The Tip Of The Spear

Proverbs Study - All in One Place

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:21:54 GMT

Proverbs: Or, don't wander into Dark Alleys

Imagine you're wandering through a dark, rainy city at night and you come across a guy creepily stalking an alley. Common sense would tell you to "keep walking," or "go a different way." It would be the height of foolishness to head straight up to that guy in the middle of the dark night.

How do we know this?

Because we have a bit of wisdom. But, what if there were a way to acquire more and more - and avoid even more of the heartaches that come? Over the next few weeks, we'll collect mountains of notes from a current study on Proverbs so that, just as we know intuitively to avoid dark alleys, we'll know how to avoid other obvious (and not-so-obvious) pitfalls.

https://www.sermonaudio.com/series/192736

Listen along with us - we delve into wisdom in all its sources throughout the Scripture - Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and even the parables and other illustrations.

Psalm Study - All in One Place

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:57:25 GMT

Study through the Psalms with Us!

Below, you'll find an ever-expanding list of devotionals and notes about Psalms, specifically volume 1. In the book, Psalms 1-2 form a sort of introduction, and the remaining Psalms (3-41) form a body of text admonishing us to trust God fully in our difficult times. Join us each Wednesday as we walk through the text. If you've missed a sermon, you can tune in to our sermonaudio page for more!

Don't Worry About Missing an Exit!

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:54:16 GMT

Lesson 1: God's Will Isn't What You Think (or what you feel, either...)

Remember: It's about the Journey AND the Destination...

This summer, I started a limited series on Decision Making, including basic principles and a bit more specific guidance as we went along. It was titled "God's Will is not What you Think," and the title was specific for a reason.

God's will ISN'T what you THINK. It's what God says it is.

I know that can come across as trite and basic, but so often, we substitute our own desires, our own will, our own wants, etc... for what God has clearly already said. That, or in our effort to "get something done," we move out ahead of God and act in a way that's clearly not taught in Scripture, figuring "all's well that ends well."

But the fact is clear: The Bible tells us there are specifics to God's will.

And almost every step of the way, those "specifics" are tailored to "sanctification."

Let's dig in to God's will, starting with Lesson 1 - Don't Worry about Missing the Exit.

Lesson 1 Handout: Don't Worry about Missing the Exit

Key Issue : Many struggle with decision-making, either overanalyzing and stalling or acting impulsively without considering long-term impacts. Avoid the “can’t risk missing my exit” syndrome by following biblical principles for wise, faith-driven choices.

Core Principles for Decision-Making

Walk in Wisdom
Align decisions with Scripture’s commands and principles (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
God’s Word is a “lamp unto my feet” (Psalm 119:105), guiding the next step, not the entire journey.
Focus on God’s moral will (1 Thessalonians 4:3), which emphasizes righteous living and sanctification.
It’s About Relationship, Not Location
God guides through your relationship with Him, not just specific destinations (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Trust His leading, even when feelings or desires conflict (e.g., Paul’s redirected missions, Acts 16:6–10).
Understand Your Tendencies
We often make decisions based on what we want and then justify them afterward.
Be cautious not to confuse personal desires with God’s will (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Understand God’s Will
Sovereign Will : God’s unchangeable, secret plan (Proverbs 16:33). Trust He is in control.
Moral Will : God’s commands for righteous living (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Live within these boundaries.
Not Specific Directions : Scripture rarely specifies exact choices (e.g., who to marry, what job to take). Instead, God gives freedom within His moral boundaries.
Choose Faith Over Fear
Let faith, grounded in Scripture, guide decisions, not fear of “missing out.”
“I being in the way, the Lord led me” (Genesis 24:27). Stay faithful, and God will guide.

Core Practice for Decision-Making

Scripture : Ensure choices align with God’s moral will (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Prayer : Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).
Wise Counsel : Seek advice from godly, experienced believers (Proverbs 12:15, 19:20).
Personal Desires & Circumstances : Within moral boundaries, consider preferences and opportunities (Psalm 37:4).
Common Sense : Use reason and practical judgment. ("count the cost," Three Rectangles)
Church: God has established His church, and you need to be part of it. ("and so much the more, as you see the day approaching")

Cautions

Avoid Misattributing Desires to God : Be honest about motives to avoid self-deception.
Be Wary of Fleeces :
Fleeces (Judges 6:36–40) are not standard practice and can lead to misguided choices.
If used, a fleece must be unmistakably miraculous, not based on feelings or coincidence.
Don’t Rely on Feelings : Emotions can be “traitorous.” Trust Scripture’s clear guidance (Psalm 119:105).
Avoid Mysticism : God’s will is revealed in Scripture, not through vague signs or “frequencies” (Romans 12:2).

Key Scriptures for Guidance

Proverbs 3:5–6 : Trust in the Lord with all your heart; He will direct your paths.
James 1:5 : Ask God for wisdom, and He will provide it generously.
Psalm 119:105 : God’s Word is a lamp and light, guiding your next step.
Romans 12:2 : Be transformed by renewing your mind to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.

Focus on the Clear to Navigate the Unclear

God’s will is knowable through Scripture, not a hidden puzzle to solve.
Stay faithful in the “boxes” of your circumstances (nation, status, finances, etc.).
Trust God’s guidance through study, prayer, and wise counsel, not fleeting emotions.
Rest in God’s sovereignty, knowing His plan will prevail (Deuteronomy 29:29) but that His plan focuses on our becoming more like Him, not our becoming more comfortable.

