Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

Fellow Sheepdogs:

As announced previously, we’ve officially moved our primary meeting day/time from Saturday mornings to Thursday evenings. We’ll meet from 1900-2000 hours at the same location -- Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Remember that spouses/significant others are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will still meet on Saturday mornings from time-to-time but I’ve tried to pay attention to the wishes and suggestions of our locals/visitors so long as they are not contrary to God’s will and direction for the ministry. As always, be sure to check your email and the website for updates and announcements -- and don't forget to PASS IT ON to others as we are ALL called to spread the Gospel and lift-up our fellow warriors.

We recently concluded our look at what it means to “run to the battle” but Pastor Gino Geraci’s teaching on Sunday added a huge “!!” to the topic via a passage of Scripture that I had previously failed to properly consider. I’ve asked the Holy Spirit to “nudge” me about such things but, through Gino, He gave me a friendly KICK instead. So here’s the deal: check out John 18:1-11. Pay particular attention to verses 3-6, which reads,

“Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

A “detachment” was a cohort of 200-600 men (up to a 10th of a Legion). In this case, it was what we might today call a “joint taskforce” made up of Roman troops and Jewish temple police. Note further that Judas was leading the detachment and all were coming to arrest a single person! So what does Jesus do? He moves towards the battle (“…went forward”) and, when He identifies himself as God (“I am HE”), the entire detachment was literally thrown to the ground at the revelation of His glory. What is even more shocking is that the taskforce officers still failed to acknowledge Christ as Lord! In the end, the most amazing thing of all is that God loved us so much that He was willing to send his only Son “into battle” to be captured, tortured, and killed so that we would not have to pay the same price. Without backup and utterly alone, our Lord strode forward to die in our place. Praise God, the story does not end there! Three days later our Captain rose from the dead to kick “Goliath’s” (a metaphor for the devil) butt and provide a way of salvation for all of us who would yield to His lordship.

Lastly, check out the rest of the passage: Jesus makes sure that his disciples are protected (“…let these go their way.”) and goes on to heal the man Peter tried to kill (see Luke 22:51). In doing so, Jesus effectively prevented the rest of the taskforce from going berserk! Even in the midst of chaos and the knowledge of the horrors to come, Christ continued to exhibit supreme love, self-control and true servant-leadership while at the same time submitting Himself to His Father’s will (great multi-tasking). What an awesome message and example for us in law enforcement!

That said, where are YOU today? Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? It is not enough to simply “believe” in God (“You BELIEVE that there is one God. Good! But even the demons believe--and tremble!” James 2:19), nor is it enough to say a few words, call yourself “born again,” and continue to live “like hell.” True salvation comes with true repentance and asking Christ to come into your heart and change you. It means having a bona fide loving RELATIONSHIP with the Lord and not just going through the motions or sitting on the proverbial fence -- AKA being “retired on duty” in terms of your faith. If you do not know Him as Savior I encourage you to take that step NOW – tomorrow may be too late and God has a plan and future for you that, if you submit to Him, is the most incredible ride you could ever imagine. Finally, if you already know Christ as Savior but have not been living for Him (making him Lord of your life), I encourage you to get right with God now. Give me a call or drop me an email and I will show you how to do that today (or simply click on the “How to know Christ as Savior” link on our website). If you are a Denver Metro local or visitor, please join us on Thursday and we’ll take that step together! Finally, if you are in fact the “real deal,” then be sure you are actively “training” through prayer and the study of His word (Bible) and thereby able to “run to the battle” to lead others to Christ by both word and action (the way we live and serve). That’s our true mission folks!

Lastly, check out last week’s newsletter and/or our website for details on this Thursday’s “training.” Do you regularly join in on your agency's gripe sessions or are you part of the solution? The Bible has a great deal to say on the subject. Join us Thursday and we'll see about helping you be the latter. I will of course give a recap next week for all those around the country and world who are with us in spirit if not in person.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) Canadian officer and FCPO liaison David Greenhalgh is currently on a mission trip to minister to officers in Kenya (and to minister to the Kenyans in general). Keep him in prayer.

(2) Continue to pray for an Aurora PD officer (Darci) who is struggling and is in desperate need of the Savior. Pray also for APD Ofc. Josh Jensen as he comes along side her in prayer and support.

(3) Pray for Matt Wallenburg as he continues in his quest to join the Jefferson County (CO) Sheriff’s Department. Matt also does a great job leading worship at my church’s Tuesday night service (Tuesday’s at 1900 – please bring your significant other and join us as your schedule permits).

(4) Continue to pray for the family and colleagues of Montrose PD Officer David Kinterknecht who was killed in the line of duty last week. I had an opportunity to hear part of the service and David’s pastor did a great job making it perfectly clear that, in addition to being a great cop, our brother was both a Believer (PRAISE GOD!!) and loving family man. The pastor also made sure that he gave an invitation to those who did not know Christ as Savior to see him after the service – OUTSTANDING! Memorial contributions for David's family may be made to: David J. Kinterknecht Benefit Fund, c/o Montrose Bank, 200 N. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401.

Don’t forget to PASS ON this newsletter and let’s continue to lead (serve) by example!