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.

The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s blessing (his hand) was on him because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and therefore, the hand of the Lord was upon him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing of God, courage to lead, devote yourself to study, Ezra, gracious hand of the Lord, Hand of the Lord, meditate on the word | Leave a comment

The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s eye is watching you too. He wants to strengthen you today to accomplish the tasks he has given you. He hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s there to care, to protect, to provide and to bless. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, care, eye of God, Ezra, King Cyrus, protection, provision | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s not terribly surprising that a consumer culture produces so many spoiled spiritual babes, but it is sad. Growing up requires taking up the cross and dying to our selfish immaturity, moving beyond our comfort zone and our need to always have it our way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged adventures of faith, babes in Christ, Conflict, eat solid food, fullness, grow up spiritually, maturity, nursery duty, spiritual immaturity, spoiled rotten, unspiritual | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We will never be able to completely comprehend the brilliance of God’s plan—his wisdom is beyond ours. But what we do know is that God loves foolish people like you and me and seems to delight in transforming the foolish, to frustrate the wisdom of this world. How does he do that? He accomplishes his plan by the foolishness of preaching the foolish message of the cross to the foolish people of the world (like you and me). Does that seem foolish to you? I think it’s brilliant! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brilliance of God, brilliant, creator God, cross, plan of God, the most brilliant being in the universe, wisdom of God, wise and foolish | Leave a comment

Plastic Prayers Make Plastic Churchgoers

Posted on August 4, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What about your prayers? Are they as honest and authentic? Or are they plastic and fake? A lot of prayers are—especially public prayers. God knows what is in your heart—and he delights in the man or woman who will put down their mask to pour out their heart to him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authentic christ followers, honesty is the road to transformation, plastic christians, plastic lives, plastic prayers, prayer | Leave a comment

Amazing Grace

Posted on August 3, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Grace truly is amazing. If it can find and change a man like Manasseh, there might be hope yet for you and me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 Chronicles 33-34, amazing grace, grace in unexpected places, he sought the favor of the LORD, Manasseh, repentance | Leave a comment

The Mountaintop

Posted on August 2, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The blessings of the mountaintop are wonderful, but can become a temptation to pride. That is one foothold that you don’t want to even try—it leads to a quick and devastating slide to the bottom. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged and obedience, Blessing, Hezekiah, humility, mountaintop, prayer, pride goes before a fall, repetance, success | Leave a comment

Blessing Instead of Bleeping

Posted on August 1, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Every malicious word, every tasty snippet of gossip, every venomous, sarcastic comment (humor is great, but even some humor wounds), every word that is judgmental, every hasty, angry word: each one, a curse. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged angry words, bless don't curse, blessing and cursing, gossip, hasty, judgmental words, malicious words, sarcastic comments | Leave a comment

Thank God for Broccoli

Posted on July 31, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Those who are more mature in Christ, must not use their freedom unwisely—it can be misunderstood and cause another to stumble. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged broccoli, freedom in Christ, Romans 14, strong and weak, stumbling blocks, weaker brothers | Leave a comment

Starting and Finishing Well

Posted on July 30, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Lofty thoughts of God led to his success. Lofty thoughts about himself led to his downfall. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 Chronicles 26, arrogance, beginning of wisdom, fear of the LORD, finishing well, pride, pride leads to a fall, starting well, Uzziah | Leave a comment