From Sheepdog to Shepherd

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

Hope this week’s newsletter finds you standing firm on the “Rock” that is the perfect Warrior, Chief and Savior – Jesus Christ.

We had a great time of fellowship, prayer and profession-relevant, TACTICAL Bible study at last week’s warrior gathering here in Denver (our local FCPO chapter meeting). Our study looked at the analogies of “sheep, sheepdogs, shepherds and wolves,” and is entitled, "From Sheepdogs to Shepherds." For all of our readers throughout the US, Canada and many countries world-wide, I’ve posted a detailed recap (see below) that can serve as a great resource for you to share with others and in your own personal time with the Lord – enjoy.

This week I’ll ask the question, “Are you COVERED?” In law enforcement circles we routinely talk about the tactics of cover and concealment, but did you know that they also have a powerful spiritual application? Please join us if you can on Thursday as we explore this important concept together -- and know that I’ll once again post a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter for all our readers who reside outside Colorado’s Front Range.

COMMUNION:
In addition to the “Covered” Bible study, we will also be sharing communion during this Thursday’s (11/18) local cop-fellowship chapter meeting. Please join us – and bring your spouses if you can (always welcome).

BAPTISM:
This coming January I will be conducting a baptism service for all officers and their spouses who have come to Christ but have yet to be baptized (no, infant baptism does not count – not a biblical concept). While not essential for salvation, baptism is in fact an act of obedience while at the same time a joyous occasion for both the believer and his family/friends. If this applies to you, please join us Thursday as we will be setting the date/time for this important and joyous act of obedience.

PRAYER REQUESTS & MEETING SCHEDULE:
New prayer requests and our local FCPO chapter meeting schedule have been posted here on our website (see next post below). However, we’ve received some disturbing news that is urgent enough to post again here with the newsletter: Please pray for the family and colleagues of Green County (GA) S.O. Chief Deputy Kevin Roberts who was shot and killed by a convicted felon who came to his home Sunday morning (see http://policelink.monster.com/news/articles/147492-chief-deputy-shot-killed-in-own-home-by-suicidal-felon for the story and to leave your condolences). Let's stay vigilant folks -- especially at home!

Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates is a great friend and has once again sent out an excellent post through his Ten-Four Ministries outreach. This week’s Centurion Papers email provided yet another gem in the form of a short video that says volumes in less than 3 minutes. Check it out at http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2010/11/believe.html.

MESSAGE RECAP!

Anyone who has been following our ministry knows that I’m a huge fan of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman – a strong believer – and his “…Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs” analogy (see http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm). Can the concept be applied biblically? Once we understand that God is calling the sheepdog to evolve into a true shepherd – a true leader – the answer is a resounding "YES!" Sheepdogs by nature serve under the direction of the shepherd. Sheepdogs drive and "cover" the sheep from behind -- a herding "rear guard" if you will. However, God is calling each of us to something more – to lead (serve and protect) from the FRONT. Our Lord’s model for this servant-leader is the humble but appropriately dangerous shepherd.

(1) Real sheepdogs in the Bible: Job 30:1
(2) Leadership training: In Exodus 3 we learn that Moses spent forty years serving as a shepherd for his father-in-law -- effectively training to lead, serve and protect God’s people.
(3) A warrior’s training and weapons: 1 Samuel 17:15-52 reveals that God used David’s shepherd assignment to prepare him to defeat a giant "wolf" and lead Israel. Note too that God used a shepherd’s simple but effective weapons – staff (a "big stick"), sling and stones – to defeat Goliath, and that David gave proper credit to the One who truly fought the battle for him -- and for us. II Samuel 23:20-21 provides a further example: one of David’s Mighty Men – Benaiah – also used a staff to defeat a very formidable Egyptian warrior.
(4) Psalm 23 reveals Yahweh-Rohi, The Lord our Shepherd. We also see this method and position of leadership in Psalm 78:52 and Psalm 80:1.
(5) Acts 20:28-31 expands further on the wolf, sheep, sheepdog and shepherd concept.

Calvary South Denver Senior Pastor Gino Geraci, teaching a servant-leadership lesson from 1 Peter 5:1-4, spoke about a group that spent $500,000 (!) to find out what folks really wanted in a pastor. The top responses were:
(1) Humility
(2) Honesty
(3) Integrity
(4) Some gift or CALLING on their lives that makes it evident that they were really called by God.

I find it quite interesting that the same qualities folks seek in a pastor are also the very ones that are at the top of the list for peace officers! Gino further pointed out that it is Jesus who is the model for true servant-leadership and that Christ – the world’s greatest cop – used the shepherd to illustrate that leadership (he is of course the Great Shepherd). Pastor Geraci also noted that shepherds lead by consent rather than by compulsion (the shepherd’s MOTIVE) and that true leadership is never a dictatorship (the shepherd’s MANNER).

Finally, take the time to review Christ’s ultimate example of servant-leadership as detailed in John 13:1-17. What kind of leader are you? Are you willing to answer His call for you “take a towel" and lead from the front with a servant’s heart?

I concluded our study by sharing a short article written by Michael Youssef entitled “Sheep Among Wolves.” Do you know who your enemy is? Are we allowing the wolf to prowl with impunity among those we’ve sworn to serve and protect? Please take the time to consider Youssef’s thoroughly biblical and law enforcement-relevant position: www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=1219512.

Speaking of recognizing the wolf for who he truly is, it is important to note that Islam’s Qur'an (or Koran) contains over 100 verses calling for violence against Christians and Jews. To give just one example, Sura 9:5 says, "Slay the idolaters (anyone not a Muslim) wherever you find them." During a panel discussion last January, retired Army Lt. Colonel Allen West, purportedly a strong Christian who served in Iraq, responded to a Marine who asked the question about how we should answer people who say that terrorists are just following a "warped" version of Islam. The panel consisted of a number of former military personnel who were squirming and fumbling around trying to get out of answering the question. Col. West finally stepped forward (true leadership) to answer the Marine directly and truthfully. Take the time to listen to the words of a Christian warrior who understands the true nature of a wolf that threatens to feast with impunity on the sheep. Notice his straightforward assessment: "This is not a perversion. They are doing exactly what this book (i.e., the Qur'an) says."

It should also be noted that Col. West was just elected to Congress to represent Florida's 22nd congressional district. Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkGQmCZjJ0k to understand who this enemy is, and then PRAY for them with your eyes open!

TRAINING Corner:
The following was sent to me by Jason Pearson who got it from Chuck Pruitt via a Missouri Highways Patrol officer. The officer writes, These "Sovereign Citizen" types are in our area. The "Embassy of Heaven" and "Little Pembina Band" are two groups operating in our area that I can think of off the top of my head. The true believers in these groups believe you, as a federal officer, have no jurisdiction or authority over them; that obviously can be a very dangerous situation. Fraud Inspectors in particular are quite likely to encounter these people because they routinely engage in scams to defraud financial institutions and use registered, certified, and other special service mail extensively.

The events depicted in this video occurred in May 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_y-gLm9Hrw

Please make the time to prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually to do what God has called us to do. Stay vigilant and on firm ground under the leadership of our true Commander-in-Chief and perfect Warrior – Jesus Christ.