Chapel Recap: When Conflict Reveals the Heart 

In today’s chapel, Dr. Tim Cochrell, Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville, Ohio, opened James 4 to address a reality every believer faces: conflict. Rather than treating conflict as merely a relational problem, Dr. Cochrell reframed it as a spiritual warning sign. “Conflict is the check engine light on the dashboard of our heart,” he said. It alerts us that something deeper is going on beneath the surface that needs attention. 

James begins by asking a direct question: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” Dr. Cochrell explained that “your passions are at war within you.” Conflict, then, is not just about circumstances or other people; it is an opportunity to examine and repent of the desires that rule our hearts. 

Dr. Cochrell walked through four stages that often characterize sinful conflict. First, “I desire.” Conflict serves as a desire detector, revealing what we value and worship most. “If you deal with conflict,” he said, “you need to start with your heart.” Second, “I demand.” A desire becomes sinful when we are willing to sin to get it — or respond sinfully when we don’t. Third, “I blame.” When our desires are blocked, we judge others harshly, criticizing and condemning them as if we were God and they had rejected our will. Finally, “I punish.” We may go to destructive extremes to fulfill our desires, because, as Dr. Cochrell noted, we always offer sacrifices to what we worship. 

To help us reflect honestly, Dr. Cochrell offered several diagnostic questions: What desires are ruling my heart? How have my sinful responses contributed to this conflict? Am I judging quickly or speaking harshly? Have I excused patterns of punishing others? These questions help move the focus from external blame to internal examination. 

Dr. Cochrell concluded with a Gospel-centered response from James 4:2. “You do not have because you do not ask,” James writes — reminding believers that unmet desires should first drive us to God, not to conflict. The path forward involves repentance, humbly confessing selfish desires; surrender, yielding those desires to God’s will; and delight, finding true satisfaction in our relationship with Him. 

In 1 Samuel 30, everything David had was taken from him, including his wife and children. What do you do when life hits you so hard you seem to have nothing left?

Choose What You Will Remember

David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (v. 6). David made a choice to remember the Lord. Remembering is active, not passive. It’s difficult. But although life may take everything from you, it can never steal your power to make a decision. What will you choose to remember? Instead of focusing on what has been done to you, focus on what God has done for you. That decision will determine whether you end up weak or strong in the Lord.

Seek God Before You Act

Although David was probably distraught and terrified, he didn’t rush out to fight. He asked God what to do first. Don’t allow the pressure to drive you. Seek the Lord before you act. If you make decisions without Him, you might make decisions that undermine your future joy. Although there were 600 voices screaming their thoughts at David, he was concerned about only one. He asked, “God, what do You want?”

We must stop relying on our own strength, relying instead on the God who loves us so deeply that He sent His Son to die for us — the God who is so powerful that He overcame the grave. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He never has to come up with a plan. He already knows the best possible plan for you — He’s just waiting for you to ask. He wants to care for you and direct your steps. So surrender to Him. Decide to do whatever He would have you do. This is where strength comes from.

Move Forward Holding His Promise

In verse 8, we see God’s goodness as He answers David’s prayer. This is what God loves to do! He will always answer you — even if not always in the way you think He should answer. This is what Jesus talked about in Matthew 7 when He told us to ask, seek, and knock. He said the door will be opened because we have a good Father.

God tells David to pursue his enemies and promises success, but He doesn’t explain how this will happen or give David a plan. In your life, you will find that God won’t always give you a plan; He’ll give you a promise. David and his men simply moved forward holding that promise. And guess what? David recovered everything, and nothing was missing (vv. 18–19).

You don’t need to live anxiously because you don’t need to live with lack — your good Shepherd will provide. You can rejoice in the valley of the shadow of death because you have a Savior who’s for you. Everything you need, He accomplished for you. Romans 8:28 promises that everything is working for your good — not because you are good or faithful, but because God is good and faithful. Let’s pursue His promises today!

Chapel Recap: Draw Near to God

Dr. Kevin Jones, Dean of the School of Education and Social Work, spoke from Exodus 20 today in chapel. He reminded us that God’s commandments are not burdens to fear but gifts meant for our good. At Mount Sinai, God revealed Himself in a powerful and intentional way, not to drive His people away, but to draw them closer to Him.

Dr. Jones noted that God’s presence can feel overwhelming, especially when we recognize His holiness. Yet Scripture calls us not to retreat in fear but to approach Him with reverence and trust. “Draw near to God, even if you are afraid,” Dr. Jones said. God revealed Himself in a special and particular way, and He did so because He wanted His people to know Him personally.

Rather than running from God’s presence, we should lean in and remember His love for us. “God speaks so that you can be drawn close to Him,” Dr. Jones said, encouraging students to seek direct contact with God every day through prayer and Scripture.

