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.

Faith That Refuses to Give Up

Posted on January 23, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t give up. Persist in your faith. Press on with your prayers. Wait expectantly. Jesus sees and, when the time is right, will answer. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged great faith, Jesus sees, persist, persistent faith, press on, wait expectantly, when the time is right he will answer | Leave a comment

The Forgiving Heart

Posted on January 22, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Forgiving Heart
by Jeff Syverson
“When you are hurt, take the wound to Jesus. Place it in his scars and allow him to take it from you. Then you will find freedom–a heart that is free.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged don't hold on, forgive, forgivness, freedom of forgiveness, hurt, inner healing, Jesus heals, release forgiveness | Leave a comment

How Long, O Lord?

Posted on January 21, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We’ve all had times when we can relate to the psalmist’s questions. There are times when we wonder if the Lord is really listening—times when the answer is slow in coming. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged dark night of the soul, doubts, honest cries to God, how long O Lord?, joy, lament, questions, silence, waiting on the LORD | Leave a comment

Can We Find Anyone Like This?

Posted on January 20, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Joseph proved faithful through incredibly difficult and unjust circumstances. He continued to trust when things seemed hopeless. He refused the temptation to allow bitterness to poison his spirit (despite the injustice, rejection and betrayal he suffered). When God exalted and used him, he proved humble and trustworthy–and he exalted and magnified the Lord. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged can we find anyone like this?, exalt the LORD, faithful, humble, integrity, Joseph, people of character, Spirit-filled | Leave a comment

Resist

Posted on January 19, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Joseph resisted temptation by fleeing rapidly. He knew that willpower itself would only go so far. He refused to give in and “made a run for it” when he was in a particularly vulnerable place. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged flee, Genesis 36, Joseph, potiphar, rational decisions, resist, respond rapidly, respond resolutely, righteously, temptation | Leave a comment

Careless Words

Posted on January 18, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Your words really do reveal your character. They point to what is really inside.

To the follower of Christ, those words should be words that bless rather than curse; words that lift up rather than words that tear down. Instead of gossip and slander, the changed heart speaks words of hope and love. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged accountable for your words, careless words, condemned by your words, fruit, likeness of Christ, Matthew 12:33-38, words reveal character, words reveal what is inside | 2 Comments

The Blessing of Wisdom

Posted on January 17, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

To fail to heed God’s wisdom is to invite trouble and turmoil. Failing to live by his Word brings anxiety and fear. The fool who deviates from God’s path of wisdom has trouble sleeping at night. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged assurance, Blessing, Confidence, God's wisdom, peace, Proverbs, wisdom | Leave a comment

Is Your Soul at Rest?

Posted on January 16, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Stop rushing around, and let your soul rest in the presence of the one who loves you with an everlasting love. Refreshed and renewed in his presence, we are prepared for the tasks of the day in the “unforced rhythms of grace.” Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged balance, burned out, discipleship in the yoke of Jesus, fruitfulness, heavy laden, I will give you rest, rest, rest for your soul, weary | Leave a comment

The Final Say

Posted on January 15, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Believing in the rightness of his cause and actions, he is comforted by the thought that a righteous judge will sort these things out and make them right. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged afflicted, give an account, God has the final say, God will make all things right, justice, needy, righteousness, Throne of God | Leave a comment

Praying and Going

Posted on January 14, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus calls us to pray and then he calls us to be part of the answer to our own prayers. He asks us to take the need to the Father, and then to go and become part of the solution. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged evangelism, harvest field, intercession, Jesus, laborers, prayer, praying and going, praying for the harvest | 1 Comment