Week 4 Day 18 - March 25

One of today's lost arts is blessing our competitors. I want us today to spend time analyzing why we should, why we don't, and what it produces.

We are familiar with the scripture in Luke 6 that states we should bless those who persecute us and pray for those who mistreat us. But what about those who are our competitors. Those who do business alongside of us. Many have done nothing personally to us. But they are in our industry, typically are our competitors, and many times after the same influence that we seek.

Blessing literally means to invoke divine favor upon. The history of the word bless comes from the Old English word, bledsianē based on blood. Its original meaning is to mark or consecrate with blood. This was influenced by the Latin translation, benedicere which means to praise, worship and later by association with the word bliss. So when you bless someone you are literally invoking the favor of the Lord. You are marking or consecrating them with blood. You are blessing them to praise and worship, and to experience bliss! 

When you can be confident enough in your business that you can bless your competitor to experience divine favor, you are aligning with the Lord's heart. You are walking out of a place of honor and integrity. You are choosing to believe the word of promise to you and not to live in fear.

My friend Wendy Walters taught me about red ocean/blue ocean. It is realizing that when you are all going after the same fish that there is blood in the water. But when you open your eyes, get creative, and ask God for a new fishing spot, you get to fish a blue ocean. And even if there are fewer fish in the blue fishing area, they are all yours for the taking.

When you pursue competition in business with the mentality of finding your USP (unique selling proposition), you automatically realize what sets you apart from others. You set yourself up to fish in a blue ocean.

In the economy of heaven, you don't have to steal business to grow and compete. Jesus actually creates business for you. Remember when the disciples were fishing the way that they always had. Jesus instructed them to put there net on the other side of the boat. Their obedience filled their nets with an abundance of fish. Listen and be quick to obey, and your nets will be filled.

Walking in this reality requires you to realize that there is enough for you and for your competition. 

So let's ponder and do these things... 1) Think about your competitors. BLESS THEM!!! When you do, you are releasing the grabby attitude and the stinginess of heart that will hold you from growth.

2) Are you fishing in a red ocean or a blue ocean? If you need a new blue fishing spot, ask Jesus to give you creative insight on how to grow your business where the competition isn't looking. (And understand that after you have fished a spot for a season, those in your industry will follow your pioneering path. That is why change is continuous. Because we are in perpetual motion. It is glory to glory that we move. Continual momentum.)

3) Do you feel like you are lacking in customers? Ask Jesus for more than enough.

4) Can you define your USP? What sets you apart and makes you different? Is it your integrity? What you do for your client? Some of both? Establish it and stand firm in it.

Bless

____________, I bless you in the name of Jesus. I bless you to experience the favor of the Lord. I bless you to find your blue ocean. I bless you to release the lack that keeps your from blessing your competitors.

Declare

I declare that I will sow honor. I will operate with my values and morals even when others are succeeding. I declare that I will operate knowing that my inheritance, my leads, and my customers are funneled to me from heaven. I eagerly anticipate the suddenly that causes my net to overflow with fish.