Dallas Police Tragedy July 7, 2016
———————————————————————————————————————————
This is a time of mourning for those who gave their all. It is a time to pray for their families who have lost their loved one, father, son, brother, husband and leader of their home. It is a time to show compassion. We empathize with the involved first responders and try put ourselves in their place and relate to how they must feel. We cannot fully relate to their personal grief and stress. But our letters, emails, presence and support can make a difference. I am already hearing of citizens reaching out to their local police departments with food and notes because they understand we all are hurting for the loss of those who protect us.
When we witness tragedies of lost officers, we tend to reflect about where we are in life, our families and our destiny. If we are in law enforcement we may question our career and why we would continue in such a thankless job.
If I may re-enforce the authority given to our law enforcement, this is a time that we need to Back the Blue as their authority Is God ordained.
Romans 13; 1-7 Submission to Governing Authorities
1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
We need to equip and support our officers with ALL the necessary tools physically, mentally and spiritually. For they are our defenders from the evil and the criminal elements.
A word to our law enforcement: Be strong, gear up and keep up the good fight in our behalf. Please. We need you.
Ephesians 6: 10-18 The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray for the safety of first responders: 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Psalm 7:10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
And concerning these 5 officers we just lost and for the others lost, God gives us hope and assurance if we seek his acceptance and follow his precepts.
Believers Who Have Died
2 Corinthians 6: To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4
13Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God. Mathew 5:9
Please continue to pray for the safety and well being of ALL our officers and their families. Drop a note of thank you to your local police.
Police Chaplain Mark
——————————————————————————————————————————
Comments