Lighthouse Bible Studies

by Katy Kauffman

There were three reasons why Joshua could have been dismayed by God’s call to be the next leader of Israel: over a million Israelites, hundreds of square miles to conquer, and fearsome enemies. His assignment was to lead the people across the Jordan River to possess the land which God had promised to give them. Joshua was supposed to fill Moses’ shoes as a spiritual leader of the people, a people who had stubbornly resisted Moses’ leadership and the leadership of God.

For the great task set before Joshua, God told him three times to be strong and of good courage (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua would need strength to overcome weakness, courage to overcome fear, and faith to overcome doubt.

Where would Joshua’s strength, courage, and faith come from? The LORD Himself. God reassured him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Josh 1:5). God’s Word would also help Joshua to lead the people. Success would come from observing God’s law, which explains how to love God and one another. Joshua had the LORD and the Word to strengthen him for the journey ahead.

When our journey seems long or the task ahead seems difficult, we have God and His Word to keep us going. He says to us, “Be strong and of good courage. I am with you.” He renews our zeal and energizes our spirits for the work and ministry He calls us to. God gives us a special resource in Christ to do our assignment, a resource that the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy, his son in the faith, to tap into.

by Katy Kauffman

One day when I was on my way to a college class, I encountered a downpour unlike any other I can remember. My windshield wipers couldn’t move fast enough for the onslaught of water. I thought about pulling over and waiting it out, but I wasn’t sure where. 

Then I saw a pickup truck ahead of me. Its flashers were on, and it became my guide as we traveled thirty-miles per hour down the highway. I could see just enough road around the truck to make sure the driver was staying in his lane. I rounded curves as he did, and we made it out of the torrent alive and in one piece.

I’ve never thought of Jesus as a truck driver, but if there is anyone who can drive the highway of life and help us arrive at our destination in one piece, it’s Jesus. He knows how fast or slow to travel, and He’s ready for when an onslaught of surprises, temptations, or troubles come our way. He has the grace to see us through it.

A New Blog Series

by Katy Kauffman

The wind shook me. It shook what I held dear. It nearly tipped my sanity over the edge. The rains drenched my hope. They weighed down my joy and settled my emotional state into a pattern of gloom and sadness, with relief sprinkled in.

It was an inner storm—the kind you can’t run away from. The kind that can twist and swirl inside as violently as a tornado. I grew weary and longed for peace. Longed for some quiet. Would it ever come?

by Katy Kauffman

I’ve always thought grace was a beautiful word, something I want to name my daughter if I should have one in the future. God’s goodness is often clothed as grace for each day's challenges and adventures.   

Grace climbs mountains, endures storms, prays for the impossible, and walks with God. Grace faces life’s challenges and trusts God for victory. Grace doesn’t give up. Doesn’t quit.

by Katy Kauffman

I’ve always thought grace was a beautiful word, something I want to name my daughter if I should have one in the future.

Grace climbs mountains, endures storms, prays for the impossible, and walks with God. Grace faces life’s challenges and trusts God for victory. Grace doesn’t give up. Doesn’t quit. 

by Lauren Craft

Have you ever tried carrying a week’s worth of groceries from your car to your house? If you can shoulder the bags all at once, you’ll avoid making multiple trips, right? Not quite. When I’ve tried this, something is usually dropped. A potato slips out of my hands, an apple rolls under my car, or a milk carton lands on my front lawn.

More than anything, though, carrying too much is exhausting. My muscles ache and my breaths become labored. This reminds me of how it feels when resentment weighs me down. Its heaviness sucks joy and peace out of me, leaving unpleasant, sinful thoughts in their place.

Recently, I was upset with several people in my life. They’d made comments that seared like an electrical shock to the heart. I tried to clear the resentment on my own, telling myself, “I’ve made mistakes too” and “They probably didn’t mean to hurt me.” 

“Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1, NKJV). Paul used these words not only to encourage Timothy, his spiritual son, but to tell him how to keep going. Grace is a resource God has given us so we don’t quit. When schedules, problems, and hindrances threaten to overwhelm us, we can draw upon the grace of Christ to win life’s battles.

So grace is not just for salvation; it’s for our daily Christian lives. And its Source is a Person who ...