Don't Fake It Till You Make It - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 9, 2024

How many of us have heard of the saying, 'fake it till you make it?' It's a pretty popular idiom and it encourages people to pretend to be what they aren't until they become what they're aiming to be. This expression is widely practiced across the world and is used to manipulate others into thinking more of a person than they need to. Many aspiring to live better lives eagerly attempt to portray success, wealth and influence that they don't have. In so doing, they are in danger of violating the godly wisdom contained in Proverbs 12:9 - Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. They are pretending to be somebody that they are not.

One might wonder why it's wrong to pretend to be what they are not, especially when their objective is to become that person someday. Well, let's consider the word of God on the subject. We are taught in Leviticus 19:11 - “’Do not steal. “’Do not lie. “’Do not deceive one another. Here, the Lord highlights that deception is a form of lying, though many consider it better than or different from telling an outright lie. However, where there is deception, there is often a lie in waiting. Ananias and Sapphira were deceptive and said what they likely thought was a tiny lie. They each died on the spot as a result (Acts 5:1-11). And, the Bible teaches that liars will go to hell so lies are to be avoided at all costs (Revelation 21:8).

Thus, when we adopt the 'fake it till you make it' concept, we are actively taking steps to deceive people into thinking we are more influential or wealthy than we are and that is a lie. Even if we don't open our mouths to say "I am wealthy and a big deal," we must be conscious that our actions don't peddle that deception. This is particularly the case for those of us simple people who need to accept that they are in a season of simplicity but their God can take them to higher places if it is His will. We don't need to help God along by packaging ourselves to present a false image. Such is hypocrisy and it is despised by God as evidenced by Jesus who called out the scribes and the Pharisees for being hypocrites and the children of hell (Matthew 23:15).

Another reason why this 'fake it' perspective is a problem is that it ignores the fact that we were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14). It further ignores the fact that He gave us all we need for godly living and simply need to tap into those by tapping into Him (2 Peter 1:3). The 'fake it' perspective on life ignores that God is the source of every good and perfect gift - not our strength (and that includes the effort put into creating a rosy fiction about our situation) (James 1:17). Plus, this view ignores Proverbs 21:29 - The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. Pretense, therefore, should be left for the wicked and should not be the modus operandi for those who believe in Christ. Believers are instead to view their current situation with confidence and assurance that their God is working things out for them and bringing them to an expected end as per Jeremiah 29:11.

The choice to 'fake it till you make it' may be the approach of the majority but it should not be the approach of those who claim to be God's children. It is an example of worldly wisdom and the Word teaches that such is pure foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19). The Bible equally highlights that fools are dangerous and evil (Isaiah 32:6), so we shouldn't want to be anything like them or live as they do. Arguably, the 'fake it till you make it' tactic, which causes people who are poorer than they let on to project the very opposite is an ungodly attitude that can lead to hell if care isn't taken.

I pray that we will turn our backs on this way of thinking. While there is nothing wrong in wanting the good, better, and best that God promises, we do not need to deceive, lie, or reject God's process to get it. Sure, it is hard to wait but it is most advantageous to do so where God is concerned. He promises that those who wait on Him will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). Abraham waited until he received Isaac. Joseph waited until he became the leader of Egypt. David waited until he became king. None of them enjoyed the process but the rewards were well worth it and God is more than able to help us too.

Now, will you wait? Or will you take matters into your own hands and 'fake it till you make it' instead?

Take A Jairus Stance - Praise & Pray (for others) July 5, 2024

From today's title, you can see we are returning to the story of Jairus and his interaction with Jesus.

In the message Your Miracle Is On The Way we learned that Jairus kept his composure in the face of news that would have made even the strongest among us buckle. Despite all indications to the contrary, he believed Jesus that his daughter was not dead. He held on to the Savior's instruction when He said "[d]on't be afraid, just believe" (Luke 8:50).

We also must do the same. We must hold on to God's word in the face of the bad report about our lives and situations. In the face of fear, we must proclaim Genesis 26:24 which states "[d]o not be afraid for I am with you. I will bless you."

We must steep our hearts and minds in the Lord's promise from Joel 2:26-27 where he repeatedly said "never again will my people be shamed." He made that covenant twice in those verses, so He really means it and when we claim it and remind Him of His promise, He is faithful to watch His word to ensure it is fulfilled per Jeremiah 1:12.

Now, in order to take a Jairus stance and hold onto God's word in the face of contrary evidence, we need to know what God's word is for us. This means we must seek out what He wants us to do or know about our situation. Jairus would never have received his spiritual keys, which were to resist fear and have faith, if he hadn't invited Jesus to help him. He also wouldn't have received that word if he'd allowed distraction or disappointment to keep him from patiently waiting for Jesus to get to his home. Remember that although the Savior started walking with him to heal his daughter, a crowd gathered and they slowed the journey. Also, the woman with the issue of blood chose that moment to get her healing and we know that slowed things down even more because Jesus used that situation to teach and bless others.

