What Happens When a Cop Dies?

Fellow Paladins:

We had an outstanding meeting last Thursday (see recap below) and we’re “on” for this Thursday (01/14/10) starting at 1900 hours at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. We’ll likely be meeting in classroom #7 and will be discussing ideas and goals for the ministry in 2010. In addition, our profession-relevant Bible study will be on the topic of what happens when a cop (soldier, etc.) dies – including those who are lost in the line of duty. This is really about our “future” beyond the time God gives us in this life. There are only two destinations and the choice is totally our own. Join us on Thursday as we dig into this all-important issue of where we will spend eternity.

MESSAGE RECAP:

Last week’s message served as a great companion to this week’s teaching. What does it mean to be “a Christian?” Right off, we need to understand that saying a prayer or “walking the isle” by itself does NOT make you “saved.” So what is a Christian? A simple definition is a person who professes a saving belief in Jesus as the Christ. However, this clearly falls short of what it really means to be a true follower of our Lord. Even Satan and his demons “believe” (James 2:19). The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. Accordingly, the word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to and being a follower of Christ.”

Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used to describe someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves "Christians" simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, being a “good” person, or being a cop does NOT make you a Christian. In fact, simply going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes you an automobile.

The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for our sins and His resurrection. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “…by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ. A true Christian is also one who experiences a true change from the former self to the new – a truly CHANGED life. See James 2:14, 17, 20, 26 and http://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html for more.

Finally, it is important to understand that, contrary to what the “world” teaches, there is only ONE WAY to God and one way to salvation – and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." See also http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html.

Is that you? Do you know where you stand with God? You CAN know and you can do so today. Please read http://www.gotquestions.org/get-right-with-God.html and come to Him today. If you have questions, please shoot me an email with your phone number or, if you are a local or visitor, please join us on Thursday.

While were on the subject of where we stand with Christ, check out these very cool news pieces (outstanding stuff):

Brit Hume on Tiger Woods:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gteKuPgLy8I.

UT QB Colt McCoy (“I Am Second”): http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=300070333


NEW POLICE MINISTRY:

Georgia Ofc. Brian Cain Canton is establishing a new law enforcement ministry. Check it out at http://www.code4ministries.com.


PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) Please continue to pray for Chicago PD Ofc. Densey Cole and that Christian officers in the Chicago area will make it their mission to both protect and share the Gospel with our brother officer.

(2) DCIS Special Agent Dexter Wells at the Pentagon sent this update on fellow SA Dan Peterson who recently had a stroke: The local Syracuse area FLEOA (Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association) chapter has set up a fund for any contributions wished to be made to assist Dan in his recovery. The Peterson family is currently in need of funding to cover costs associated with travel between the hospital and home, parking, meals, and bills associated with Dan's hospital stay not covered by insurance. Checks may be made out to FLEOA Chapter 87 with remark "Dan Peterson Fund", and donations may be sent c/o the DCIS Syracuse Post of Duty, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 304, Syracuse, NY (Attn: Mary Kate Anton). Cards and get well wishes may also be sent c/o of the DCIS Syracuse Post of Duty, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 304, Syracuse, NY, 13202.

(3) Col. Ray Fairman in Georgia sent the following request: “I would like to add a request to the prayer list. One of my officers is in the Athens Regional Medical Center here in GA. Nick Jenkins was working his regular job for the GA DNR Police Tuesday when he suffered an acute painful episode which folks thought might be cardiac related. The next diagnosis was a possible Gallbladder attack. Both were wrong. Nick was transferred to the regional Medical center Wednesday and has under gone multiple tests. Today it appears that the doctor has located a Cyst on his Pancreas which is producing the pain and keeping him from eating any food or digesting well. It appears that “Acute Pancreatitis” is the resulting cause of Nick’s pain. He is married and has some family to support the next phase, but he would appreciate the prayer support of his brother LEOs. The doctor is going to put a feeding tube in to try and strengthen him for surgery. Please keep Nick and his family in prayer for the next few weeks while they finish testing and the upcoming surgery to remove the cyst and determine its cause.Nick is known as a Christian officer on both agencies for which he works and that is a testimony in itself these days.”

(4) Finally, let’s be in prayer for the family and colleagues of Mishawaka (Indiana) Police Cpl. James Szuba who was killed with his K-9 partner on Sunday. See http://policelink.monster.com/news/articles/130570-corporal-and-k-9-killed-in-crash.

Stay strong and safe in Christ! Don't forget to pass-on this newsletter to your friends and colleagues (a great way to share Christ with others).