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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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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/

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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

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Words, Perspective & the Destroying Angel

There is great power in our words and having a healthy perspective can change even the darkest of situations. But what about the destroying angel? In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in the tenth chapter he shares with us the history of Israel. And it’s in verse ten where we find “the destroying angel.” The Israelites who didn’t reach the promise land were scattered in the desert for numerous reasons: idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord and complaining. This destroying angel killed all who complained!

Paul wrote this to the church as an example to impact our lives today! The promise land represents our destiny, the fulfillment of all that God has created us for! But many will not reach their promised land, many won’t see the promises of God fulfilled in their lives all because of a complaining spirit. You know the spirit that finds something wrong in everything. The spirit that isn’t happy or focused on all the good and all the blessings but rather is focused on the few things that aren’t right in life. This complaining spirit will invite the destroying angel in your life, simply put you’ll miss out on what life is all about. What should have been the greatest moments and memories in your life will be replaced by the little things that stole your joy and took your focus from enjoying God’s greatest gifts: life, family and friends. Life will pass you by! You will grow old and be miserable still missing the blessings that are all around you.

Just last night God shared this message with me in a dream. This is a WAKE UP CALL to many! Rise up out of this negative state! God is with you, it’s not too late! You can still enjoy the best things in life! I invite you to pray this with me, “God, help me to see clearly! Wake me up from the negativity that has found it’s way in my heart. I repent of a complaining spirit. I trust you. I know that you are good, I know that I am blessed and I know that I will see your goodness all around me again! Help me to rejoice, to see things in a new light and to praise you and give thanks for all of life’s blessings! And God, may life not pass me by, rather allow me to enjoy every moment along the journey and fulfill my destiny in Jesus name, amen.”

God loves you and he’s not done with you yet! Be encouraged and know that He is good and he is at work in your life even now. Rejoice and be glad! You are more blessed than you realize, walk in His blessings!

~John