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.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Posted on July 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Praise is a powerful weapon when we are up against a battle we think is too big for us. When you don’t know what to do, sing! Sing loud and see the deliverance God brings! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged deliverance, don't know what to do, have faith, Hope, Jehoshaphat, our eyes are on you, Praise, praise the Lord, stand strong, unusual battle strategy, Worship | Leave a comment

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Posted on July 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

To the one who has wrestled in prayer—to the intercessor who knows the agony of spiritual battle on behalf of others—God also gives great joy as they see the fruit of those prayers. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” (Philippians 1:4). There is great joy when we have prevailed in prayer and see the answer. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged agony and ecstasy, difficulties of being a prayer warrior, intercession, Paul's prayers, perseverance in prayer, prayer, prayer burdens, prayer life of paul | Leave a comment

Time After Time

Posted on July 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But even judgment showed the mercy of God. Instead of abandoning them, he used the adverse circumstances to bring them back to himself. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, complaining, cycles of obedience and disobedience, drifting, God's faithfulness, grumbling, judgment, miracles, obedience, Time After Time, unfaithful, we easily forget | Leave a comment

Nothing Can Separate Us From His Love!

Posted on July 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Because God loves us, we are “more than conquerors” through Him who loves us (37). Whatever you may be facing today, remember that God loves you. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both interceding for you and the Father is working things out for good even through this situation. Patiently wait in hope and see how he brings you through by “graciously giving you all things” and enabling you to become “more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all things work together, endure present sufferings, Jesus Christ, love of God, more than conquerors, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ | Leave a comment

Revival: Do We Really Want It?

Posted on July 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Revival waits for the church, and more importantly, you and me to pay the price. What is the price? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged house of prayer, if my people, intercession, joy in the house, prayer, revival, revive us again, the cost of revival | Leave a comment

No Condemnation

Posted on July 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Are you living in the freedom of knowing that there is “no condemnation?” Spend time in his presence and find the life and peace that come from that truth sinking deeply into your heart. This is a truth that can set you free. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged acceptance, Christ Jesus, guilt, judgment, law of sin and death, law of the spirit of life, love, no condemnation, Paul, Romans, Romans 8, shame | Leave a comment

Hide and Seek

Posted on July 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all have times when we wonder if God is hiding. We have times when we don’t feel the sense of his presence. But know that he is there, hoping that you will remember the childhood delight of seeking him diligently—hoping that you will not give up the search before the laughter and joy of “finding.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged finding, hide and seek, intimacy with God, Is God hiding? Is God playing hide and seek? Sense of God's presence, joy, nearness | Leave a comment

A Heart of Wisdom

Posted on July 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

He bypassed all the selfish possibilities, and asked for the thing he most needed: wisdom. God was so pleased by his choice, that he gave him wealth, long life and honor too. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bible, faith, God, Jesus, wisdom | Leave a comment

Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on July 19, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Have you ever noticed that when God calls a leader to a great task, he repeatedly reassures them with words like these: “Be strong and courageous,” “Do not be afraid” and “Do not be discouraged.” Why? Because he knows that their “strong and courageous” heart will be tempted to give in to fear and discouragement. The enemy knows that discouragement is an epidemic that keeps us from accomplishing the task in God’s strength and courage. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be strong and courageous, disappointment, discouragement, do not be afraid, fear, God is with you, hopelessness, lose heart, success and failrure | Leave a comment

A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

Posted on July 18, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Hope that doesn’t disappoint comes from an intimate walk with our God who is faithful to his promises. It remembers the promises of God and finds the grace to stand and persevere even through the trials of faith. It finds strength by relying on the character of the one who is faithful—strength to believe and strength to praise and give glory to God (20). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Abraham, characgter, Hope, hopeless situation, perseverence, sufferings, trials of faith, waver through unbelief | Leave a comment