Takeaway : Decision-making is a journey of faith , not fear. Ground your choices in Scripture, seek wisdom, and trust God to lead you step by step.

True Love casts out Fear

-1 John 4:18-

Understanding Islam

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:32:46 GMT

The faith that denies the death and resurrection of Christ

In light of our ongoing study of "Hard Questions that Demand an Answer," we're studying through Islam. Conveniently, I've already put together a summary of Islam and what you need to know (basically) in order to start the conversation. I'm linking it below so you can peruse it at your leisure. We also started reviewing it 7/30/2025, so tune in to that broadcast for more.

Undesigned Coincidences

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:01:06 GMT

Strange Evidence from Unexpected Places (Apologetics)

It's strange when unintended connections confirm a story.

When I was a kid, I hiked the Grand Canyon - outpaced my parents and ended up probably a good mile down the trail. I had all the gear, was wearing my hiking pants and a long-sleeved shirt. I made it down to the plateau above the river and decided I should probably turn back. So I did, and on my way back up, I heard my mom at a ranger phone saying "we found him," and then got the whole story of her adventures.

She was worried about me because many who make it to the river can't get back up in one day, and have to be airlifted. Being the adventurous teen I was, she thought I'd try to make it down and back, and so called the part rangers to be on the lookout for a teen in a certain pair of pants and a certain shirt.

Downside? I'd already changed by the time I started back up. The rim of the canyon was snowy, so I'd started the day in long pants and long shirt. By the time I'd hiked all day, I'd shed a lot of outer layers and so was no longer wearing what I'd originally been wearing when I'd set out.

Was my mom lying? No.

She was explaining what I'd been wearing when I left. She hadn't seen the change, and thus her information was both accurate and yet incomplete. These "inconsistencies" in a story lend credibility - I had the spare clothes in my bag, and if anyone else had seen me, they'd be able to describe my features, my gait, my attitude - just not my clothes. Those had changed. I'm a real person who really changes his clothes, who really talks, who really picks things up and moves them around.

There's a story of two men who were lynched - the McDonald boys. Stories existed of them both hanging from a railroad tie and from a tree. Seems like a contradiction, right? And it most likely would have stayed that way - a weird wrinkle of history that we can't confirm or deny. Lynched? Yes. Where? No idea.

Here's the catch - they were lynched in both places.

How do we know?

Photographic evidence.

The two men were lynched and hanged in both places. Why? No idea - perhaps the simple cruelty of man. But what's this tell us? History is weird. History is inconsistent and hard to understand. We have no shortage of situations where two facts seem completely at odds - did they get hanged from a railroad tie or from a tree? Both.

Did Judas hang himself or did his bowels gush out? Both.

It doesn't take much imagination to see how these things work, but if someone goes into the Bible stories thinking they're lying, then the conclusion is predetermined. Was I wearing shorts and pants, short-sleeve and long-sleeve? Yes. But the time of day affected my attire.

Did Jesus do this thing and that thing? Yes.

Did Judas hang himself and "fall headlong" and pop open? Yes.

The Bible is full of "Undesigned Coincidences" that lend little bits of information, bringing the area to life and fleshing out these real people. To see a lot more of these, see our "Hard Questions that Demand an Answer" Series.

Why the Tip of a Spear?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:41:33 GMT

The Need for Clarity in the Fog of War

Pastor Mike here.

Years ago, after posting some videos and text online, I was pulled aside by an authority and told that it wasn't my place to be doing those things. The fear was that I would needlessly alienate people or offend, and since I wasn't in charge of any specific ministry or church, it wasn't my place to be creating content that told people what to think.

At the end of that conversation, after rebuking me for what I had been saying, the leader told me "we're not here to be the tip of the spear." You know what, maybe he was right - in that position and at that time, maybe it wasn't my place to be the "tip of the spear."

And I still don't want to be the tip of the spear - I don't want to be the one who tells you what to believe. I don't want to tell you what's right or wrong. I don't want to tell you how to think.

But there's something that does.

The Scripture.

Now, the Bible was written in a time when the sword was the standard weapon of choice. Sure, spears are great and all, but the Bible isn't generally compared to a spear - it's a sword! It's a living, cutting, breathing, intuitive sword, that splits right down the middle and leaves all your motivations and longings raw and visible. A spear jabs, a sword cuts. A spear can be used to poke and prod, a sword cuts and then keeps on cutting.

So why's this blog called the "tip of the spear," and not the "tip of the sword."

Honestly, I wanted to be a little cheeky with the phrase. But beyond that, I hope that with this blog, you can get insights that will poke and prod at the world around us, seeing what's at stake, seeing what weak points exist, and seeing what other opportunities exist.

In the ancient times, a shield and spear made a great combination - a shield to protect and a spear to push the enemy off, dismount them, and leave them open for attack (with either sword or spear). I hope this blog is just that - a spear thrust to push someone off-balance which, when paired with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), could be used to drive back the darkness and clear out the fog of war just a little bit.

It'll contain notes from sermons, musings on the business of the day, and just general truths we need to remember. But remember, it's just a thrust to knock the enemy back, then we come in with what really matters - the Scriptures.

"For the Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword..."