Author Archives: pastorjeffsneighborhood

About pastorjeffsneighborhood

Born and raised in Minnesota, I have served in churches in Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and California. I am a graduate of Crown College (MN) and George Fox Evangelical Seminary (OR). I have also done additional graduate studies in New Testament Studies at the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary (CA). I am also a graduate of the College of Prayer. Having served as the Academic Dean and Program Director at Horizon Institute of Los Angeles for several years, I have returned to the pastorate and serve as Pastor of Big Trees Community Bible Church in Arnold, CA.

Purity

Posted on October 23, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We must be people of the Word if we are going to live in purity. We must come with a “seeking heart,” verbally recounting the precepts and meditating on them, to hide them in our hearts. As we realize that God has given them for our good–and so that we won’t miss out on all the blessings he has for us–we rejoice in the Word and delight in our obedience. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, delight in the decrees, encouragement, God, hidden your word in my heart, how can a young man keep his way pure, Jesus, keep his way pure, living according to Your word, obedience, purity | Leave a comment

Replacing Fear with Boldness

Posted on October 22, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul urged Timothy, not be intimidated, but to rely on the Holy Spirit who had given him the spiritual gifts to do the ministry he was called to. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bold witness, boldness, don't be shy, empowered by the Holy Spirit, encouragement, fear, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, spirit of fear, testimony, timidity | Leave a comment

Money Matters

Posted on October 21, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Thanksgiving, contentment, generosity and willingness to share: these are attitudes that keep money a blessing rather than a stumbling block. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Blessing, christianity, faith, God, God is our source, godliness with contentment, greed, Jesus, materialism, money, provision, stumbling block, wise stewardship | Leave a comment

My Strength and My Song

Posted on October 20, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What is your situation today? Remember that the LORD with you. He is your helper. He is your strength. He is your song. He has become your salvation! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged encouragement, God, GOd is my helper, God is my salvation, God is my song, I called to the LORD, my song, out of my distress, Psalm 118 | Leave a comment

Set an Example

Posted on October 19, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We live in a day looking for people of integrity—examples we can follow. Take Paul’s advice to heart:

“Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged encouragement, faith, God, integrity, Jesus, l;ife, leaders, love, purity, set an example, young people | Leave a comment

The Praise of All Peoples

Posted on October 18, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

All the cultures of the world with their own languages, music, arts and craftsmanship have a unique beauty. Each in a unique way shows us a glimpse of what it means to be created in “His image.” All the races, languages and cultures reflect the wisdom and glory of their creator. He finds beauty in each one and looks to the day when people from all nations will gather around his throne in heaven and all that beauty will come together to create a glorious symphony of praise: Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged arts, beauty, craftsmanship, cultures of the world, God, image of God, Jesus, languages, missions, music, symphony of praise, Worship | 1 Comment

Devoted to Closeness

Posted on October 17, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God asks a haunting question: “Who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged close to God's heart, close to the Lord, devoted to closeness, encouragement, faith, God, Hope, Jesus, man after God's heart, prayer | Leave a comment

How Could We Ever Repay the Lord for His Goodness?

Posted on October 16, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

So what can we do to repay him? We can “lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.” In other words, we can continue to honor him as God, not only by rejoicing in his answer (his salvation), but also by continuing to cry out to him for further answers to prayer (call on his name) Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answered prayer, benevolence of God, call on the name of the LORD, faith, God, goodness of God, I love doing them good, Jesus, lift up the cup of salvation, prayer, what can I do to repay the Lord?, Worship | Leave a comment

Prayer Priorities

Posted on October 15, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul’s prayer request, “Pray that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored,” is a reminder to us that an important focus of our prayers should be effective evangelism—for our pastors, for our churches, for our missionaries and especially for ourselves. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Message of the Lord, prayer evangelism, prayer priorities, prayer requests, spread rapidly and be honored, witness | 1 Comment

Eternal Encouragement

Posted on October 14, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Perhaps you need a fresh touch of God’s love and encouragement. Maybe you need God to give you a clearer sense of the good hope that is yours in Christ. Maybe you need his strengthening power in every good deed and word today. I pray that Paul’s blessing for the Thessalonians may be yours today. Receive it! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged encouragement, eternal encouragement, God's love, good hope, strengthened with all power, word and deed | 1 Comment