Lighthouses have a long history dating back to the Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt. Ptolemy I and his son Ptolemy II constructed the first ever lighthouse between 300 and 280 B.C. It stood about 450 feet high. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was destroyed in stages by invaders and earthquakes, being destroyed in the 1300s. 

There are over 18,600 lighthouses in the world and the United States is home to more lighthouses than any other country in the world. They are different shapes, sizes, painted with different colors and designs. 

The two main purposes of a lighthouse are to serve as a navigational aid and to warn boats of dangerous areas. It is like a traffic sign on the sea. 

The Lighthouse Effect - when light is shown, reflected and/or magnified making visible or known what was previously unknown or invisible.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.                                                   
Isaiah 9:2

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”                                         
John 8:12

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.                                                                   
John 1:4-5

If His   is in you, let His   shine   you.

The way you   and   shines light on the way to Jesus. 

The truth is you   what you   to see.

When you look at your   and the   around you, what do you see that is  ?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.                   
James 1:17

Spotlighting the Good

Joseph was someone who had every reason to be bitter, angry and cynical about the world. And yet, in the end, good won and evil was overcome.

Dark   need the light that only God can give.

Spotlight the   ... even when you   because of evil.

Seeing God in your circumstances is the key to having enthusiasm in life.

The word enthusiasm literally means inspired by God, to be in God and to see God in our circumstances. In the 17^th century, those who love Jesus and followed with great love - talking about faith and living their faith - were called enthusiasts.

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.”               
Genesis 50:15

So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”                                 
Genesis 50:16–18

But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.    
Genesis 50:19-20

So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 
Genesis 50:21

How to spotlight what is good in your life and world:

Stop and   about all that is good.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.                                                                                               
Philippians 4:8

Let your heart   about all that is good.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.                                         
Luke 6:45

Go about   all that is good.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.                          Matthew 5:14–16