Going "10-8" with Christ

Fellow Officers and Supporters:

Another crazy week so please bear with me (and keep me in prayer) as I pound out this week’s newsletter and prepare for tonight's (Thursday) message. Note that the latest PRAYER REQUESTS and MEETING SCHEDULE (the latter being for my FCPO-Denver regulars and visitors) have been posted below (next post) and are updated on a near-daily basis. With that said, last week’s profession-relevant, tactical Bible study on the subject of compromise (Cops & Compromise) was especially timely given the recent ungodly and wholly compromising decision (AKA sin) of our President and the Justice Department to cease defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Let me be perfectly clear as to the position of this ministry on the subject of compromise: on issues of biblical truth, we WON’T; when it comes to issues of opinion, then I’m open to reason (see Isaiah 1:17-20). However, it is my biblical position and that of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry that God’s inerrant and perfectly sufficient word – the Bible – is our sole standard of truth and we will NOT compromise on it. In short, any argument you may have about biblical truth is with God and not me (my “opinion” doesn’t mean a thing if it is not in alignment with His word). Yes, there are areas of scripture that lend themselves to discussion/debate/interpretation but God’s word generally means EXACTLY what it says. Last week’s study was very much in the latter category. Accordingly…

Study RECAP: Cops & Compromise

Our study focused on two heroes (biblical “cops”) who refused to compromise when it came to God’s clear and loving direction: Nehemiah in Nehemiah 6:1-9 and Daniel in Daniel 1:8-16 and 6:1-10.

In Nehemiah, we see a stalwart warrior literally standing in the gap on Jerusalem’s walls. Nehemiah was faced with both temptation and the threat of death but remained steadfast (uncompromising) in obeying God’s plan. What Nehemiah presents to us today is a picture of a mature believer in Christ who has learned to stand strong in the Lord so that nothing could penetrate his “walls” -- one who is able to withstand any attack by the “enemy” (Satan and his demonic forces). How? We see in Nehemiah a believer who was able to victoriously combat evil, temptation and the pull of “the world” by staying FIXED on God’s plan. In short, Nehemiah stayed the course, relied wholly on God for his strength and provision (But now, O God, strengthen my hands – Nehemiah 6:9) and refused to waiver (compromise).

In the person of Daniel we have another example of a man of purpose who stood strong in the face of overwhelming temptation to compromise. Daniel purposed in his heart to uphold the law of God regardless of the cost (Daniel 1:8); Daniel remained faultless in his business affairs (Daniel 6:1-4); Daniel humbly sought the Lord in prayer and placed his whole trust in Him (Daniel 6:10). The New Testament crossover is found in 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, and Colossians 4:2.

So what are examples of compromise today? How is it justified? Many will wrongly argue that they can do what they want because it “feels” right to them; that they can decide for themselves what is "right" or wrong. Examples include but are by no means limited to sex outside of marriage, adultery (all kinds of justifying and excuses for both of those), homosexual relationships and the rejection of God’s plan for marriage – the DOMA issue (see http://www.gotquestions.org/gay-marriage.html and http://www.gotquestions.org/homosexuality-Bible.html), flirting (very dangerous territory -- especially for cops), “hanging out” with unbelievers in places neither Christians nor LEOs have any business frequenting, alcohol abuse (yes, getting drunk is SIN), pornography, making “the job” first over God and family, eschewing the fellowship of other believers (AKA “church”), etc.

In short the “world” (Satan; man) tells us that if it “feels” good we can go ahead and do it. However, God’s word in Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 counters with, There is a way that seems right to man (aka “feeling”), but in the end it leads to death. Isaiah 5:20 tells us, Woe to those how call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness. Our Lord also tells in Acts 5:29 that we are to obey Him rather than the ways of man (society, “the world”). Moreover, it is safe to say that II Corinthians 6:14-17 is not just referring to marriage when it talks about being separate from unbelievers. Finally, I suggest that you review Galatians 5:16-24: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh (compromise/sin) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Again, God’s way as opposed to “the world’s” way.

So what about you? Have you been living a life of compromise – living “your way” instead of God’s (the ONLY way)? Cops are often the “kings” (and “queens”) of justification and compromise! I was sure one and, quite frankly, God had to literally kick my prideful, stubborn, backslidden “behind” and break me in order to get my attention. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. If that is you today, our Lord is ready to forgive you and bring you into the fold (or BACK into it if you’ve fallen away as I did). Our Father loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you – to pay YOUR just penalty (John 3:16). What does it really mean to “believe” – to repent of your sin and enter into a life-saving/life-changing relationship (NOT “religion”) with Christ as Lord and Savior? Perhaps you think you’re a “good person” (Cops get a “get out of Hell” card and a free “pass” into Heaven – right??) and you can therefore just keep doing it your way. Maybe you think that you can be a “Christian” and keep living in your sinful state in overt violation of God’s law. Regardless, go to http://www.fcpo.org/christian.html and take the “Good Person Test.” Let me know how you do – and know that we’re “here” for you in any way we can be.


Tonight (Thursday, 03/03/2011) we’ll be meeting at our regular time (7:00 PM) and location (High School Room, Calvary South Denver -- http://www.calvarycsd.org/ -- in Littleton) for a great follow-up to this study – what it means to be "10-8" with Christ. Our own Matt Wallenburg will again lead us in a time of worship (not to be missed) and we’ll conclude with prayer and outstanding fellowship (Louie will undoubtedly bring refreshments…). Please tell a friend/colleague and join us (don’t forget to bring your spouse) – we always have a GREAT TIME in the Lord. Again, the updated meeting schedule is already posted below.


TRAINING!

Tulsa PD Captain and Ten-Four Ministries (http://www.tenfourministries.org/) Director Travis Yates has an online EVOC webinar on LawOfficer.com that I can’t recommend enough. Go to http://www.lawofficer.com/webinars and click on the “Drive to Survive” seminar right at the top.


NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) Our own James “Jimmy” Wattles sent me the following and I recommend it highly. It is the audio testimony given by Colorado Springs Police Officer Jamie Royal who recently passed away after valiantly battling brain cancer. Let me know what you think… http://emedialink.com/video/12616/Testimony-of-Jamie-Royal.

(2) Diana and I, along with a couple of my "regulars," saw The Grace Card this past weekend. My friend Travis Yates put out an interesting review on his blog about the film that I have to agree with -- at least to a point. That said, I really encourage you to go see it...life-changing stuff with a direct relationship to our unique, God-ordained profession.

(3) On advice from Calvary Aurora Pastor Ed Taylor, we will be moving our once-monthly meeting at Calvary Chapel Aurora to Friday. See the updated meeting schedule in the next post for more.

(4) Finally, this came to me today from a retired New Orleans PD officer:
“I have a friend that was shot and paralyzed from the waist down back in the 1980s. Back then the salary for medical retired cops in New Orleans was very low so he was retired at a low salary and benefits package. I am curious if anyone knows of available benefits for paralyzed cops that helps defer the cost of wheelchairs, wheelchair accessible vehicles and other things one might need to survive. He has the city insurance and a few other things, but it seems that there should be more out there for cops who have given so much. FYI he lost everything during Katrina also and still works as a clerk for NOPD. Please respond to me if you have any ideas.” Contact Jeffreyhochman@aol.com

Let’s stay the course and finish strong in the power of our true Commander AND Chief, Jesus Christ.