Rediscovering Boldness, Trust & Character.

When you think about your life, who comes to mind when you think of people with "CHARACTER"? Who were examples of people you admired for their commitment to their faith and the importance of impeccable leadership and integrity? Who were BOLD for their faith and not ashamed to tell you about it?  

This past week, we have been diving into the Old Testament and the Book of 1 Samuel.  We spend most of our devotional time in the New Testament, so it has been interesting to go back in time, way before Jesus arrived on the scene, and see how God speaks to us through these Old Testament writings. Samuel was Israel's last Judge and one of its greatest Prophets. Samuel lived around 1100 BC.

Among several things, we have enjoyed reading 1 Samuel, and what drove our thinking for today's Fist Bump was Samuel's character and how he committed 100% of his life to listening to and trusting God. From being a young boy to his death, you NEVER doubted his faith.

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3: 5-6

While in a very different time and circumstance, Samuel and his life are a great example for us.

→ BE A MAN OF YOUR WORD. It is so important to one's Character to be a person who can be trusted. A person who stands behind their word and, you know, will back up what they say.  They do not sway with what is popular but are willing to stand behind their belief.  Samuel was a man of his word. 

→ TRUST is foundational to any relationship.

→ STAY DILIGENT IN PRAYER AND READING THE WORD. You cannot hear and follow God's leading without a constant relationship with Him. Be diligent in your daily habits of worship. With today's schedules, it is hard, but try to find time each day to dedicate yourself to the Lord as Samuel did. Clearly, God was the number one priority in Samuel's life. 

→ BE BOLD IN YOUR FAITH.  Samuel was certainly BOLD for his beliefs and those of God. In today's world, where it seems the Christian faith is under attack, we, as men of CHARACTER, need to stand up for what we know to be TRUTH.  Whether in our homes, work, schools, or communities, those we interact with most need to see the foundation on which our Character is built. They need to know we have a rudder. They need to know our Character is solidly planted in the teaching of God.

→ FIND SOMEONE TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.  Someone who will not hesitate to get in your face when needed.  Even when it was not popular and hard to do, Samuel always spoke the truth to those closest to him.  If you do not have this person, find them. As you walk through life, having a person you can count on and have ultimate trust in is important.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Gents, as we head into a new week, can we all refresh the importance of Character and Integrity in our lives? May we be examples to our wives, kids, and grandkids as Samuel was to us. May the Character we reflect be contagious to others around us.