Category Archives: Change

Posted on

Overcoming Faith

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus said it, we will have trouble in this world, trials and tribulations, we will face difficulty and yet in the same breath he tells us to be of good cheer! Why? Because He has overcome the world (and He invites us to share in His victory)! But how?

How can we be under the weather and at the same time overcomers? How can we face difficulty without allowing it to rule our lives? How can we suffer loss and still have peace? How can we be angry and sin not? How can we be glad in the midst of suffering? How do we rise above it all and overcome the world and all that it throws at us on a daily basis?

Our answer is found in 1 John 5:4, “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”

That’s it! FAITH! It’s through our faith that we overcome the world! Through faith we receive God’s promises of victory and joy! Yes we face difficulty but we do so in light of eternity! We have God’s precious promises that give us the ability to live supernaturally (above the natural). When we face loss, depression, discouragement, defeat, sickness, suffering and the like it’s natural to fall victim to those things which leave us feeling pitiful and in the dumps! But by God’s grace He invites us to rise above those negative emotions through faith. He invites us to live “above” the natural where we walk in His peace, overflow with joy and experience His promises being fulfilled in our lives. Some of you have been struggling for far too long, carrying weights that God has invited you to let go of months ago and yet you’re still carrying them. The struggle seems to be unbearable not only for you but for those closest to you as they don’t understand and feel helpless.

I hope you can hear the voice of the Lord today! Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Yes, you will have trouble but it doesn’t have to be as hard as it’s been, Jesus says when you come to me it becomes easy.” Because it’s in His presence that suffering cannot compare to the glory that is revealed! When we walk closely with the Lord we are filled with faith and it’s through that faith that we overcome the world! Rise up in faith today! You are an overcomer so overcome!

Blessings,

John

PS I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you the regular encouragement I send out each week. If you would like to be encouraged regularly then subscribe to receive my devotionals via email @ http://www.johnsilkauskasministries.com/about/

Posted on

Stay in Faith!

“The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

We are the just, the righteous, the church, we are “the called out ones!” And we are called to live by faith! Life is all about seasons, some seasons it’s easy to live by faith others it’s rather difficult. But regardless of the season we may be in God wants us to stay in faith! More and more in recent years I’ve been able to easily sense when I’m “in faith” and when I’m not. When I find myself easily agitated, discontent, lacking peace or joy, sometimes feeling a lesser sense of purpose or simply feeling empty I know that in that moment I’m not in faith.

The best thing about this though is that I recognize it and simply get back to living in faith. How you might ask? By choosing to! Faith in the greek simply means, “firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing.” I come back to faith by remembering the things that God has already spoken to me. I remember His word, I think on His character, I thank Him for His faithfulness and my heart is stirred to believe! I choose to believe, I choose to live by faith!

If it’s impossible to please God without faith then I dare to believe that our greatest worship is simply to trust God. When we trust God it removes anxiety from our hearts and the areas of life in which we are ‘wanting’ begin to fade. See when the Lord is David’s shepherd David’s cup is overflowing. When our hearts are resting in God’s care for us and filled with thanksgiving rather than anxiety and complaints we are blessed and we are indeed living by faith.

You may be in a difficult season right now, you may find it hard to trust and give thanks nevertheless I speak to your faith even now and I say, “Rise up and believe!” For God is too good for us to complain, He is too faithful for us to be anxious and He is too powerful for us to live defeated lives. We are called to live by faith!

So, here are the things that help me stay in faith:

-A daily diet of God’s Word

-Times of prayer

-Worship

-Community

-Thanksgiving

-Reflecting on God’s faithfulness

-Remembering the things that God has already spoken to my heart

Let’s stay in faith!

Blessings,

John

PS I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you the regular encouragement I send out each week. If you would like to be encouraged regularly then subscribe to receive my devotionals via email @ http://www.johnsilkauskasministries.com/about/

Posted on

Get Ready for a Move of God!

We are about to see an unprecedented move of God in the earth! He is pouring out His Spirit and many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord! God has prepared us to receive all that He has for us, soon we will see the lost found, the sick healed, and amazing miracles all over the place! The Church is rising up and becoming all that God has foreseen it would be. Scriptures that come to mind are:

-Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5

-For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

-Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8

I see the body of Christ becoming one beautiful unified bride! I see believer’s hearts fully surrendering to the Lord and seeking only that His name would be glorified in the earth! I see people encountering the Lord in powerful ways, I see change and transformation in people’s hearts and lives and the by product of this will look like marriages being healed, families coming together and the Church fulfilling the great commission both near and far, yes locally and around the world!

