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.

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

A Risk of Faith

Posted on January 13, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What is your need? Come, like the woman, take a risk of faith. Cry out, like the blind men, for the grace and mercy of Jesus. It is amazing to see what blessings are brought about as we believe. May it be done according to your faith! Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged faith and healing, healing miracles of Jesus, hem of your garment, Jesus, Jesus the healer, miracles, never miss out, not an interruption | Leave a comment

Bring Them To Jesus

Posted on January 12, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We, through our prayers and faith, can bring people to Jesus. Our prayers do matter. Our faith does make a difference. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bring people to Jesus, encounter with Jesus, evangelism, Matthew, Matthew Party, Parapalegic, prayer, their faith | Leave a comment

Calming the Storm

Posted on January 11, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Whatever the source of the storm, Jesus knows about it. He sees it. He is able to calm your storm too. Just as he brings peace to the storm, he is able to bring peace to your troubled soul. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged calming the storm, difficult circumstances, finding peace, Jesus, Jesus calms the storm, not all storms are weather related, storms of life, test of faith | Leave a comment