Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalms 100:3

Schooled

As I write this devotional, I have just received my retirement date from the police department. On January 28th I will no longer be a sworn police officer and I will once again join society as a civilian. This represents quite a change in my life but I look forward to the next chapter that God has planned for me.

Actually, I am relieved to be stepping down from a job that I was always thankful to have, but that never quite fit my personality type. Government statistics profiled me as the kind of officer most likely to be killed in the line of duty. I’ve always been somewhat non-confrontational, slow to use physical force, and eager to trust and believe in people. I had to work hard to suppress those tendencies over the years, in order to do my job and survive on the street. I look forward to getting back to “Normal,” in the way that I want to relate to people.

So why did God bring me to a job that seemed ill suited for me in so many ways? I definitely gained an expertise in a field that may open many ministry doors for me in the years to come. If God had not directed me to become a police officer, I might have never been ordained or become involved in police chaplaincy. I will always be thankful that He placed me in that position because it has given me immediate credibility in the law enforcement community. I don’t have to struggle with that connection as some of my fellow chaplains say they do. I can now continue to serve others (sworn and civilian), in a way that I never could have before I was involved in law enforcement.

If you are having a hard time understanding God’s plan for you and the reason for your current position or assignment? Take heart in the fact that you might be in school now to prepare you for an exciting future. God loves you and knows your strengths and weaknesses. He wants to use you in a way that will not only be best for you, but will also best serve His purposes in the lives of others.

God’s curriculum for your life may not always make immediate sense to you. Stay in school and the day you graduate, you will see His continued plan for your life.

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 2 Corinthians 13:9

The Strong Weakling

The past 12 months were particularly hard for my family. We experienced medical, emotional, and financial setbacks throughout the year. There were some days when I had a tough time getting up and putting a smile on my face.

I remember one such day at work when I was there physically, but found it a challenge to be my normal upbeat self. I didn’t crack a smile all that day and I was having a tough time trusting in God’s plan for my life. My sour demeanor was noticed by my coworkers who expressed concern for me during my shift. All in all it was not a banner day for Chaplain Green and the witness for his faith in Jesus Christ.

The next day when God had pulled me out of my melancholy, I had one person approach me and state that they had actually been encouraged by my depression. They said, “If someone with true faith in God can have tough times and can get past them, it gives us all the hope that we can get through them too.” Apparently in spite of my attitude on the previous day, God had been able to use me to encourage others.

We are all going to have hardships, persecutions, and troubles that will weaken us and sometimes bring us to our knees. God is not looking for flawless examples of faith because as long as we are fallible human beings, they will not exist. It is great to know that in those hard times He is always there to use our weaknesses for His glory.

Trust in Him, He will use you and make you strong even in your lowest moments.

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

What Do You Know?

Many years ago I was recruited to play football for the University of California at Berkley. On my official trip to the campus I was shown around by the line coach who attempted to convince me that Cal would be the best place for me to play. During one of our many conversations that day, I asked the coach a little bit about himself and his family life. When he told me that he was married I asked if his wife was a Cal football fan and if she knew much about the game. In his thick southern accent he wrapped up his wife’s football expertise in one simple statement. He said, “She doesn’t know if a football is stuffed or pumped.” Apparently her interest and knowledge of the game were very limited.

When it comes to God’s word and our relationship with Jesus Christ, can we say that we have a good working knowledge of our faith? The above verse in 2 Timothy encourages us to work hard and study so that we might understand and recognize the truth when we see it. God is not calling us all to be Biblical scholars, but rather to do our best to understand what we believe and where in God’s word that truth can be found.

In January we all make New Year’s resolutions about things we want to accomplish or change in the months to come. Let’s make a resolution to learn more about our faith and to read God’s word so that we might, be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15.

Is the knowledge of your faith stuffed or pumped?

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Fresh Start

Mistakes can dog you in police work like no other profession. How many times have I seen someone receive a negative review on a departmental evaluation for a specialty or promotional assignment due to a mistake that they had made in the past. They may have corrected the deficiency ten years prior but if the evaluator had not worked with the officer during that time, they would still give them a low promotability score based on an incident that had occurred at the beginning of their law enforcement career.

God does not have this kind of problem with our past. He is well aware of our current situation and is eager to give us a fresh start whenever we ask for it. The above verse in 2 Corinthians tells us that if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we are, “New,” in Him and that our old mistakes (sins) have passed away. We don’t have to let our ancient history weigh us down as we look to our future. He also assures us that we can continue to have fresh starts whenever we ask for them. 1 John 1:9 tells us that, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As this New Year begins, do you want a fresh start and a clean slate with God? You don’t need to do anything more than simply ask for it. God will never give you a bad review based on things you have done in the past if you bring them to Him.

