Night Vision

Matthew 4:12-17 - Jesus has been baptized and the Spirit led him to the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days and 40 nights.

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17)

Dark Adaptation - It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness in a room. Retina takes in light differently in the dark, it adjusts its receptors to understand what light looks like in the dark.

Even when it adapts to the illumination, your eye sight is not as sharp when the lights are on.

We have to find a way to take advantage of the darkness and be able to fight in these circumstances.

Often, we create our strategies in the light. Must have a strategy in the darkness.

Most marriages are really tested in dark seasons because life changes so rapidly.

Who do you want to be with you in a dark season?

"Pick the person you want next to you when your parent is lowered in the ground."

Wasn't planning on going through a dark season but you have to have a strategy to get through.

We only plan for things to go well, when they go wrong we completely give up. New entrepreneurs are usually overly excited and don't plan for the future - leading to them quitting prematurely.

You can't afford to stay in a dark season.

Don't let a dark season keep you from seeing God - you have night vision.

The light can still invade a dark season.

Worship anyway, even when you don't feel like it. Your spirit and your mind will catch the light.

Your strategy for the dark is your praise and worship.

Worst thing you can do in a dark season is close your eyes. Your eyes can adapt in the dark.

He prepared our eyesight to adapt to the dark, even though it may take some time.

You'll miss how you can adapt and still see even in the midst of darkness.

We were created to see in the dark to experience good and dark times.

If you close your eyes, you can't see how God moves. Saw God move in my darkest hour - the dark doesn't scare me.

"Blood over the door post when the Lord passed over" (Exodus 12:23) - indicates that even in dark seasons, God knows who's His. He can see the worship even in the dark.

Sometimes darkness is how you get the advantage. The enemy can't see either.

Walk by faith. If you see me moving, it's because God told me to.

Paul prepared the church on what it means to receive Jesus. He knew about night vision - it won't be easy but He won't let you walk into a dark season unprepared.

Your faith is going to be tested in the dark.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil." (Ephesians 6:12)

The battle is spiritual. You receive God's enemies when you receive Him.

You have already been designated to win this battle.

Put on the whole armor of God to be able to withstand the day when evil comes. (Ephesians 6:13)

This is the strategy to fight the battle in the dark. Wearing the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

By the time you put it on, it's going to be heavy and you will be tired. But God says, all you have to do is put it on and just stand; even in the dark.

Standing helps you withstand.

Have to practice putting on the whole armor of God because we often put on pieces and not the full armor.

During a dark season, can't afford to just put some pieces on.

Jesus is entering a dark season when we enter the text.

John has been arrested and Jesus hasn't stepped into his full anointing of his ministry yet.

He's starting from a place of already having enemies.

Your obedience causes more friction and disruption to other kingdoms. Sometimes your obedience is someone else's threat. His obedience lead him into the dark. But Jesus said yes anyway.

What God called you to and the mission you're on is worth the enemies made along the way.

The mission is more important than approval.

This was the Jesus that was fresh off his fast - spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. Fresh off facing the devil in the dark. Something happens that equips and empowers you to face off the devil in the public.

Face off with your devil in private. Devil doesn't have any power over you anymore. Face your own demons. Be willing to fast and pray so the devil has no more power over you.

Go to war with the devil on God's behalf. When you're sent to the frontline, you'll know that nothing can stop you. No weapon formed can prosper.

This was about you getting loosed. You have a sound mind now, you can't be tempted anymore. It's going to take night vision - decree it for your breakthrough because you have an assignment to fulfill.

He'll order every step. Jesus taught the disciples about night vision.

God is going to take you to the prophecy related to your identity but understand it will also take you through a dark season.

May take some time to adapt to the darkness but keep your eyes open.

A flicker of light is all you need. Messages coming right on time, that's light.

Delivering messages when called to, that's light.

The Lord is intentionally creating space for those called by His name to invade dark spaces. It's heavy but we are the light of the world.

Not uncommon to be sent into dark spaces but you can't go into them ill prepared.

Matthew 4:1 - Led by the spirit of the wilderness, being prepared for the spaces he invades.

Have to become that person on the inside before you can invade those spaces with your light.

God is moving you into another space - Who do you need to be on the inside in order to fulfill the prophecy on the outside?

Jesus found a way to keep the vision alive even in dark seasons. 🤍