MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Ephesians 6

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Prayer Letter 19th Oct 2018

Hello Everyone,

I trust you are all well. However, I do know that there are many lurgies around worrying a number of people.

  • A few weeks ago, I encouraged you to Pray for each other, please continue to do so; knowing that you battle in, when really you should be resting at home.
  • Paul in Sussex continues to recover from his final Chemo treatment. He is about to go on a much-needed holiday. Prayer for him please. Due to his recent illness, he is unable to take out travel insurance. He needs to stay well while he is away 22nd -26th Oct. He then returns to see his Consultant on the 29th Oct for results from recent tests. We want you completely well Paul.

I am aware of a young Christian man who this coming week will be measured for his Police Uniform. He starts his training in Sussex Police in December. He is very thrilled to have been given the opportunity to undertake this position. Since childhood it has been his desire to serve.

With the above in mind, I again recalled the reading in Ephesians 6. 10 -18. “Be strong in the Lord and in His Mighty Power. Put on the Whole Armour of God, so that you can take your stand”.

Like my friend is measured for his uniform this coming week, God’s “Uniform/Armour”, is exactly what each one of us needs as we face every day.

If you wish to contact me please do o by adding a comment below

God Bless you just where He has placed you today.

In Him

Alice.

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Prayer Letter 10th August 2018

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your Prayers as requested by Bert Dean last week. We had a wonderful Newday and I am healing, a little way to go yet as a result of the fall.
Thank you too Bert for holding the fort whilst I was away. Truly appreciate you.

Below a message sent to me by a Police Officer; a Mum of her daughter who was with us at Newday.

“E had a lovely time at Newday. Was brave about talking to people and becoming independent. Best of all she made a commitment to Christ!!! Except now she’s realised her Dad won’t be going to heaven … pray for peace for her. And she wants her younger sister to become a Christian too!! Please share in the next prayer letter you write. Last year I was struggling to get her to church at times … So, this is a real answer to prayer!”

For Prayer.

  • On-going Prayer please for Paul who is undergoing a week of Chemo, as referred to in Bert’s PL last week.

Whilst at Newday I was Chaplain to the Medical Team. Like yourselves they wear a Uniform. One morning, I shared with them the Writings on the “Armour of God” as found in Eph:6. As they travelled around the very large Royal Norfolk Showground, I encouraged them that they were moving – “Shod with the Gospel of Peace“. May you too know that you are taking His Peace into all the situations you meet daily, out on the front line; or sitting at a desk.

Please contact me at any time by clicking here or adding a comment below

God Bless you
In Him
Alice.

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Have you got your coat?

 

‘Have you got your coat?’

The Armour of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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. Therefore put on the full armour 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

‘Have you got your coat?’- A question asked by parents all over the UK and wider world to I suspect most of their children; and if you are really fortunate sometimes your children will actually answer!
I think I ask my daughter Abigail this question every day before school- and every day there seems to be a different reason as to why she doesn’t need to wear it- ‘I’m not cold’, ‘It isn’t raining’, ‘I don’t like the colour’…… and so on!

The truth is however that some days you just need your coat, or your hat, or your umbrella…. Especially this week when the ‘Beast from the East’ has arrived!
It was at the beginning of this week that Abigail declared to me when I picked her up from school after a netball match that she was ‘hot’ and that she didn’t need her coat on….. as we walked away from the school I think we got about 50 metres before she changed her mind and rapidly applied her coat!
There is a famous quote – “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” (Ranulph Fiennes).

Whilst I don’t all together agree with that quote it does highlight that we sometimes have to think about what we are wearing- for example this week my uniform has been augmented by a walking ‘base layer’ (Long Johns in old money) an extra t-shirt, slightly thicker fleece, my big boots and my ‘big traffic jacket’- (that only comes out in weather like this week!), woolly hat, scarf and gloves!
My uniform choices reflect the fact that it is currently -4 with snow falling as I look out of the window of my office! It would however be foolish of me to wear that amount of uniform in the middle of a heat wave in August as I might overheat a bit….. (you see I am hopeful of a hot summer!)
As a motorcyclist I also recognise the value of protective equipment- the law says I have to wear a motorcycle helmet, but as for the rest of the protective equipment- it is a choice for you how much you wear. We have all seen the person riding in a crash helmet, shorts, t-shirt and flip flops haven’t we?! I again make a choice when I ride my bike to wear motorcycle clothing with armour in various places, motorcycle boots that are designed to protect my feet and lower legs and sturdy motorcycle gloves to protect my hands- it seems to me as a motorcyclist and as a Roads Policing officer to make perfect sense. As Police officers we often are sent into situations where we may be at risk- how many of us have been given a ‘PPE’ (personal protective equipment) warning!?
When we think about our walk as a Christians God provides us with a list of ‘protective clothing’ to wear to help us through the struggles of life-

‘Therefore put on the full armour 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’

For us all we have to make a choice to put on the things that the father gives us to help and protect us- we can choose to be truthful or lie, to righteous or sinful, be ready to share the gospel or choose not to, we can be faithful and rely on the Lord to protect and shield us or turn to other things to try and get help and we can take the time to read and meditate on the word of God or we can never open our bible….

