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.

Open Up Your Heart

Posted on July 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus is waiting at your heart’s door. He is knocking today. He wants to enjoy fellowship with you. Open up your heart to him and enjoy his presence. He wants to be your friend. Open up your heart. Open it wide. Don’t hold anything back. Enjoy your time with him today. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Hallesby, I stand at the door and knock, invitation to prayer, Jesus enters our heart to fellowship, open the door, Open your heart, prayer, prayer as fellowship with Jesus | Leave a comment

Psalms, Worship and Prayer

Posted on July 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

One of the reasons I love to read the Psalms before I pray, is that they prime the pump of worship. They help us to focus on the goodness and greatness of God. As we are awestruck by his glory, we are ready to praise and worship. With wide-eyed wonder we are then ready to pray. Worship and praise affects my praying in every way—it provides right perspective, it prompts faith, it helps us focus and refocus our requests. As we worship, we realize the joy of his presence and we are changed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compassionate, faithful, gracious, pour out our hearts to God in brutal honesty, Praise, prayer, Psalms, psalms as a prayer book, psalms prime the pump of worship, trustworthy, Worship | Leave a comment

Meditating on Your Works

Posted on July 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When we slow down our reading and praying and take time to meditate and listen, we become more aware of His presence and more sensitive to His voice. Our whole perspective on the day changes as we remember the greatness of the God who loves us and cares for us. As we walk through the day aware of his goodness, we recognize his good works all around us Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundant goodness and righteousness, bible, faith, glorious splendor of your majesty, God, greatness is unsearchable, Jesus, meditate on God's goodness, meditating on God's character, Psalms, wondrous works | Leave a comment

New Songs

Posted on July 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Old songs; new songs; sing them both with passion and joy. We serve a great God and he is worthy of our praise! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God is doing something new, hymns, new songs, old songs, past experiences, Psalms, spiritual songs | Leave a comment

With All His Heart, Soul and Strength

Posted on July 3, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God is looking for leaders like Josiah, those who will turn to him—who will worship and serve him with all the heart and soul and all the strength they have. Will he find such a person in you? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 Kings, all my heart, heart, Josiah, judgment, renewal, return to Torah, revival, soul, soul and strenvgth, strength | Leave a comment

A Strong Tower

Posted on July 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Search the Scriptures and run to the name of the LORD! Remembering who he is brings comfort–His name is a strong tower; a place of refuge. Run to His Name and find safety! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Deliverer, Ever Present Help in Trouble, fortress, names of God, names of the LORD, rock, Strong tower, The Lord our healer, the Lord our provider, the Lord our righteousness | Leave a comment

Open Your Eyes

Posted on July 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open Your Eyes
-Jeff Syverson
The LORD blessed and prospered his reign. Yet this does not mean that his reign was completely free from trouble. Following the LORD in no way means a trouble free life. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Assyria, deliverance, follow the Lord, good kings, Hezekiah, open your eyes Lord, trouble free life | Leave a comment

Reckless Abandon

Posted on June 30, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul is not concerned about the hardships—he has had his share of them. He is not concerned about more prison time—something that he is also quite familiar with. In fact, he is not afraid to die. He considers his life to be of no value in comparison to his determination to finish the task he has been given: “to testify to the good news of God’s grace” (24). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged a message to pass on, Apostle Paul, finish the task, good news of God's grace, hardships and suffering, life changing encounter with the risen Christ, reckless abandon, service to Christ, witness | Leave a comment

Hear Me When I Call

Posted on June 29, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When we are confronted by opposition, we do well to follow the Psalmist in pouring out our hearts to God. We do well to pray for our response to that opposition—that God will strengthen our mouths, hearts, eyes and feet to follow his ways and not fall into the snares laid for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged David, Eyes, feet, Hear me when I call, heart, mouth, opposition, responding to enemies, the Psalms | Leave a comment

A Second Chance Squandered

Posted on June 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

A Second Chance Squandered Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Ben-hadad, fresh start, Hazael, Jehoahaz, second chance, squandered | Leave a comment