Deploy Joyనమూనా

RANKS

In the military, rank advancement typically depends on a combination of time-in-service, demonstrated competency, and performance evaluations. Enlisted ranks often rely on time-in-grade and time-in-service, while officer promotions can be subject to board review. There are sometimes exceptions to rank advancement, like our daughter, who went into the National Guard. Because she was already through medical school when she enlisted, she was immediately considered a Captain upon entering, thanks to her education already under her belt.

There are many ranks in the military. There are also many different ranks as a Christian. Some do life joyfully, while others make you wonder if they've ever thought about telling their face they're supposed to live victoriously in Christ Jesus with joy! Scripture tells us to do all things "heartily as unto the Lord!" (Col. 3:23) If we can grasp that mindset, there's no reason to hold back the Joy that came inside us that day we were saved! As a believer, with Christ IN YOU, you have been gifted with the power of The Holy Spirit to always exercise joy.

We can exude joy within our current rank simply because of the finished work on the cross that Jesus did for each one of us! 1 Peter 2:24 tells us: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."

HEALED! Is that something to express joy about? Salvation! Is that something to be joyful about? Are you working on advancing your ranking with God? If we work on righteousness via study, prayer, and application, we can't help but exude joy! (1 Peter 1:8)

Today, priorities are a struggle. People struggle to be content, joyous, calm, and loving. Sadly, it's a me, me, me society that we live in. If we each could take a step back and use our own personal names to enter into 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 in the place of the word "love..." then we would look more like what Jesus wants!

For instance:

"Toni is patient and kind. Toni does not envy or boast: Toni is not arrogant or rude. Toni does not insist on her own way. Toni is not irritable or resentful; Toni does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the Truth. Toni bears all things, hopes in all things, and endures all things!"

Write that down for yourself today!

PRAYER

Father,

Help me love as YOU when dealing with everything daily. Fill me with Your Word, Your Hope, and Your Joy. Be my Anthem to walk into each day with!

In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.