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.

I’m Bored

Posted on September 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Teacher is bored. “Everything is meaningless” “All things are wearisome.” He has tried stimulating every one of his senses with the best life could offer. Where did it take him? Nowhere. He was bored. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged boredom, greed, happiness, hedonism, knowledge, materialism, meaning and purpose in life, money pleasure and things, pleasing God, wisdom | Leave a comment

When God Asks the Questions

Posted on September 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The answer to God’s questions is not found in words, but in falling on our faces in humility, repentance and worship before the awesome creator of all things. The questions call for a response: surrendering all that we are to Him; becoming a living sacrifice. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Job waits for God's answers, perseverance through trials, persevere under trials, questions and answers, trust God, unanswered questions, When God asks the questions | Leave a comment

Eternal Glory

Posted on August 31, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How can he say that such things were light and momentary troubles? Because Paul focused the eyes of his heart on the hope that is to come—his focus was eternal glory. He knew that the rewards for his faithful service would so far outweigh the suffering and pain he had experienced here that they could only be considered light and momentary troubles. He looked forward to Christ’s return, to resurrection, to the consummation of the new creation, to all the blessings of the age to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged grace, Jesus, Jesus return, light and momentary troubles, nothing can separate us, resurrection, suffering, the eternal, the unseen | Leave a comment

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