Church Safety Seminar Set for this Saturday!

Dear Fellow Paladins:

As a reminder for locals interested in attending, we will be participating in a church safety training seminar this Saturday (1/31/09) under the direction of retired Denver PD Officer Manny Hays. Meeting will run from 0830 to about noon at Calvary Chapel South Denver in Littleton . As many of you may know, I write and speak on this subject (executive protection in a church setting; homeland security issues as it relates to churches; church shootings; domestic violence issues in places of worship; etc.). We also strongly encourage authorized LEOs to carry when attending church – and every place else for that matter. As Col. Grossman says, those who can and don’t sound like “Baaahh” (sheep vs. the sheepdogs we are called to be). Regardless, please feel free to join us for all or part as your schedule permits. We’ll be back on schedule for our regular Bible study and prayer fellowship on February 7th.

Last week’s meeting was terrific as we took a close look at what it means to be KNOW AND DO GOD’S WILL. Truth is that many studies on this subject can go on for months. We managed to give it a decent overview in an hour and, in the process, came to the conclusion that it takes commitment on our part to seek His will for our lives through prayer the study of His Word. The Bible also teaches us that being obedient to Him is very much His will for us. The Bible is in fact the revealed will of God.

The famous 19th century English evangelist George Mueller wrote, “I never remember a period that I ever sincerely and patiently sought to know the will of God by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, through the instrumentality of the Word of God, but I have been always directed rightly." Here is how George summed up the way he entered into a "heart" relationship with God and learned to discern God's voice:
1) "I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.
2) Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3) I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined.
4) Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5) I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.

Thus, (1) through prayer to God, (2) the study of the Word, and (3) reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly."

John MacArthur also wrote a great treatise on the subject that I would encourage you to read: www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1217.

That said, Scripture gives us a great guide to follow (this is not an all-inclusive list but is a good foundation):
(1) God’s will is that we be saved. 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4
(2) Once we know Him as Savior, God has a further will for our lives. Eph. 2:9-10; Mark 3:31035 and 1 John 2:17.
(3) God wants us to know His will. 1 Cor. 2:9-10, Psalms 119:105
(4) God loves us and His will for is in accordingly in our best interest. Matt. 16:26, 25:21; Luke 2:10; John 16:7, and others.
(5) God’s will is that we be sexually pure outside of marriage (yes, I had to go there). 1 Thess. 4:3-7. That also includes our minds (as in avoiding pornography, for example). Matt. 15:19-20. 5:28; Proverbs 4:23; Phil. 4:8
(6) God’s will is that we yield to the control of the Holy Spirit (instead of own will). Eph. 5:17-18; James 1:5.
(7) God’s will is that we live in submission to God-given authority. Romans 12:1-2, 13: 1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15; Acts 4:18-20 (recognizing God as our highest authority).
(8) Sometimes God’s will is that we have to endure tough times, including suffering, to accomplish His purpose for us and through us. 1 Peter 3:17, 4:19.

Bottom line is that the will of God is not about the details of WHAT we do but rather about WHO we are (character). It is not just about large choices but also the small things we do that, over time, build us into what God wants (“wills”) us to be. He cares about the little things! If we chose to follow His direction in spiritual and moral matters then the details of His will for our lives will become apparent.

CHRISTIAN COP NEWS!
Colorado Springs PD Officer Jeff Strossner has his new blog site up and running! Check it out at http://thoroughlyequipped.blogspot.com/. I have it linked on our site as well.

PRAYER REQUESTS (in addition to those I sent out earlier this week).
(1) LAPD motor officer and Marine (Semper Fi) JJ Leonard sent me this prayer request for a Georgia officer facing murder charges for what would appear to be simply be doing his duty: http://www.policelink.com/news/articles/90898-help-torrey-thompson.
(2) Albuquerque PD Det. Vince Harrison asked that we pray for New Mexico leaders who are on the verge of passing a same-sex/gay marriage bill. Pray that they will heed God’s law and do His will instead of that of those who are clearly outside of it.
(3) For godly leadership in our profession and government in general. Please pray that God will change our President’s heart and that he will lead from a true Biblical perspective.
(4) Continue to pray for this and similar ministries to our fellow LEOs and their families. I covet your prayers.

More next week. Hope to see you Saturday. Finally, being the the proverbial underdog supporter: GO CARDINALS (and “totally sold out for Christ” QB Kurt Warner)!