Dr. Jones concluded with three practical applications. First, don’t let fear push you away from God; let it draw you closer. Second, seek God directly, rather than relying on the faith of others. Finally, let reverence for God guide your daily choices, shaping how you live and respond to Him.

In Micah 6:1–8, we learn that our outward actions can never please God. We need Him to step in and drastically change our hearts.

The Lord’s Indictment (vv. 1–5)

In the first few verses, the Lord calls on the mountains as judges because they have existed for ages. While men come and go, these mountains have remained, becoming witnesses of God’s faithfulness and the Israelites’ unfaithfulness.

We see God’s love for His people in these verses as He grieves their hardness of heart. He points to evidence of His faithfulness to them throughout the years. He rescued them through the Exodus. He refused to let Balaam curse them. In everything before the Jordan (Shittim) and everything after the Jordan (Gilgal), God has been faithful.

Man’s Attempt (vv. 6–7)

In these verses, the Israelites understand that they have sinned, and they discuss what they could possibly do to please the Lord. They suggest giving calves, rams, oil, and even their firstborn to appease His wrath. But no matter how extravagantly we give in an attempt to take away our sin, it’s never enough.

Although some of the Israelites’ ideas on how to please God seem ridiculous, we actually do the same thing, offering creaturely things to try to satisfy the Creator. Why are you kind to people? Why are you honest? Why are you joyful? Why do you read the Bible, pray, or tell others about Jesus? If your answer is, “To please God,” you cannot do it. You need something else — or Someone else — to act for you.

The Lord’s Requirement (v. 8)

Now that we’ve seen that no outward action can please God, we may be surprised to see what God does require of us in verse 8. It just looks like more actions, but there’s a difference. Micah was referencing Deuteronomy 10. In this chapter, we see the same language of God requiring certain actions of us. Verse 16 is especially important. It says that our hearts need to be circumcised and changed. Our hearts are the key.

But how does this change of heart come about? Deuteronomy 30:6 is helpful here. It tells us that the Lord will accomplish it. It’s not our action; it’s His! We can bring nothing to the table. Paul thinks about this as he writes Colossians 2. He tells us that the circumcision of the heart will take place by Jesus cancelling out our record of debt and nailing our sin to the cross.

Once our hearts are changed, we will be able to delight in the Lord, and our obedient actions will flow out of us as a natural response. We will be kind and honest and joyful, reading our Bibles and praying and telling others about Jesus not to appease God but to treasure Him.

Consider your heart! Ask God that it might be changed so that you obey Him out of joy, love, and gratitude for the greatness of His grace!

Chapel Recap: Get Out of the Boat

In today’s chapel, Dr. Bobby Lewis, Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, preached from Matthew 14:22–33. He called us to a deeper, bolder faith with a clear challenge: Get out of the boat.

Dr. Lewis first pointed to Jesus’ control over earthly trials. In verses 22–25, the disciples found themselves battling strong winds and waves, even though they were exactly where Jesus sent them. This passage reminds us that obedience does not spare us from storms. Instead, it reassures us that the storms we face are never outside of Christ’s authority. Drawing from John 16:33, Dr. Lewis emphasized that while trouble is promised in this world, peace is promised in Christ. Jesus sees the struggle, approaches His disciples in the midst of it, and remains fully sovereign over every circumstance.

Next, Dr. Lewis addressed how Jesus alleviates unfounded fears. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, fear overwhelmed them. Yet Jesus immediately spoke words of comfort and authority. “There’s peace and power in the presence of the Lord,” Dr. Lewis said.

So why do we so often operate by fear instead of faith? Dr. Lewis explained that the wind and waves of circumstance cloud our vision. Like Peter, we may start strong, but when our focus shifts from Christ to our surroundings, fear takes over.

Dr. Lewis then highlighted how Peter found the courage to step out of the boat. Quoting Romans 10:17, he reminded us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of God. Peter didn’t step out based on emotion or impulse — he stepped out because Jesus spoke. “God has given every Christian a Word,” Dr. Lewis said. When God speaks, faith responds.

Even when Peter began to sink, Jesus was faithful to rescue him. “He’s still good because He’s still God,” Dr. Lewis reminded us. Christ offers unparalleled power, but we must cry out to Him in trust and dependence.

Dr. Lewis closed with a direct challenge: “If God says come, if God says go — do it, and be blessed.” Faith is not passive; it moves toward Jesus even when the waters are uncertain. The call of Matthew 14 is clear: Don’t settle for staying safe in the boat when Christ is inviting you to step out and trust Him.

Chapel Recap: Obey Anyway

Dr. Bobby Lewis, Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, preached through Genesis 12:1–20 in chapel this morning, challenging us with a simple but demanding theme: Obey anyway. Through Abram’s call, journey, and failure, Dr. Lewis reminded us that obedience to God must be immediate — even when understanding comes later.

