To Serve & Protect

We had outstanding attendance at last week's pre-Easter study where I shared a message entitled, "Cops Pounding Nails." As usual, I've posted my recap below -- feel free to use/adapt to your own studies and devotions.

This week our own James "Jimmy" Wattles will be teaching a Bible study he's entitled "To Serve & Protect." Invite your spouse and a colleague and join us if you're in the Denver area. I'll of course post Jim's recap in next week's newsletter for our national and world-wide readership. We start at 7 PM at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (not sure which room yet -- just follow the signs).
______________________________________________

Cops Pounding Nails -- An Easter Message

Last week I gave my annual profession-relevant Easter message via an expository, inductive study of Mark 15 that followed my obligatory viewing of The Passion of the Christ. In addition to our primary text in Mark, I strongly encourage you to take the time to review the related passages in the other three gospels (Matthew, Luke and John).

What is the application for us today? It was a 1st century SWAT team that came to arrest an innocent Jesus on a trumped-up warrant (no probable cause), after which our Lord faced false-charges, perjury and abuse before "courts" in three different jurisdictions; 1st century LEOs inflicting excruciating torture (imagine being sent to a training or academy class that certifies you to inflict maximum punishment -- scourging -- to a point just short of death); and finally cops nailing our Savior to a cross where He would take on the sins of the very officers who placed Him there.

That there was a man named "Jesus" who was tried, tortured and executed on a cross and placed in a supposedly "escape proof" tomb that was found empty three days later is a historical FACT that is not in dispute even by the most "learned" (sic) of skeptics (see Is the Story of Easter Really True). However, this rock-solid EVIDENCE (as LEOs we're all about the evidence) is a matter of history and not of faith. On this S. Michael Houdman of www.GotQuestions.org writes, "There is a big difference in stating that Jesus of Nazareth was put to death by Pontius Pilate in the first century and his body is still missing to this day, and saying that Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, through the predetermined plan of God died a substitutionary death for humanity, and was resurrected to restore spiritual life to dead, helpless sinners so that they may have eternal life. The first statement is history, the second is the gospel. And the latter requires faith to believe."

The bottom line? It was us -- peace officers/warriors -- that nailed our Savior to a cross. He allowed us (yes -- you and I and not just our counterparts in AD 33) to torture and murder Him so that He could bear our sin and shame on that humiliating instrument of pain and death. God's love, grace and patience for those of us He has called to serve and protect (Romans 13:1-4) is nothing short of miraculous and a testament of God's love and mercy. Moreover, it was a police officer of Jesus' day -- a Roman Centurion standing at the foot of the cross and exclaiming his faith in light of overwhelming evidence -- that is generally considered to be the first Gentile convert to what we call "Christianity" (Matthew 27:54)!

California officer Michael Asplund wrote an outstanding piece that is the perfect accompaniment to this study: Pounding Nails. Please take the time to read and apply it to your life. The message of Easter is truly, "Three nails, three days, ONE WAY (the ONLY way) to God."

Like the Centurion (a cop and the namesake for this ministry) at the cross, my hope and prayer is that you too will examine the evidence and respond in faith. How? Scroll down the left side of this website to links under How Can I Be Saved (aka True "Officer Safety". I implore you -- repent of your sin and turn to the ONLY One who can save you. As we say on a felony stop, "DO IT NOW!" The consequences of saying "yes" or "no" to Christ are both sure and eternal! Feel free to contact me if I can assist in any way.
______________________________________________

National News, Prayer Requests & Announcements...

...are posted here on our website (scroll down to next post) and updated regularly. This newsletter will also be re-posted on our Facebook pages (Links to same on left side -- don't forget to "LIKE" and share with us there). That said, here are just a few more pressing announcements.

(1) Apologetics (aka "defending the faith with sound biblical doctrine") Corner:

Our website lists a host of excellent apologetics resources (scroll down left side to "Defending the Faith/Defending the Truth". That said, there is an excellent video documentary on the false/heretical "Emergent Church" movement that I highly recommend. Click on The Real Roots of the Emergent Church.

