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' ideology, 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' concept 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?
From wvdz - I like the overall message of not faking it till you make it. I have not adopted the mentality to fake it till you make it. In good or bad times. I will always be in support of people not lying to themselves. A person can set goals and work towards them to improve their life instead of faking like things are great.
Father, You are great and greatly to be praised. I give You all the glory!
Thank You, Lord, that You are the Promise Maker. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Light.
Lord, I pray for strength to stand firm as I wait on Your promises. I thank You for Your Bible which assures that Your Word shall be fulfilled without delay. As time is different to You, I know that Your appointed time will surely come and Your promise shall come to pass.
In the meantime, grace to wait in faith. Grace to wait with praises on my lips. Grace to keep my eyes trained on You. Grace to distinguish Your soothing voice from the lies of the serpent and always follow You. Thank You that Christ came to destroy the works of satan and so I am rest assured that my outstanding godly inheritance awaits, safe in Your care to be placed in my life when the time is right.
IJN, Amen.
Lord, IJMN, I thank you for being the God that answers by fire. Thank you because you've heard me, and you are bringing resolution to my finances and pointing me in the direction you want me to go as it concerns a project you entrusted into my hands. Thank you God for being the faithful One. "He who called you is faithful and will do it." Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, who always finishes what He starts, we worship your Holy Name. Blessed be your Name, Lord, in Jesus' Name, amen.
From AC - Heavenly Father, thank You for yesterday's breakthrough, Hallelujah! I trust that what You have started, You will see through to completion. I trust that this new course of action and the correct medication will resolve my child's issue permanently in Jesus' name. YHWH Rapha, I thank You in advance for guiding the upcoming tests and granting us the favorable outcomes we seek. We declare that neither my child, myself, nor anyone in our family has MEN type 1. I speak Your healing and perfect health over us all. In Jesus' name, with unwavering faith, I pray. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You, gracious Father for another day of fellowship. Thank You for those who worshiped and those who prayed. Thanks for those whom You will bring in the future. Be Thou glorified now and forever in their lives, oh Lord.
God, I call on You to help each of us to remember that at no point do we need to fake anything. It is the wicked, the hypocrites, the children of hell who need to bluff their way through life. We rest in the assurance of being Your children. We rest in the knowledge that You are moving as a good Father to establish all we need and leave us a godly inheritance that we can tap into for Your glory and by Your grace.
As we proceed with the rest of this day and this week, please cover us in Your grace and kindness. Bring us together once more on Friday for fellowship and all the many more days that we will gather for You. IJMN, Amen.
Jehovah Jireh, I thank You for loving me and always providing me with what I need. Lord, You see my heart when I'm at school or just out in general. Your word says "He puts the solitary in families". Lord, I pray that You would satisfy my desire by giving me the right friends for each season I am in. Lord please show me and bring to me the right friends that You have for me. In Jesus name I pray, amen. Thank You Abba for meeting this need.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Did you get to see the prayer sis AlexisColby prayed over us. Take a moment to pray it over yourself now, please.
Abba, I thank You for today’s message that seeks to remind us, that as Your beneficiaries we do not need to 'fake it till we make it', for we have already made it in all the ways that matter through Christ Jesus. Please help us reject deceptive worldly ways and embrace Your truth. Strengthen our hearts to wait on Your perfect timing, remain faithful, and trust in Your promises, just as Abraham, Joseph, and David did. May we never forget that although the enemy has a plot, You have a plan and a purpose for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and Your Word does not return void. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
And now, let's lift up our prayer needs. What do you want to call on the Lord to do for you? Say your prayer and by God's grace, others will join you in prayer.
After you pray for yourself, take the extra time to join others who like you shared their personal prayer points. Please pray for them too.
God has said wherever He causes His name to be honored He will show up and bless those there (Exodus 20:24). Let's take advantage of this promise for ourselves and one another.
