 |
| FCPO Newsletter and Bible Study |
|
Here's the
updated re-post
of this week's newsletter and Bible study:
As I write this, SE Texas, Louisiana and environs are reeling from the impact of Hurricane Harvey. I have included some trustworthy, "
How can I help?" resources for you below, and I'll be posting more as I have it. Please pray, and help if you can.
This week's Bible study is my recap of the message shared by Aurora PD Officer
Matt Springer at last week's FCPO-Aurora "cop church" chapter fellowship. As always, we hope you'll open both your heart and your Bible to what God has for you in this message: "
Called to Integrity." I should also point out that that same "call" that is part of Matt's message is also part of the reason this week's newsletter is coming to you later than usual: work (duty...my "tent making job" so I can do ministry) is extremely busy and part of my "call" to "integrity" is making sure I honor to my agencies and those I serve through them. Of course, I also wanted to wait to include some of the resources for helping those in Houston in this week's edition. Regardless, thanks for your understanding and support!
Finally,
if you missed last week's edition, here again is the well-received Blessed are the Meek?. While email is always the best way to get these, don't forget that I will always re-share our newsletters for you on our
website
and social media (Facebook and Twitter) feeds (and don't forget to "play it forward" in keeping with our Great Commission mandate).
Stay safe on the street but radically bold (Holy Spirit-led) in sharing the hope we have in Christ with others -- and our own in particular -- especially in light of the ongoing "War on Cops" and our ongoing suicide issues.
MC
|
|
bthe
|
HURRICANE RELIEF
The Red Cross,
Calvary Chapel Relief and Christian Samaritan's Purse (
Hurricane Harvey Relief) are trustworthy places to give to folks in general. Beyond that, here are some resources to help our own in
law enforcement:
(1) Many Houston PD officers have lost their homes. Here's the 411 on how to help them (from Ray Hunt with the HPD Officers' Union). Ray writes,
As you know the City of Houston is in the midst of a catastrophe like we have never seen before. The scope of the damage will not be determined for weeks, maybe longer. We have already lost so much including Sgt. Steve Perez, a 34-year veteran of the Houston PD, who drowned in his car trying to get to work at 4 am in the morning on Sunday, August 27th.
So many of you have reached out to ask how you can help and we are very grateful. Right now sending money to assist those officers who lost their homes and/or vehicles is the most helpful for us. We ask that you send donations to "Assist the Officer, Inc." a 501 (C)3 charity established 30 years ago in Houston to provide aid to law enforcement people during these kinds of disasters.
I can assure you that 100% of whatever you send will go directly to Houston-area law enforcement people who have suffered severe losses from the floods. Upon request we will be happy to provide you with a complete report on donations and expenditures if you need it.
We will keep you updated on the situation as it progresses and please accept our heartfelt thanks for whatever you can do to help us. If you have suffered a loss in this terrible incident, please just send your prayers.
Make your check out to: Assist the Officer, Inc. . Indicate on the check that the donation is for "Hurricane Harvey Relief for Law Enforcement"
Mail your check to 1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007
Thank you and God bless.
Ray Hunt, President
Houston Police Officers' Union
(2) Retired Officer
Jimmy Meeks
of
Sheepdog Seminars
is collecting funds to take relief supplies to our own in the Houston suburb of Brookshire and other agencies as well. Some of our fellow officers have lost everything while serving. Go to "
Help Us Help the Police
" to help.
PRAYER REQUESTS!
Needless to say, please pray for those impacted by the hurricane in Texas and now Louisiana. I lived in Houston and SE Texas for a number of years and the drainage systems there were archaic (like 1800's archaic) even before the storm hit. To say "It's bad!" just does not cover it. Friends, our fellow First Responders are working impossible hours in horrific conditions while many of their own homes are flooded (and their families hurting), and there is no "quick fix" here. Let's be in prayer, and please help if you can (see above).
(2) Retired Denver cop-turned-chaplain, Manny Hays, officiated at an officer's funeral earlier this week (off duty issue -- not suicide). The officer is unlikely to have known Christ as Lord and Savior. Please pray for those who heard Manny's message (the Gospel) with the understanding that there is no "RIP" unless we are first born in Christ (Hebrews 9:27).
Have a prayer request or announcement you would like included here? Need prayer?
Email me
! I also post prayer requests on my Facebook page ("friend" me).
UPCOMING EVENTS
(2) Retired Albuquerque PD Detective and a fellow church security expert (he taught me much of what I know on the subject), Vince Harrison -- a dear brother who God used to lead me to a genuine saving faith in Christ -- has announced the Global One Place of Worship Threat Survival Seminar. October 19, 2017 at Calvary Albuquerque. Outstanding training.