(2) On Tim Tebow and Living our Faith:

Retired officer-turned-pastor Bill Rhetts has put together an excellent short video teaching that he's entitled The Tim Tebow Hysteria, the Media Frenzy & the Rev 3:20 Church. Check it out!

________________________________________________

DENVER AREA NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Denver-Area Meeting Schedules and related events for both POFCI-CO and FCPO-Denver are posted here on this website (left-hand side near the top) and are updated regularly.

(2) The SEAL of God Event:

Chad Williams, a former Navy SEAL who became a born-again Christian during his time of service, will be speaking at Calvary South Denver in Littleton on May 19th, starting at 7 PM. Chad has authored a book entitled SEAL of God and is now serving as the high school ministry leader at Greg Laurie's church in Irvine, CA.

Chad will share his powerful testimony and experiences as a SEAL along with a message of salvation and the truth of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.

The event is FREE and we encourage you to bring your unsaved family members, friends and colleagues (LEOs and combat military personnel in particular).

More details to follow (or just contact me for further).


(3) "SamKwanDo and the Dojo of Truth"

Yes, a little humor there in reference to Pastor Sam Park (a Korean-born martial artist) and our powerful Tuesday night TRUTH services at Calvary South Denver. Highly recommended! Quite a few officers and their spouses who are a part of our TCLEM/FCPO fellowship also attend this service and both Diana and I serve there weekly. Great worship, powerful Bible teaching and an opportunity to say "yes" or otherwise get right with Christ every week. The teachings are also available online (email me for details).

(4) Men's Prayer Breakfast! Calvary South Denver, 8 AM, April 21st, 2012.

_________________________

Time to go "10-42 and hit the sack! Let's continue to stay battle focused and fully engaged in "the fight" while at the same time always training hard and exercising solid officer safety in the field.

Please feel free to CONTACT me 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 (www.FCPO.org)

A Warrior's Destiny & Legacy

With National Police Week coming to a close, this is a great time to talk about what God has to say about our DESTINY and LEGACY as servant-leaders, husbands, fathers and warriors. That will be the topic of this Friday’s profession-relevant, tactical Bible study and fellowship meeting at Calvary Chapel Aurora. If you’re in the Denver-Metro area, we hope you will join us (see below for more details). Regardless, this ministry is very much a national and international one so I’ll post my usual RECAP in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned!

Speaking of Police Week, I’m interested in hearing feedback and receiving pics from those who were able to attend our events in DC this year. Shoot me an email at fullarmor911@yahoo.com if you want to share.

My friend and fellow law enforcement ministry leader, Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries (www.tenfourministries.org), has been in Washington and recorded a short (5 minutes) message that is absolutely on target as it relates to officers and where we will spend eternity. Travis very much shares my own sense of urgency about sharing the truth of the gospel with our fellow warriors. As such, I urge you to take a few minutes to watch and listen: http://thecenturionpapers.blogspot.com/2011/05/mans-greatest-problem.html.

_________________________

MESSAGE RECAP

Last week’s study again centered on servant-leadership in law enforcement. Here’s the recap that you can adapt to your own studies:

As I prepared for this study, my time in God’s inerrant word (the Bible) again revealed that law enforcement leaders are in fact called to many of the same requirements as pastors. Speaking about pastors and leadership, Calvary Chapel Aurora Pastor Ed Taylor recently said that God never intended church leaders to be just teachers but rather that they are to be true pastors -- shepherds -- who will go out of their way to care for the “flock” entrusted to them. Just as there are sadly way too many "pastors" who are content to teach rather than lead and shepherd their flock, my biblically based belief is that the same sin issue is epidemic in law enforcement and the military (and has the same biblical solution).

Our primary text came was Philippians 2:19-24 where we see an imprisoned Paul commending his protégé Timothy to the Philippian fellowship ("church") of believers. The passage reveals that if we are truly focused on the interests of Jesus Christ then we will be better able to focus on the needs of others. If we know (*personal relationship) Whom we serve, we can better understand and appreciate that God has granted us positions of influence and power to truly serve and protect His people. Moreover, the text reveals that we’ve been called to lead with God’s kingdom in mind rather than only thinking about our own welfare, position and power. In fact, the Bible uses Greek word diakonos -- deacon -- means "servant" and has direct application to us both in law enforcement and in the church (see 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

In Luke 22, Jesus says, I am among you as one who serves. Understand that the leadership, authority and influence we have as cops is ordained and conferred on us by God (see also Romans 13:1-7) for the benefit of others.

