The Cop & the Pastor: A Bible Story (and TCLEM Newsletter)

Fellow LEOs and Supporters:

We had a great time of fellowship, Bible study and prayer at last week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver “Cop Church” meeting. Here’s the recap that I hope you will use/adapt for your own devotions:

Bible Study RECAP -- “Do it NOW!”

The presentation given by Pointman Leadership Institute (http://pliglobal.com/) team member and Pennsylvania State Police Chaplain Jack Crans at the 2011 Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (www.FCPO.org) National Conference in Chicago was the inspiration for our tactical, profession-relevant Bible study last week. Jack used a simple, three-letter word – NOW – from God's word to illustrate the sense of urgency we need to have about both living radically for Christ and in sharing Him with others. Jack’s primary text was 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) -- For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Jack correctly pointed out that the word “now” is used 14 times in 2 Corinthians alone. In preparing for my own teaching I discovered that the word is used some 1356 times throughout the Bible (KJV). While "now" has a number of different meanings in both Hebrew and Greek, it very often carries a message of urgent readiness and authority – essentially the same way we as officers use it when giving commands during a felony stop: “Driver, with your right hand, reach outside the window and open the car door – do it NOW!” “Driver, put your hands in the air and turn around, do it NOW!” To be more to the point as it relates to this passage of scripture, Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8 which begins with the proverbial “Thus sayeth the Lord…” Rest assured, whenever we see “thus sayeth the Lord,” we need to be paying attention as God is likely giving us a “do it now” call for service! Moreover, the word “behold” in the KJV carries a similar “Do it now!” connotation (whenever we see “behold” in His word, God is making a "now" point).

Is that you? Are you living radically for the Lord? Are you the parent, spouse and servant-warrior God is calling you to be? Are you a “Do it now” man/woman of God or are you simply warming a pew and being a ROD (Retired on Duty) in your home, job and spiritual life? Maybe you are giving your all at work but leaving little or nothing in terms of your relationships with God (Bible study, prayer), spouse and children. What about sharing Christ with others? Folks let me be blunt here: if this describes you, know that you are in fact living outside of God’s plan and will for your life -- aka SIN. That said, the good news is that part of this same “do it NOW” message also includes an immediate call to repentance – a call to get right with God – NOW! Our loving Lord is ready to forgive you, restore you and set you on a THE path He has planned for you. Accordingly, look again at the first part of 2 Corinthians 6:2 (this time from the NIV) -- …As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

Let’s be clear – there is no time to wait. God is calling us to get right with Him today – NOW! If you do not know Christ as Savior and Lord or if you made a decision for Christ in the past but have fallen away in sin and disobedience, let me urge to turn back to Him – NOW (today). How? Go to the left side of this website and click on the Are you a TRUE Christian (How to be RIGHT with God)? links. You can also call or email me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com and I’ll be honored to lead you back “home” to Christ. Do it – NOW!

Tonight I’ll be sharing my expanded and fully interactive take on yet another powerful presentation given at the FCPO conference by Massachusetts police chief Randy Brashers -- a true biblical Cop and Pastor Story. If you’re in the Denver-metro area, please join us at Calvary Chapel Aurora (www.calvaryaurora.org) starting at 1900 hours (7:00 PM for the civilians...LOL). As always, I’ll post a recap of our study in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned!


DENVER-AREA NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:


(1) The latest prayer requests are posted here on our website – see the updated October 5th post.

(2) Denver-area meeting schedules are also always posted and updated regularly right here on our site (top left).

(3) Best-selling Christian author Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind series and author of more than 150 books – including a new fiction law enforcement series based on the Chicago PD) will be our very special guest speaker at our November 10th event at Calvary South Denver (www.CalvaryCSD.org) in Littleton. More to come on this but please make plans to join us!

NATIONAL NEWS:

Let me again encourage those readers who are not already members of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) to support us in bringing the gospel of Christ to our lost and hurting profession. How? Go to www.FCPO.org and become a member (a low $25). As fellow FCPO board member and Hamilton County (TN) Sheriff Jim Hammonds is fond of saying, “The Gospel is free but it ain’t cheap.” Amen to that! Membership also brings a plethora of benefits to you as well.

Let’s be safe while staying radically engaged in “the fight” with Christ as our Captain both on “the job” and at home.