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.

Passing it on to the Next Generation

Posted on March 29, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we pass on the stories of God’s goodness—his intervention, his answers to prayer, his blessings—our words of testimony become a strong incentive for the next generation to love, trust and obey. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faith, God's faithfulness, miracles, pass it on, passing it on to the next generation, stories of intervention, testimony | Leave a comment

Fertile Soil

Posted on March 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t allow God’s word to be stolen from you. Don’t allow times of testing to choke out the word. Don’t allow the pursuit of pleasure or wealth or the worries of this life keep you from being productive. Open up your heart to God: hear, retain and persevere in obedience to produce an abundant crop. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundant crop, bumper crop, fruitful discipleship, good soil, hear and obey, obedience, perseverance, rocky soil, stunted spiritual growth, thorny soil, trials of life | 1 Comment

Remember the Long Way

Posted on March 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Remember the long way—remember God’s work in your life over the years. It’s so easy to get caught up with what we are doing—become too busy to even notice God’s work in our lives. It’s easy when things get tough to forget all the ways that God has proved himself faithful over the years. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answers to prayer, faithfulness of God, going through difficult times, on the long way, remember, remembering answers to prayer, remembering the past, thanks, thanksgiving, your journey with GOd | Leave a comment

When the Victory Comes

Posted on March 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How do you handle victory and success? The human tendency is to allow our successes and victories to go to our heads. We boast; we revel in the praise of others. We give little thought to the one who stands behind the victory and success. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged all glory to God, boast in the Lord, let the one who boasts, shine the spotlight on God almighty, success, victory | Leave a comment

Becoming Like Our Teacher

Posted on March 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The goal of the disciple is to become like his or her teacher. For the disciple of Jesus, it means that when we are fully trained we will be like him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged becoming like our teacher, discipleship, fully trained disciples, good fruit, Jesus the disciple maker, Jesus the teacher, obedience to Christ, student is not above their teacher | Leave a comment

Choosing Leaders

Posted on March 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God often uses the unlikely and the unlovely to accomplish great things for his glory. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Moving On, Moving In

Posted on March 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in our spiritual journey. We struggle again and again with the same things. We become content and complacent with the status quo. We go through the motions but make no progress. God is calling us, like his chosen people in this text, to move on from this place and move in to the Promised Land. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged doubt, grumbling, missing out on God's best, Moving In, Moving On, place of blessing, Promised Land, rebellion, steps of faith | Leave a comment

Thirsty

Posted on March 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We need the refreshment that comes from intimacy with God. Drink deeply, drink long, drink often. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged adoration, drink deeply, drink long, drink often, encouragement, in need of refreshment, intimacy with God, living water, meeting with God, my soul thirsts for God, prayer | Leave a comment

Everything Changes

Posted on March 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When Jesus steps into the boat everything changes. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundance of fish, disciples of Jesus, everything changes, everything changes when Jesus enters the boat, I will let down the nets, learning to trust Jesus, overflowing nets, put out into the deep water, Simon Peter | Leave a comment

Tempted

Posted on March 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We are weak, but Christ is there to help us. Follow his example. He knows the power of temptation—but he also demonstrates the power of God to resist and stand in victory. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged devil, Holy Spirit's fullness, Jesus knows the power of temptation, promises of scripture, Satan, satan knows our vulnerable places, satan waits for the right moment, temptation, tempted in every respect as we are | Leave a comment