The wake set before you.

I was able to go jet skiing this spring and it was a little terrifying- you’re flying over a coral reef that has 1 foot clearance until you might hit a sandbar at 80 miles an hour. You’re out in the middle of the open ocean in the Caribbean. All you have in front of you are some bubbles of the next rider’s wake. You know you have to stay 100m behind, but you don’t want to crash out and immediately hit water 80 miles an hour and have to crawl back on your JetSki. So you live in this very scary line of fear of not getting lost, but having to follow the path of the leader.

Without following their wake, I could be in danger of running aground, hitting coral and flying off-causing injury, jet ski replacement fees or even death!

Fortunately, there was a lifeguard bringing up the rear in the line- to make sure that no one got lost - or to direct the back of the line.

I knew as long as I stayed within eyesight of the lifeguard- that I would be safe. They kept giving me hand signals to stay the course and keep focused on the wake of bubbles before me.

Let’s just say that I prayed more on that jet ski than I did all week!

And the Holy Spirit reminded me of another life lesson- we must follow the path marked out for us- Hebrews 12:1

NLT‬‬

Without following our Leader- our Pioneer- Jesus-that paved the way before us- we could run aground as well- crashing into cycles of anxiety, fear, addiction and loss of joy or life.

So we live in this narrow window- of not getting distracted by everything around us- staying focused on the “Author and Finisher” of our faith.

The Holy Spirit- our real-life- lifeguard- is our “rear guard” keeping us motivated and assured of our purpose- giving us little signals to keep going (Isaiah 52:12) - turn left and stay the course.

Have you felt “off-course?” Let the Holy Spirt get you back to to the place that you can see the path set before you.

Who are you wearing?

We just had the annual Oscars celebration- where are celebrities from all sorts of media come together, dress their finest and walk on the red carpet to receive nominations.

Usually the top question they get asked is “What are you wearing” or “ Who are you wearing?” So that they can represent their designer or the person that fashioned their outfit.

We should be thinking about what we wear every day too- but not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense.

Colossians 3:12 has a wonderful and very practical list of items that we need to put on every day.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just as if we were getting ready for the day, there are always layers and steps that we need to think through before we rush out the door. You would never just have your socks on a jacket and grab your purse and go, without remembering the other items.

You would also not want to re-wear spoiled outfits the next day. On our physical bodies, we are conscious to change your clothes and have good hygiene.

It is the same with our walk with the Lord- we must always be conscious of what we’re taking off daily- The old desires and our selfish ambitions- and being conscious to change our wardrobe to gentleness, patience, and love- that covers everything. (See Phil 2)

Everyone has had someone in the office that hasn’t taken a daily shower- we can tell by the other side of the room and we tend to stay away from that person. Same it is with our daily walk, we need to make sure that we are daily coming to the father to have a fresh and renewed heart. Our daily spiritual shower “With the water of the Word” (Ephesians 5) it’s so important to get rid of anger, bitterness and negative thoughts.

The scripture says in Colossians three to have love cover everything in your walk and your daily words. Just as if you lived in a very rainy environment, you would put a rain jacket or a poncho over your entire outfit is not to spoil it for the day- Love protects and covers us as we go throughout our interactions and communication situations.

So daily we should ask yourselves “ What are we wearing?” And “Who are we wearing?”

Whatever way that we need to find time to soak in God’s presence shuffle around our schedule to listen to fit the Holy Spirit and listen to what he wants us to change in ourselves- we need to make it happen daily.

Daily affirmations for Christian entrepreneurs

Being a Christian business owner is not for the faint of heart.

90% of the time you have to pick up yourself and affirm yourself in Christ before the world claps for you.

Every day you have to look in the mirror and know-even though you might not feel like it- and know that you can do “All things through Christ.” (Phil 4:13)

Believe that you have amazing God-given skill sets. (Just like David was called to play for for Saul- he was very talented and skillful) (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

Believe you’re talented and creative. (Just like Bezalel- being filled with the Holy Spirit to create crafts and art for the tabernacle.) (Exodus 31)

Believe you have an ability that people will value in the workplace. (We have the Joseph Anointing- called up at just the right time to solve a problem.) (Genesis 41:14-40 14)

Believe that you can work with all people with all confidence- that you are the “Head and not the Tail.” (Deut 28:13 )

Welcome to the proud and the few- those that see a problem and visualize solutions that nobody else has before. Through the power of the Holy Spirit- He can remind you of things and help you in any situation and be an advocate for you. (John 14:26)!

Print out positive scriptures if you must and stick them all over your house to remind yourself of how much your true worth comes from the Father- not from followers or likes. (Psalm 139:14)

You might not feel confident for years- but that shouldn’t stop you from pushing through.

Skills are just attained- equipment is just saved up and bought. But confidence in Christ has to be exercised- you can’t YouTube confidence. You must exercise it for yourself. (1 Thes 5:11)

So when I say “I am an Christ honoring