Monthly Archives: August 2025

Hard Times

Posted on August 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How do we handle unimaginable tragedy? What do we do when our worst nightmares come true? This is the stuff that Job had to deal with. This is the stuff that this book deals with. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessed be the name of the Lord, Book of Job, lament, open up your heart to God, suffering, The Lord Gave, The Lord takes away, tragedy, trials, unimaginable tragedy | Leave a comment

If. . .

Posted on August 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Love enables us to work together and learn from each other. Some in the body bring discernment to extremes; others help bring openness to the true working of God. As we love each other, we learn from each other. Gifts are given to build up the body, not to tear it apart. As we serve in love, that is exactly what happens. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 1 Cor 13, love, motivated by love, Spiritual gifts, the love chapter | Leave a comment

Finding Your Place

Posted on August 19, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God has a place of service for you. A place where your passion, experience, and giftedness comes together to meet a need. You are a unique but important piece of the puzzle that will not be complete until you find your place. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged discover your gifts, empowered, experience, finding your place of service, meet a need, passion to serve, Spiritual gifts | Leave a comment

Behind the Scenes

Posted on August 18, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God is at work behind the scenes using people like you and me to accomplish his purposes. He has placed us where we are “for such a time as this.” We may live in a land of compromise, but we do not have to compromise. God will use us “in such a time as this” as we stand strong with a willingness to risk it all for the sake of the Gospel. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged behind the scenes, Book of Esther, Esther, for such a time as this, God is at worj, Mordecai | Leave a comment

Time to Celebrate

Posted on August 17, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God made a way for the impossible to be done. He had shown himself faithful again and again. As they remembered his goodness, they were filled with joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faithful God, God had been working, joy, love endures forever.reason to celebrate, project completed, rejoice in the LORD | Leave a comment

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Posted on August 16, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s love for us is a truth that provides a firm foundation. There are many things in this world that we do not understand, or cannot understand. God’s love and faithfulness is the foundational truth through which we filter the questions in our attempts to make sense of the tough times. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged established in the heavens itself, hesed, I will sing of the Lord's faithfulness, love of God, lovingkindness, loyal love, unfailing love | 1 Comment

All Things To All People

Posted on August 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We have a message for all ages, for all peoples, for all languages and cultures. Let us seek to understand those we are communicating with, so we can better relate the gospel to them in ways that best communicate the truth. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all things to all people, communicate the truth, contextualization, don't miscommunicate, heart language of the people, never compromise the message, Pauls missionary methods | Leave a comment

Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Each day is an opportunity for celebration as we hear and understand God’s word. Understanding it brings joy, and that “joy of the Lord is our strength” (8:12). God teaches us principles that enable us to live “life to the full.” His promises give us hope that strengthens us through the most difficult of times. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God's word, great rejoicing, joy, joy of the Lord, Nehemiah, promises, strength | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Tearing down is simple. Building up is an art. Anyone can criticize; it takes no great skill to see the problems. It takes a real leader not to be distracted by the words that tear down; to keep to the task despite criticism. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Building Up, dealing with criticism, dealing with critics, encouragement, faith, focus, God, Leaders are undeterred by criticism, leaders deal with criticism, leadership, Nehemiah, prayer, tearing down, Tobiah and Sanballat | Leave a comment

Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. No matter how difficult the circumstances or the opposition, he knew his God was greater; he knew his God loved him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abounding love, Bending God's Ear, Greatness of God, intercession, praise the Lord, prayer, undivided heart | Leave a comment