Monthly Archives: September 2024

True Freedom

Posted on September 20, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The secret: a dynamic Spirit-filled life where we are led by the Spirit, controlled by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. A life where we draw on the resources of grace. That is true freedom: the freedom to obey; the freedom to serve in love. That requires relationship and it takes away all the boasting and pride. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged freedom to do what is good, freedom to obey, freedom to serve, grace, legalism, liberty, license, true freedom | Leave a comment

Who is Waiting?

Posted on September 19, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Waiting brings a greater blessing, as Isaiah reminds us: “Blessed are all those who wait for him” (30:18b). One day the waiting will be over and God will graciously bless us. He is waiting and longing to do that very thing: “The LORD waits (longs) to be gracious to you” (30:18a). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, God acts when he might be most gracious, God is longing and waiting to bless you, prayer, Sometimes God waits, Sometimes we wait, wait in hope, waiting in prayer | Leave a comment

Christ Formed in You

Posted on September 18, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul points us to the alternative: Christ being formed in them—Christ living his life out through them. It’s a life lived by grace through faith. It’s a life of freedom and joy. And it’s all found in a dynamic, ongoing, intimate relationship with Jesus. As we spend time with him, as we pursue spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, we are formed spiritually. We become more and more like Jesus. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ formed in them, freedom, knowledge of Christ, more and more like Jesus, relationship with Christ, spiritual formation | Leave a comment

Practicing His Presence

Posted on September 17, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Amen doesn’t have to be the end of our prayer time. It can be only the beginning. If we linger in his presence as we begin the day, we can take his presence with us wherever we go—whatever we do. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Amen doesn't have to be the end of our prayers, I am with you, linger in God's presence, practicing the presence, prayer, spiritual disciplines, wherever we go | Leave a comment

The Real Thing

Posted on September 16, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

By faith we exchange our life for his; our desires for his; our strength for his. By faith we rely on the power he supplies through the Holy Spirit. By faith we recognize that we are dead to the “self-life”—all of our attempts to do it on our own, all of our selfish motives, even our self-righteous attempts to please God that are filled with pride. Our best attempts to do it on our own get us nowhere. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ in me, Christ-life, Crucified with Christ, life of faith, living by grace, self-life, the great exchange, trained by grace | Leave a comment

Stealing Freedom

Posted on September 15, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There will always be some who will try to steal your freedom and place you in bondage to a religious system. Don’t let them steal your freedom. Find the joy of living in the freedom of a relationship with Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged legalism, relationship with Christ, religious system, rule based system, stealing freedom | Leave a comment

Good News

Posted on September 14, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t let anyone take your freedom. Don’t let others impose unnecessary rules and regulations. Don’t let them look down upon you because you worship and serve Jesus a little differently than they do. Your identity is found in Christ, not in the externals. Open your heart to Jesus and live in intimate fellowship with him. Find the freedom of life lived to the full in the power of the Spirit. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boundary markers, freedom, good news, gospel, legalism | Leave a comment

Passing the Test

Posted on September 13, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul’s measuring stick is this: “Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves: that “Jesus Christ is in you?” The life of Jesus in you is the sure sign that you are moving ahead in the faith. As we become more and more like him, we show the sure fruit that we are growing in the faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged becoming more like Jesus, fruit of the Spirit, growth in the faith, life of Jesus, progress, test yourselves | Leave a comment

The Big Picture

Posted on September 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When what we see with our eyes doesn’t seem to make sense, it is time to look at the big picture—to get an eternal perspective. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged big picture, eternal perspective, Isaiah, kingdom of God, Messiah, second coming of Christ, when life doesn't make sense | Leave a comment

He Will Reign

Posted on September 11, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When our world seems to spin out of control, we must run back to this truth, that the Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. In the midst of tragedy, we must look forward to the day when Christ will return to right all the wrongs and to reign with the government on his shoulders. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 9-11, 9-11 cross, God works all things together for good, sovereign God, the cross still stands, world trade center disaster | Leave a comment