Dr. Lewis first highlighted verses 4–9, where Abram responds to God’s clear command to leave his homeland. Abram does not negotiate, delay, or ask for clarification. “No questions asked, no altering the plans,” Dr. Lewis said, “Abram packed his bags and left.” When the Lord gives a clear word, obedience is required — regardless of age, experience, or full understanding.

This raises an important question: How do we get a clear word from God? Dr. Lewis emphasized that Scripture is God’s primary way of speaking to us, while prayer is our primary way of speaking to Him. That’s why both must be daily priorities. God’s guidance is not mysterious or hidden; He reveals His will through His Word, and He shapes our hearts through prayer. While understanding often unfolds over time, Dr. Lewis stressed that obedience must be immediate.

The message then turned to verses 10–20, where Abram detours into deception in Egypt. Though called by God, Abram schemes instead of trusting. Dr. Lewis reminded us that this moment should not surprise us: “Everyone but Jesus stumbles in many ways.” Yet failure should not lead to comparison with others or excuses for sin. Instead, it should expose our need to trust God more deeply.

“Faith is living without scheming,” Dr. Lewis said. When God calls, our response should not be manipulation or self-protection, but simple surrender. “If God’s calling me,” he continued, “the only answer I can give Him is, ‘Yes, Lord.’” Abram’s failure shows how quickly fear can replace faith when we stop trusting God’s promises.

Dr. Lewis closed with a warning: “Don’t make God shock you into submission.” God is faithful to accomplish His purposes, and obedience brings joy, peace, and clarity that disobedience never can.

Chapel Recap: The Vows That Reveal God’s Character

Today in chapel, Dr. Chris Miller led us through Exodus 20:1–21, helping us see the Ten Commandments not merely as rules to obey, but as vows that reveal the very character of God. Rather than approaching the passage as a list of moral restrictions, Dr. Miller framed it as God’s personal self-disclosure — His character spoken aloud.

Dr. Miller began by setting the scene of the vows. God spoke the commandments personally to His people and wrote them personally, emphasizing both their importance and intimacy. These “ten words,” Dr. Miller explained, are the covenant in concentrated form, like chapter titles in a table of contents that summarize the whole relationship between God and His people. The commandments show who God is, and therefore how His people are called to live.

Dr. Miller emphasized that the Ten Commandments are not rules detached from God; they are reliant on His character. “Each command flows directly from who Yahweh is,” Dr. Miller said, “so obedience is imitation of His character.”

Walking through the commandments, Dr. Miller highlighted how each one reflects an aspect of who God is. Yahweh alone is God, so He alone is to be worshiped. Yahweh is infinite and unseen, so no image can represent Him. Yahweh is not a genie to be used for our wishes, which is why His name must be honored. Yahweh is worthy of our time, so His people should rest in His presence. Yahweh is the source of authority, life, faithfulness, justice, truth, and provision — and each command reflects the various attributes of God.

“What is at the center is God Himself and how He behaves,” Dr. Miller explained. “The further you get away from God, the worse you behave.” The commandments are to shape and mold us towards the image of God.

Dr. Miller then applied these truths by focusing on two specific commandments. The call to honor one’s parents reflects God as the ultimate authority and teaches His people to learn honor beginning in the home. Likewise, the command not to murder flows from God as the Giver and Guardian of life calling His people to value human life because it bears His image.

Dr. Miller reminded us that God’s character is always lived out in community. The Ten Commandments shape not only individual behavior, but the way God’s people relate to one another.

In conclusion, Dr. Miller reframed obedience to the Ten Commandments as something far deeper than rule-keeping. The vows of Exodus 20 invite God’s people to know Him more clearly, reflecting His holy, faithful, and gracious character in the way they live together.

Abraham and Sarah had been promised many descendants, but they could have no children. Although they had the good motive of wanting God’s promise to come true, they chose a terrible means of accomplishing this. God cares about both our motives and our means.

Abraham and Hagar (Genesis 16:1–6)

Abraham and Sarah tried to go about God’s mission through their own power. They ended up sinning and showing their distrust in God.

Notice the parallels between this passage and the fall of Adam and Eve. In both passages, the man watched his wife come up with a bad plan and listened to what she said. Just as Eve took the fruit and gave it to her husband, Sarah took Hagar and gave her to Abraham.

This is against the original establishment of marriage, which is meant to be between one man and one woman. Also notice how Abraham and Sarah never referred to Hagar by name. They treated her like an object.

Hagar and El Roi (16:7–15)

Hagar fled from Sarah, and the angel of the Lord found her. The first word that came out of his mouth was her name. He treated her like a valued person. He then gave her a great blessing of too many descendants to count.

Hagar was told to name her son Ishmael, meaning “God hears.” God goes above and beyond to hear and care for the afflicted. Although He had no obligation to Hagar, He cared for her in her darkest moment, overflowing with divine love.

