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.

Servant of All

Posted on March 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus is the ultimate example of servanthood. He humbled himself by becoming a man, by his daily acts of service, and most graphically, by dying on a cross. When Jesus took the form of a servant and washed the disciples feet, he was giving an example of the kind of humble service we are all called to as his disciples. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged called to be disciples, first place, humility, last place, servant hood is the path to greatness, servant of all, servanthood, taking last place is the way of the servant | Leave a comment

Growing Young

Posted on March 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Children have an ability to trust that we often lose as we grow older and become more jaded and cynical. We must recover that child-like trust to enter the reality of God’s kingdom. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged child like, child like trust, faith, Growing young, kingdom of God, Let the little children come unto me, we become jaded and cynical as we grow older, we must recover child like trust | Leave a comment

Too Many Words

Posted on February 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It is easy in the social media environment in which we live today, to pass on false, unhelpful or hurtful words. It’s easy to waste our time with “too many words.” Take the time to make sure your “few words” are truthful, helpful words. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged careful listeners, careless with our words, facebook, quick to listen, slow to become angry, slow to speak, social media, too many words, twitter, wisdom, x | Leave a comment

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

Posted on February 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The boy’s father expresses the true state of most of our hearts: a mixture of hope and doubt—a combination of belief and unbelief. Yet Jesus seems to focus on the faith of the man—however incomplete—and seeks to encourage him to trust him even more. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged doubt, everything is possible to him who believes, faith, I do believe help me overcome my unbelief, Jesus, unbelief | Leave a comment

Too Much Information

Posted on February 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In a world of compromise, God is calling his people to follow him—to become his holy people. He promises that he will be there to “make us holy.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged chosen, dearly loved people, holinessx, Holy, law, sanctification, strange laws of the OT | 1 Comment

Stored Up Goodness

Posted on February 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Sometimes following the LORD takes us down a difficult path. People might look at us and wonder why God seems not to have noticed our injustice and pain. One day he will vindicate you for your faithfulness. Those who stay true and trust, will one day experience the “stored up blessings” of God in such a way that all will see and know that God is with you, and has been all the way, Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be strong, blessings, faithful, goodness of God, Hope, injustice, stored up blessing, take heart, vindication, when life seems unfair | Leave a comment

Heart Problems

Posted on February 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t get so focused on the externals that you miss the heart of the matter—a heart that needs to be transformed. Open up your heart to Jesus and allow him to cleanse you from the inside out. Everything else will follow. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged focus on external, heart problems, legalism, obedience, Pharisees, spiritual games, transformed heart | Leave a comment

Last Minute Dinner Plans

Posted on February 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What opportunities before you seem overwhelming? Where do your resources seem limited? Take it all to Jesus and watch him work the impossible. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, feeding the 5000, Hope, Jesus, Jesus mentors his disciples, nothing is impossible, overwhelming circumstances, test of faith | Leave a comment

Sackcloth to Joy

Posted on February 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Christian life is characterized by joy. Not that it is always easy—it is not. But joy flows from a relationship with Christ, not from our circumstances, so it is may be found in the most unusual places—especially the difficult ones. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged ashes, clothed me with joy, grief, joy, joy of the Lord, repentance, sackcloth, sorrow, wailing into dancing | Leave a comment

Lord of All

Posted on February 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus is Lord of all. Whatever you are facing, know that he has authority over it. He is still able to calm the storm, push back the forces of darkness, heal a broken body and even to raise the dead. Nothing is too difficult for Him! Take your situation to him. Trust Him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged amazed by Jesus, bible, faith, Jesus, Jesus amazing miracles, Lord of all, lord over life and death, Lord over sickness, lord over storms and weather, nothing is too difficult for Jesus, Trust Jesus | Leave a comment