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.

Between Promise and Fulfillment

Posted on February 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It is not easy to wait. It is not easy to trudge ahead when the circumstances seems hopeless. It is not easy to hold on to the promise when there is no “milk and honey” in sight. But this is not a time to grumble and complain, it is a time to trust and obey. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged complaining about leaders, complaining against God, fulfillment, fulfillment of promise, God, groaning, grumbling, Hope, milk and honey, promise, wilderness wandering | Leave a comment

Deliverance

Posted on February 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Are you experiencing overwhelming circumstances? Do not fear. Put your trust in God the deliverer. There is no need to panic. If God can open up the Red Sea so a multitude of people could pass through, he can make a way for you Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be still, crossing of the red sea, look for the deliverance God brings, Moses, overwhelming circumstances, put your hope in God, Red Sea, stand firm, the Lord will fight for you | Leave a comment

What is Your Need?

Posted on January 31, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What is your need? Bring it to Jesus. Like he did with the blind men, he asks: “What do you want me to do for you?” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Be Specific, bring your requests to God, Christ's compassionate healing, faith, god's grace and mercy, Jesus, Jesus healing, prayer, specific request, what do you need?, what is your need? | Leave a comment

Better than Fair

Posted on January 30, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God is generous and treats us all better than we deserve. Grace is not fair. It is better than fair. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundant grace, better than fair, every good and perfect gift, Generosity of God, grace, grace or justice, Jesus, Matthew 20, mercy, parables, undeserved benefits, unfair | Leave a comment

Where is Your Treasure?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

For the rich young man, his misplaced security in possessions became his stumbling block—the ultimate test of whether he could really trust Christ. Many have found their possessions to be a similar stumbling block. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eternal possessions, Jesus, money, possessions, rich man, seek first the kingdom, stuff, stumbling block, treasures in heaven, wealth, worldly wealth | Leave a comment

Forgiven to Forgive

Posted on January 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You have carried your burden of unforgiveness too long. It is eating you up on the inside. Let it go. It is time to take the offenses to the cross and leave them there. It is time to forgive—really forgive—from your heart. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged as we forgive those who trespass against us, burden you carry, forgive from the heart, forgiven to forgive, God of grace, God of mercy, leave it at the cross, let it go, shouldn't you have had mercy, take it to the cross, unforgiveness | Leave a comment

Two or Three

Posted on January 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There is power in agreeing together in prayer. Praying in a group is different than individual prayer. In a group, you are encouraged by each other’s faith. Often there is boldness and faith that comes as you press in to the heart of the father together. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boldness in prayer, God present in our prayer gatherings, prayer gatherings, prayer meetings, praying together with others, seasoned prayer warriors, Spiritual gifts, trusted friends, two or three come together | Leave a comment

Who Am I?

Posted on January 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t limit yourself by self-doubt and insecurity. God is with you. That’s all that really matters. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged burning bush, called, difficult task ahead, God are you with me?, God is with me, God is with you, insecurity, Moses, self doubt, the real question | 2 Comments

God’s Purposes

Posted on January 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In all things, even the hardest to understand, God is at work shaping actions brought about by man’s evil intentions into opportunities for his own good intentions and our growth. His ways are beyond our understanding—truly amazing. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all things work together for good, evil intentions of man, God is able to work good out of things intended for evil, God uses difficulties for his purposes, God's intentions, God's ways are beyond our ability to fully understand, Joseph and his brothers, trials bring growth, what you intended for evil | Leave a comment

The Blessing

Posted on January 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In a world where we hear and experience more curses than blessings, these words of blessing are needed and encouraging. Blessings bring healing to wounded emotions and encouragement to the discouraged and disheartened. They bring joy, peace and hope–and we all need that. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing children, blessings, Genesis, healed by blessing, Hope, Joseph, joy, peace, speak well of, wounded by cursing | Leave a comment