The CENTURION Law Enforcement Ministry: Getting in DEEP with God

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Getting in DEEP with God

Dear Brothers and Sisters in “Blue” (we're ALL blue regardless of the uniform):

There is a certain “WOW” factor in the topic for this week’s study. As some of you know, Diana and I have been attending and serving in a new ministry at CCSD. Dubbed “The Tuesday Night Dialog,” this really cool “afterglow” ministry seeks, in part, to introduce the mature believer to the power God gives us through the orderly and proper exercise of the “gifts” of Holy Spirit (see Acts 2). Anyway, this last Tuesday night Diana had a real revelation that we need to be truly seeking “the deeper things of God” and it is right on target for what we are trying to achieve through the Centurion Ministry. Look folks, I'm not talking about some sort of weird “mumbo jumbo” (check out 1 Corinthians 2:10-16) but rather an effort to get us off the proverbial fence and “sold out” for Christ (you can’t be a partial Christian). Moreover, we believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ARE for today and that they are truly part of an “abundant” life in Christ (NOT the false “name it and claim it” prosperity teachings that are misleading so many). I’ll have a whole lot more on the subject this Saturday!

While I may often let you know about what is going on at my church as well as many others (see below under “ANNOUNCEMENTS” for but one example), please feel free to let me know what is happening at YOUR place of worship and I’ll put the “word” out as appropriate. Rest assured that TCM does NOT promote any one church or denomination but rather we encourage each of you to find a solid fellowship that teaches the Bible in truth without extraneous “doctrine,” has great worship, and where you find joy. Worship and God’s Word should NEVER be boring folks. In fact, if you are “bored” I would suggest that there are deeper issues OR you are simply in the wrong place of worship! Finally, make worship a PRIORITY. If it is truly important, you can find a way: Saturday night, Wednesday night, multiple Sunday services, etc. Know also that attending TCM Bible studies does NOT replace the importance of fellowship and worship with your family and those outside of our profession.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1) Pastor Lonnie Trujillo of Legacy Christian Fellowship in Northglenn (www.legacychristian.org) has asked me to let everyone know that Mike MacIntosh of Horizon Christian Fellowship San Diego will be teaching at CC Aurora on Saturday, June 21st @ 6 PM. Mike has ministered as a chaplain for the San Diego Police Department and was one of the first chaplains on scene in NY 9/11. We are trying to invite as many law enforcement as I can to this Saturday service as Mike has a heart for all who are in law enforcement. Everyone can still attend their own churches on Sunday so this shouldn't interfere. For directions go to www.calvaryaurora.org.

(2) I will be working quite a few Saturdays starting next month and I am NOT planning a study during the 4th of July weekend. However, I WILL be holding studies on some Thursday evenings. Stay tuned to the newsletter and website (http://thecenturionministry.blogspot.com/) for details.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) FPD Chief Dave Gottschalk and his family as they travel back from Georgia where they’ve been on vacation (safe trip and such).
(2) Dep. Mike Dye with Christian Law Enforcement Resources is asking for prayer for his father and his family. Mike’s Dad has been battling cancer and may only have a few days left. Pray for Mike as well as this brother has a great deal on his plate. Go to www.christianlawenforcement.com for more.
(3) For a local cop who is dating a young lady from our church. Pray for wisdom and direction as I seek to steer this brother in the right direction.
(4) For the mother of JeffCo S.O. Dep. Art Briles. She has a major heart condition.
(5) For a brother officer who is has recommitted his life to Christ after a divorce, alcoholism, depression, and more. Pray for strength to “stay the course” and see what God has in store for him and his family.
(6) For our law enforcement leaders who truly know Christ as Savior. Our prayer is that they will be SERVANT leaders who will truly LEAD from a Biblical perspective and take care of those in their charge. Here are but a few in the Denver area who’ve been on my heart:
(a) Capt. Jerry Hinkle with Aurora PD.
(b) Chief Matt Cook with DOR
(c) Chief Phil Baca with Commerce City PD
(d) Sgt. Candace Mullin, Lone Tree PD

As always, pass this on to your colleagues, post our flyers (linked to this site) on your department bulletin boards, and STAND firm in Him.

Denver-Area Meeting Schedules

* Please check back frequently for the latest updates!

-- Thursday, February 16th, 7:00 PM, Calvary Chapel AURORA (http://www.calvaryaurora.org/ for directions).

-- Thursday, February 23rd, 7:00 PM, Calvary South Denver (www.CalvaryCSD.org for directions) -- probably in HS room or Cafe.