So what are the qualities and disciplines of a godly servant-leader (peace officer)? The following are key elements of abiding in Christ (John 15) and must be seen as being progressive in nature:

Servant Leadership - Humility

A key characteristic and focus of servant leadership is humility. Why? Because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Humility is also the belief that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Servant Leadership - Seeking Him First

The beginning point for "abiding in Him" is seeking Him first in all things. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) vividly demonstrates this principle: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Servant Leadership - Loving Him Through Obedience

The next discipline of servant leadership -- "abiding in Him" -- is loving Him. The Bible makes it clear that our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience (John 14:15, 23-24; John 15:10; 1 John 5:3, etc.). If we are to be Christ-led, we must be willing to obey regardless of the cost. Obedience consists of three components: (1) timeliness (act or speak when the Lord indicates, not before and not after); (2) fullness (partial obedience is disobedience -- sin); and (3) joyfulness (not grumbling, complaining, whining, etc.).

Servant Leadership - Serving Him In All We Do

Jesus established this biblical principle with his twelve apostles in response to their concern about who would be the greatest -- He explained that the greatest must be a servant of all (Matthew 23:11). For the Christian officer, this means that as we serve the people in our care, we are also serving Jesus Himself.

Servant Leadership - Exalting Him Above All Else

Servant leadership is leading for His glory and not our own. Paul exhorts us, Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Jesus instructs us to shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify the Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Servant Leadership - A Requirement of Accountability

Servant leadership requires accountability. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul explains how the Body of Christ matures when its members "speak the truth in love" to one another. Then, in the next chapter, Paul exhorts us to be imitators of God by walking in love, putting aside immorality, learning what is pleasing to the Lord, being careful how we walk, understanding the Lord, and giving thanks for all things. He closes the final (6th) chapter of Ephesians with a key for doing this: "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." In other words, each of us has the responsibility to: (a) "walk in the light" (be vulnerable and keep nothing hidden in darkness); (b) be held accountable for our walk with Christ; and (c) hold others accountable to their walk with the Lord. In short, we should walk openly, speak the truth humbly in love, and eagerly receive that love. Thus, to practice the discipline of accountability, a Christian officer is COMMANDED to be in active fellowship with others. See also 1 John 1:7; Proverbs 27:6, 9; 1 John 1:9.


Please take the time to take this study to heart and put its principles into practice – and then watch what God will do through you to change our profession and the society we serve.
______________________

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Prayer requests continue to come in and I urge you to go to scroll down here on our website and join us in praying for these pressing needs. I update them almost daily -- check back frequently.
______________________

DENVER-AREA NEWS & ANNOUCEMENTS:

** Our local MEETING SCHEDULE(s) is posted here on our website (scroll down) and updated regularly. Again, don’t forget that we are NOT meeting this Thursday at Calvary South Denver in Littleton but rather at Calvary Chapel Aurora (www.calvaryaurora.org) on Friday, May 20th starting at 7 PM in Room 144. Pass the word!

** Recent events are causing many to reflect on their destination after this life ends and when/if Jesus will return for His own. Accordingly, I want to point “locals” to two great studies getting started on the Book of Revelation:

(1) Pastor Ed Taylor at Calvary Chapel Aurora is teaching through Revelation (There is NO “s” in Revelation!!) on Wednesday evenings staring at 7 PM. See www.CalvaryAurora.org for details.

(2) Pastor Sam Park at Calvary South Denver will start through Revelation at our unique, warrior-relevant Tuesday Night Dialogue (TND) services beginning next Tuesday at 7 PM. Many of our Centurion Ministry regulars attend TND as well. We also serve dinner right after the service (free to first-timers). See www.CalvaryCSD.org for details.

