God, Cops & the Military: TCLEM Newsletter for Week of March 11th, 2012

Fellow Servant-Warriors:

We had a great time at our group "movie event" last week viewing the powerful new film Act of Valor. As stated previously, this is NOT a "Christian" film nor does it have an overtly "Christian" message in the line of Courageous (Now out on DVD and Blu-Ray, by the way!). However, as I pointed out in the recap to my Life of Valor study a couple of weeks ago, the movie's powerful message and subject matter IS a great "hook" to reach unsaved officers and combat military personnel/vets who might not otherwise go see a film like Courageous. Accordingly, we are urging you to use this "hook" as an op to share Christ with those who do not know Him as Savior have otherwise "fallen away."

The difference between "man's view (Act of Valor) vs. God's view (Courageous) is HUGE and is powerfully expressed in Scripture: true and lasting victory comes not by man's valor, strength or skills but rather by trusting in God -- the greatest warrior -- to lead us into battle and defeat our (His) enemies for by His power as opposed to leaning on your own (Zechariah 4:6).

Take the time to review and apply my "A Life of Valor" teaching (found in the Feb. 29th post on our website) on this subject along with the great resources put together by Christian SEALs Jeff Bramstedt and Clint Bruce on their Life of Valor website.

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Today's "Armor for Cops:" Trading Complacency for Expectation


Georgia State Trooper-turned-minister Brian Stewart is the Director of Simple Message Ministries and puts out a terrific email devotional called Daily Armor for Cops (get signed-up). Inasmuch as we didn't have a regular meeting/Bible study last week, I am taking the opportunity to share one of Brian's messages from early this month.


Trading Complacency for Expectation

2 Peter 3:1-4

"A rookie fresh out of the academy and eager to hit the street usually doesn't have to be reminded to beware of danger. As I remember my rookie days I was always on alert, always wore my vest, and anticipated trouble on every traffic stop, domestic, and alarm call. However, as the years passed by I found that it took more focus to keep myself alert to danger and prevent complacency from setting in. As you look around your department chances are that you see other LEOs who have gradually given in to complacency, and without them realizing it they have taken on a deadly "it will never happen to me" attitude. Many times it is also these same LEOs who tease the ones that are mentally prepared and make fun of their tactics. I'm not throwing rocks at these guys because I have probably been on both sides of the fence at different times in my career, however, I think we all have to admit that we need to be ready at all times because we never know when things are going "south."

Just like we need to be prepared on the job, in a much more urgent way we also need to be prepared for our Lord's return. The topic of Christ's return is one that draws sharp criticism and mocking from many who don't believe. In today's text Peter addresses this and also exposes the argument that many scoffers use: that since He has not come back after all this time, why should we believe that He will return in the future. The truth is that "He is not slack concerning his promise" (2 Peter 3:9), and that He WILL return as He said. For this reason it is critical that we maintain a heightened awareness and keep ourselves prepared at all times. As long as we are clothed in this flesh we are prone to mistakes, but our greatest fear should be that we would grow complacent and begin living in such a way that we are ashamed when we see our Lord face to face.

Peter reminds us in verses 8-9 of this chapter that a day is the same as a thousand years with God, and that His delay is a demonstration of His desire for all to come to repentance. However, Peter quickly follows this up in verse 10 by saying "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" which indicates the surprise of His return. Are you prepared for that day? It could happen any moment, and the single most important factor that we need to have settled beforehand is that we have repented of our sins and placed our faith in Him as Lord and Savior. [see below for more]

Finally, the next most important factor is to make sure that we have used this life He gave us in such a way that we are not ashamed, but have instead brought Him glory and honor."


Well said, Brian! So where are YOU at? Are you complacent or are you in rapt expectation of what is to come? If you've never settled that "single most important factor," then Brian and I both urge you to do so today. Click here to learn how.

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News, Prayer Requests & Announcements...

...are posted on our website and updated regularly. This newsletter will also be re-posted on both our website and Facebook pages.

Please respond to God's COMMAND ("The Great Commission" -- not "suggestion") to share the Good News of the Gospel by passing on our newsletters and emails, inviting a colleague to church or a police Bible study in your area, taking them to lunch or -- as stated above -- to see a warrior-relevant film like Act of Valor. Since it's now out on video, we also strongly suggest passing along the Courageous DVD or other resource available via the Courageous website.

This week (Thursday, March 15th) I'll be teaching a powerful, profession-relevant message at Calvary Chapel AURORA based on our signature passage from Romans 13:1-7. Entitled "God, Cops & the Military," this study will provide you with the biblical foundation for our God-ordained profession(s). It will also help our "civilian" spouses, family members and others understand the unique call our TRUE "Commander and Chief" (the Lord -- not an elected politician) has given us. As always, I'll provide a detailed RECAP in next week's newsletter for our world-wide readership that you can adapt and use in your own devotions and studies. Stay tuned!

Finally, don't forget that Denver PD Officer Rob Parks will be sharing his testimony and a special message on police marriages next week at our March 22nd meeting at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Please bring your spouse and join us if you're in the area. I'll of course post a recap of Rob's message in the following week's newsletter for everyone else around the world.

Training Tip: Check out the articles and resources at LawOfficer.com

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That's a wrap for this week -- time to "10-8" and get back in the fight. Don't forget to exercise solid officer safety out there while at the same time being bold, radical followers of Christ our Captain. As always, please feel free to contact me at thecenturionministry@yahoo.com if I can be of service.

Det. Sgt. & Chaplain M.C. Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Vice President, Fellowship of Christiain Peace Officers - USA