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.

Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Each day is an opportunity for celebration as we hear and understand God’s word. Understanding it brings joy, and that “joy of the Lord is our strength” (8:12). God teaches us principles that enable us to live “life to the full.” His promises give us hope that strengthens us through the most difficult of times. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God's word, great rejoicing, joy, joy of the Lord, Nehemiah, promises, strength | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Tearing down is simple. Building up is an art. Anyone can criticize; it takes no great skill to see the problems. It takes a real leader not to be distracted by the words that tear down; to keep to the task despite criticism. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Building Up, dealing with criticism, dealing with critics, encouragement, faith, focus, God, Leaders are undeterred by criticism, leaders deal with criticism, leadership, Nehemiah, prayer, tearing down, Tobiah and Sanballat | Leave a comment

Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. No matter how difficult the circumstances or the opposition, he knew his God was greater; he knew his God loved him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abounding love, Bending God's Ear, Greatness of God, intercession, praise the Lord, prayer, undivided heart | Leave a comment

Constructive Prayer

Posted on August 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Like Nehemiah, lay the foundation of prayer and look for the opportunity to act. This is the way to glorify God and to accomplish great things for him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged construction, laying the foundation in prayer, people of action, people of prayer, prayer | Leave a comment

Hope for the Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Despite our failures, our attempts to distance ourselves from God, our deliberate disobedience, our drifting from the principles of his word, God is still faithful and forgiving. He is a God of grace and mercy. He is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13). He doesn’t give up on his people—even the ones who seem hopeless. People like you and me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compromise, Ezra, God of hope, hopeless people, old dog new tricks, there is always hope | Leave a comment

Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all stand in need of the hand of the Lord (his blessing) each and every day. We just can’t do it alone. Therefore we go to him daily in prayer seeking his blessing as we pray, and as we hear and obey his word. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answered prayer, Blessing, compromise, Ezra, gracious hand of God, hearing the word, obedience, Open your heart, petition | Leave a comment

The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s blessing (his hand) was on him because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and therefore, the hand of the Lord was upon him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing of God, blessings followed his obedience, delight in your word, devote yourself to the Word, Ezra, gracious hand of God was with him, Hand of the Lord, put the word in to practice | Leave a comment

The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But his eye is watching you too. He wants to strengthen you today to accomplish the tasks he has given you. He hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s there to care, to protect, to provide and to bless. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged exile, eye of God, Ezra, God's blessing, God's promise, return from exile, strengthened | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Learn to walk, to eat solid food, to explore, to follow God on adventures of faith that will cause you to mature and grow. There’s so much to learn, so much to do, so much to experience, so much of life yet to be lived, so much to accomplish for Him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged babes in Christ, christian living, growing up, growing up or growing old, immature Christians, maturity, solid food, Spiritual growth | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We will never be able to completely comprehend the brilliance of God’s plan—his wisdom is beyond ours. But what we do know is that God loves foolish people like you and me and seems to delight in transforming the foolish, to frustrate the wisdom of this world. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brilliance, Corinthians, foolish, foolishness of the message of the cross, God's wisdom, human wisdom, intelligence, Jesus, Paul, wise | Leave a comment