Oh how we are living in exciting times! “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.” Isaiah 40:10 He is coming! His Spirit is being poured out around the world, yes the Lord is stirring faith in the hearts of His children and we will be as one! One with Him and one with each other! The word of the Lord is, “Get ready!”

And may God get all the glory!

-John

PS I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you the regular encouragement I send out each week. If you would like to be encouraged regularly then subscribe to receive my devotionals via email @ http://www.johnsilkauskasministries.com/about/

Posted on

Understanding the Times

We are on the eve of an unprecedented move of God. Soon we will hear and see things we never thought possible as God is positioning his church and setting the stage for His hand to be greatly seen in the world today. Much money has been spent on wickedness in recent days, months and years but the tables are turning. God is exposing what is in darkness and bringing it all to light. Soon you will see a great outpouring in the Church, it will be an outpouring of not just wealth (although that is part of it), it will also be an outpouring of love, maturity, growth, joy, peace and the miraculous!

Although this past season has been a difficult one, filled with uncertainty and confusion for many, God has brought about a greater dependence in our hearts. And as we’ve looked to Him, He has brought about a maturity as well. We’ve been tested so that we can be approved for the increase that God is about to bring. And although it is coming quickly we must wait just a little longer.

In this time of waiting God is calling us to Himself. He is the access point for which all blessings will flow but he is calling us to Himself not just so that we can access His blessings but so that we can experience His heart. God is calling His Church into a place of greater intimacy, not just of knowing His word, but knowing His heart! In this busy season do not be distracted, do not be fooled. Give yourself over to spend time with the Lord, sit as His feet and allow Him to speak to you in the silence. Yes, pray and pour your heart out to the Lord but also wait before Him and listen to Him speak. Remember to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

It’s a new season, let’s pray in anticipation!

“God, prepare my heart for the things to come. Strengthen me in the areas where I need to be strengthened. Stir up my faith and draw me closer to you. In all of the changes and all that is happening around me help me to focus on you. Remove distractions from me and give me grace to sit at your feet and hear your words. Jesus, I want to fall more in love with you! Keep me close, in Jesus name I pray, amen.”

Our best days are ahead,

John

PS I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you the regular encouragement I send out each week. If you would like to be encouraged regularly then subscribe to receive my devotionals via email. Subscribe today @ http://www.johnsilkauskasministries.com/about/

Posted on

What God Has Been Saying To Me Lately

I’ve walked with the Lord for over fifteen years now, I’ve experience accelerated growth in my walk with Him in different seasons and there have also been times where I’ve felt stagnant in my walk with the Lord. Today I write to you to share what the Lord has been teaching me over the last few weeks.

Over the last couple years he has been bringing life to the many seeds of His Word that have been sown into my heart over my early years of walking with Him. And over the last few weeks I’ve sensed Him literally breathing life into my Spirit. He’s stirring His promises in my heart and bringing His words to my remembrance. He’s giving me new revelations of who He is, who I am and what He is doing in the earth today.

More than ever before I sense Him calling me to Himself! He is jealous for my time. He desires that I come away and pray. There are times I resist His leadership believing the enemy’s lies that I’m too busy and I have to much to do. But there are other times that I yield to His leadership, I come into His presence and I am filled with peace, joy and purpose. And it is in these times where great revelation flows from heaven to earth, from God’s heart to mine.

So here is what I feel the Lord saying to me in these days:

-Be still and know that I am God

-Rest in my and in my love for you

-Keep doing what you’re doing

-Don’t worry about what’s happening around you, pray and trust me

-Wait on me and I’ll give you instructions

-I am leading you with the promptings of your heart

-Be faithful with all that I’ve given to you

-Do not be afraid, rather be strong and courageous

-Take authority over all that is coming against you and your family

-Use my Son’s name for there is great power and authority in the name of Jesus

-I am preparing you for the days ahead

-Breakthrough is coming

-Step out in Faith

-Bless your family

-Declare my words over every area of your life

-Rise above the many distractions around you

-Trust me, I am raising you up

I share these things with you today to encourage you and I believe many of the things He is saying to me, He is also saying to you. I encourage you to take a moment right now and ask God, “What are you saying to me?” Allow His to speak to your heart and richly bless you today! I’m going to do the same and I’m going to meditate on what He’s already said and continues to say.

Blessings,

John

PS If you’re wanting to read more on this here are two posts on discerning God’s voice Seeking Answers and How God Speaks. And if you’re really wanting to grow in learning to hear God’s voice listen to my Free Audio Course “Hearing God’s Voice”