SERIES: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement (5 of 5)
Because You Have Chosen An Honorable Profession

When I look at today’s culture, I wonder, “Why would anybody choose teaching or law enforcement for a profession?” It seems as if both are being asked to serve and help others while being given no respect and not recognizing the authority needed to do the job. The only conclusion I can draw is that God knows we need both in society and so He calls people to serve in those capacities. He put something inside you that makes you willing to fight this crazy fight.
     
This 5-part series came from a portion of Scripture where the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians about their attitude toward government authorities. Paul closed this section of his letter by saying, “Give to everyone what you owe them; Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
 
Society wants you to keep them safe on the one hand, but on the other, you’re not supposed to limit anybody’s “freedoms”.  What a crazy, thankless job. I have shared these five reasons to support and pray for local Law Enforcement because you have chosen an honorable profession. I believe God saw the need, so He created something unique inside of you to enable you to serve in the capacity you do. He also says you should be honored for choosing to do what you do. So today, I honor you. 

Thank you for your service, 
Pastor Rob 

Links to other posts in this series: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

SERIES: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement (4 of 5)
Because You are Called to be a Standard of Right and Wrong in Our City

Whenever I have the opportunity, I ask officers, “What made you want to go into law enforcement.? The two most common answers I get are “I’ve wanted to be a cop since I was a kid” and “I wanted to serve others”. But my favorite answer came from an officer at a station where our organization was serving lunch and he told me, “I just wanted to catch bad guys!”
 
Did you know the in the New Testament, Paul wrote “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good… They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do wrong.”?
 
The reason I support and am praying for local law enforcement this week is because you are called to be a standard of right and wrong in our city, and this is a difficult job. If you catch a neighborhood kid stealing from a store, a parent might say, “Don’t you have anything better to do than harass my kid?” as if stealing wasn’t a big deal. But if their house is being broken into, you are the one they call with the expectation that you will be there, lights and sirens, in 30 seconds to arrest the thief. 
 
Standard bearers are not popular and are often held to an impossible standard. I am praying for you this week as you hold the standard of right and wrong in our city. Thank you for all you do, for setting the standard and for doing it even when you are under-appreciated.
 
Your service IS appreciated,
Pastor Rob
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Links to other posts in this series: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5

SERIES: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement (3 of 5)
Because you honor (help) those who do right

 There is NEVER an excuse for abuse of power, but God’s purpose for government (including law enforcement) was not only to punish wrong doing, but also to be a deterrent to wrong behavior...putting the fear consequences into those who would break the law..

For authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right and they will honor you.
~ the Apostle Paul
 
You honor those you serve by protecting us and causing those who would do harm to think twice or to move on because of your presence. I am thankful to live in a city where officers serve with integrity, honoring those who do right and deterring/stopping those who would do wrong.
 
My prayer for you this week is that your presence would be highly visible, instilling the fear of being caught in those who would do wrong and that you would have favor with those you serve selflessly.

I honor and appreciate you, 
Pastor Rob

Links to other posts in this series: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement- Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5

​SERIES: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement (2 of 5)
Because rebelling against authority is/makes you stupid! 

You’ve heard the question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” But have you ever wondered,  “Are criminals born not so smart, or does crime make people stupid?” 
 
Reader’s Digest shared these funny-but-true stories “These 7 Dumb Criminals Basically Arrested Themselves” (bit.ly/dumb_criminals).  One guy was not a suspect but became one after police read his name on his phone “Jason Pauchay Drug Dealer”. Or there’s the guy who cut in front of two uniformed officers at a coffee shop so he could try to rob the cashier. A third lady was arrested for breaking and entering after being tracked by her probation GPS ankle bracelet…which she got for a previous conviction of breaking-and-entering.

The second reason I support and pray for local law enforcement is because rebelling against authority is/makes you stupid! The Apostle Paul said it this way:
 
“So then, the one who resists authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves.” 
 
My prayer for you today is for a good shift and that something makes you laugh...hopefully not at a dumb criminal’s expense!  

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob 

Links to other posts in this series: Why I Support and Pray for Local Law Enforcement- Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5