We have to be wise and make good and positive choices whilst relying on God’s word…. Just as in the quote above we can also put on inappropriate things and try to rely on them- these things will never wholly satisfy you I promise! They may make you feel good, safe or happy for a short time but ultimately they will let you down- the only things we can truly rely on are the promises of God because those promises give us a future and a certainty based upon the wonderful sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross on our behalf.
So this month as we hopefully move into Spring and you dig out the spring and summer clothes think about putting on the things of God, trust him and listening when God gives you a ‘PPE’ warning or asks ‘Have you got your coat?’.

Dear Lord,
We ask for your help in remembering to put on your full armour every day, for you give us all that we need to stand firm in this world. Forgive us God for the times we’ve been unprepared, too busy to care, or trying to fight and wrestle in our own strength.
Thank you that we never fight alone, for you are constantly at work on our behalf, shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware.
We love you Lord, we need you today. In the Powerful Name of Jesus.
Amen.

God Bless
Keith

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Prayer Letter 10th August 2017

Hello everyone,

I trust you have, are having, or will have a wonderful, relaxing, peaceful holiday – richly deserved.
Thank you to Nick and Simon, who have written the PL’s these last two weeks and thank you too for your Prayers for Newday. We had just over 7,000 young people there from the UK and other Countries.

It was good to work with two Officers from Sussex in the Main Office. Another Officer worked with us in the Radio Control Centre. A further Sussex Officer was with his Church and one from Kent. I know that my Son in Law who has run Newday for eight years is truly grateful for such people being on site.

I carried out various activities whilst there. One was to be Chaplain to the Medical Team. I took what became known as “Thought for the day” with them early in the morning. They were on duty 24 hours a day for six days. One morning I started my chat based on the advert on TV. The Plane Captain tells his passengers that he has just about enough fuel to get to their destination, he has kicked the tyres and they seem fine; the oxygen masks did not work on the last flight, “But why worry we are about to leave”. The passengers decide otherwise and quickly leave the plane. The TV advert is to encourage us as car drivers to check our cars and not leave things to chance.

The Medical Team had large bags to carry. Two Ambulances and a bike ensured that they could get around the large Norfolk Showground where Newday was held. I asked them having shared that advert with them, “What one thing would you make sure was with you as you left the Medical Centre to visit our Young People?”. The first answer came back very quickly “Blue plastic gloves”. Immediately behind that came “Hand Gel”. I had expected thermometer or mobile phone, but no, it was their personal protection that came uppermost in their thinking. It so fitted in with what I was sure I was to say to them that morning…….”Put on the whole armour of God”.

I want to leave that with you too. As you move out into your work, daily/nightly, please “Put on the whole armour of God” Eph: 6. 13 – 18.

May you know His Almighty Protection.

I am very happy to hear from you at any time,  so please leave a comment below. or click here. It has been good to have contact with a number of you over the Summer Period.

Blessings in Him
Alice.

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Wednesday 14th June 2017

Today’s exhortation – setting the captives free (release from demonic oppression)

The last major area in our series on biblical
Inner healing is the area of demonic oppression. Before we go any further in this area, we must know that we’ve power over demons in Jesus Name. The Lord Himself said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke‬ ‭10:19‬). “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭18:18‬). We are NOT to fear demons. Never! I believe they’re more afraid of us than we are of them because they’re subject to us in Jesus Name!

This is an area many Christians stay away from because of fear or lack of knowledge but it’s one that is mentioned heavily in the New Testament, 63 times, demons or demon appears. What are demons? The bible says, “For our struggle is not against humans, 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.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬). They’re invisible spiritual beings with minds, emotions and wills of their own. They also come under the list of spirit beings mentioned above that rebelled with Satan against God and were cast out of heaven (Revelations 12:8-9). They’re under the control of Satan and are out to do his bidding to torment us. But, like their master Satan, at the mention of the Name JESUS, they MUST bow and confess that Jesus is God. Hallelujah! To be cont….

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Reflection July 2016

Prayer, Trust, Wait and Repeat

Prayer

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

(Matthew 6: 5-14 NIV)

In the passage above from Matthew we see and read about Jesus teaching the Disciples how to pray- the prayer that is said in these verses is known to us as the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ and like me many of you probably learnt that prayer at school or at Sunday school when you were very young!

A question I have been asked time and again by friends who have no faith is ‘Why do you pray?’ An interesting question I think as people who have no faith or do not believe in God just don’t understand what prayer is all about! Importantly as people of faith we need to know the importance of prayer we need to understand why prayer is vital!

 

So I will ask you all the same question ‘Why do you pray?’

I could end this reflection there and await any replies….. But I want to share with you some thoughts on why I believe prayer is so important.

