Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

As a reminder, our fellowship "meeting" this week will be our participation at the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) National Conference this Friday-Sunday (Nov. 6-8) at the famous Glen Eyrie Conference & Retreat Center in Colorado Springs (http://www.gleneyrie.org/). I will be sharing all three days along with a number of nationally recognized Christian peace officers and LE chaplains. In addition, our own Matt Wallenburg will be leading worship. Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to meet, fellowship and grow with other Christian officers from all over the country. There are still a very limited number of rooms left along with day passes for those who can't make all three days. Contact FCPO Dir. Grant Wolf for more information (http://us.mc516.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=grant@fcpo.org or via http://www.fcpo.org/). I consider this to be our ministry's 2009 annual retreat -- please join us!


STUDY RECAP:

We had an excellent time of fellowship, prayer and Bible study yesterday on the topic of Knowing God's Will. Here is the recap for those who missed it and all our readers outside of Colorado:

Knowing and understanding God's will for our lives involves both definitive biblical truth along with a desire to seek and trust Christ in all things. In short, it involves a true desire to follow Him instead of seeking our own way. I have always maintained that a career in law enforcement should be a CALLING that God puts on our hearts. In accordance with same, how can we know God's will for our lives? Here are two general keys:
(1) Make sure what you are doing and/or asking for is not something the Bible forbids. Rest assured, if what you are doing or seeking is outside of God's Word, then are you definitely outside His will.
(2) Make sure what you are asking for or considering will glorify God and help you grow spiritually. If these two things are true and God is still not giving you what you are asking for, then it is likely not God’s will for you to have it or perhaps He is asking you to be patient and wait. Many want God to tell them specifically what to do—where to work, where to live, whom to marry, etc. Our Lord rarely supplies such direct and specific information. However, He does give us specific guidance about these things in His Word. For example, the Bible tells us that a believer is not to marry an unbeliever (II Cor. 14-17). As such, no matter how "right" something may FEEL, doing anything against what the Bible teaches is clearly not in keeping with God's will for us. What you feel is "right" and what is in fact truth are often very different things indeed.

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” The only decision God does not want us to make is to sin or resist His will. Rather, God wants us to make choices that are in agreement with His will. So, again, how can we know His will for us? If you are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for our life, God will place His desires on your heart. The key is wanting God’s will, not your own. “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). If the Bible does not speak against it and it can genuinely benefit you spiritually, then the Bible gives you the “permission” to make decisions and to follow your heart. If you truly and humbly seek God’s will through time with him in prayer and in His Word, He is faithful to reveal His will to you.

The Bible gives us a wealth of guidance on this topic and I strongly advise everyone to take the time to study it in terms of God's direction. Our Lord delights in spending time with us and is faithful to lead us if we seek Him. However, like any good parent, He also loves us enough to say "NO" when we are going astray or to discipline us if we are disobedient.

Finally, consider the following 7 biblical guidelines:
(1) God wants you to know His will more than you want to His will.
-- Commit your way to the Lord through prayer.
-- Psalm 37:3-6

(2) You won’t miss God’s plan if your heart is set on pleasing him.
-- Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.”

(3) God has perfect plan for imperfect people.
-- God loves us not because of our perfection or performance but because He IS love. Even when we fail Him and the people around us, He longs for us to come to Him for forgiveness, love, guidanced and help.
-- Psalm 37:23-24; Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

(4) God will give direction to anyone who asks.
-- God promises to tell you what to do if you ask Him, trust Him, and follow His leading.
-- James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

(5) God is always at work behind the scenes and has our best interests at heart.
-- Job 23:9-11 When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him, when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

(6) We seldom choose our circumstances but we can choose our attitudes.
-- When we are in a difficult or confusing situation, He urges us to choose an attitude of faith, rest and joy in Him.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice (also translated Be joyful…) always; pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God’s WILL for you in Christ Jesus.

(7) If the Bible forbids it, don’t bother praying about it.
-- God won’t lead us contrary to what He has already revealed in His Word
-- God will give us the strength to obey if we ask for it. Phil. 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

NOVEMBER MEETING SCHEDULE (updated):

-- Nov. 6-8 in Colorado Springs (FCPO Conference -- see above)
-- Nov. 12th: NO MEETING
-- Nov. 19th: Regular Thursday meeting, 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
-- Nov. 26th: Thanksgiving Day (no meeting). However, we MAY meet the following Saturday (28th). We'll talk about it further at our Nov. 12th meeting -- let me know your thoughts!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- As many of you know, discipling and counseling officers is a big part of what we do as a ministry. One of our partners, Ten-Four Ministries in Tulsa, OK, is now offering Nouthetic (biblical) counseling for law enforcement personnel. Check out their latest newsletter detailing their new program (you don't have to live in OK to take advantage of it): http://www.tenfourministries.org/counseling.


PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) For a brother officer who is facing some very serious debt/financial problems.
(2) For Chicago PD Ofc. Densey Cole (protection, continued recovery, salvation).
(3) For me as I disciple/counsel a hurting retired officer who recently accepted Christ as his Savior (praise God for that)
(4) For a brother officer who is a finalist for a chief position here in CO (God's will first).
(5) For Mahnomen County (MN) Dep. Chris Dewey who will undergo surgery here at Swedish Hospital later this week (4th I believe). Follow Chris's progress and leave your notes of support and prayer by logging on to his CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey. I visited with/prayed for Chris, Emily and Em's parents on Saturday. Pray also for Emily's mom and dad who are dealing with some very tough issues of their own.
(6) For Denver PD Ofc. Allison Casias who continues to recover (miracles) but is dealing with some very tough issues. I'll keep you posted but you can view it yourself by logging on to her CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/allisoncasias.
(7) For me as I speak/teach each day at this weekend's FCPO National Conference in Colorado Springs.

Stay the course and I hope to see loads of you at this the FCPO Conference this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.