St James Tampa

Mary didn’t know who she was without Jesus. But, when she focused on who she was with Jesus, everything changed. Being aware of whose she was, and who she was, gave her vision for her life, and her mission to the disciples (and the rest of us).

The disciples are gathered in Upper Room out of fear. We all have fears when we consider a new vision/the future : letting go of the past, inadequacy, who will go with us?

Mary, Peter & John were all acting upon what they thought they knew – Jesus was dead and in a tomb. In Gospel John’s account of this, there are no angels when they first get to the tomb. In this story, for them to see the vision of Jesus’ resurrection, all they had was faith & belief. They had to focus on what was unseen, not seen.

Expectations provide one thing, but experience is something totally different! In Jesus, we experience full life change and transformation!

Don’t let the stones on the ground become a better worshipper than you!

When we accept Jesus, our lives are completely transformed to have a new heart in Christ.

“Not my will, but thine be done.” He is willing to go through the ultimate trial for us, and we can do the same with Him in us.

The powerful truth of the Gospel still is: even from the Cross, Jesus asked God to forgive us specifically when “they do not know.”

Like the soldiers at the Cross, we too can easily dismiss Jesus, through our familiarity with the story, our prejudices, or distractions. The Cross of Jesus brings it all back to clear focus for us.

Lent, the season before Easter used for personal reflection and spiritual growth as we pursue a better understanding of the life and death of Christ.

We express our worship of God through every little thing we do. Let us live the "God Life," not for us, but for God.

When we discover our true inner core in God, out outer lives and mission reveal God's glory! 

Training up children. Why do we do what we do? Are we just reciting words or do they eventually take shape and mold into who we are?

Every group has an inextricable, yet tangible “core.” When we join our individual core into a community of faith, our individual core is transformed, protected, and strengthened. We personally, in turn, affect the core of the group; to transform, protect, and strengthen it

Only a strong, solid foundation will support strong building. We’ll see how Jesus is the cornerstone of our sure foundation, and what we can build because of that.

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life." Which speaks to "The Core" of who we are, love and relationships.

Alignment is truly revealed through testing. When our core is centered in God, we can withstand any test the devil might throw at us.

To begin this new life, we need to draw from the source of eternal life, the Lord's Holy Spirit.

God gives a vision of the end goal to inspire a new beginning.