Cops & Compromise

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

We’re ready to rock tonight (Thursday, 9/22) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton starting at 1900 hours where I will be teaching a most profession-relevant message that I’ve entitled Cops & Compromise. I’ll of course have a detailed recap in next week’s newsletter for everyone else around the country so stay tuned.

Speaking of recaps, we had a great turnout at Calvary Chapel Aurora last week for a special 9-11 remembrance service that included a time of sharing and reflection on how that fateful day ten years ago impacted us all. Here’s the RECAP that you can use/adapt for your own study.

The One Word Question and the One Hope Answer: Putting 9-11 into Biblical Perspective

Chaplain Dave Purdle of Ministry 9-1-1 in Michigan wrote a great message on this subject that I adapted (with Dave’s permission of course) for our study. Our text came primarily from Matthew 27:38-46 and Psalm 22. In brief, the “one word question” is WHY, and the “one hope answer” is GOD.

Why did God “allow” the WTC towers, a huge chunk out of the Pentagon and Flight 93 to come crashing down in flames? Why did God “allow” Katrina to inflict so much death and destruction? Why the age-old question and perhaps the “one word answer” is SIN. As our Lord was dying in our place (yours and mine) on the cross, He too cried out “Why?!” "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). We also need to remember and embrace the fact that God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 5:6-11).

In his commentary, Matthew Henry made the following statement about Matthew 27:46 -- “The words are from Psalm 22:2 (and following)…The Lord Jesus was, in His suffering, for a time forsaken by His Father. Not that the union between the divine and human nature was weakened or shocked, nor as if there were any abatement (decrease) of His Father’s love to Him, or His to His Father…but His Father delivered Him into the hands of His enemies. He let loose the powers of darkness against Him, and suffered them to do their worst…Christ was made SIN for us, a CURSE for us. Christ being forsaken by His Father was the most grievous of His sufferings. He did not say, ‘Why am I scourged? Why spit upon? Why nailed to the cross?’…But when His Father stood at a distance, Jesus cried out, “Why hast thou forsaken me?”

Following Hurricane Katrina, a pastor addressed his congregation with this statement: “The Bible does not give us the answer about why things happen, but it does say God is THE answer. God is not the explanation, rather God is THE answer.”

Yes, THE answer is God and God alone via a right relationship with Him in Christ!

When you are faced with catastrophic, life-changing events and find yourself asking “Why?” – remember, the one word answer…the only answer…is “God.” Now this is what the LORD says -- the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel -- Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 43:1-2; 41:10)

Are you still asking WHY? Know and embrace THE ANSWER – God – through a life-changing/life-saving relationship with His Son! How? Go to www.fcpo.org/christian.html and take the “Good Person Test.” Embrace THE ANSWER today!

Our friends at GotQuestions.org also have a very helpful article on the subject of "Why?" -- see www.gotquestions.org/God-allow-evil.html

Finally on this subject, Dr. Michael Yousef presents an outstanding 4 minute message that has great meaning for us as we remember and honor the memory of 9-11. Please take a few minutes to watch/listen and be on your knees for this nation.

The Only Hope for America: www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1429084

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Courageous (www.courageousthemovie.com) opens September 30th! We've been promoting this Holy Spirit-inspired film now for nearly two years and I can't encourage you enough to make it a point to see it (and support it in theaters).

(2) The latest prayer requests, announcements, meeting schedules and so much more are posted and updated regularly here on our website (see next post).

(3) The 2011 FCPO National Conference is just around the corner and it is not too late to plan on joining us. Go to www.FCPO.org and click on the link at the top of our home page! We have an outstanding line-up (Get it? “Line-up.” Sorry, can’t help it:) and an opportunity for incredible Christian warrior fellowship. Hope to see you there!


TRAINING Corner (Super reminder):

www.policemag.com/Blog/Recruit/Story/2011/09/Never-Settle-for-Just-Good-Enough.aspx

Denver-area News:

(1) The latest/updated meeting schedules are posted on the upper-left side of our website – check back frequently.

(2) Courageous! We are planning other events here in the Denver area but wanted to bring the following to your attention from Calvary Chapel Aurora:

“Courageous” FAMILY MINISTRY MOVIE NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 30 AT 7 PM: Don’t miss out! Get your (limited) $4 discounted tickets at the Ministry Center now and join us on September 30th at the AMC Theater at Arapahoe Crossing. More information: 720-373-5389.

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That’s it for this week. Stay safe, stay vigilant and stay the course (and finish strong in the power of God)!