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.

Boasting in Weakness

Posted on September 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In our weakness, God’s strength shines through clearly and brightly. We are jars of clay in which God chooses to dwell. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boasting in weakness, crafstmanship, flaws, imperfection, incredible love of GOd, jars of clay, scars, scars as a badge of spiritual authority, weakness | Leave a comment

Demolishing Strongholds

Posted on September 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We must stand firm against his attacks by putting on the armor of God (see Ephesians 6). The armor protects, but also enables us to take the word of God praying in such a way as to defeat the enemy in our lives, and demolish his strongholds. He has no rightful place in our lives, and we can resist him through the promises of the word and through the command of faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we command him to flee, he must. For greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world. We stand in Christ’s authority, and he has won the battle. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authority of Christ, Demolishing strongholds, God is your mighty fortress, pursuit of pleasure, spiritual warfare, take thoughts captive, thoughts obedient to Christ, weapons not of this world | Leave a comment

Tired of Waiting

Posted on September 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Can you relate to the Psalmist? Have you ever had a time when you grew tired of waiting for the answer to your prayer? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abandoned, alone, at the right time, encouragement, faith, God will answer, prayer, tired of waiting, wait, When God is silent, when there is no answer to my prayer | Leave a comment

Oh Be Careful Little Eyes

Posted on September 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What images are filling your mind and heart? How are they affecting your values, beliefs and lifestyle? We do well to consider these things as we replace the worthless images with truth and beauty. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged addiction, captivated by images, images, Internet, internet pornography, movies, television, think on these things, worthless idols | Leave a comment

Shout for Joy

Posted on September 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Worship is not a time to mumble. It’s a time for joyful shouting—a time for joyful singing. We serve a great and awesome God and he is so worthy of our praise. Let us come with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts and let’s celebrate the greatness of our God! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged excitement, Greatness of God, joy, joyful songs, shout for joy, sports, thanksgiving and praise, Worship, worship | Leave a comment

The Right Response

Posted on September 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Worship doesn’t happen by just sitting in a pew; it doesn’t happen only through the singing. An important and often neglected part of the worship service takes place as we hear and respond to the Word of God as it is read and preached—such a response is a pleasing sacrifice of worship that is sure to bring God delight. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged application, Corinthians, encouragement, godly sorrow, Jesus, obedience, preaching, repentance, right response, scripture reading, truth applied, Worship, worship | Leave a comment

Good Friends

Posted on September 3, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We need to connect with each other on a deeper level. We need to laugh, cry, share and pray with one another. The journey is not always an easy one. But good friends are gifts from God that help us along when we get to the tough spots. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, christianity, cry, faith, fellowship, God, good friends, Jesus, laugh, one another, pray, share, the journey | Leave a comment

I’m Bored

Posted on September 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Teacher is bored. “Everything is meaningless” “All things are wearisome.” He has tried stimulating every one of his senses with the best life could offer. Where did it take him? Nowhere. He was bored. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged boredom, greed, happiness, hedonism, knowledge, materialism, meaning and purpose in life, money pleasure and things, pleasing God, wisdom | Leave a comment

When God Asks the Questions

Posted on September 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The answer to God’s questions is not found in words, but in falling on our faces in humility, repentance and worship before the awesome creator of all things. The questions call for a response: surrendering all that we are to Him; becoming a living sacrifice. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Job waits for God's answers, perseverance through trials, persevere under trials, questions and answers, trust God, unanswered questions, When God asks the questions | Leave a comment

Eternal Glory

Posted on August 31, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How can he say that such things were light and momentary troubles? Because Paul focused the eyes of his heart on the hope that is to come—his focus was eternal glory. He knew that the rewards for his faithful service would so far outweigh the suffering and pain he had experienced here that they could only be considered light and momentary troubles. He looked forward to Christ’s return, to resurrection, to the consummation of the new creation, to all the blessings of the age to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged grace, suffering, Jesus, resurrection, light and momentary troubles, Jesus return, nothing can separate us, the unseen, the eternal | Leave a comment