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.

Come On Now, Let’s Go!

Posted on May 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Are you a risk taker? God often calls his people to move beyond their comfort zones to a place of risky faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged courage, faith, heart and soul, It may be the Lord will work for us, Jonathan and Saul, loyal follower, Risk, risk-taking, trust | Leave a comment

He Remains Faithful

Posted on May 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

His faithfulness is rooted in the glory of his name. He had by his own good pleasure chosen these people and made them his own. For the sake of his glorious name, he would not abandon them or forsake them. He would show them and all the world the greatness and glory of his name (and the character it reveals) as one who is loving, good and faithful even to those who prove unfaithful. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faithful, faithfulness, God is faithful, God's delverance, God's protection, He will remain faithful, they cried out to the Lord | Leave a comment

He Bears Our Burdens

Posted on May 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We do not carry our burdens alone. We have a God and Savior who is there to help us bear our burdens daily. We have someone to turn to each and every day. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged burdens, Don't worry, faith, God cares for you, God helps us bear our burdens, He daily bears our burdens, Hope, Jesus, prayer, What a Friend we Have in Jesus, what burdens are you trying to carry on your own?, Worship | Leave a comment

Are You Hungry?

Posted on May 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Within each of us is a deep hunger. A hunger to know God and find our spiritual hunger filled; a spiritual thirst for something eternal. Jesus comes as God in human flesh to bring the life abundant and eternal we truly seek. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, daily bread, find satisfaction for spiritual hunger, hungry, Jesus, Jesus is the bread of life, Jesus is the staple we all need, living water, never be thirsty, never go hungry, spiritual hunger | Leave a comment

Let Him in the Boat

Posted on May 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When we find ourselves in difficult places, even frightening places, we need to let Jesus in the boat. In his presence we find joy and strength. When he is there, fears are turned to hope. In his strength we reach our destination despite the wind and waves. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged circumstances of life, difficult places, fear turned to hope, frightening places, in God's presence, It is I don't be afraid, joy and strength, Let Jesus in the boat | Leave a comment

Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening

Posted on May 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Are we listening? Are we really listening? Are we taking the time to know the heart of the Father so that we know—really know—his voice? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, hearing from God, heart of the father, listening, Listening Prayer, prayer, prayer as dialogue, Samuel, Samuel and Eli, speak lord your servant is listening | Leave a comment

Hold on to Hope

Posted on May 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When others would be tempted to give up, Hannah held on to hope. She continued to trust God for a child even though she had been barren for many years. She refused to give in to the disappointment of things seen and continued to look in hope to that which was yet unseen. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, don't give up hope, faith, Hannah, hannah prays, Hold on to hope, Hope, no one holy like the LORD, no Rock like our God, persevering faith, prayer, rejoice in the LORD, woman of prayer, Worship | Leave a comment

The Place of Abundance

Posted on May 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Trials also prepare us for the place of blessing—the place of abundance. Often in the nation of Israel, the times of testing were a means by which God brought his people back to himself. The times of testing led to times of repentance and revival that led to “the place of abundance.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged children of Israel, crushing circumstances, fire and water, place of abundance, place of blessing, testing, times of testing, trapped in a net, trials | Leave a comment

Where You Go I Will Go

Posted on May 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Loyalty is a rare quality in a day of no commitment. It is also a praiseworthy and attractive quality. May its beauty be seen and noticed in our lives. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged beauty of loyalty, Book of Ruth, encouragement, Loyalty, person of noble character, quotes on loyalty, Ruth and Boaz, virtuous woman, where you go I will go, woman of noble character | Leave a comment

Second Fiddle

Posted on May 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Harmony in the body of Christ requires that we learn to “play second fiddle.” The lessons of humility are not easy ones, but they are essential to bringing harmony to lives and relationships. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Blessing, bridegroom and bride, christianity, encouragement, faith, God, harmony, he must increase, humility, I must decrease, Jesus, John the Baptist, most difficult instrument, obedience, second chair, second fiddle, unity | Leave a comment