 

Firstly for me Prayer is not a ‘Shopping list’- We shouldn’t just be presenting God with a list of demands or requests- Whilst yes we can present our needs to the Lord prayer (Philippians 4:6) prayer is so much more than that!

 

We should pray because:

  • Prayer Builds our Relationship with the Lord.

I believe that prayer is vital because it is a key vehicle to building a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. It is important to consider that our Faith is one that encourages a relationship with God; to put it simply God wants to be in relationship with us!- And like all relationships in our lives communication is so important. So many family relationships falter due to the lack of communication- So firstly start to build a firm relationship with the Lord by communicating with him!

 

  • Prayer helps us to determine Gods will.

Prayer gives us direct access to God- and allows us to listen in turn to what he has to say to us. We see in Scripture that Jesus made decisions that would change history after seeking the will of the father. In Luke 6 we read how Jesus chose the twelve:

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:  Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,  Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,  Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

We see here that Jesus spent the entire night praying about whom to choose! And looking back it was a huge and vital choice as these men would be charged with carrying the word of God to the world- Thousands of years later the choice of these men still has an impact on us all as Christians; but the choice was made after determining the will of God in prayer!

 

  • Prayer helps us to do Gods work on the earth.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

Mark 11:24

 

Prayer has been described as the ‘fuel behind the work’. Anything we do for the Lord must be backed up with prayer if we want it to succeed. Prayer can and does have a massive impact on people’s lives even if they don’t know you are praying for them. I have seen startling transformations of people situations or lives that I believe have come about because of people praying for the individuals involved and the situations- as it says in the scripture above ask for it in prayer, believe and it will happen! From speaking to friends and colleagues who have been going through some difficult or troubling times even those who have no faith have acknowledged that in their situation ‘Something just changed’ and it all turned out for good- That is I believe the power of prayer allowing the Lord to impact on people’s lives!

 

  • Prayer is an effective weapon!

Prayer is a major weapon in fighting the spiritual battle. Ephesians 6: 10-20 speaks to us about some of the armaments in the arsenal of God. It reminds us that our struggles are not against humans, but against powerful spiritual beings and forces in the “heavenly places” (the spiritual realm which directly influences the natural, material realm). The picture here is that of a war. Life as a Christian is not a playground; it’s a battlefield and we are all called to fight. While there is much beauty and love in the world, there is also a significant amount of hate and harm caused by people who are being influenced by the enemy- it is important to remember that the war for souls between God and Satan is fought with Christian co-combatants with Him.

We are instructed by Paul, an experienced soldier in this combat, to be appropriately clad and armed for our struggle. In this passage, he uses some of the most vivid imagery in the New Testament. Describing a Soldier of the day- we put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, loins girded with truth, feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).

 

Now, it seems we have a complete set of armour and weaponry. And if I were writing this passage, I would say, “Now get out there and fight the battle!”

 

But Paul does not say that. He waits until verse eighteen to get to the big guns of this arsenal of God -persistent prayer. He says: “With all prayer and petition pray… with all perseverance and prayer… and pray…”

 

In two verses, we are commanded to pray five different times. I think God is trying to make a point!! He is attempting to grab and focus our attention concerning prayer’s power in the defeat of Satan and his minions. We read in Corinthians 10:3-4:  “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”

Prayer was and is a vital Weapon in the armoury of God and it has been seen time and again through history where prayer has changed the course of events.

During the unfolding disaster of Dunkirk his Majesty King George VI requested that Sunday, 26 May should be observed as a National Day of Prayer. In a stirring broadcast, he called the people of Britain and of the Empire to commit their cause to God. Together with members of the Cabinet, the King attended Westminster Abbey, whilst millions of his subjects in all parts of the Commonwealth and Empire flocked to the churches to join in prayer. Britain was given inspiring God centred leadership in those days, and her people responded immediately when this kind of initiative was taken. The whole nation was at prayer on that Sunday. The scene outside Westminster Abbey was remarkable—photographs show long queues of people who could not even get in, the Abbey was so crowded! So much so, that the following morning the Daily Sketch exclaimed, ‘Nothing like it has ever happened before.’  In its hour of deep distress a heart-cry from both monarch and people alike was going up to God in prayer. And that cry did not go unanswered. For very soon, at least three miracles were seen to happen-

  1. Hitler halted the German advance on Dunkirk
  2. A huge storm arose over land grounding the German Air force
  3. The Channel had its calmest conditions in a Century allowing the Small Ships to get across the Channel and rescue the Army!

Imagine the consequences of the nation not praying!?

 

In the world today it is even more vital to pray and although unlike Dunkirk we are not fighting a physical war- we are still at war! There is so much going on that not a day goes by without news of an attack or murder of hate fuelled crime. We need to lift up this world, this nation in prayer and fully engage in that spiritual battle- because if we don’t do it no one else will!

So I want to encourage you whatever situation you find yourself in, whatever battle you feel like you are fighting to give this a try- Prayer, Trust, Wait and Repeat……