The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry: Slaying the Giants

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Slaying the Giants

As announced previously, I’m posting this week’s newsletter here on the website only due to the fact that my email got hacked and I’m trying to straighten out the mess. As a cop not being able to “reach out” and snatch the offender in Nigeria or wherever is most frustrating. Like David, I must instead wait on the Lord – always the right move!

This week (TOMORROW, August 18th) we’ll be meeting at Calvary Chapel AURORA where I’ll be teaching a thoroughly warrior-relevant message I’ve entitled Slaying the Giants. What are the “giants” in your life and how can they be “slain?” Please join us tomorrow in Aurora (downstairs entrance – room 144) and we’ll see what the original “Giant Slayer” has to say on the subject via His inerrant word. I’ll of course post a detailed RECAP in next week’s newsletter for the majority of our readers all around the country and world.

Speaking of recaps…

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RECAP: A Cop’s Testimony

Last week’s study and time of fellowship centered on our testimony as Christians/Christian officers. Our primary text was Acts 26:1-29 in which Paul shares his testimony with King Agrippa II and the Roman procurator (governor), Porcius Festus. Paul’s testimony serves as an outstanding template for our own. Here are the main points:

(1) Only a Christian can give a Christian testimony. If you don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord, you don’t have a testimony to share.

(2) EVERY Christian has a testimony (and don’t let anyone tell you different).

(3) Your testimony is not about what you gave up for Jesus but rather what Jesus gave up for you.

(4) There is true POWER in your testimony! See Revelation 12:11 and Acts 1:8.

(5) We should seek to glorify God and make Him known through our testimony: 1 Chronicles 16:8 and Daniel 4:2.
(6) We must be walking in obedience to have an effective testimony! See Ephesians 5:5-6.

(7) How to organize your testimony: Paul’s own testimony provides the answer (guideline):
(a) 40% BEFORE Christ came into your life.
(b) 20% on the conversion experience.
(c) 40% AFTER Christ came into your life (what He has done/is doing).

(8) Our testimony must be honest and authentic. Don’t be like the politician who told voters how important God was in his life and that his favorite verse was John 16:3 when he actually meant to say John 3:16 (Look it up!).

What is your testimony? May I suggest that you go to God, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, put your testimony on paper (5-10 minutes is fine), and then ask God to give you opportunities to boldly share it!

See www.gotquestions.org/Christian-testimony.html and related articles for more on this timely subject.

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National NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) Courageous comes to a theatre near you on September 30th. See www.courageousthemovie.com/ for more!

(2) Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) 2011 National Conference is set for October 7-9 in Chicago. We are strongly encouraging officers and spouses to join us for this exciting, life-changing event. Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the Summer 2011 Newsletter link at the top for complete details and reservation info.

(3) Slain CA Officer’s Last Act (has made national news): www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44167629#44167629. Did our brother know Christ as Savior?

(4) Responder Life 9/11 Remembrance Weekend!! See https://www.branson.com/responderlife.

Denver-Area News:

(1) Colorado Regional Men’s Conference: I’m encouraging local Christian male officers to strongly consider joining us at 0800 on Saturday, September 10th at Calvary Chapel Aurora for the Colorado Regional Men’s Conference. Come out and be encouraged! More information: Contact CO State Criminal Investigator and Calvary Aurora Men’s Ministry leader Tony Avila at Tony@calvaryaurora.org or 909-660-0114.

(2) Rock the Range (http://rockontherange.com/) event is coming to our area on August 27-28. They are seeking sworn officers willing to volunteer their time to provide uniformed/armed security. Here is what they are looking for:

Kidzfest, Saturday, 27 August, 830am-1130pm, 4-6 Officers
Session # 2, Saturday, 27 August, 230pm-930pm, 8-10 Officers
Session # 3, Sunday, 28 August, 230pm-830pm, 8-10 Officers

Radios will be provided to each two-man team along with a free lunch between sessions. If interested, please contact Manny Hays at mhays@calvarycsd.org. I'll be serving during at least one session.
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That’s it for this week. Check back frequently for the latest updates, prayer requests, announcements and more. Be safe while serving in the confidence, peace and hope that only comes through a personal relationship with the Cop of Cops, Jesus Christ.

Our Core Verses

COPS -- God's ministers for good and a terror against evil. We do not bear the sword in vain.

