks come. Such is the nature of war: enemies attack; soldiers fight, the police take on criminals engaged in wicked lawlessness. Combat and physical altercations are part of our vocation and calling.
In short, we must not entangle ourselves in civilian pursuits because we are devoted to one overriding aim: victory (2 Timothy 2:3-4)!
Praise God, Jesus -- history's greatest warrior -- came to make peace possible between a holy God and sinful man, and between redeemed people of every ethnicity, skin color and background (Ephesians 2:14-16). But He did not come to bring earthly peace to the devil or those given over to him, but rather a sword (Matthew 10:34). And those of us who follow Jesus must not only pick up our crosses (Luke 9:23), but also our spiritual sword and armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Because He has called us to fight -- and fight we must!
(4) What Encouragement SOUNDS Like
A year before his speech at Harrow, in even darker days, immediately following the heroic deliverance of 335,000 British and French troops from German capture in the Battle of Dunkirk, Churchill encouraged the British Parliament and people, as well as the world, with these words of resolve:
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
This is what encouragement sounds like. Encouragement is not just tender consolation for the suffering, it is strong exhortation to the fainthearted. This is how we should speak to each other in wartime, especially when the shadow of evil is cast over us. This is not a time to give in to fear. It is not a time for despair. This is a time for resolve. It is a time, not for posturing and swagger, but for a humble, Jesus-trusting, Word-grounded, Spirit-filled determination. It is a time for holy Christian moxie (what Eric Ludy calls our Ancient War Cry)!
(5) Stand Your Post
For we are at war. War against evil, and war with the forces and powers of hell itself. It's ugly, cruel, disorienting, and violent on numerous levels. This present darkness is out to destroy us, those we love, and as many people around the world as possible, body and soul.
But we have far more reason for hope than Britain ever had in the early 1940's. Victory -- for us who know Christ as Lord and Savior -- is certain. The enemy is attacking on many fronts, but he is also in retreat. The kingdom of Heaven has been advancing for two millennia, and will relentlessly continue until the full number of saints have been rescued from satanic capture (1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 11:25; Revelation 6:11).
And you have a post to stand, assigned to you personally by our Lord. It does not matter how prominent your post is. It does not matter how difficult your post is, how intense the fighting at your place in the line. It does not even matter if you survive the battle, for you will ultimately survive (Luke 21:18). What matters is the Cause. That's what our lives as believers should be about.
So man your post with all your might, whatever it is. Train (spiritually, that means spending time in the Word, prayer and "iron sharpens iron" fellowship with other believers), stay alert, and do not neglect your responsibilities. Do not defame the Commander, hinder his Cause, or harm your comrades by devoting yourself to civilian or sinful pursuits (2 Timothy 2:4). Stay at your post until God gives orders for redeployment, a new assignment or call for service. When that happens, serve your replacement as best you can, then pick up your weapons and move to the next deployment or your next call, regardless of how obscure the post or minor the assignment. Patiently and prayerfully wait for your orders. Remain in active service (no "inactive reserve" or retirement mess) until you receive your divine discharge in heaven (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
And fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). Train (Psalm 144:1)! Stay the course! Stand firm! Stand in the gap. As far as it depends on us, let us be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18), but stand firm against the spiritual forces of wickedness to the death -- for we will never truly die (John 11:26). If the enemy takes the beach, let us fight him in the fields. If he takes the field, let us fight him in the streets, refusing to surrender and yes, praying for our enemies (the devil and his demon horde aside, of course).
And let us trust our Supreme Allied Commander with overall strategy and force deployment. He knows what He's doing and will bring the enemy down. For our parts, let us be faithful at our posts and resolve to never, never, never surrender while knowing that He is fighting for us and leading us to victory!
AMEN, and thanks much to Jon Bloom from whose work this study is (in part) adapted and inspired.
Finally, understand again that the power to STAND, to never surrender, to finish strong and achieve victory over our common enemy is available ONLY to those who have been "born again" in Christ (a Christian as only God gets to define it) and thus have the Holy Spirit living inside them and empowering them. Is that you? Do you have that? You can! Scroll down to the "Know God?" section below!
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 Christ 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
|
|
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
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
