Newsletter: A Cop's True Calling & Purpose

Dear Fellow Officers and Supporters:

Finding enough time and energy over the past ten days has been something of an ordeal so please bear with me. Most have no idea how much time it takes to put together a weekly newsletter, prepare my message -- essentially a profession-relevant sermon, run this ministry (as much a calling from God as my profession), take care of my other ministry responsibilities at my church, “be there” for bride and family, and hold down my law enforcement duties. That is why I routinely ask you to keep me in prayer – and even more this week when the enemy is afoot. While God’s call for me is a joy, I do in fact covet your prayerful support. Thanks in advance! That said, let’s get to it!


We’re NOT SPAM!

Unfortunately, I’m discovering that some of you are finding emailed version of this newsletter in your SPAM folders. I’ve also been told that our website may have been flagged by McAfee for "suspicious activity" (clearly not but I'm working on it). Please be sure that you add both my email addresses (fullarmor911@yahoo.com and thecenturionministry@yahoo.com to your address books. In addition, this website is absolutely safe. FYI!


MESSAGE RECAP

We had another full-house for last week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers chapter (FCPO-Denver) meeting and tactical Bible study. My hope is that readers will (1) use the recap as part of their own Bible studies and devotionals and (2) that you’ll adapt the studies for the law enforcement fellowships you are a part of in your respective jurisdictions around the country. Accordingly, here’s the recap from last week’s tactical Bible study dealing with the subject of "Being like Mike" -- the process of SANCTIFICATION:

When Michael Jordan was "king" of the hardwoods, the phrase "Be like Mike" was all over the airwaves. For the Christian, a big part of our call is the process of continually growing our faith and relationship (not the "other 'r' word -- "religion") to become "like Christ" in all we do and say. That process stems from the Greek word hagiazo -- being "separated" or "set apart" through sanctification -- what it means to be "conformed" to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

I covered three main points:
(1) Santification is different than salvation. Rather, sanctification is an ongoing (ideally life-long) result of salvation.
(2) Sanctification is a continuing process (see Galatians 5:17).
(3) Sanctification is a Christian responsibility.

So how do we get there? How can we "be like Christ?" Jesus had a lot to say about sanctification in the John 17. In verse 16 the Lord says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,” and this is before His prayer that the Father “Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth.” Sanctification is a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is a once-for-ever separation, eternally unto God. It is an intricate part of our salvation, our connection with Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Sanctification also refers to the practical experience of this separation unto God, being the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one’s life, and is to be pursued by the believer earnestly (1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14). Just as the Lord prayed in John 17, it has in view the setting apart of believers for the purpose for which they are sent into the world: “As Thou didst send Me into the world, even so send I them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth” (v. 18, 19). That He set Himself apart for the purpose for which He was sent is both the basis and the condition of our being set apart for that for which we are sent (John 10:36). His sanctification is the pattern of, and the power for, ours. The sending and the sanctifying are inseparable. On this account they are called saints, hagioi in the Greek -- “sanctified ones.” Whereas previously their behavior bore witness to their standing in the world in separation from God, now their behavior should bear witness to their standing before God in separation from the world. There is one more sense that the word sanctification is referred to in Scripture. Paul prayed in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “The God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul also wrote in Colossians of “the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel” (Colossians 1:5). He later speaks of Christ Himself as “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) and then mentions the fact of that hope when he says, “When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with Him be manifested in glory” (Colossians 3:4). This glorified state will be our ultimate separation from sin, total sanctification in every aspect. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

To summarize, sanctification is the same Greek word as holiness, “hagios,” meaning a separation. First, a once-for-all positional separation unto Christ at our salvation. Second, a practical progressive holiness/obedience in a believer’s life while awaiting the return of Christ. Third, we will be changed into His perfect likeness—holy, sanctified, and completely separated from the presence of evil. See also 1 Cor. 2:16.

That's part of our call -- to intentionally be more and more "like Christ" in all we do and say. To do that, we have to understand sin and walk in obedience in accordance with His perfect word and standard, the Bible.

Tonight I'll talk about another part of our call -- the one given by God specifically to to law enforcement personnel.


The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry to Meet in AURORA!

As previously announced, our new monthly venture in the eastern metro area (Aurora) begins this evening (2/17/11) starting at 7 PM in room 138 at Calvary Chapel Aurora. Go to www.calvarychapelaurora.org for directions. Our own Matt Wallenburg will be leading a time of worship, we’ll have some of our law enforcement apparel and other gear on hand and I’ll be teaching on our true “Calling and Purpose” in law enforcement. Do you understand your “calling” in our unique profession and the true source of that calling? Please join us as we discuss what God has to say on the subject.


FACEBOOK UPDATE

A number of issues have necessitated my making some changes regarding Facebook (the focus has always been to keep Facebook primarily as a ministry tool). As such, I’d appreciate it if you would make a point of visiting our new page (under active development) and “like” it for me: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Centurion-Law-Enforcement-Ministry-FCPO-Denver/165229383527705. Let me know what you think!


TRAINING Corner

I wanted to give everyone an update and reminder that I’ll be joining my partner in ministry, Tulsa PD Captain and Ten Four Ministries (www.tenfourministries.org) director Travis Yates, in Oklahoma on April 7th where my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman will be giving a special presentation of his outstanding Bulletproof Mind program. Please consider joining us! Go to Travis’s new sister site for details: http://warriormissions.org/training/bulletproofmind.


NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) There is a great new website out there for first responders that has a wealth of information and resources. While I’ve added a link to Responder Life here on my website, you can also go to it directly at www.responderlife.com.

(2) After nearly nine months of treatment here at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, wounded Polk County (WI) S.O. Dep. Mike Seversen has gone home to Wisconsin. Mike and I forged a strong friendship during my near-weekly visits and I’m asking that you keep him in prayer. Mike’s behavior is nothing short of remarkable. I’m encouraging folks to drop him a line now and then via his CaringBridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikeseversen1.

(3) A Christian Law Enforcement Conference is being held next month in Shroon Lake, NY. My friend Randy Green will be the keynote speaker! Go to http://wolinn.org/calendars/viewEvent/4709346?cal_category=45755 for details.

(4) The much anticipated, biblically-based law enforcement film The Grace Card is set to hit theaters next week! Go to http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ for details (Diana and I plan to attend and hope you will as well).

(5) Officer Down news! We’ve had a brutal last 14 months (including three more down in the last couple of days alone)! Please be in prayer for the families of the fallen and for the recovery of our wounded brethren. Go to www.odmp.org for more details.

(6) The Canadian Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO-Canada) website has been updated and I've included a link to same here on our site. Check it out.

(6) Finally, the latest PRAYER REQUESTS & local MEETING SCHEDULE has been posted here our website (following posts here at www.TheCenturionLawEnforcementMinistry.org). Please update yourself and then check back frequently.

That’s it for this week’s edition (but don’t forget to scroll down for the FCPO NewsBlast). Now pass it on to others in your address book – and keep your powder dry as you continue to serve and protect in our God-ordained profession. Blessings!