(Paraphrase...for full text, see the Bible in Romans 13:1-4)

Psalm 82:3-4

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.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.ressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.he widow.

Colorado Law Enforcement Ministry Meeting Schedules

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (FCPO-Denver)

On the local front (meaning Colorado Front Range) we typically meet for iron sharpens iron fellowship and Bible study every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evening of each month at Calvary Castle Rock. Email me for details at thecenturionministry@gmail.com or give me a shout at 720-371-1022

Men of Courage Law Enforcement Ministry

Buena Vista (CO) PD Sgt. Dean Morgan is leading a law enforcement fellowship/Bible study in Chaffee County and the surrounding area. Contact Dean at interceptor@policeone.com for more info.

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TCLEM Mission Statement

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (TCLEM), is to educate law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, military, etc.) about God's unique call on their lives as outlined in God's word (Bible) and to lead officers and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through same, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian servant-leaders and reduce our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.

Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEM seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors ("sheepdogs") and leaders while at the same time developing the our spiritual, family and personal lives through Bible study, peer fellowship, and group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church. We also seek to infuse our profession with godly leaders who will in fact LEAD (serve) from a biblical world view.

What We Believe (Statement of Faith)

(1) WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's sacrificial agape love, which is greater than any secondary differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

(2) WE BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity as detailed in God's word (Bible).

(3) WE BELIEVE the sixty-six books of the Bible (i.e. Old and New Testament) comprise the totality of Holy Scripture and is inerrant in the original text, and remains God-breathed/God-inspired and infallible in all its substance, and therefore, it is the supreme and final authority in faith, theology, and life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105.

(4) WE BELIEVE that our Lord has called us to share the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life and, in particular as it relates to our service in the God-ordained calling of law enforcement. We also believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

(5) WE BELIEVE there is only One true, eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience. Deut. 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31, Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20, Rev. 4:11.

(6) WE BELIEVE in one God who is Creator of heaven and earth, Spirit, personal, transcendent, sovereign, life, love, truth, almighty, simple (i.e. one without parts), timelessly eternal, unchangeable, wise, just, holy, relational, dynamic and infallible in all things.

(7) WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person, that He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless and miraculous life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious substitutionary death on the Cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and lives to make intercession for us. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to preach the gospel to the entire world, an obligation shared by all believers today. John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11.

(8) WE BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered as a gift by the Lord Jesus Christ to all based on His grace alone. When a person sincerely repents of their sin and enters into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationsship (not "religion") with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, they are immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all their sins are forgiven, and they become a child of God -- changed, and destined to spend eternity with Him. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

(9) WE BELIEVE in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today, and should be exercised within scriptural guidelines, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5.

(10) WE BELIEVE in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe that the physical second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, premillennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heart-felt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in the two ordinances the Lord gave the church - adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. Revelation 3:10, Thessalonians 5:9.

(11) WE BELIEVE there is a real personal devil of great evil, cunning, and power, who seeks to tempt, kill, steal, and destroy, yet his power is limited by God to only what God permits him to do; that the devil has been defeated positionally at the cross of Christ, and will be defeated practically at Christ's glorious second coming which will ultimately eventuate in the quarantine and punishment of the Satan (aka the Devil, Beast, and False Prophet, etc.) in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone where they will be tormented day and night forever (what has been traditionally called "Hell"). Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.

(12) WE BELIEVE that our Lord is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Christ and that is through a life-changing personal relationship with the Risen Savior. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Intellectual acceptance of Christ is not enough. You must come to him determined to turn from what displeases him, with a total trust in Christ's saving power for you.

Are you ready to receive Christ today? If so, scroll up towards the top of this page to the links under How Can I be Saved (AKA True "Officer Safety"). Please feel free to contact me if you need help in this area -- it would be my honour to lead you "home" to Christ!

If you sincerely put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into his family. It's the greatest discovery you will ever make!

Donate to the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry

We do accept donations to support our ministry and outreach, including but not limited to leading officers to Christ, support for wounded officers; "officer down" outreach; chaplain and counseling services; speaking engagements; website expenses; ministry apparel, etc. Donations can be made out to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and mailed to

P.O. Box 630854
Littleton, CO 80163

That said, support your church first...and then donate if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.