Cops & Compromise

This week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Newsletter just happens to coincide with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) Winter 2011 Newsletter. I therefore encourage you to go to http://www.fcpo.org/ and check it out. The FCPO version also includes a picture of Yours Truly baptizing our own Louie Jaramillo at our recent law enforcement baptism service.

MESSAGE RECAP!

The intent of my weekly message recap is to give you a tool that you can use for your own personal and/or group profession-relevant Bible studies and devotionals as well as a means of review for my locals and regulars here in the Denver metro area (FCPO-Denver). I would also strongly encourage you to get a copy of Dep. Mike Dye’s outstanding The PeaceKeepers -- Small Group Bible Study for law enforcement personnel. I used that book almost exclusively in my first year of ministry and often refer to it even now. Mike is also a dear friend and a fellow FCPO National Board member. The book is available on both the FCPO website (http://www.fcpo.org/) and from Mike’s site (http://www.christianlawenforcement.com/). Together with this site, you have three sites that provide you with a veritable treasure trove of helpful information and resources.

Last week we had our first official monthly meeting at Calvary Aurora (we will be meeting there the third Thursday of every month) where we had the pleasure of meeting new officers who might not otherwise make the trip down “south” to our main meeting location at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. The focus of our tactical Bible study was a reminder that our Lord has given peace officers a very special CALLING as it relates to our God-ordained profession.

The first part of our study came from the following passages in God’s perfect and inerrant “policy and procedure manual” (aka The Bible): Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14. A major theme in these passages is SUBMISSION. Not only are those we serve and protect called to submit to our God-given authority, we too are called to submit both to His Lordship and to those He has placed in positions of leadership over us (yes – EVEN if those authorities are corrupt or we deem them “unworthy” of such submission). In short, our submission is a voluntary act of obedience to our Lord. The word “submit” comes from the Greek hupotasso, which literally means to place UNDER (hupo) in an ORDERLY manner (tasso). The tense used in Romans 13 also carries a military (law enforcement) connotation, meaning to draw up in order of battle; to form, array and marshal troops or naval vessels and then being subject (submission) to the orders of the commanding officer. Moreover, the biblical concept of submission involves not seeking one’s own interests but rather assuming a voluntary commitment to serving and protecting others.

The second part of the call we have as LEOs is found in Psalm 82:3-4 which reads, Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Note that this passage is in the form of an ORDER (as opposed to a suggestion) from our true Commander in Chief. That said, it is still up to us to submit and carry out those orders (we have a free choice).

Is that you? Are you faithfully answering the CALL God has placed on your life as an officer, husband (or wife) and parent? Have you submitted your life to Christ? Are you RIGHT with Him today? If not, then seek His loving forgiveness and grace NOW – tomorrow may very well be too late. Our Lord has a plan for you – THE Plan. Come to Him now and begin walking the path our loving Father has laid out for you.


THIS WEEK’s STUDY:

Many of us work for agencies that have returned to our law enforcement roots by driving “black and whites” – police units decked out in traditional black and white paint schemes. There is a reason for that and it has everything to do with integrity, honor, right and wrong. That concept is central to this week’s profession-relevant TACTICAL Bible study that I’ve entitled “Cops and Compromise.” Please join us if you’re in the Denver metro area or stay tuned for next week’s recap.

The Latest PRAYER REQUESTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, MEETING SCHEDULE & More… are posted here on our website. I also post regularly on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Centurion-Law-Enforcement-Ministry-FCPO-Denver/165229383527705. Please take the time to check it out – and check back frequently.
Reference prayer requests, I’ll close this week’s newsletter by asking you to take some extra time in prayer (“talking with God”) for our brothers and sisters with the St. Petersburg (FL) PD. They’ve lost three officers in the last thirty days. See the following links for more and to learn how you can support the families of our fallen brothers:
(1) http://goforward.bm23.com/public/q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=10534&id=0qp6450wf0ksleoamgf3o0ocnyyci&id2=gfns6enbocek6y47lp181s926the3&subscriber_id=bfxxiqgujszcxkmugcoihrpxhtpdbpk&messageversion_id=bopwbdsioblqwfjhcsyelorqcrfsbai&delivery_id=ajyfyuoafpigjyrvvefjbxaxwqmcbcp&tid=3.KSY.A7ATSA.CCDZ.JR5l..M2JQ.b..l.AtcB.b.TWQrrA.TWQrrA.NSSV2Q
(2) http://www.stpete.org/police/

Strap on your armor (both spiritual and physical) and take care of your brother/sister officers, your families and yourselves! Feel free to contact me if I can be of service.