Monthly Archives: July 2026

No Condemnation

Posted on July 22, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Our heavenly Father loves us deeply and does not condemn us. But we do not always live as if that is true. Many times others treat us as if that is not true. Their words shame us and condemn us. How unlike Jesus who said, “Neither do I condemn you, Go and sin no more.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged christ died for us, condemnation, encouragement, future, grace, guilty, in christ Jesus, Jesus, no condemnation, past, present, shame | Leave a comment

Hide and Seek

Posted on July 21, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Does it seem like God is playing “hide and seek” with you? Then perhaps this is a time to become child-like again; a time to enjoy the seeking again–to rediscover the joy of hide and seek. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged disappointment with God, God seems distant, God's absence, hide and seek, Psalms, the joy of finding | Leave a comment

A Heart of Wisdom

Posted on July 20, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God is always pleased when we ask for wisdom. His word makes it clear that it is ours for the asking. He delights in giving it to us, whenever we need it. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged ask for wisdom, ask God, God gives wisdom, God gives wisdom generously, Solomon | Leave a comment

Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on July 19, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Those called to a great task are those most likely to be targeted by discouragement arrows. So take heart, you must be causing some threat to the enemy or he wouldn’t bother to waste his arrows on you. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be strong and courageous, discouragement, do not fear, don't lose heart, encouragment, leaders get discouraged, Solomon, you have things to accomplish | Leave a comment

A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

Posted on July 18, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Hope that doesn’t disappoint comes from an intimate walk with our God who is faithful to his promises. It remembers the promises of God and finds the grace to stand and persevere even through the trials of faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abraham and sara, Abraham believed, Abram, against all hope, faith, faithful, he did not waver through unbelief, persevering faith, promises of God, Romans 4, Sara | 1 Comment

A Heart that Trusts

Posted on July 17, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

This is the essence of faith—of a heart that trusts God: resting in the faithfulness of God. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Abraham man of faith, Christ, faith, God, heart that trusts God, resting in the faithfulness of God, When the way is unclear | Leave a comment

Cleaning Up the Mess

Posted on July 16, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Because we’re all “a mess,” spiritually speaking, we need someone to clean us up and make us new. The law shows us how messy we are and points us to Jesus, the one who is able to deal with the sin in our hearts. He made a way for the sin and its consequences to be dealt with: the cross. As we turn from the mess we make because of our sin and turn to Him, confessing our sin and opening our heart to a relationship with Jesus, he comes to dwell in our heart and make us new. Sin and guilt are dealt with. We enter into a relationship characterized by faith and trust which brings life—life lived to the full (life as it was meant to be lived) now and in eternity (where it only gets better). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all have sinned, fallen short of the glory of God, no not one, Romans 3, ruin and misery marks their ways, salvation, spiritual mess, transformation | Leave a comment

God is the Strength of My Heart

Posted on July 15, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But there is a turning point in this lament Psalm: verse 17. “Till I entered the sanctuary of God.” The lament is an important part of our prayer life. We need to pour out our hearts, like Asaph, in complete openness and honesty. We need to open our hearts to God: even our questions, doubts, fears and wounds. But we do so in his presence, and when possible in the company of a loving group of fellow believers who are there with us to help us move from bitterness to strength. We need to enter the sanctuary of His presence. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bitterness to strength, courage and strength, healing of our heart, joy of his presence, lament, nearness of GOd, prayer, presence of God, Psalms, strength of my heart, turning point | Leave a comment

An Honest Heart

Posted on July 14, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open your heart to Jesus and allow him to deal with your self-righteousness and pride. Experience a fresh touch of his love, his kindness, his tolerance and patience. Then you may actually have some good news to share with a world that desperately needs it. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God, God's kindness tolerance and patience, grace, Jesus, kindness leads to repentance, Lukewarm, proud, put together?, Romans 2, roots of pride and sin, salvation, self-righteous | Leave a comment

The Heart that is Free

Posted on July 13, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open your heart to Jesus. Enjoy your time in his presence in the solitary place. Then join together with the saints to celebrate God with all your heart and soul and strength—with all the intensity you have. Find the freedom of David—the freedom of a heart set free. Don’t let anyone steal your joy! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, boldness, David and Michal, david danced, faith, form of godliness but denying its power, freedom, God, Jesus, joy, Praise, Worship | Leave a comment