I have been thinking about two particular people in my life a lot this week. Both by the name of George, my grandpa and Daniel Budzinski’s papa. I have been thinking about their lives and the legacy and influence they had on so many people. Both of them were so hard working and lived to SERVE others. Both of them have changed so many lives and so many eternities.

After reading this paragraph in the book “Building of Character” it explains very well how they lived and how I want to live. We are all such imperfect beings, incapable of perfect love. We often feel short cut or bad for ourselves when we don’t receive the amount of love we expect or the kinda of love we want, but we are more focused on loving others than being loved I think that is when we leave a George Girgenti and George Ruch kind of legacy. I think that is when we really fulfill our purpose and God’s ultimate will– to love others.

“It is God’s will that we should love; it may not always be God’s will that we should be loved. It seems to be the mission of some in this world to give and not to receive. They are set to shine in the darkness, burning up their own life as the lamp’s oil burns, to be light to other souls. They are called to serve, to minister, to wear out their life in giving sweetness, comfort, and help to others, while none come to minister to them, to pour love’s sweetness into their hearts, and to give them daily read of affection, cheer, and help.

In many homes we find such lives– a patient wife and mother, or a gentle, unselfish sister– blessing, caring for, serving, giving perpetually loves richest gifts, themselves meanwhile unloved, unserved, unrecognized, and unhelped. We are apt to pity such persons; but may it not be that they are nearer the heavenly ideal of doing God’s will than are some of those who sit in the sunshine of love, receiving, ministered unto, but not giving or serving?” – J.R Miller D.D

- Lizzy Krause

There is no substitute for human blood. There is life in human blood. It is one of the most vital and important cells in our human body and it is in the blood where we also find spiritual life and freedom. The foreshadowing of the new covenant is all throughout the old covenant. In the old it was the blood of animals that cleansed us from sin and presented us to God. The blood of animals was not sufficient to take away our sins. In the old covenant when blood was shed for sins by animals it covered us only for a short while BUT the blood of Jesus in the new covenant cleansed us from all our sins – past, present, and future!

So many christians do not know the power that we have in the blood. Without the shedding of Jesus’ blood we would not have the forgiveness of sins(Heb. 9:22)! So WHAT did Jesus mainly give us in the blood?

The blood of Jesus gives people:

1. Forgiveness of sins! (Col. 1:14)

2. Redemption from the old law and its curses! (Heb. 9:12)

3. Reconciliation back into intimate and close relationship with God! (Col. 1:20)

4. Justification from the wrath of God towards sin and rebellion! (Rom. 5:9)

5. Sanctification in our daily lives we live from sin! (1 John 1:7)

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DONT ever forget that its ONLY IN THE BLOOD that we have forgiveness of all our sins past present and future. We have been redeemed from the old laws curses! We have been reconciled unto God through the blood of Jesus! Through this reconciliation we can enter back into relationship and are called sons of God! We are ONCE and for all justified to God which means JUST if I have never sinned! He sees you as he saw His son Jesus! Lastly daily we need to be cleansed and sanctified by His blood! Oh the precious blood of Jesus every day as you live will make you whole and clean. NO wonder its called “precious!” Never forget to thank him for his blood!

So many people are looking to build great things for God. We have witnessed the destruction of many who have lost focus of what is really important, Jesus. People young and old pursue growth in their lives, yet the fundamental building block is out of place. It is time we check our foundation.

A reputation is how others see you, where as character is who you really are. Forming a reputation before you forge your character can destroy your life when you are not able to uphold in character what you built in reputation. We should not be fooled to think that success, advancement, and prosperity are the fruits and outcome of a blessed life. Success should rather be defined by the character in which you have lived, not the reputation you have built. Although you may never be applauded by men, you will have a reward from God that is beyond any earthly treasure or blessing – The applaud of God!  The advancement of character is through adversity. Adversity places a sense of dependency on what God has, not what you have. Rest in Him, believe in Him, and allow God to use your character to promote your reputation.

-Daniel Budzinski