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.

He Is Doing a New Thing

Posted on September 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

He is the God who makes a way in the wilderness. In the wilderness you are tried and tested. You may feel alone and desperate. It may seem like you’ll be stuck in the wilderness forever. But God will not leave you there forever. When the time is right, he will make a way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged a new thing, desert, God is doing a new thing, the rains will come, thirsty, wilderness | Leave a comment

He Holds Your Hand

Posted on September 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Whatever your trial, know that your heavenly Father is holding on to your hand. He is there and won’t let you go. Don’t be afraid. He is there to help you. When his hand is clasping yours, any place is a safe place. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged comfort and reassurance, encouragement, faith, Father's hand holding on to yours, God's protection, He holds your hand, Hope, peace, prayer, Your Heavenly Father's strong hand | Leave a comment

Soaring on Eagle’s Wings

Posted on September 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we wait in hope—seeking him expectantly—he renews our strength. God gives us the ability to walk when we grow tired—the ability to run when all our strength is gone. He even gives us the ability to soar against all the gusts of wind—the circumstances of life that seem to make it impossible to keep moving forward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, Let's soar, run and not grow weary, soar against the strong currents, soar like an eagle, Soaring on Eagle's wings, wait in hope, walk and not be faint | Leave a comment

Where to Turn

Posted on September 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In prayer, he takes the situation to the LORD and rests in the character and promise of His God. He appeals to God’s glory and prays that God will work in such a way that all the kingdoms will know that “You alone are God.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, Hezekiah, laid out his concern before the LORD, prayer, reveal your glory, sackcloth and ashes, trusting God, wisdom, words of the accuser, Worship, you alone are God | Leave a comment

True Freedom

Posted on September 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But through the Spirit, we can put to death the misdeeds of the flesh. We don’t have to live gratifying the desires of the flesh. The life of Christ in you promises something better: Freedom to do what is good and right. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged freedom, grace, law of love, legalism, liberty, license, obedience, relationship with Jesus, serve one another in love, what is true and right | Leave a comment

Who is Waiting?

Posted on September 19, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But most of the time he is teaching us how to trust Him in the dark—to press ahead in trust when we struggle to understand the path ahead. Don’t be discouraged in the process. Remember that he is gracious and he longs to bless you when the time is right. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answers to prayer, bible, blessed are those who wait, christianity, dark night, faith, God, God hears, God listens, gracious, Hope, Jesus, silence, the Lord longs to be gracious to you, this is the way walk in it, waiting, when the time is right | Leave a comment

Christ Formed in You

Posted on September 18, 2025 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 children of God, Christ-like, Christian maturity, formed into the likeness of Jesus, freedom, freedom and joy, intimacy with God, liberty, relationship with Christ, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation | Leave a comment

Practicing His Presence

Posted on September 17, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open your heart to Jesus, enjoy fellowship with Him today. Rejoice in his presence as you begin the day, and you can walk in it the rest of the day. More importantly, you can walk with Him–Jesus, our Emmanuel. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged adoration, Amen, amen doesn't have to be the end of our prayer, Emmanuel, enjoy God's presence, intercession, Listening Prayer, Practicing the Presence of Jesus, Worship | Leave a comment

The Real Thing

Posted on September 16, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The key to living the Christian life is not trying hard to live by the rules in my own strength and power. Rather, it is all about a grace based relationship with the one who loves me most—Jesus. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ in me, Christ's life in me, freedom in Christ, grace based relationship with Jesus, in CHrist, Jesus, not legalism, Open your heart, self-life | Leave a comment

Stealing Freedom

Posted on September 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But real Christianity is not about trying hard to live by the rules. It is about recognizing that I can’t live by the rules on my own and crying out to God for help. Entering into a relationship with Christ, he strengthens me by his Spirit to find the freedom to walk with God on this adventure of faith. As we walk together, I learn, I grow, I fall down, He picks me up, and I learn and grow some more. It’s all about a relationship with Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged adventure of faith, don't let them steal your freedom, freedom in Christ, Galatians, gospel, Jesus, legalism, liberty, license, relationship with Christ, the real thing, true christianity | Leave a comment