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.

One Thing is Necessary

Posted on April 4, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It is good to follow through with the details of our life—to be responsible in the details of life. Yet often we crowd our lives with unnecessary things—our lives become too complicated. We miss out on the joy of what is most important. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged At the feet of Jesus, fellowship, first things first, joy of what is most important, life is too complicated, Martha and Mary, too busy, tyranny of the urgent | Leave a comment

Who is My Neighbor?

Posted on April 3, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus plot twist reveals something else about identifying our neighbor. Jesus tells us that the neighbor in the story is the Samaritan. In so doing, Jesus calls us to confront personal and societal prejudice. He calls us to love to those we find it most difficult to love—those easiest for us to stereotype—those easiest for us to despise. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bible, christianity, Good Samaritan, Jesus, love | Leave a comment

Become an Answer to Your Prayers

Posted on April 2, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

April 2 Become an Answer to Your Prayers Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 47:1-4; Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:50-10:12; Proverbs 12:11 Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 9:50 – 10:12 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the … Continue reading →

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Stillness in the Midst of Chaos

Posted on April 1, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

At first it seems ironic that a passage about being quiet and still before God is found in the midst of a noisy cacophony. Yet it is in such a place that we most need stillness, quietness and solitude. It is in the midst of craziness and busyness that we most need to slow down and be quiet. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be quiet, be still, be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted, mountains quaking and falling into the sea, noisy cacophony, quietness, slow down, solitude, Stillness, when the world seems to be falling apart | Leave a comment

Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on March 31, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Before the glory, there is the suffering. Before the exaltation, there is the humbling. Before the resurrection, there is the cross. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged gain the whole world, Jesus, lose their very soul, Messiah, take up your cross daily, the Christ, who do you say I am? Jesus identity | Leave a comment

Interrupted

Posted on March 30, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

From the looks of the story, this woman was an unexpected interruption on a busy day. Jesus has already been recruited for a miracle—the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. Yet somehow sandwiched between the two parts of that story, is this unexpected interruption—this healing of a woman who hadn’t given up hope after years of suffering—a woman with the faith to believe that if she just “touched the hem of his garment” that she would be healed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged dearly loved child of God, desperte hope, don't lose hope, faith, healing, hem of his garment, interruptions, Jesus, press in close to Jesus | Leave a comment

Passing it On to the Next Generation

Posted on March 29, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Love for God also expresses itself in remembering what God has done and then passing on what we remember to the next generation. “It was not your children who saw . . . but it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done.” Continue reading →

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

Fertile Soil

Posted on March 28, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Is God’s word growing and producing a bountiful harvest of righteousness in you? What is the condition of the soil of your heart? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundant crop, good soil, parable of the soil, rocky ground, sower, the word is stolen, thorny soil | Leave a comment

Remember the Long Way

Posted on March 27, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s easy when things get tough to forget all the ways that God has proved himself faithful over the years. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged difficult circumstances, faithfulness, God's work, hand of God, providence, Straight Paths, the long way, unexpected encounters | Leave a comment

When the Victory Comes

Posted on March 26, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When victory comes, it is an opportunity to boast: to boast in the Lord. From the moment of desperation where we first cry out to God all the way through to the place of victory, we do well to keep the spotlight shining on the one who is the source of our strength—the victor behind every victory: Almighty God. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boast in the Lord, opportunity to boast, praise and thanksgiving, spotlight, success, victory | 1 Comment