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.

Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There would be a time for weeping, but this was a time for celebration: the celebration of understanding God’s word. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged hearing and understanding God's word, joy of the Lord, Joy of the Lord is my strength, Nehemiah | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down?

Posted on August 13, 2023 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 Building Up, criticism, encouragement, Nehemiah, Sanballat and Tobiah, stick to it, tearing down | Leave a comment

Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2023 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, awestruck by God's greatness, Bending God's Ear, Knowing God, prayer, Where to turn | Leave a comment

Constructive Praying

Posted on August 11, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

People of prayer must always be people of action. While people of prayer know how to wait until the right time, they don’t procrastinate their obedience when God opens the door. They step out in faith expecting the hand of the Lord to be upon them. They expect God to already be at work, preparing the way for their steps of obedient faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged building upon your prayers, foundation of prayer, God's work requires prayer preparation, intercession, prayer, prayers and work go together | Leave a comment

Hope for there Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

That God’s chosen people would so quickly fall back into deliberate disobedience and sin brought Ezra to his knees. Rebuilding the temple was important, but they also needed to rebuild their lives in accordance with God’s design. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged change, compromise, failures, God of hope, revival | Leave a comment

Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Ezra and the people began to fast and pray for more of God’s blessing. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, hear and obey God's word, obedience, prayer, seeking God's blessing | Leave a comment

The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s blessing (his hand) was on Ezra because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing of God, Cyrus of Persia, Ezra, God blessed Ezra, Hand of the Lord | Leave a comment

The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God has been watching his people. As they have begun to turn to him, he has turned toward them; he is watching out for them. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing of God, Eye of the Lord, eyes of the Lord, Ezra, return from exile, seeking to bless his people, watching over his people | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s not terribly surprising that a consumer culture produces so many spoiled spiritual babes, but it is sad. Growing up requires taking up the cross and dying to our selfish immaturity, moving beyond our comfort zone and our need to always have it our way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged growing old in the Lord, growing up, immaturity, maturity, Spiritual growth, Spiritual infancy | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Imagine trying to understand the wisdom of the most brilliant being in the universe—the creator of the universe. Is it any wonder that Paul tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to many? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brilliance, foolishness of the cross, great ideas, intellectuals, misunderstanding | Leave a comment