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.

Expect the Unexpected

Posted on June 12, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You never know what opportunities lay ahead when the Spirit leads you. Learn to know his voice through walking intimately with him. Take the time to be quiet and listen. Solitude and silence are two disciplines that are often neglected in our busy and noisy lives. Then led by the Spirit, expect the unexpected. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Acts, Ethiopian, expect the unexpected, God's direction, God's leading, Hearing God, intimacy with God, Isaiah, led by the Spirit, open doors, solitude and silence, unexpected opportunties | 2 Comments

Scattered on Purpose

Posted on June 11, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

June 11 Scattered On Purpose Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 131:1-3;1 Kings 8:1-66;Acts 7:51-8:13;Proverbs 17:1-33 Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 7:51-8:13 “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged change of location, finding meaning in tough times, moving, Moving On, persecution, power in weakness, suffering, tough times | Leave a comment

Waiting and Watching

Posted on June 10, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Intercessors serve as watchmen. They often spend late nights and early morning hours waiting on God–watching for him to work. Alert to the dangers; alert to the enemies movements, the watchman is focused especially on the coming dawn when God’s light breaks forth—the long awaited answers that result from watching and waiting. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged intercessors, keep watch, prayer, watching and wating, watchmen | Leave a comment

What Does it Cost?

Posted on June 9, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The one with the eternal perspective knows that the troubles of this life are not worth being compared to the glory that is to be revealed in the next. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boldness, book of acts, for there sake of the gospel, gospel, He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose, martyrdom, risk it all, stephen the martyr, unfairly accused, witness | Leave a comment

What Would You Ask For?

Posted on June 8, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all need God’s wisdom–everyday. How good to know that God is delighted to give the gift of wisdom to all who ask for it. You do not have to be a king or a religious leader, he gives it freely to all of us when we ask. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged ask me for anything, choosing wisely, God's wisdom, Solomon, wisdom | Leave a comment

For the Sake of the Name

Posted on June 7, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Others looked at the disciples and were amazed that God took ordinary, unschooled men and used them to boldly proclaim the truth. They recognized that the secret to their transformation was that “they had been with Jesus.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged disciples prayed, ordinary, persecution, they grew even bolder, they had been with Jesus, unschoolmen, Why do we find it so hard to share the good news?, Why so easily intimidated?, why so timid?, witness | Leave a comment

In Trouble

Posted on June 6, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

And what did they pray? Protection? Safety? No! They prayed for more boldness to stand strong in the face of the persecution. They also prayed for God’s spirit to be poured out on the church in power. They prayed for signs and wonders that would proclaim the power of Jesus to an unbelieving world. Note that they prayed for a fuller demonstration of what had already gotten them into trouble in the first place. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged book of acts, faith, Fire, Holy Spirit poured out, Peter and John, power of Jesus, prayer, Prayer in the book of Acts, prayer meeting, signs and wonders | Leave a comment

Unless the Lord Builds the House

Posted on June 5, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God has purposes and plans for each of our lives. His plans are always good. We do well to find out his “blueprints” and build our lives accordingly. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged direction, God's purpose prevails, God's will, guidance, labor in vain, prayer, unless the Lord builds the house | 1 Comment

Fire!

Posted on June 4, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

They took Jesus command seriously. They waited expectantly for the Holy Spirit to be poured out. They devoted themselves to praying together. And then it happened: Fire! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all together in one place, book of acts, devote yourselves to prayer, do it again, Holy Spirit, pentecost, prayer, with one accord | Leave a comment

One Accord

Posted on June 3, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Armin Gesswein often said, “When Jesus built a church, he first built a prayer meeting.” Acts chapter 1 is the record of that truth. The New Testament church was birthed out of a prayer meeting where “with one accord,” they were “devoting themselves to prayer.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Armin Gesswein, book of acts, devote yourselves to prayer, Holy Spirit, pentecost, power, prayer meeting, praying, witnesses | Leave a comment