God bless us all.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Sovereign Lord, the word tells us that You give good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). We call on You to hear our prayers for those in search of employment opportunities. As You are He who gives the ability to create finances and other forms of wealth, we lift these children of Yours in Your presence that You will shift the atmosphere around them. Help them whereby they will receive Your favor and therefore favor from man. Let the hearts of decision makers favor Your chosen ones and let Your children honor You. That we shall stand with them giving praise when they come back to testify to Your glory and the world will know that You are God all by Yourself, IJMN, Amen.
Lord IJN, I pray for the circles of my brethren. Lord I pray over the people they are closest to, those that are speaking words into them. Lord, as "iron sharpens iron", I pray that these friends edify them. But "a companion of fools becomes foolish" -- so Lord I rebuke the bad seeds that are trying to influence the brethren. Lord, please silence the voice of the enemy, please expose every evil word that is trying to corrupt Your children. Let the Holy Spirit become more abundant in them to help guard their hearts. Amen
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
fROM AC - El Rapha we give You all praise for Your healing power. Please bless my prayer subjects with renewed health and restoration. We decree and declare that every cell, hormonal system, bone, organ, tissue, nerve ending, and vessel shall come under the authority of the Almighty Healer Jesus, by Whose stripes we are healed, and into alignment with Psalm 30:2. Abba please comfort them and guard their minds and hearts against the spirit of fear with Your transcending peace. Please bless them with easy access to quality healthcare and guide the hands and minds of their medical team. By the power of the Holy Ghost, heal Your children from disease, infirmity, weariness, and pain for Your victory and glory! In Jesus' mighty name, I pray, Amen.
Almighty God -- I praise You for this great vacation. I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that they would experience Your rest. Let their bodies go through a great recovery to full health. Caring Father, this I pray in Jesus name, amen
From AC - Mighty God, I lift all those in the Americas impacted by storm Beryl. May You comfort them and bring swift restoration and healing to those areas. Please grant wisdom to first responders and aid providers, and supply them with the resources and support they need. Lord, in Your mercy, pour out Your provisions upon them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Glory be to You Heavenly Father. You are He who created all things and with just a word the world came to be.
Lord, we call on You to once again speak a word for those who are waiting on You for their marital destiny. Lord, guide Your children into Your marital will and purpose for their lives. Father shield them from the counterfeits. I decree that every counterfeit will be blinded just as the Aramean army was blinded when they came looking to attack Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6).
God, with a word, direct and position Your children for Your perfect will for them (Romans 12:2). That they will join with equally yoked and holy spouses, birth and raise godly offspring, and serve in the ministry of marriage for Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
From AC - Mighty God, I lift all those in the Americas impacted by storm Beryl. May You comfort them and bring swift restoration and healing to those areas. Please grant wisdom to first responders and aid providers, and supply them with the resources and support they need. Lord, in Your mercy, pour out Your provisions upon them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
It's time to war with prayers for others.
Please remember we aren't praying for ourselves. This is part of the sacrifice we make each week.
And for those who like the version they can bop to
I'm nice with Christ
Saved my life
Paid the price
...
By His stripes
I am nice with Christ
(I listened to this for all of P&P on Friday).
God!!!
You told me You'd take care of something.
It took a few months, during which I barely focused on Your promise.
And yet, I sit here today looking at how You worked things out.
Waymaker. Amazing Father. Glorious God. The One who does and undoes.
The One who will use anyone to bless His own.
I remain in awe, Lord.
Thank You for Your favor and mercy. Thank You for Your grace.
Glory!!!
Hallelujah!!!
God, You have done me well!
Father, I thank You for grace. I thank You for mercy.
Thank You for always correcting me like a loving daddy.
Thank You for gently speaking so my ear bows to hear what You have to say.
I appreciate You so much. I can never truly explain but Papa, thank You!!!
From AC - Lord, You are magnificent! Thank You for Your presence in our lives, for the gift of life, birthday celebrations, fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, answered prayers, breakthroughs, healing, provisions, mercy, and grace. Most of all, I thank You for who You are—our Father, the almighty and all-powerful sovereign God of yesterday, today, and forever. I give You all honor, worship, and praise! Hallelujah! Glory to Your name!