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.

Waiting in Delight

Posted on March 8, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Being still while waiting on the LORD is the soil in which delight sprouts and grows. It is the good soil which ultimately produces the “desires of one’s heart.” In the process of waiting and praying, we are transformed, and so are our desires. Selfish, foolish, worldly and sinful desires are stripped away by time spent in the presence of the LORD. Motives are tested; faith is refined. The desire that remains is in keeping with God’s best for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged commit your way to the Lord, Desires of your heart, find grat joy and delight in your walk with the Lord, God will give you, wait patiently | Leave a comment

Contrast

Posted on March 7, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Meditating on the greatness of God refreshes the psalmist. His concerns about the wicked begin to melt away in the beauty of God’s righteous character. He has found a place of refuge from the hand of the wicked. Surely God will bring protection. Surely God in his justice will do what is right with the wicked. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged contrast, deceitful speech, evil of the world, good versus evil, justice, wicked, wicked actions | Leave a comment

The Voice of the LORD

Posted on March 6, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Those who seek him diligently and expectantly are the ones most likely to find the intimate place with the Father. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged direction, face to face, guidance, Hearing God, intimacy with God, Open your heart, Voice of the Lord | Leave a comment

Amazed Delighted or Afraid?

Posted on March 5, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The crowds listened with delight, while the religious leaders feared him and plotted his arrest. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged amazed, delighted, Jesus amazing teaching, Jesus dialogues with religious leaders, life, light, stand amazed, the crowds, wisdom | Leave a comment

God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves

Posted on March 4, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Know that when you are feeling helpless and hopeless, God sees and he cares. His everlasting arms are there to uphold you. He is the one you can turn to, the one who will take up your cause. Continue reading →

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

Turn the Tables

Posted on March 3, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Is your house of prayer a place for all people? What about those that are from different nations and cultures? The Temple had lost its missional focus: the court of the gentiles had become a place of convenience for the Jewish worshipers—a place where they could buy the things they needed for the sacrifices. Are we reaching out to the nations? The nations are coming to us in America, what are we doing to reach out to them? Does your church see the potential of being involved in missions here—as well as there? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged evangelism, house of prayer for all nations, Jesus got angry, loss of purpose, missions, prayer, turn the tables | Leave a comment

Servant of All

Posted on March 2, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Some seek for glory. Some seek for the first place. Christ is looking for those who will take the last place–for the one who will be a servant to all. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged disciple of Jesus, first place, Glory, great in the kingdom, humble service, humility, Jesus, last place, servant to all, service | Leave a comment

Growing Young

Posted on March 1, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But to children trust seems to just come naturally. I think this is why Jesus tells us that to enter into the Kingdom we must become like little children. To enter into the fullness of kingdom life, we must live by faith and trust in Jesus each step of the journey. We must move beyond our hurts, doubts and disappointments to renew our childlike trust. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged become like children, bible, child like trust, christianity, faith, God, Jesus, kingdom of God | Leave a comment

When Words are Many

Posted on February 28, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Wisdom leads us to be careful listeners and to be careful with our words. Encouraging, well-timed words that build up rather than tear down are powerful—a sign of wisdom and maturity. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, encouraging words, gossip, lying, slander, Slow to speak and quick to listen, sound words, tongue is powerful for good or evil, when words are many, wisdom, wise words, words that hurt and wound | Leave a comment

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

Posted on February 27, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The boy’s father honestly expresses the struggle of a heart that earnestly hopes but struggles with doubts: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” In response to that honest confession, Jesus sets the boy free in an instant. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged doubt, everything is possible, faith, faith and doubt intermixed, grace to trust more, help me overcome my unbelief, Jesus, to the one who believes, unbelief | Leave a comment