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.

Sing a New Song

Posted on August 30, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

If our relationship with God is growing—if there is a newness and freshness in our walk with him—there will be new songs to express that vitality. With every fresh move of the Spirit of God upon the church there are many new songs. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged freshness, hymns, making music, new experiences, Psalms, spiritual songs, value of hymns, value of new songs, vitality, Worship | Leave a comment

Glowing with Glory

Posted on August 29, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

I’m encouraged to know that as I spend time with Jesus daily, he begins to rub off on me. Time spent in the yoke of discipleship, and trained by grace have this effect: Little by little, day-by-day, I reflect more of the life of Christ within me in my daily attitudes, character and behavior. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged becoming like Jesus, Glowing with glory, Moses, Moses faced shined with glory, sanctification, show us your glory, surpassing glory | Leave a comment

What is that Fragrance You Are Wearing?

Posted on August 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we know and walk in the fullness of Christ, we begin to take on an aroma–-the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Wherever we go, that pleasant aroma follows us. Just by being around us, people sense Christ’s joy, or his love, or his kindness, or one of his other winsome character qualities. As Christ lives out his life in us, we become more and more like him, and people begin to notice the difference. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged aroma, fragrance of Christ, fullness of Christ, knowledge of Christ, make God smile | Leave a comment

Purer Than Gold

Posted on August 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all have these “dark nights of the soul” where God is teaching us to trust him in the dark. They are difficult times because they stretch our faith, but they can be times of incredible growth. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abandoned, Book of Job, dark night of the soul, feeling alone, has God forgotten me?, Job, making sense of suffering, suffering, trials, trusting God in the dark | Leave a comment

Comfort Received, Comfort Given

Posted on August 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Our God of comfort beckons us to cry out to him in the midst of troubles that we might be aware of his comforting presence. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged circumstances we cannot understand, comfort, comfort that overflows, compassion, father of compassion, God gives comfort, God of all comfort, grace, peace, presence, suffering is not lost on God | Leave a comment

Refreshing

Posted on August 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

An encouraging word, a helping hand, a willingness to serve where needed: these things refresh the soul of one who is in ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged a helping hand, Achaicus, encouragement, encouraging word, Fortunatus, Refreshment, soul drainer, soul refresher, Stephanas, willingness to serve | Leave a comment

Worthless Physicians

Posted on August 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When we see a friend in pain, we are often quick to spout cliches. Yet these are the very times we would usually do well to just be there and to be a good listener. James tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. That’s good advice. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be a friend to someone in need, be fully present, be there, cliches never help, Cliches ring hollow, Listen, silence, worthless physicians | Leave a comment

No Easy Answers

Posted on August 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As our faith is stretched, as our character is developed, as we search for deeper answers, and as we just stand in awe of the God whose mind and purposes are beyond our understanding we come to know Him in a deeper way. As we learn to trust him even when the answers don’t come and when we don’t sense his presence, we learn the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. These are lessons of trust we could learn no other way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, God, God's wisdom, Hope, life's big questions, life's mysteries, no easy answers, prayer, problem of suffering, standard cliches, Sunday School answers, trusting God in the dark, why me | Leave a comment

Under His Wings

Posted on August 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It is when life becomes dangerous and hard when protection is needed. It is then that the mother hen gathers her chicks and covers them with her wings. So in our lives, it is in the midst of the trials that God gathers us close and protects us in the refuge of “his wings”. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Book of Job, he is our refuge, pressure, protection, protection and faithfulness, Psalm 91, pull close, times of feeling abandoned, Under His Wings | Leave a comment

Hard Times

Posted on August 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How do we handle unimaginable tragedy? What do we do when our worst nightmares come true? This is the stuff that Job had to deal with. This is the stuff that this book deals with. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessed be the name of the Lord, Book of Job, lament, open up your heart to God, suffering, The Lord Gave, The Lord takes away, tragedy, trials, unimaginable tragedy | Leave a comment