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.

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2022 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 →

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Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. Continue reading →

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Constructive Praying

Posted on August 11, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

People of prayer must also 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. Continue reading →

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Hope for the Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “There is always hope.” How do these two expressions fit together? Somehow Ezra’s story twists and turns through those two clichés. Continue reading →

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Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God was showing his blessing in many ways, but there was continued need for the blessing of God. So Ezra and the people began to fast and pray for more of his blessing. Continue reading →

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The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God blessed Ezra in extraordinary ways because “the hand of the Lord” was “on him.” The hand of the Lord being upon you is his blessing. Continue reading →

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The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2022 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 →

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Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Spiritual infancy is not a matter of age—it’s a matter of maturity (the lack of it). It is quite possible to grow old in the Lord without growing up in the Lord. Continue reading →

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The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Many of the greatest minds of history have found their revolutionary ideas to be rejected initially because they seemed to be foolishness. People just couldn’t understand. Continue reading →

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Plastic Prayers Make Plastic Churchgoers

Posted on August 4, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Much of what passes for Christianity today does seem “plastic and fake.” But the Bible is not. The pages are filled with very real, human characters. It’s painfully honest about their struggles and failures (and the successes, of course). Continue reading →

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