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.

The Humble King

Posted on May 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The way of greatness in the kingdom is found in the towel. It is the way of the King who humbles himself to meet the needs of the servant. It is an example he intended for us to follow. Continue reading →

Out of the Shadows

Posted on May 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus came as the Light of the world to bring us out of the darkness and into the light. His signs showed forth the glorious light that we might believe. Yet people reacted in different ways to the light. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged children of darkness, children of the light, darkness, doubt, faith, Half-hearted, hardhearted, Jesus, light, out of the shadows, unbelief, whole-hearted belief | Leave a comment

Extravagant Worship

Posted on May 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t miss the opportunity to worship Jesus: practically, joyfully and extravagantly. Focus on Jesus, not yourself, and find joy in his presence. He is worthy of our worship in its many forms and expressions. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged an aroma that went up into the heavens, beautiful aroma, costly worship, enjoying the presence of Jesus, expensive perfume, extravagant worship, service as worship, Worship | Leave a comment

Sometimes God Waits

Posted on May 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Sometimes God waits. Sometimes this is because he wants to bring greater glory. Sometimes it is because he wants to stretch our faith and teach us to trust him more deeply. Sometimes it is because he loves us and has something he wants to accomplish in our lives that he requires us to wait. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Glory, God waits, greater glory, greater opportunity to believe, healing, Jesus, Jesus stretched their faith, Lazarus, love, Martha and Mary, miracles, resurrection | Leave a comment

Mercy Triumphs

Posted on May 19, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Instead of taking things into his own hands, David leaves judgment to the Lord. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged David and Saul, judgment, leave judgment to God, merciful God, mercy, mercy triumphs, reward, the merciful find mercy, we all stand in need of grace and mercy | Leave a comment

The Good Shepherd

Posted on May 18, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The good shepherd, Jesus, knows your name. He knows you intimately and fully. He loves you completely—so much so that he laid down his life so that you can live. He calls you by name to follow him into life as it was meant to be: life in green pastures; life lived to the full. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Speculation or Expectation?

Posted on May 17, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When things go wrong in our lives, don’t we do the same thing? We wonder, “What did I do to deserve this?” But Jesus reminds us that the bigger question is, “God, how will you work in this situation so that the works of God will be displayed in this?” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, God is good and his plans are good, healing, Jesus, Jesus and the blind man, sin, speculation about the "why" of the situation, who sinned that this man was born blind?, Why did this happen to me?, Why do bad things happen?, Why question must become a How question, works of God | Leave a comment

Disciples Find Freedom

Posted on May 16, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But how does he find freedom? Such freedom is found in relationship. Jesus spoke of his own relationship with God the Father this way: “I do know him and obey his word” (55). Knowing God—entering into a relationship with him—is that which brings us from the domain of the “Father of Lies” to the kingdom of God. It is that which sets us free from our slavery to sin. We are no longer slaves, but children of God. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged disciples become like their teacher, discipleship, faith, freedom, freedom from discipline, hearing and obeying, Jesus, prayer, relationship with Jesus, true freedom requires discipline | Leave a comment

Big Problems

Posted on May 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Before Goliath could finish laughing, David had landed a stone in just the right location. Goliath fell to the ground. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged big problems, courage, David, faith, goliath, strength, the deliverance God brings, trust in God | Leave a comment

Fear of God vs. Fear of Man

Posted on May 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Fear of God leads to obedience to his will. Fear of man leads to compromise and loss of leadership. A true leader will follow God’s will even when it is unpopular. He will speak God’s word to a situation even when it’s not what “itching ears” want to hear. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abdication of his role as a leader, Agag the King, compromise, fear of God, Fear of Man, King Saul, loss of leadership, obedience to God, revere God, rightful fear of GOd, saul, wrongful fear of man | Leave a comment