Monthly Archives: August 2021

Constructive Praying (Aug 11)

Posted on August 11, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Cupbearers tend to be people of prayer. Contractors tend to be people of action. Nehemiah was both. A Burdened heart led to powerful intercession. The struggle of prayer led to an open door by the blessing of God. A praying cupbearer was given opportunity to put feet to his prayers. Continue reading →

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Hope for the Hopeless (Aug 10)

Posted on August 10, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Despite our failures, our attempts to distance ourselves from God, our deliberate disobedience, our drifting from the principles of his word, God is still faithful and forgiving. He is a God of grace and mercy. He is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13). He doesn’t give up on his people—even the ones who seem hopeless. People like you and me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged distancing ourselves from God, drifting spiritualy, failures, God is faithful, hope for the hopeless | Leave a comment

Seeking the Blessing of God (Aug 9)

Posted on August 9, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

uilding the temple—it brought him to his knees. They needed “some reviving to set up the house of God, to repair its ruins…” (9:10 ESV). God had been faithful to bless, but the continued hand of the Lord was needed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, Ezra, Hand of the Lord, prayer, revival | 1 Comment

The Hand of the Lord (Aug 8)

Posted on August 8, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

This passage repeatedly mentions the “hand of the Lord.” God blessed Ezra in extraordinary ways because “the hand of the Lord” was “on him.” The hand of the Lord being upon you is his blessing. Just as in the Old Testament, where we see fathers placing their hands on their children to bless them, and just as Jesus placed his hands on children to bless them, so the Heavenly Father himself places his hand upon Ezra and extraordinary blessings followed. Continue reading →

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The Eyes of the Lord (Aug 7)

Posted on August 8, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God has been watching his people. As they have begun to turn to him, he has turned toward them; he is watching out for them. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eyes of the Lord, God's blessing, God's care, God's protection | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty (Aug 6)

Posted on August 6, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s not terribly surprising that a consumer culture produces so many spoiled spiritual babes, but it is sad. Growing up requires taking up the cross and dying to our selfish immaturity, moving beyond our comfort zone and our need to always have it our way. Continue reading →

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The Foolishness of Brilliance (Aug 5)

Posted on August 5, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Many of the greatest minds of history have found their revolutionary ideas to be rejected initially because they seemed to be foolishness. People just couldn’t understand. Continue reading →

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Plastic Prayers Make Plastic Churchgoers (Aug 4)

Posted on August 4, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Much of what passes for Christianity today does seem “plastic and fake.” But the Bible is not. The pages are filled with very real, human characters. It’s painfully honest about their struggles and failures (and the successes, of course). Continue reading →

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Amazing Grace! (Aug 3)

Posted on August 3, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

August 3 Amazing Grace! Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 82:1-8| 2 Chronicles 33:14 – 34:33| Romans 16:8-27| Proverbs 20:19 Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Chronicles 33:1 – 34:33 “In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled … Continue reading →

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The Mountaintop (Aug 2)

Posted on August 2, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The crisp, cool air blows through your hair as you as gaze upon the majestic beauty of other mountain peaks. You are above them all. You are on the mountaintop. It’s an exhilarating place to be, a dangerous place. It was quite an adventure to get there and even more difficult to stay there. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Hezekiah, mountaintop, pride, success | Leave a comment