Happy New Year,

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Small Prayers

Many years ago I was scuba diving at Catalina Island off the shore that faced out to the open Pacific Ocean. I had dived there many times before at various locations around the island, but this was my first time on the windward side. I had seen many incredible things on my dive trips that included giant schools of fish, towering kelp forests, and large sea creatures. But, I had never found anything under the water that I could recover as a souvenir of a dive. On this trip, I remember saying a quick little prayer, “Lord it sure would be nice to find something this time that I could take home with me.” As the dive progressed I swam up to a kelp plant that was standing alone on a rock ledge. Positioned in the middle of the plant was a beautiful large empty crab shell that looked like it had been placed there on display. From its size I could tell it was very old and it was in a location on the plant where it seemed impossible to have gotten there on its own. I have kept that shell to this day as a reminder to me of how God answers prayer, even small ones that might seem insignificant.

Many times I have heard people express the opinion that it is an insult to God to pray for small things, like an upcoming test, a job interview, or a even a road trip free from red lights. I’ve heard them say, “He’s too busy, He’s got bigger things on His mind.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The above verse in Philippians tells us to pray about “everything.” God is never too busy to hear from you and wants you to talk to Him about anything that is of concern to you. If it matters to you, it matters to Him. I often remember listening to my girls when they were very small as they told me about their day. Their concerns were not really significant in the “adult” world, but it mattered to them, so it mattered to me. Besides I just liked to hear them talk.

God feels the same way about you. In truth, there is nothing we could bring before an all-powerful and all-knowing God that could not be labeled as insignificant. Your heavenly Father loves you and wants to be part of every aspect of your life. There is nothing that Satan would love more than to make you believe that God is too busy to hear from you. Satan hates it when we make conversation with our Lord (otherwise known as prayer) a consistent part of our daily lives.

Do you have a concern or request on your mind? Then it is on God’s mind too! Go ahead and ask Him, you might be surprised at what you may find on your next dive into prayer.

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 NKJV

The Greatest Gift

We spend a lot of time at Christmas trying to find the perfect gift. It’s hard to know what people want let alone what they really need. Stores always include a receipt with our purchases in case we have bought the wrong thing. It’s fortunate for us that God doesn’t share our gift giving problems.

More than 2,000 years ago God gave us the perfect gift in the birth of Jesus Christ. God Himself came to this earth in human form to give us a plan and a purpose in this life as well as an eternity with Him when this life is over. We cannot earn this gift or get it on our own. Speaking of His impending death Jesus said, “But for this purpose I came to this hour” John 12:27. Whether you realize it or not, this gift is exactly what you want and need. It was purchased at a high price, the blood of Jesus Christ through His death on the cross for you. God has given us a free gift and placed the receipt in our hands. It is our choice to either accept it or return it for something that we think is better.

I pray that this holiday season, if you have not already, you will accept and open God’s gift of salvation by inviting Jesus Christ into your life. You will never receive a more expensive and perfect gift.

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green

But when Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the Law of the Lord, and all Israel followed him in this sin. 2 Chronicles 12:1

Leading Position

Many years ago I was feeling particularly bad after a failed attempt to promote. I had done well enough in all areas of the sergeant’s exam but fell short in what we called the “beauty contest.” That was the department evaluation where all of the supervisors would give you anonymous ratings which provided their personal opinion of your fitness to lead. I passed, but my score was average and it placed me too low on the list to be realistically considered for promotion.

I started to read some positive written materials in an effort to console myself. I opened a book and my eye was immediately drawn to a line at the bottom of the page that read, “You don’t need an official position to lead.” This statement has meant a lot to me over the years as I sought to make a difference in the lives of those at my department.

The above verse in 2 Chronicles tells of King Rehoboam who was the son of the famous Solomon. As wise as his father was, Rehoboam was foolish in his decision making and leadership ability. He not only abandoned the laws of God personally, he led all of Israel to do the same.

Whether you are a King or a commoner, you are a leader. You can be an example for God at your workplace, with your friends, or in your personal family relationships. The question is not “if” you can be a leader, but rather, “what type,” of leader you will be. Rehoboam decided to forsake God and took a whole country down with him. How many times have I seen someone provide poor leadership and destroy the moral of their department, the self confidence of their subordinates, and the strength of their family relationships.

No matter where you find yourself today, God wants you to be a leader at some level. Be remembered as a person who lifted others up and brought them to righteousness rather than someone who dragged others down and encouraged them to do evil.

You don’t need an official position to lead.

Yours in Christ,

Chaplain Brad Green