Yes folks – I’m actually trying to get you into a church (fellowship and relationship, not “religion”) where God’s word is taught in Spirit and truth. Moreover, I promise that you will not spontaneously combust when you walk through the doors! Bottom line is that ANY day(s) of the week can be your “Sabbath” – just come (bring the spouse and kids) and be in fellowship.


** TOP GUN POLICE MOTOR OFFICERS COMPETITION!

The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver will be a sponsor at the 2011 Top Gun Police Motor Officers Competition (www.topguncops.com) on Sunday, June 5th in Lakewood. Stop by our booth and say hello – and I’ll have our “retired” Aurora PD motor on hand. This is yet another op for us to share the gospel with our brother/sister officers. Great sponsors as well and Colorado State Trooper Scott Hinshaw tells me he’ll be in attendance (he is a former competitor). Please plan on joining us.

That’s it for this week folks but, before I “let you go,” I must again ask if you are right with God today. That means being right by His standard as opposed to your own. If not, please scroll down the left side of this website to the “Are you a true Christian” links. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one (especially cops) -- repent and turn to Him today as tomorrow may very well be too late. Regardless, stay the course out there and know that I’m “here” to serve YOU in any way possible. Don’t forget to forward this newsletter to those on your email lists (easy way to share the Lord with others).

Happy New Year and Meeting Cancellation Notice!

First, let me use this opportunity to send out a big ole' Happy New Year from Diana and I to all those on our email list and our website followers in general. I'm both stoked and in prayer about where and how God will use this ministry in 2011. Many of us will be working so let's utilize an use an extra ounce of the unique "cop sense" God has given us and be sure you go to our Lord in prayer during your shifts. Also remember to check back here (website) frequently for the latest prayer requests and announcements.

MESSAGE FOR OUR FCPO-DENVER LOCALS:

Well folks, after prayer, watching the weather forecast (current blizzard conditions), advice from my better half and using my much-honed investigation skills (LOL) , I'm cancelling our meeting tonight due to adverse weather conditions. Interstate was slow but not too bad -- yet. However side streets are slick as snot and I'm not going to put folks at risk by having them come out in this.

Soooo -- meeting cancelled for tonight. I'm willing to reschedule to meet on Sat AM for those who need some corporate prayer time -- let me know if that is a must and I'll make it happen. If not, I hope you will consider joining us next Tuesday at Calvary South Denver's Tuesday Night Dialogue -- "TND" -- where Pastor Sam Park will be teaching an in-depth study on Samson and Delilah from Judges 16. Most of you should remember my overview on this subject and the fact that this is very much a cop-relevant topic. A number of us (Centurion Ministry/FCPO-Denver) already attend TND -- I serve there weekly -- and our own Matt Wallenburg is regularly part of the worship team. Please join us. If not, we'll see you next Thursday!

You'll also probably get a text if you read and responded to my email last night. Those who still show up tonight will be out-of-luck (good lesson on actually reading the emails -- LOL).

UPDATED FCPO-Denver MEETING SCHEDULE and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- Thu, Dec. 30th: CANCELLED!

-- TCLEM on the Radio! 12 Noon CST (11 AM Mountain). Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries/2010/12/31/centurion-radio-14-servant-leadership for a preview and to learn how you can take part. Listeners can also check out previous programs by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ten-four-ministries. See previous (12/29) post for further.

-- Tuesday, January 4th, 2011: We're participating in the special TND Service at Calvary South Denver in Littleton on the very profession-relevant topic of Samson and Delilah from Judges 16. Please join us (bring your spouse and kids -- child care provided)! Starts at 7 PM in the main sanctuary.

-- Thursday, January 6th, 2011: Regular "cop church" fellowship, prayer and Bible study meeting. 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver in Littleton. Probably be in our "regular" High School Room.

-- Thursday, January 13th: Regular time/place as above. I'll be teaching a special message on baptism in preparation for our first-ever baptism service on Saturday, Jan. 15th.

-- Saturday, January 15th: Law Enforcement BAPTISM SERVICE at Southern Gables Church (4001 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80123-1358 )

Check back frequently for the latest changes and updates!


Blessings!