Good morning and welcome. Sorry for the late start. Glad you're joining with us on this Independence

Day for our second service on Sunday morning. We have two services, the first of which is the

prophecy update, and second is our verse by verse study through the Word of God. We currently

find ourselves in the book of Hebrews, and today's text is going to be chapter 4, verses 12 through 16.

So for those of you that are here, if you're there already, if not, I'll invite you at this time

to turn there. And if you're able, please stand. You can follow along as I read. If not,

where you're seated is fine. The writer of Hebrews by the Holy Spirit, verse 12, writes,

For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.

It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.

It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing, verse 13, in all creation is hidden from God's sight.

Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, verse 14, since we have a great

high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not

have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who

has been tempted in every way just as we are. Yet

he did not sin. Let us then, verse 16, approach God's throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your word and especially this portion here before

us today.

Lord, that's why we're here today.

We're here because we want to hear you speak into our

lives as only you can in that still small refining voice very personally, very powerfully,

if need be confidentially, just between you and us, as you

...