(3) As you know, writing, speaking and teaching on leadership (and SERVANT-leadership in particular) in law enforcement is a big part of what I do both in ministry and "on the job." Accordingly, I give strong support to Law Officer editor, friend, and fellow cop/trainer, Travis Yates' new seminar offering, Courageous Leadership.
(4) Also speaking of church security training (among other topics), here's the updated Sheepdog Seminars schedule (outstanding training for cops and sheepdog civilians alike): Sheepdog Seminars Training Schedule. I know the speakers (including Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, Officer Jimmy Meeks and Carl Chinn) -- rock solid and you'll come away blessed!
|
|
|
|
|
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
is a FCPO-affiliated, evangelical Christian outreach to our own in law enforcement. These newsletters and Bible studies are part of this effort and past editions can be found on our
website
and on social media
(
Facebook
and
Twitter
) pages. Feel free to adapt these messages for your own individual or group use and please share them with others.
In addition, I regularly speak at churches, retreats and both law enforcement and civilian conferences and seminars around the country -- please shoot me an email if I can be of service to your church, agency or organization.
|
|
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers
|
FCPO-USA exists to provide biblical support ("backup"), accountability and iron sharpens iron fellowship to Christian officers first in the U.S. and throughout the world as well. My metro Denver chapter -- FCPO #217((FCPO-Aurora), typically meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday at Calvary Aurora (High School Room, 7 PM) for "cop church" Bible study, prayer and servant-warrior fellowship
. Spouses are both welcome and encouraged to attend with their LEO! Our next meeting is set for Thursday, September 14th.
Information on the other
FCPO chapters
meeting around the country (including the new Chapter #242 here in Arvada, CO) can be found on the
Chapter Locator
pages on the
FCPO-USA
website.
|
|
|
|
s
|
Called to Integrity
Is "truth" (integrity) your "signature" both on and off duty? Know God has called us to it!
Every believer is commanded to "go" and "make disciples," and it has been an honor to do that with Aurora PD's Officer Matt Springer as he seeks to answer God's call to live a life of truth (integrity), both on and off duty. That same call applies to all of us as well. Likewise, I most certainly sought to be "
integrous"
(assignment -- find a way to use that word in a police report) in recapping Matt's message for you here. Open your Bible and let's dig in.
As we continue in our study through
2 Corinthians
, we find Paul giving us more and more insight on how to be a disciple of Christ. In keeping with that, Matt reminded us that we need to stay focused on our
Great Commission
call and foundation -- with Christ as our chief cornerstone and ultimate example of integrity.
As LEOs serving in today's "War on Cops" environment, we are constantly finding ourselves having to defend our
integrity against false complaints. Our Scripture passage finds us in good company with Paul as he defends himself against those (including those in the church) who questioned his.
For context, let's look for a moment at part of the Aurora (Colorado) PD Value Statement:
"Our commitment to community service is driven by the expectations that we maintain the highest core values."
Duty
Honor
INTEGRITY
So what then is integrity? One dictionary source (
dictionary.com) defines it as, "Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." Our British colleagues go on to define integrity in policing as, "...
ensuring the police uphold the values of the service, strive to do the right thing in all situations and have the confidence of the public."
In the Bible, the Hebrew word translated "integrity" in the Old Testament means "the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness." Integrity in the New Testament means "honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works" (with the understanding, of course, that our "works" or being "good" can't save us -- Eph. 2:8-9).
The Bible also describes integrity being truth. As Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" His answer? He is the only real truth and the only way to attain eternal life. Nobody comes to the Father unless they go through Jesus, who is THE way, THE truth [integrity] and THE life (John 14:6, added emphasis).
Matt entitled his message, "
Integrity is Your Signature." Clearly, our integrity is foundational both to what we do as cops and in our walk with Christ (especially if you're in ministry -- and EVERY Christian is called to ministry [service] in one form or another). Faith issues aside, the vast majority of those serving in our God-ordained profession do so with the highest of integrity (even when much of that same majority serves without the benefit of a saving faith in Christ). Yet sadly, and especially in our current "War on Cops" environment, any lapse in an officer's integrity is sure to be front page news. Here are just a couple of examples (not including all the "fake news" out there):
and
As I have have shared all-too-frequently of late, we are living in an age where
Isaiah 5:20-23 is front and center:
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil. Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own site! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink. Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice for the righteous man."
In today's passage, Paul is experiencing the effects of "fake news" in Corinth as his integrity is being called into question. He response is one we should live by today:
Verses 12-14: We're called to live a life of godly simplicity and sincerity.
