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.

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

Who is My Neighbor?

Posted on April 3, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Who is your neighbor? The person in need, yes. But more to the point: the person you find most difficult to love. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged don't neglect your neighbor in need, Good Samaritan, Jesus parables, personal prejudice, societal prejudice, the person in need, those most difficult to love, who is my neighbor | Leave a comment

Become the Answer to Your Prayers

Posted on April 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The prayer response is a good start, but it is not enough. It is an important and essential beginning point to our mission. But notice that after Jesus calls them to pray, he calls them to go. He calls us to be the answer to our prayers. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged evangelism, harvest field, lord of the harvest, mission, missions, pray then go, prayer, send forth laborers | Leave a comment

Stillness in the Middle of Chaos

Posted on April 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Does your world seem to be falling apart? There is no reason to fear even if a mountain falls into the heart of the sea (2). Be still. Remember who your God is. Spend some time there in reverent awe meditating on his greatness. Slow down and put your trust in him! He is the fortress to whom you can run to find safety and rest. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged aware of God's presence, be still and know that I am God, cacophony, chaos, confusion, prayer, quiet in God's presence, silence, solitude, Stillness, world spinning out of control | Leave a comment

Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on March 31, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The King of Kings would bring justice and rule forever. But first, he would “suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged before the exalation, before the glory there is the suffering, coming again, cross, Jesus' identity, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Messiah, resurrection, Savior, there is the humbling, Who do you say I am? | Leave a comment

Interrupted

Posted on March 30, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Perhaps you have suffered for a long time and are tempted to give up hope. Don’t give up. Don’t lose faith. Press in close to Jesus. Reach out in faith and touch the hem of his garment. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged hem of his garment, hope for the hopeless, instant healing, Jesus healing power, you are not an interruption to God, your faith has saved you | Leave a comment