Are you a TRUE Christian? TCLEM Newsletter for Week of May 16th

My Fellow Sheepdogs:

I've hammered out this week’s newsletter from home as I recover from hip surgery (the result of bad genetics, duty-related injuries, and thirty years as competitive strength sports). While in lots of pain and discomfort, I’m striving to use this down period to spend more quality time with the Lord (working on THE relationship) and seeking His direction for this and other ministries I’m involved in. In fact a brother gave a timely reminder this week about what The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry is all about: spreading God’s word to the law enforcement “family” all over the world. Yes, we meet weekly for small-group/profession-relevant Bible study here in the Denver (CO) metro area but God has not called me to minister only here but world-wide. As such, we encourage the development of similar fellowships wherever you may be reading this (See the http://www.fcpo.org/ website and the links in our site for such groups in your area, or if none, prayerfully consider starting one of your own). I also strive to make this website and the weekly newsletters relevant to law enforcement personnel everywhere. Please hold me accountable to that and know that I covet your prayers and suggestions.

That said, one of the issues that God seems to be impressing on me during my “down” time is what it really means to be His follower -- what it means to be a TRUE Christian. The Bible – God’s inerrant and complete word – is in fact very clear on the subject: there is NO other kind (you are either IN or OUT)! God tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that “… by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Does this mean that “works” are not important? On the contrary, James 2:14-26 (see http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-26&version=NIV and related passages) clearly tells us that works and faith go hand-in-hand. In short, just answering an alter call, repeating some words, or going through a ritual does not save us. Rather, what is the EVIDENCE (we should be all about the evidence) of your salvation? What I’m asking you to do here is to examine yourself. Are in fact a walking, talking example of what it means to be “sold-out” for Christ or are you a ROD (“retired on duty”) Christian? I strongly encourage you to view the following on the subject and, if lacking, that you get “right” with God today:

(1) http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=2&d=1&c=1&p=1
(2) http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/05/examine-yourself.html (special thanks to Travis Yates and our colleagues at Ten-Four Ministries).

Regarding our own meetings here (see previous post for the latest meeting schedule and updates), former Denver PD Officer and current chaplain/pastor Manny Hays stood in for me last week and fellow Colorado state investigator Jim Wattles (of History Channel’s Gangland fame) will be teaching for me tomorrow -- although I’ll be there on crutches if up to it. Jimmy will be teaching a thoroughly biblical and profession-relevant message he entitled Aspects of a Christian Leader. Please invite your spouses, friends and colleagues for a great time of fellowship, Bible study and prayer. As always, I’ll include a recap message for everyone outside our locale in next week’s newsletter.

PRAYER REQUESTS and MEETING UPDATES:

I’ve posted a slew of new/updated prayer requests right here on our website. Please feel free to forward your requests to me and I’ll post them on the website as appropriate. Meeting “411” and other updates are posted there as well.

Don’t forget to “pass-on” this information to others on your lists. Let’s take good care of each other out there while LIVING our faith in such a way that makes others say, “What’s that all about?”