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.

Faithful to the Unfaithful (Dec 5)

Posted on December 5, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In this extraordinary prophetic act, God is demonstrating his unrelenting faithfulness to his people in spite of their repeated acts of unfaithfulness. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compromise, drifting, faithful to the unfaithful, faithfulness of God, repentance and return | Leave a comment

You are an Overcomer (Dec 4)

Posted on December 4, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You are an overcomer. There is no reason to wallow in defeat. Your greatest enemy, the devil, is a defeated foe. Greater is the one who is in you (Christ) than he who is in the world (Satan). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged devil, enemy, Greater is He, Satan, temptation, You are an overcomer | Leave a comment

Love in Action (Dec 3)

Posted on December 3, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The identifying mark of a true follower of Christ is love. This love, always more than a feeling that comes and goes, is evidenced in practical ways through our actions. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged follower of Christ, hand and feet of his people, love in action, sacrificial acts of love | Leave a comment

Dearly Loved Children (Dec 2)

Posted on December 2, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

A great theologian was asked what he thought was the most profound thought he had ever had. He replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” The words of a simple children’s hymn were more stunning, more profound to him than any of the theological work that he had written or read. To ponder the thought of God’s love toward us–that God lavishes his love on us, calling us his children–is truly amazing. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Beloved, dearly loved, God's love, love | Leave a comment

Worldliness (Dec 1)

Posted on December 1, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

John’s insistence that we should not love the world or anything in the world is easily misunderstood or misapplied. For some it signals a dualistic way of life that views life in categories where spiritual is prized over earthly, sacred is valued and secular is rejected. This rejection fails to recognize that “the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (1 Cor. 10:26). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged boastful pride of life, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride, worldliness | Leave a comment

Real Fellowship (Nov 30)

Posted on November 30, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Fellowship is more than casual conversation over coffee and cookies. Fellowship is the deep connectedness we have with one another because of our common bond, our relationship with Christ. That isn’t to say that the casual conversation is unnecessary or unimportant, but true fellowship will always go deeper. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brothers and sisters, fellowship with God, Fellowship with other believers, real fellowship, the church | Leave a comment

Trouble (Nov 29)

Posted on November 29, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

“And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (6:23). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged daniel in the Lion's den, God's intervention, protection, Trouble | Leave a comment

The Power of a Good Reputation (Nov 28)

Posted on November 28, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Pride, arrogance and abuse of power find their day of reckoning. God sees and he will make it right. Integrity, obedience and courage likewise come to light before God and men and find their reward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged arrogance, Daniel, Power of a good reputation, pride, pride goes before a fall | Leave a comment

Everything We Need (Nov 27)

Posted on November 27, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God, by his divine power has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Sometimes the idea of a “godly life” or a “Christ-like life” seems so far off—so impossible. Perhaps that is why we settle for so little and don’t pursue godliness. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged All we need, everything we need, Jesus, life and godliness | Leave a comment

Cast All Your Cares (Nov 26)

Posted on November 26, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You may be struggling now to see light at the end of the tunnel. Know that the God you serve is a God of hope. He hasn’t forgotten you. Look for his hand to rescue and strengthen you. Cast all your cares on the one who cares for you! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged anxiety, cast all your cares, exaltation, humility, when the time is right, worry | Leave a comment