Maybe you’ve been hurt by somebody. Hear that God sees and cares for you. Maybe you know others who are struggling. Would you be God’s hands and feet as you care for them?

Abraham and El Shaddai (17:1–21)

God came to Abraham as El Shaddai — God Almighty. He commanded him to walk before Him and be blameless. In verse 18, Abraham responded by presenting his own plan to God once again: his means to accomplish God’s promise.

We also want to accomplish God’s mission through our own power. We must live for the mission of God and by the power of God. We cannot live the Christian life without Christ.

A Life of Asking

Prayer is one of the greatest ways we can show ourselves to be people who live for the mission of God and by the power of God. Abraham and Sarah should have trusted the Lord and asked Him, “Would You give us a child as You said You would?”

Sometimes we wonder, “How am I going to obey this command God has given me?” Stop planning and start praying. The Christian life is a life of asking. We cannot save our friend, so we ask for their salvation. We cannot make ourselves love the Bible, so we pray that we would love the Bible.

Take a day to fast — whether from food, entertainment, or something else — and pray both for yourself and others. Ask God that both your motive and your means would be glorifying to Him!

In Philippians 1:27–30, Paul exhorts us to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

The Gospel is really an amazing reality. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. The Bible tells us that our sin separates us from God, but Jesus died on a cross to take the death penalty on our behalf. Three days later, He rose again. As our Savior walked out of that open and empty tomb, He demonstrated that He had conquered sin and death.

This big, bold, beautiful reality must be lived out before us every moment of every day. In the words we speak and the actions we take, we must live out our citizenship as those who have been bought by the blood of Christ.

A Firm-Standing Life

A life worthy of the Gospel will be a firm-standing life. It is not a life lived in individualism — Paul is talking about standing together. He envisions us being locked arm in arm with our brothers and sisters in the faith. This keeps us from being lured into sin.

Are you trying to live a firm-standing life on your own? Your sanctification is a community project! You need your local church! The enemy’s goal is to divide, separate, and isolate us so he can defeat us. Are there any divisions in your relationships that need to be reconciled today?

A Faith-Contending Life

A life worthy of the gospel will be a faith-contending life. The enemy tries to twist the Gospel and keep us from announcing it. We must not let that happen, instead striving side by side for the faith. In a sports game, the athletes work together to move the ball across the field and reach the goal. Similarly, we must advance the Gospel as a team, full of the love of Christ and the truth of the message we proclaim.

A Fearless-Suffering Life

A life worthy of the Gospel will be a fearless-suffering life. If we live in a manner worthy of the Gospel, there will be opposition, struggle, and suffering. We are called not to be frightened by these things. Left on our own, we would be frightened. But we have the Holy Spirit, who emboldens us by His power so that we are able to live courageously.

Paul tells the Philippians that we are called not only to believe in God but also to suffer for His sake. What he says here is so good for us! Jesus Christ is not only worthy to be believed in but also worthy to suffer for. Wherever He sends you and whatever He asks you to do, He is worthy!

Chapel Recap: Seeing Jesus Clearly

Today in chapel, Dr. Thomas White brought us through Mark 8, centered on one powerful theme: Seeing clearly means serving the Jesus we need, not the Jesus we want.

Dr. White structured his message around a series of contrasts found throughout the chapter, each revealing how easy it is to misunderstand Jesus even while being close to Him.

First, verses 1–10 describe provision without perception. The disciples witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands, yet they still struggled to understand who He truly was. “We can see God provide,” Dr. White explained, “but fail to perceive that He is the ultimate Provider.” Seeing miracles does not automatically produce spiritual clarity.

Next, verses 11–13 reveal religion without recognition. The Pharisees demanded a sign, not because they lacked evidence, but because they lacked belief. “You can have religion,” Dr. White warned, “and not recognize who Jesus really is.”

In verses 14–26, Dr. White pointed to discipleship without discernment. The disciples were physically near Jesus but spiritually confused and in need of corrected vision. This section culminates in Jesus healing a blind man in stages — a living illustration of how spiritual sight often develops gradually.

Verses 27–33 feature confession without comprehension. Peter correctly confessed Jesus as the Christ yet immediately rejected the idea of a suffering Messiah. Knowing the right answer about Jesus does not mean we fully understand His mission.

That misunderstanding leads to the heart of the chapter in verses 34–38: no crown without a cross. Jesus identifies that following Him requires self-denial and sacrifice. “Discipleship,” Dr. White said, “is the willingness to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel.”

Finally, Dr. White pointed ahead to the beginning of Mark 9, offering a glimpse of glory. Though suffering is real and unavoidable, it is not the end. “The Messiah must suffer,” Dr. White said, “and if you follow Him, you will suffer too.” Yet that suffering is framed by future glory, giving us hope and endurance through this present life.