When Iron Sharpens Iron

Fellow Sheepdogs:

Another crazy week as we slide into Spring but also one with some incredible blessings. I’ll be sharing one those blessings at this Thursday’s meeting and will of course have a full recap in next week’s newsletter. Lots to cover in this week’s newsletter so please read-on!
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Message RECAP -- As Iron Sharpens Iron:

Both our text and the title of this message come to us from Solomon in Proverbs 27:17 which reads, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another (NIV). The NLT reads, …so a friend sharpens a friend, and the KJV reads, …so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. This passage of God’s word is a central one to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry in that it encompasses:

(1) Biblical accountability, support and brotherhood.

(2) Mentoring and discipleship. Regarding accountability, the Bible gives us outstanding guidance:
(a) God holds us accountable. Romans 14:12 says, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." This is personal accountability.

(b) Christians must be accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians 12, we read that Christians are all part of the same body - the body of Christ - and each member needs or belongs to the other. This Scripture suggests the importance of strong accountability between Believers. It is important for every Believer to have at least one other person in which to confide, pray with, listen to, and encourage (thus part of the reason it is so important to be in fellowship with other believers).

(c) Galatians 6:1-2 gives a helpful principle, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If your accountability friend has done something contrary to the Bible, you are called to confront him gently, forgive him, and comfort him. It also admonishes you to consider yourself because no one is above temptation.

(d) Another aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to, "…encourage one another and build each other up…"

Are you accountable? Do you have a friend to whom you can go? Will that person hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? To whom are you accountable (each other, spouses, pastors, friends, etc.)? All important questions with each calling for a biblical answer.

The Bible also speaks to the concept of brotherhood (with a strong implication to what we do as warriors/first responders) in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. LEOs are typically not very good at reaching out or trusting others. Neither are we very good at recognizing when others are reaching out to us. Moreover, we typically talk more than we listen and we tend to isolate ourselves. However, our call as Christian servant-warriors and leaders is to push aside these issues and become what God has called us to be. Accordingly, our call is to be a “good partner” to our brother officers through mentoring and discipleship. The Bible is biographical with some 2900 people sketches, many of which reveal historical mentors. Jesus Christ is our Mastor Mentor and model (FTO) to follow. Paul mentored Luke and we learn much about life under pressure walking with him through 2 Corinthians and Acts 24:14-16. God’s word provides a plethora of mentoring relationships that include but are by no means limited to Jonathan and David, Moses with Caleb and Joshua, Naomi with Ruth, Elijah with Elisha, Barnabas with Saul (Paul) of Tarsus, Barnabas and Peter with John Mark, Paul with Timothy and Titus, and or course the intensive mentoring of the twelve Apostles by Jesus. I encourage you to explore these relationships and follow their example.

Finally, I briefly covered the topic of police suicide (much more coming on this). To date, we have had fifty-one officers (and counting) go down in the line of duty. However, we have also had an estimated 100 or more suicides (the number are often underreported if reported at all) so far in 2011. My position, and the position of this ministry, is that most police suicides are wholly preventable through the application of biblical, “iron sharpens iron” principles and of course a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with the risen Savior. We have a number of excellent police suicide resources here on this website ("eyes left, scroll down"), including http://www.suicide.org/police-suicide-prevention-and-awareness.html and http://www.badgeoflife.com/.

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This week I will share a biblical message on the importance of having a true servant’s heart (The Full Measure of Servanthood) that will include a discussion of some of the some very disturbing recent events occurring within our profession. Stay tuned!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) Updated PRAYER REQUESTS and the local FCPO-Denver Meeting Schedule have been posted here on our website in the updated March 27th post (follows this one). Please join us in praying for these needs (updated regularly). Also take a look at what’s coming up at our local meetings – we have what will surely prove to be a very exciting April line-up.

(2) My recent teaching at Remedy Church Denver has been posted on their website (see below) and I encourage you to check it out: Go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/remedy-church-denver-audio/id371078476 and click on the March 20th selection under “Truth.” If you are a local living in the Lowry area, I strongly recommend this new and growing fellowship under the able leadership of Pastor Mike Montgomery. For more on Remedy Church Denver, go to www.remedychurchdenver.com.

(3) As previously announced, I will be in Tulsa with Travis Yates (http://www.tenfourministries.org/) and Lt. Col. Dave Grossman on April 7th where Dave will be sharing a very special Bulletproof Mind presentation. Hope to see you there (and please keep us in prayer as we minister to our fellow warriors in Oklahoma).

(4) Speaking of Travis, my brother just got back from the Philippines where he was training and ministering to the Philippine National Police. Check out http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/ for more (highly recommended)!!

(5) Chief Jake Shirk and the Monument (CO) PD is sponsoring a free church security seminar on Saturday, April 9th from 8:30-4:30 PM at Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church in Monument. Lunch will be provided. For more info contact Chief Shirk at 719-381-3253. More announcements and news are posted on our website – check back frequently.

That’s it for this week folks. Let’s take care of each other out there with the understanding that back-up means a whole lot more to the Christian officer than just coving a fellow officer on a call or traffic stop.