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.

A Healing Community

Posted on November 21, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

James describes the church as a healing community: A place where the broken and wounded can come to find people filled with faith and love. It is a place where needs are met through prayer; It is a place where “it’s OK” to “not be O.K.”; where people are honest and transparent about their true condition–no masks needed. Continue reading →

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Lord Willing’ and the Creek Don’t Rise

Posted on November 20, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s ways are not our ways, his plans are higher than ours. In all of our planning, we must have the attitude, “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.” Our lives sometimes take unexpected twists and turns–all a part of his path. Continue reading →

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Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Posted on November 19, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The tongue is a powerful force for evil or for good. James encourages us to be people who bless rather than curse with our tongues. He does so by illustrating the power of the tongue. Continue reading →

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Mirror, Mirror

Posted on November 18, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Did you look in the mirror this morning? What did you see? Continue reading →

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Wisdom

Posted on November 17, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God loves to give us his wisdom. He wants us to ask him for it. He never gets tired of our coming back again and again to ask for it. He never faults us for asking over and over again. Continue reading →

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Through Us and In Us

Posted on November 16, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The blessing for God to work “through us” and the blessing for God to work “in us” are not isolated blessings. Most of that which will enable us to do his will and work through us, will be provided by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit “in us”. As he changes us from the inside out, he prepares us for each and everything thing he intends to accomplish “through us.” Continue reading →

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Practical Holiness

Posted on November 15, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As Christians, we are called to a life of holiness. But what does that mean? Continue reading →

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Keep Running

Posted on November 14, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The life of faith is a marathon requiring great determination and endurance. The race is filled with difficulties. The heroes of faith at the end of chapter 11 sacrificed much for their faith–sometimes everything. Continue reading →

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Faith that Passes the Test

Posted on November 14, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Your faith will be tested. For Abraham it was a test of “willingness.” Would he be willing to sacrifice his only son even though it made no earthly sense and seemed to contradict everything he knew about God and his promise? Continue reading →

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Even When We Don’t Know Where We Are Going

Posted on November 12, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Faith is the foundation for all of our life as Christians. But it isn’t always easy. Continue reading →

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