Good morning, yes. You can be seated. Welcome. Glad you're here. I want to welcome those of you that are watching online as well.

Well, today we're going to Lord willing finish chapter one in James. Our text is going to be verses 26 and 27. I would invite you to turn there at this time

if you haven't already. But before we jump in, I want to take the opportunity to just thank

all of you for your patience with us. We are doing our best with the increased attendance. And we would certainly covet your prayers

for the leadership, the staff, and the many servants that faithfully and tirelessly serve

behind the scenes. Please know that the changes we've made up to this point and the changes that we are still

making are bathed in much prayer and fasting. One more thing next week is, of course, can't

believe it's already here, Resurrection Sunday. And while our service times are going to be

at the same time, we really do need your patience with us. First service will still be the

prophecy update, but second service will be a Resurrection Sunday celebration and sermon.

So that'll be next week. So with that, for those of you that

are here, if you're able, I'll ask you to stand. If not where you're seated is fine.

You can follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 26, James by the Spirit writes, those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight

rain on their tongues, deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

I'm sorry, I'm chuckling. Religion, verse 27, that God our father accepts

as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Let's pray if you would please join with me.

Oh, Lord, thank you for your word in this passage that we have before us today here in your word.

Lord, this particular passage is one that really requires the Holy Spirit to open up the eyes of our understanding so that we can see what it is that

you want to show us here.

Because arguably at first read, it's a little bit, I don't want to use the word confusing, but it can be easily misunderstood.

And so Lord, would you give us understanding?

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