Misperception is a major hindrance to our full maturity as Sons and Daughters. Misperception causes unrealistic expectations resulting in a “mental filter” when we study The Word. Some people describe it as bias. In John chapter 14, Jesus spoke against misperception:
14 “Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also. 2 My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you to rest. 3 And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am. 4 And you already know the way to the place where I’m going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we don’t know where you’re going, so how could we know the way there?”
6 Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too. 7 And from now on you will realize that you have seen him and experienced him.”
The world tries to convince us that there are multiple ways to FATHER yet Jesus emphatically states there is on One Way. Who are you going to believe? Simply look at the fruit of the various religions throughout the world. Some of those religions promote killing those who do not believe in their way. They believe in utter destruction of enemies. Jesus promotes life and abundance which is displayed by seedtime and harvest in all areas of life.
8 Philip spoke up, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be all that we need!”
9 Jesus replied, “Philip, I’ve been with you all this time and you still don’t know who I am? How could you ask Me to show you the FATHER, for anyone who has looked at me has seen the FATHER. 10 Don’t you believe that the FATHER is living in Me and that I am living in the Father? Even My words are not My own but come from My FATHER, for HE lives in Me and performs his miracles of power through Me. 11 Believe that I live as one with My FATHER and that My FATHER lives as one with Me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done.
Jesus tells us to examine the fruit to determine who is being led by FATHER and effectively who is not. We are now in a time where those who are being led by THE SPIRIT are being separated by those who are succumbing to the world’s fear mongering. Those who are led by THE SPIRIT continue to build themselves up in The Holy Spirit. As for me, I am praying in Tongues on an increasing basis.
Now is the time to be full of courage rather than dis-couraged. Now is the time to fulfill our appointments, not be dis-appointed. We must not distance ourselves from FATHER by embracing self interest but instead we must fully embrace walking in Agape Love. Jesus continues:
12 “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows Me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my FATHER!
It is now time that we fully expect this timeless truth to operate in us individually. Why focus on end-time prophecies when we have work to do by bringing in the harvest, a requirement before those prophecies will be fulfilled?
13 For I will do whatever you ask Me to do when you ask me in My name. And that is how the Son will show what the FATHER is really like and bring glory to HIM. 14 Ask Me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!”
Jesus tells us twice to ask anything in His Name and He will do it. There is no room for any other interpretation of what FATHER is saying through HIS Son. As we walk being led by The Holy Spirit, we will manifest all the Words of Jesus. You can either focus on Old and New Testament prophecies or you can focus on being led by The Holy Spirit and produce observable good fruit in the here and now.
Jesus gives us the key:
15 “Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. “
Walking in Agape Love is the key to our empowerment. Walking in selfish motives distances us from empowerment. Our words and acts will determine our path and FATHER has clearly given us the choice of which path we follow. Remove any bias from past religious teachings and embrace the Words of Jesus.