Jairus didn't become disheartened or impatient with Jesus. He didn't give up on Him and instead go find an alternative during the waiting period. The Bible also does not record that Jairus started fighting or insulting the people who were keeping Christ from getting to his child. Anger didn't consume him.

Somehow, Jairus patiently waited for Christ and even when people came to tell him his daughter was dead and so Christ's help was no longer needed, he simply set his eyes and mind on the Savior.

Consider Jairus and the emotions he must have experienced. Now consider that despite those feelings, he put fear to the side and walked in faith. Faith that resulted in his child sitting up, fully healed by Jesus. This is the destiny of all God's children who can take a Jairus stance in the face of contrary evidence. If the Lord tells you to stand like Jairus, fight every impulse that tells you not to. Take that leap of faith with God. Remember He is able to answer your prayers. After all, He is the God who said in Isaiah 65:24 - Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers (NLT).

God bless you.

PS: Take a moment to read Your Miracle Is On The Way. I believe that message will help you as you process today's post.

Our Godly Inheritance: Esau - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 2, 2024

We continue to learn about our inheritance as God's children. Righteous living secures our godly inheritance so that the devil does not easily steal what was received. Also, God's word will keep us from being deceived into losing any part of it as was the case in the Gibeonite Deception. In addition, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to help us so we don't squander our inheritance the way the Prodigal Son did.

Today we examine another individual and their approach to dealing with an inheritance. Specifically, we consider Esau, the oldest son of Isaac. According to his family's custom, Esau was to receive half of his father's estate as his birthright and the blessing that is given to the first son. However, one day, he returned home famished from hunting. His younger brother, Jacob, was cooking a lentil stew and he asked for some only for Jacob to demand a barter. He wanted Esau's inheritance in exchange for some food.

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32). And so Esau gave his inheritance away by swearing an oath that Jacob could have it.

Later, when their father became old and was about to die, Jacob pretended to be Esau and collected the blessing due to the first son. When Esau learned of this, he pleaded with his father for a blessing. Alas, Isaac told him he couldn't change the outcome. The blessing had gone to Jacob and there was little to be done about it at that point.

The Bible doesn't have great things to say about Esau. Indeed, he is described in Hebrews 12:16 - See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Notice why Esau was called "godless"? Because he forfeited his birthright. He didn't deem it significant. This unfortunate reality contributed to God saying that He hated Esau (Romans 9:13). All because he disregarded his inheritance for a plate of food.

Doesn't this seem extreme? Why would God hate Esau all because he chose to give away his birthright for a meal? Well, if we remember some of God's instructions, then His position on Esau's behavior makes more sense and serves as a cautionary guide.

First, let's remember that an inheritance is a gift from one person to another. The giver chooses to leave an heir what they toiled for during their lifetime. It typically reflects a person's sweat, time, and hard work. The inheritance blesses someone who typically did nothing to deserve it, thus reflecting the giver's love for the recipient. To therefore reject such a gift or treat it callously is to repay evil with good which violates God's word in Proverbs 17:13, which states, [e]vil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. In Esau's case, it also violates God's instruction to honor his father per Exodus 20:12 because he effectively didn't value the sacrifices that went into creating an inheritance for him.

And how does any of this apply to you? Consider that your inheritance from the Lord consists primarily of spiritual gifts. One such benefit is eternal life in heaven because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Rejecting that sacrifice would be repaying good with evil. It would also mean dishonoring the Lord, your Heavenly Father, who gave up His Son to save you.

Sadly, we can reject or disregard our godly inheritance and the blessings it contains through our actions, thoughts, and words. And that can put us at risk of repeating Esau's mistake. Keep in mind that his choice to reject his birthright had long-lasting consequences. After discovering what Jacob did, he hated his brother and this translated into a grudge spanning centuries. His descendants, known as the Edomites, maintained an "ancient hostility" toward Jacob's descendants - the Israelites. They were happy when Israel suffered and even conspired with their enemies. God's word regarding them was that they would be destroyed and their land would become "a wasteland ... left ... to the desert jackals" (Malachi 1:3). What a statement on unforgiveness.

An inheritance acts as a foundation upon which the next generation can build and this is why the Bible teaches that a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children (Proverbs 13:22). Though not a man, God does the same - granting blessings and gifts to His children because He loves them. He gives them a godly inheritance that doesn't require death to be received. This is the act of a loving Father that should be cherished and not bartered away for something that won't have a lasting effect. The Lord wants His children to use their godly inheritance to better their lives as well as the lives of others. May the Lord help each of us to see His gifts and blessings as the loving-kindness a Father has for His own. May we value what He has given, honor Him for it, and use it to His glory, IJMN Amen. By His grace, none of us will go through what happened to Esau and his descendants.

Kindly join us right here at Noon EST today to fellowship. We shall start with 25 minutes of praise followed by 25 minutes of interceding for others by God's grace. See you then!

To read the Godly Inheritance Series, please see:

1. Our Godly Inheritance

2. Our Godly Inheritance: The Gibeonite Deception

3. Our Godly Inheritance: The Prodigal Son

4. Our Godly Inheritance: Esau