A Cop's Moral Compass: TCLEM Newsletter

Fellow Sheepdogs:

This week’s profession relevant message is just that – RELEVANT to our profession, relevant to our walk as Christians and relevant for our times (God’s word is always relevant -- regardless of the “times”). While I’ll present a special Independence Day message over the long holiday weekend as part of next week’s newsletter, this week’s focus is also most certainly in keeping with where we’ve been vs. where we seem to be headed as a nation and in our God-ordained profession.

First off, I wanted to share a bit about Englewood PD Officer Jason Pearson’s message last Thursday. As you are aware from our website and previous newsletters, Jason just got back from a relief “mission” trip to law enforcement personnel in Alabama and he gave an outstanding presentation about that adventure that serves as a testament to everything God intends for this ministry: iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17) fellowship, accountability, growth in Christ and being “boots on the ground” doers of the word (James 1:22) instead of just hearers. Jason’s primary passage of scripture for us was right on target and served as a perfect lead-in to this week’s message: Colossians 3:1-8. Jason has only been a believer for a few short years yet I’ve watched this brother grow in obedience and love to become a wonderful affirmation for what God is doing through the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers, Peace Officers for Christ International, etc. Jason is about to start his Master’s Degree studies in a ministry-related field and we’re excited about where God is leading him. Please keep him in prayer and stay tuned!

Colossians 3:5-8 takes us right into this week’s message: A Cop’s Moral Compass. Romans 13:1-7 serves as our commission and the Bible stands as the perfect policy and procedure manual. That said, a great many officers that either don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord or are fence-riding/lukewarm (Rev 3:16) “make believers” have a moral compass that is anything but pointing in the right direction. Moreover, many of us have fallen into the same moral decline as the society we’ve been called to serve and protect (a decay that has a direct impact on our freedoms and future as a nation).

All over the world, Christians are being persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith. In Canada you can now be arrested for teaching God’s word (truth) on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Here in “the land of the free,” military chaplains face being court-martialed for praying in our Jesus’ Name. Committed Christian leaders are ridiculed and persecuted by a liberal media for having the audacity to follow God. Recently Cisco Corporation fired Frank Turek simply because he wrote a book – on his own time and outside of work no less – that correctly promotes a biblical view of marriage and sex.

Writing on this subject, pastor and author Dr. Michael Youseff quoted founding father John Adams’ 1789 speech to the Massachusetts militia that is as relevant today as it was then: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” I urge you to read Dr. Youseff’s short blog in its entirety to get the whole message:
www.michaelyoussef.com/michaels-blogs/every-issue-is-moral-issue.html.

Folks, our nation – our very freedom – is in jeopardy because of our sin. We actively participate in electing and tolerating “leaders” whose moral compass is flawed at best. Moreover, we in law enforcement are called to a higher standard yet we are failing to lead (serve) from “the front” due to our own moral issues (divorce, sex outside of marriage, alcoholism, etc.). That most certainly applies to me as well – I too was once walking in sin and rebellion – and God had to break me to get my attention (I can now say “praise Him” for it – but twas not always the case)!

Is YOUR moral compass pointed in God’s direction? Our loving Father’s wholly trustworthy word provides the ONLY answer: turn from your sin (repent), get right with Him through a life-changing/life-saving personal relationship with His Son, be on your knees in prayer for this nation founded on His (biblical) principles, and be true doers of His word in thought and deed. How? A good way to start is by going to www.fcpo.org/christian.html and taking the “Good Person Test.” Let’s turn our nation and profession back to God before it’s too late.

Finally, I’ll close this week’s study by sharing a message from Georgia police sergeant Brian Stewart of Simple Message Ministries (you can sign up to receive these outstanding email devotionals by going to www.leos4him.com/DailyArmor.html):

Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. Psalm 144:1-2

How many times as a LEO have you heard someone say "I could never do what you do"? Chances are you have heard it a lot, and you know what? They are right; not just anyone can be a cop! We have all seen the ones who for one reason or another wind up in law enforcement but aren't cut out for it, and they usually don't last very long. Being a cop takes a calling, or as some would say it takes a person who is a few fries short of a happy meal. Who else but a cop rushes toward shots being fired, or confronts a dangerous felon on a dark highway, or searches a building for a hiding burglar. Those are things we readily do at a moment's notice because it's our responsibility as LEOs. So why does it seem to come natural for us, but terrifies others?

The answer to that question is found in today's text. Notice what David said: "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight". When others looked at David they saw a shepherd boy, but God had prepared him for much more, and had given him the abilities he needed to do battle. When God calls someone to a task, He also enables them to do it with the gifts and abilities necessary. If God has called you to be a LEO, then He has also equipped you for battle. This doesn't mean that we automatically have all the tactics and training we need, but instead God clearly puts a will within us to be a LEO.

It's also important that we notice from these verses, that David acknowledged that his abilities came from God, "which teacheth my hands". Jesus said in John 15:5 that "without Me, ye can do nothing", any ability we have ultimately comes from God. Next, not only did he acknowledge where his abilities came from, but he also placed his confidence in God. Man tends to be prideful, and if we are not careful we can become self-sufficient and forget that our abilities were given to us by God. Like David, we need to be careful to remember that God is our strength, and it is He that is our shield, and without Him we can do nothing. What an incredible God Who prepares us ahead of time for the work He wants us to do!


AMEN and AMEN!

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) The latest PRAYER REQUESTS and Denver-area MEETING SCHEDULES are posted and updated regularly on this website. I’ve also added new links and lots of other new stuff…check it out.

(2) If you’re in the Denver area, don’t forget that there is NO MEETING this week due to the pending holiday weekend. We’ll be back on July 7th as scheduled.

(3) If you plan to be in our area on July 14th, make an extra effort to join us to hear CSP Trooper Scott Hinshaw’s inspiring story of restoration, healing, God-inspired perseverance and much more. Scott suffered horrendous and near-fatal injuries in the same 2007 incident that resulted in the death of fellow Trooper Zach Templeton. Now nearly four years later, Scott has finally returned to full-active duty (a miracle and a testament)! I detailed a little about Scott in the March 30th devotional I wrote for Grant Wolf’s Stories of Faith and Courage from Cops on the Street (www.copsonthestreet.com) but on the 14th Scott will give us “the rest of the story.” Join us!

That’s a wrap for this week. We lost four more of our own just last weekend and our military brethren are still holding back our enemies overseas – let’s remember to keep them/each other in prayer. Here at home, be sure to maintain your fitness and warrior skills whilst remaining “frosty” both in the field and in Christ as we serve and protect over the Independence Day weekend.

MC