“Your purification does not come through rites and rituals but by the cleansing of the blood of Jesus as you live according to his commands and teaching: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7,9. God does not require perfect people to come into his presence because that is impossible for any human being. He does expect spiritual purity and provides the means for that through confession of sins and walking in the light of obedience to Christ.

“Seekers of pleasure will always be disappointed because life is often challenging and not fun. On the other hand, seekers of God who want to please him will be filled with joy even when going through difficulties. The Israelites under Nehemiah’s leadership did not have it easy, but they could not contain their joy seeing God at work in and through them. When you rejoice in the Lord, you show everyone that you know, love, and trust him and that he has been so good.”

Get Building (Give God the Glory: Lesson 11), Del Wells