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.

Shining Faces

Posted on February 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

True Christianity is a relationship with Christ. As we spend time with Him, we reflect more and more of his character. Our whole being reflects his glory (2 Corinthians 3). Not only our faces, but our whole being and lifestyle reflects the glory of Christ within. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Moses, prayer, presence of the Lord, reflect the glory of the Lord, shining with glory, unveiled faces, Worship | Leave a comment

Show Me Your Glory

Posted on February 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

For Moses too, intimacy came only from daily seeking, daily listening, and daily obedience. Moses fought for the “presence of the Lord” to go with them and had the audacity to ask for more of his presence. Though he had unusual intimacy with God, he wanted more. That holy longing for more of his presence was expressed in the cry of his heart, “God, show me your glory.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authority as a leader, authority from intimacy, Glory, holy longing for more of God's presence, intimacy with God, seek the Lord with all your heart, show me your glory, who may ascend the hill of the Lord? | Leave a comment

The Lord is My Shepherd

Posted on February 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Then learn the paths of righteousness through following the way of Jesus. Allow him to train you in the paths of abiding and obedience. Your shepherd knows what is best. Discipleship is the yoke that brings rest to the soul. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged discipleship, dwell in the house of the Lord, goodness and mercy, lord is my shepherd, rest for your souls, rest in green pastures, sheep and shepherds, still waters | Leave a comment

Falling to Pieces

Posted on February 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Following Jesus isn’t always easy. And despite our best intentions–even our bravado–we will have times when we fail him. There will be times when we fall down. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bravado, forgiveness, I will never deny you, Peter and Jesus, Peter's denial of Jesus, second chances, spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the cross, the disciples fall to pieces | Leave a comment

To the Least

Posted on February 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

True love is feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, taking in the immigrant, visiting the lonely prisoner. The amazing part is that Jesus says when we do these practical acts of love and kindness to the “least of these,” it’s like we are doing it for Him. God cares about the poor, the hungry, the immigrant, the prisoner, the hurting. He cares about those who are in need. To show God’s love to them, is to express love to Christ himself. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eternal consequences, hungry, immigrant, least of these, move beyond petty grievances, practical acts of love and kindness, prisoner, show God's love, show the love of Christ, thirsty | Leave a comment

Wise or Foolish?

Posted on February 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The story of the talents reminds us that we will be called to account for the way we’ve used the resources we’ve been given. A life of faithful service will be rewarded in eternity with great reward and the smile of the Father. The one who is faithful with what they have been given will be put in charge of much more in the life to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged age to come, Eternal Life, foolish, live with eternity in mind, stewardship, ten virgins, Well done good and faithful servant, wise | Leave a comment

Wise, Faithful, and Always Ready

Posted on February 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We who are Christ’s stewards are to be watching, waiting, and working hard in preparation for his coming. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged accountable to God, come lord Jesus, gifts, keep watch, one day we will give an account, stewardship, talents, time, waiting for Jesus coming, watching, working hard | Leave a comment

Watching and Working

Posted on February 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Disciples wanted a timeline. They wanted a detailed roadmap of prophetic events. Jesus gave them a few general characteristics of the “end times,” but seemed more concerned to give them an exhortation: “be ready, be prepared, be working to bring back the King.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be ready at all times, C.H. Spurgeon on the second coming, coming King, Jesus is coming back, live in light of eternity, preach the gospel, second coming of Christ | Leave a comment

Sweeter than Honey

Posted on February 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The essence of the moral law—The Ten Commandments—is an expression of a way of life that flows out of love for God and for neighbor and reflects the perfection of our holy God. While it can be misused (a point well established in both the Old and New Testaments), the law was intended as a God-given expression of the will and wisdom of an all knowing, all-wise God. The law laid out a way of life for those whom God had entered into covenant. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Psalms, sweeter than honey, the law, the ten commandments, Torah, way of life | Leave a comment

You Can’t Do It Alone

Posted on February 3, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

A leader needs the support, prayers and encouragement of a few close associates. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to come along side him and lift up his arms. He needed Joshua to lead the troops. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Aaron and Hur, delegation, Jethro, mentoring, overworked, Pastor, prayer warriors, select capable people, Spiritual gifts, stressed, trustworthy, you can not do it alone | Leave a comment