-- Thursday, March 1st, 7:00 PM, Calvary South Denver in Littleton.
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In addition:

(1) A number of us participate and serve at the Tuesday night service held at Calvary South Denver in Littleton (7:00 PM). We are currently working through the Book of Revelation. Bring your spouse and invite a colleague to join us for this unique and powerful service. We have changed direction somewhat in that every message will close with an invitation to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

(2) Officers are meeting for Bible study at Brooklyn's near Invesco Field each Tuesday at 1230 and at the DIA chapel each Saturday AM. Contact Mark Roggeman at MRoggeman@aol.com for more info.

TCLEM Mission Statement

The mission of The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry (TCLEM), is to educate law enforcement officers (police, deputies, troopers, investigators, parole/probation, corrections, military, etc.) about God's unique call on their lives as outlined in God's word (Bible) and to lead officers and their families to a saving knowledge of and close personal relationship with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through same, we also seek to positively impact our profession by raising up Christian servant-leaders and reduce our historically high rates of divorce, alcoholism, depression, suicide and related issues.

Law enforcement is a God-ordained ministry of service and protection for our society as outlined in the Bible in Romans 13. Inasmuch as our very authority as peace officers is given to us by God, TCLEM seeks to affirm our calling as servant-warriors ("sheepdogs") and leaders while at the same time developing the our spiritual, family and personal lives through Bible study, peer fellowship, and group accountability along with active involvement in a solid Christ-centered/Bible-based church. We also seek to infuse our profession with godly leaders who will in fact LEAD (aks "servant") from a biblical world view.

What We Believe (Statement of Faith)

(1) WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's sacrificial agape love, which is greater than any secondary differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

(2) WE BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity as detailed in God's word (Bible).

(3) WE BELIEVE the sixty-six books of the Bible (i.e. Old and New Testament) comprise the totality of Holy Scripture and is inerrant in the original text, and remains inerrant, inspired, and infallible in all its substance, and therefore, it is the supreme and final authority in faith, theology, and life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:11, 89, 105.

(4) WE BELIEVE that our Lord has called us to share the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life and, in particular as it relates to our service in the God-ordained calling of law enforcement. We also believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8.

(5) WE BELIEVE there is only One true, eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The triune God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and is worthy of worship and obedience. Deut. 6:4-5; Genesis 1:31, Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20, Rev. 4:11.

(6) WE BELIEVE in one God who is Creator of heaven and earth, Spirit, personal, transcendent, sovereign, life, love, truth, almighty, simple (i.e. one without parts), timelessly eternal, unchangeable, wise, just, holy, relational, dynamic and infallible in all things.

(7) WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, possessing two distinct natures which are co-joined in one person, that He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless and miraculous life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious substitutionary death on the Cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, physically ascended back to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and lives to make intercession for us. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to preach the gospel to the entire world, an obligation shared by all believers today. John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11.

(8) WE BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered as a gift by the Lord Jesus Christ to all based on His grace alone. When a person sincerely repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, changed, and destined to spend eternity with the Lord. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
(9) WE BELIEVE in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today, and should be exercised within scriptural guidelines, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5.

(10) WE BELIEVE in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe that the physical second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, premillennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heart-felt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in the two ordinances the Lord gave the church - adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. Revelation 3:10, Thessalonians 5:9.

(11) WE BELIEVE there is a real personal devil of great evil, cunning, and power, who seeks to tempt, kill, steal, and destroy, yet his power is limited by God to only what God permits him to do; that the devil has been defeated positionally at the cross of Christ, and will be defeated practically at Christ's glorious second coming which will ultimately eventuate in the quarantine and punishment of the Satan (aka the Devil, Beast, and False Prophet, etc.) in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone where they will be tormented day and night forever (what has been traditionally called "Hell"). Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, etc.

(12) WE BELIEVE that our Lord is clear that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Christ and that is through a life-changing personal relationship with the Risen Savior. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Intellectual acceptance of Christ is not enough. You must come to him determined to turn from what displeases him, with a total trust in Christ's saving power for you.

Are you ready to receive Christ today? If so, right where you are you can pray something like this: "Lord, I know that I have sinned and need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and rose from the dead. I invite you into my life to be my Lord and Savior."

If you sincerely put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into his family. It's the greatest discovery you will ever make!

Donate to TCLEM/FCPO?

We do accept donations to support our ministry and outreach, including but not limited to leading officers to Christ, support for wounded officers; "officer down" outreach; chaplain and counseling services; speaking engagements; website expenses; ministry apparel, etc. Donations can be made out to The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry and/or FCPO-Denver and mailed to

P.O. Box 630854
Littleton, CO 80163

Donations are tax-deductible through our affiliation with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers 501(3)(c). That said, support your church first...and then donate if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.