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.

Good News

Posted on September 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The gospel is good news for all people. We should not do anything to confuse or pervert it. We should not add to it. We should not make it more difficult through adding rules or condemnation. We should not exclude those unlike us. In fact, we should go out of our way to eliminate the distractions and let the simple truth shine through. The gospel is meant to be good news for all people of all cultures. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged freedom, Galatians, good news for all people, gospel, gospel of grace, Jesus, legalism, liberty, license, new creation | Leave a comment

Passing the Test

Posted on September 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul reminds us that we sometimes need to check our progress in the faith. Are we growing up in the faith? Are we becoming more and more like Jesus? Or are we just drifting along without any apparent progress, or worse, losing ground? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged check our progress, fruit of the Spirit, growth, he who began the good work, Jesus Christ is in you, maturity, perseverance, progress in faith, test yourselves | Leave a comment

The Big Picture

Posted on September 12, 2025 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. For Isaiah, that meant pointing to the hope of the coming Messiah. In earlier chapters he warned of judgment, but even in all that he points to the hope that one day the Messiah will come. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged a branch will bear fruit, bible, big picture, christianity, faith, God, Isaiah, Jesus, kingdom of God, Messiah, rule and reign, shoot from the stump of Jesse | Leave a comment

He Will Reign

Posted on September 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Until that day, we live in a battle zone. Evil is very much a part of our reality. Yet God is still on the throne and he is still accomplishing his purposes, even in making good of tragedy (Romans 8:28). Yet all creation looks to the day Christ will return to rule and reign with justice and righteousness forever and ever. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 9-11, 9-11 cross, He Will Reign, kingdom of God, second coming of Christ, September 11th, the cross still stands, when everything else falls | Leave a comment

Holy Love

Posted on September 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In Isaiah’s vision, angels are awestruck by the holiness of God and continually cry out, “holy, holy, holy.” Isaiah too, is struck by the holiness of God. To get a true vision of God is to see Him in holiness—to be awestruck by the beauty of his holiness. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged here am I send me, Holiness, holiness and love, holy holy holy, Holy love, joy of forgiveness, repentance, the whole earth if full of his glory | Leave a comment

Boasting in Weakness

Posted on September 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In our weakness, God’s strength shines through clearly and brightly. We are jars of clay in which God chooses to dwell. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boasting in weakness, crafstmanship, flaws, imperfection, incredible love of GOd, jars of clay, scars, scars as a badge of spiritual authority, weakness | Leave a comment

Demolishing Strongholds

Posted on September 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We must stand firm against his attacks by putting on the armor of God (see Ephesians 6). The armor protects, but also enables us to take the word of God praying in such a way as to defeat the enemy in our lives, and demolish his strongholds. He has no rightful place in our lives, and we can resist him through the promises of the word and through the command of faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we command him to flee, he must. For greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world. We stand in Christ’s authority, and he has won the battle. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authority of Christ, Demolishing strongholds, God is your mighty fortress, pursuit of pleasure, spiritual warfare, take thoughts captive, thoughts obedient to Christ, weapons not of this world | Leave a comment

Tired of Waiting

Posted on September 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Can you relate to the Psalmist? Have you ever had a time when you grew tired of waiting for the answer to your prayer? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abandoned, alone, at the right time, encouragement, faith, God will answer, prayer, tired of waiting, wait, When God is silent, when there is no answer to my prayer | Leave a comment

Oh Be Careful Little Eyes

Posted on September 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What images are filling your mind and heart? How are they affecting your values, beliefs and lifestyle? We do well to consider these things as we replace the worthless images with truth and beauty. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged addiction, captivated by images, images, Internet, internet pornography, movies, television, think on these things, worthless idols | Leave a comment

Shout for Joy

Posted on September 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Worship is not a time to mumble. It’s a time for joyful shouting—a time for joyful singing. We serve a great and awesome God and he is so worthy of our praise. Let us come with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts and let’s celebrate the greatness of our God! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged excitement, Greatness of God, joy, joyful songs, shout for joy, sports, thanksgiving and praise, Worship, worship | Leave a comment