Category Archives: Spiritual Authority

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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/

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Goodbye Guilt

Last week I stayed at my sisters house in Ohio for a couple days while visiting. I loved every minute of it being with family (even the early wake up calls from my beautiful niece and nephew). Every time I walked by their entry way I noticed this wonderful piece of Art (actually created by my sister) which read,

“No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.”

I’ve always loved this song (In Christ Alone) but I really loved this verse and that it was in the center of her house for all to see! I can imagine ten years from now when her children are teenagers and the Holy Spirit brings these truths to remembrance to help them in times of trouble or twenty five years from now when they’re singing this verse over their own children (by the way, never underestimate the power of truth and love that is sown into the heart of a child)!

Well, ever since I read that it’s stuck with me! God has brought it to my attention everyday sometimes two to three times a day! And at the same time I’ve also felt guilt for no apparent reason (condemnation and false accusations from the enemy). Not only that, I’ve picked up on the feelings of guilt from others. It’s like fear and guilt are in the air.

So, I want to speak to these things right now (so if you’re feeling fear or guilt and know others who are as well I kindly ask that you will agree with me in prayer). “God, I speak to the lies of fear and guilt that the enemy is sowing and right now in Jesus name I take authority over them! They have no place in the hearts of your children. Rather in place of those things I speak joy and peace! I pray that our hearts will overflow with your love and goodness. Bring a confidence in knowing that we are loved, forgiven and saved! Who the sons sets free is free indeed and God we are free! Thank you Lord, and it’s in Jesus name we pray, amen!”

Remember: No guilt in life and no fear in death!

Blessings,

John

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Things I pray daily…

Over the last few years God has put several things on my heart to pray regularly. Well today God put it on my heart to share them with you. These prayers have served me well and have truly blessed me, my family and my circle of influence. My prayer is that you would adopt them into your own prayer life that they may bless and serve you as well.

Oh yeah, one more thing! Many of my prayers are declarations (formal announcements of the beginning of a state or condition). The reason for this is over the years I’ve come to understand that there is great power in spoken faith! Jesus said in Mark 11:23-24, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” I want to point out two very important things: first Jesus taught us to speak directly to our mountain (problem or situation) and second Jesus taught us to believe as if we’ve already received what we’re believing for. Therefore when I pray, I often speak directly to my circumstances AND many times I also pray with a thanksgiving as if God has already done what I’m thanking Him for.

Things I pray daily:

  • God, thank you for your favor
  • Thank you for a greater influence in people’s lives
  • Thank you for increase in favor, intimacy, ministry, opportunity, provision, joy and peace
  • Thank you for blessing my family and creating a hunger within us for more of you
  • Thank you for blessing my family with divine health
  • I take authority over everything that is coming against me and my family in Jesus name!
  • I speak to any and all debt be paid in full! Be cancelled and dissolved in Jesus name!
  • Thank you for the spirit of wisdom and revelation for me and my family
  • Thank you for the ministry you’ve given to me, draw every heart that this ministry reaches closer to you Jesus

These are just a few of the prayers I pray often. Besides praying these and others I often listen to what the Spirit is saying and pray as He leads me. I also take time to simply rest in God’s presence and allow Him to love on me and wash over me. This is how I stay encouraged and refreshed. And it is through what I’ve mentioned above and the grace of God that these things have come to pass and are coming to pass. It’s through my personal walk with God that has caused me to grow in my faith and identity as His beloved son. And as I’ve grown in these revelations, God has given me authority to speak into other people’s lives so that the more I grow the more I see the many others grow as well.

I pray this blesses you today (and the next time you pray).

Blessings!

John

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Stop looking for peace in the same place that you lost it

Naturally it makes sense to look for things in that same place that you lost them. And although this may be true for objects it is not that case when it comes to matters of your heart. Would you look for peace in the same place that you lost it? No, and yet that is what so many of us do. We settle for less, buy the lie of the enemy, have our joy and peace stolen from us and then go back to the same place where we lost them as if we’re going to find them there again.

Satan is cunning (having skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit). It is his desire to steal, kill and destroy and he succeeds in this by deceiving us so that we somehow believe that we will find rest for our souls if we chase after temptation. But his lies are empty, he promises peace but leaves us with problems, he swears satisfaction but shows up with shame! He masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He accuses us both day and night (Revelation 12:10). He is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). And we cannot be ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). For we are destroyed by our lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). What we don’t know has the ability to hurt us, ignorance is not bliss my friends! We must be aware of Satan’s schemes and learn to always trust God!

Not only does God promise to always provide a way of escape for every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), He also promises to crown us with life for passing the test (James 1:12). Simply put: God will bring you wholeness and give you authority in the very area that caused you shame for so many years! See this is why Satan tries so hard to keep you deceived and enslaved in sin and addiction because he is afraid of the authority that God gives to His children. Satan knows that not only will you find healing and wholeness but you will also have the authority to help others find freedom.

And so I declare to you today, “Rise up and be free! Stop looking for peace in the same place that you lost it. I declare clarity over you today in Jesus name. May you have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand. Find peace in God, be truly satisfied in His great love for you, be filled with joy and walk in freedom. Go and share the good news with your friends and family. There is real freedom and real peace and they are found in God alone!”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10