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.

Guard Your Lips

Posted on April 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Often we speak too quickly. We engage mouth before mind. Listen, think, and then sometimes use words. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bless and not curse, consequences of unexamined words, engage mind before mouth, guard your lips, say nothing, wait for another day, when words fail | Leave a comment

The Walls Came Tumbling Down

Posted on April 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Are you up against a wall? Keep an ear to the ground for the whisper of the Spirit. Then press ahead in faith and obedience and expectation. Perhaps this is the day that the walls will come tumbling down. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Hope, hope of God's intervention, jericho, Joshua, Mighty GOd, Obeying God, tumbling down, victory, walls, walls of Jericho, walls seem too big | Leave a comment

Looking Forward; Looking Back

Posted on April 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Jordan river was an opportunity for the people to look ahead to God’s continued blessing on their journey as they followed their new leader: Joshua. It was a major reassurance to Joshua that indeed the LORD was with him and was giving him the land. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Jordan River, Joshua, leadership of Joshua, looking ahead, looking back, remember the ways God has been at work | Leave a comment

Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on April 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Whenever faced by an opportunity that seems too big, too difficult or overwhelming the most important thing to realize is that we are not alone in the task. When God calls us to do something, he will be with us. In the final analysis, that is the only thing that really matters. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged don't be afraid, don't turn from the right or the left, God is with us, I will be with you, Joshua, leadership, meditate on the word, strong and courageous | Leave a comment

Resting Between His Shoulders

Posted on April 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

He places us between his shoulders, carrying us as a child. Resting between his shoulders, we are safe, secure and deeply loved. What a beautiful picture of the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Beloved, Benjamin's blessing, Blessing, Dearly loved children, encouragement, Moses, security, shielded | Leave a comment

Accountable

Posted on April 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Make the most of this life. Make the most of the gifts God gives. Be a wise and faithful steward of what God gives you. There are blessings that await those who prove themselves to be wise and faithful in this life. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged accountable, gifts, Jesus, Jesus second coming, judgment of works, master returns, money, ready for the masters return, relationships, stewards of, stewardship, talents, time, well done | Leave a comment

Where is Your Treasure?

Posted on April 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Nothing reveals the state of our heart like our attitude toward possessions. As Jesus put it: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is true for the one who has little and for the one who has much—and everyone in between. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged easily destroyed, easily lost, hold on to stuff lightly, possessions, send it on up ahead, temporary, treasure in heaven, treasures, worry and anxiety | Leave a comment

Religious Games

Posted on April 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open your heart to Jesus. No holding back. No religious games. Authenticity is the road to life lived to the full. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authenticity, heart, hypocrisy, Jesus teaching, legalism, life lived to the full, no religious games, Pharisees, sadducees | Leave a comment

Reckless Words, Healing Words

Posted on April 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Reckless words come easily: When we’re tired; when we’re stressed; when we are caught off guard by the comments of another. As easy as they are to say, they are very difficult to take back. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged forgiveness, healing words, hurt by words, reckless words, tongue like a sword, words that wound, wounded | Leave a comment

One Thing is Necessary

Posted on April 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Only one thing is necessary, according to Jesus. What is that one thing? It is time spent in the presence of Jesus. It is enjoying fellowship with him through time in his word and in prayer. There is plenty of time for the other stuff—first things first. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged details, enjoying fellowship with Jesus, fellowship, first things first, hospitality, Jesus, Martha and Mary, practicing the presence, prayer, time in Jesus presence, word | Leave a comment