Author Archives: pastorjeffsneighborhood

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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.

Christ Formed in You

Posted on September 18, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

While some might try to steal our joy and place us in bondage, Christ has come to set us free. Continue reading →

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Practicing His Presence

Posted on September 17, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Prayer begins as we open our heart to Jesus. We worship, we adore, we share our heart’s deepest burdens and longings, we confess, we listen, we intercede, we ask, we enjoy his presence.  We say, “Amen.” Continue reading →

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The Real Thing

Posted on September 16, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The real thing—the heart of the gospel—is Christ living in you and me. The key to living the Christian life is not trying hard to live by the rules in my own strength and power. It is all about a grace based relationship with the one who loves me most—Jesus. Continue reading →

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Stealing Freedom

Posted on September 15, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Be careful of any system that adds requirements to the gospel. One common form of such a system is legalism. Legalism attempts to place people in bondage to a religious system of rules and to take away the freedom that flows from a relationship with Christ. Continue reading →

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Good News

Posted on September 14, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul’s mission was to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Insisting that the people of God included all believers—Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female—there should be no exclusion through boundary markers of Jewish identity: primarily circumcision, food and Sabbath laws. By insisting on these external requirements, the false teachers were perverting the gospel. Insisting that Gentiles live as Jews is an unnecessary addition to the gospel that made it “no good news at all.” Continue reading →

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Passing the Test

Posted on September 13, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 13 Passing the Test Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 104:1-9 | Isaiah 12:1-14:32 | 2 Corinthians 13:1-14 | Proverbs 23:9-11  Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 13 “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along … Continue reading →

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The Big Picture

Posted on September 12, 2022 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. Continue reading →

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He Will Reign

Posted on September 11, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

On the one-year anniversary of 9-11, I went with some friends to minister to the families of victims of the 9-11 tragedy. Most of the debris had been cleaned up, but the reminders of the tragedy were very evident all around. One of the most striking scenes was to see two intersecting pieces of steel, remaining in the form of a cross right in the middle of the gaping hole that was the World Trade Center. Continue reading →

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Holy Love

Posted on September 10, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Understanding both God’s holiness and his loving goodness brings a balanced focus to our lives. Like Isaiah, we need a vision of the holiness of God. Like the psalmist, we also need to understand God’s heart of love towards his people. While they seem to be in stark contrast, they come together in a unity that brings balance to both. Continue reading →

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Boasting in Weakness

Posted on September 9, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Most of us spend a lot of energy trying to keep up a good front– to appear strong. We try very hard to pretend that everything is perfect. We try very hard to hide our weaknesses. Paul said, “I boast in my weakness.”
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