Verses 15-18 (NLT): Let your "yes be yes..." -- let your integrity be your signature!
Verses 20 - 22: We can rely on the promises of God! Paul gives us an exhortation to trust in God's immutable promises as revealed in His Word (with Scripture being an offensive weapon -- a sword -- against our detractors).
Verse 20 in particular requires some additional explanation:
"
For all the promises of God in Him... --
This is another reason why Paul felt himself bound to maintain the highest level of truth and integrity. The promises of God are made through Christ, and here relate to the sure (promised) pardon of sin for the repentant, redeemed believer (a genuine Christian).
are yes... -- God's promises WILL be fulfilled. There is no vacillation on the part of God; no fickleness; no abandoning of His plans.
and amen. --
In Revelation 3:14, the Lord Jesus is called the "Amen." The word means true, faithful, certain. The expression here means that all the promises which God has made through Christ shall be certainly fulfilled and cannot fail. In short, integrity personified!
In his own teaching on this portion of
2 Corinthians 1
, Pastor Ed Taylor of Calvary Chapel Aurora gave a simple formula for living a life of biblical integrity:
simplicity + godly sincerity = a clean conscience.
We can most certainly say "
yes and amen
" to that!
What we find in this passage is that Paul was not living for "self" or personal gain, and he most certainly did not vacillate in his teaching. Rather, he stayed the course without waiver or compromise. His "yes" and "no" was an emphatic signature that meant exactly yes and no -- and so should ours. Yet just like what happens all-too-often today, the Corinthian church believed the worst in Paul over his supposed "change" in plans (it was anything but).
Friends, let's seek to live a life of integrity because we're called to serve a God of integrity. And the evidence (proof) for that? It's throughout His Word! Here are just a few examples:
Revelation 22:13 --
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Hebrews 13:8, 18 --
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever
"; "We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably [integrity] in every way."
1 Chronicles 29:17 NIV --
"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity" (added emphasis mine).
Psalm 41:12 --
"because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in Your presence forever"
Proverbs 11:3 --
"the integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity" (duplicity = double mindedness)
Teaching on this issue, Billy Graham said (with my own added emphasis), "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our INTEGRITY intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, ALL is lost."
Jesus is the perfect example of a man of integrity. He never lied, and His actions defined truth. After He was baptized, He went into the wilderness to fast for forty days and nights, during which time Satan came to Him at His weakest to try to break His integrity and corrupt Him. Jesus was wholly man and wholly God at the same time, and while He was tempted in every way that we are, he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). This is the definition of integrity. He is the only one who was ever without blemish, perfect and completely truthful. As sinful human beings, our integrity is flawed, but Jesus' integrity is perfect. When we are "in Christ," we partake of His divine nature, having been given new natures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and that new nature is one of integrity because it is His nature.
Folks, we can (and must) live lives of integrity because we are t
he children of the most high God! Is that you? Have you been born again into the family of God? Do you have the Holy Spirit residing in you to chart your path and empower you live a life of godly integrity? Understand that without Christ in your life, we can NEVER be good (integrous) enough to earn heaven and escape a just sentence in hell. It is impossible to have real integrity without Jesus as our Lord and Savior!
So again I ask -- do you have that? Are you sure? Consider the following:
(1) Jesus' first words in His earthly ministry were: "
Repent and believe in the Good News
" (
Mark 1:15
). To
repent
is a "180" -- a complete, radical change of mind and heart as it relates our sin. To
believe
as God intends it to
completely and radically surrender to Him in
faith
("believe" and "faith" have the same Greek root meaning) in the same way you have faith that your body armor will stop the rounds it is designed to stop or that a skydiver's parachute will open (we stake our lives on it)! The "Good News" of course is the Gospel of Christ. Moreover, the words repent and believe are literally two sides of the same coin in meaning and intent (see the "Are you really a Christian" link below for more).
(2) In
John 3:1-21, Jesus says, "...
you must be born again." Note our Lord's emphasis on
must (not "may" or "should"): this is the
life-saving/life-changing personal relationship (not "religion") with Christ that I stress so often. See "
What does it mean to be a born again Christian?" Then go to:
(a) Perhaps you think you can "earn" heaven (or escape hell) by simply being a "good person" (or a "good cop")? Then take the
Good Person Test
and see how you do.
Need prayer, counsel or more info? Feel free to
contact me
! Finally, don't forget to pass these newsletters on to others in keeping with our Great Commission mandate.
MC
|
| QAf` |
|
|
|
|
|
|
