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.

Giants in the Land

Posted on March 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Twelve spies went into the land. Ten came back filled with doubt. Only two came back filled with faith and courage. Though they saw the same things and agreed that the land was indeed everything that God had promised, many saw the difficulties ahead and felt overwhelmed. Caleb and Joshua, however, believed that God would enable them to take the land. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Caleb, faith, giants in the land, Joshua, lack of faith, missing out, promised lands, some believed, some doubted, some see only obstacles, some see the possibilities, some see the promise, take the Land | 1 Comment

Waiting in Delight

Posted on March 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In the process of waiting and praying, we are transformed, and so are our desires. Selfish, foolish, worldly and sinful desires are stripped away by time spent in the presence of the LORD. Motives are tested; faith is refined. The desire that remains is in keeping with God’s best for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Be still before the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, Desires of your heart, Trust in the Lord, wait on the Lord, wait patiently | Leave a comment

Contrast

Posted on March 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Meditating on the greatness of God refreshes the psalmist. His concerns about the wicked begin to melt away in the beauty of God’s righteous character. He has found a place of refuge from the hand of the wicked. Surely God will bring protection. Surely God in his justice will do what is right with the wicked. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged contrast, faithfulness, Glory, lovingkindness, meditating on scripture, Psalms, righteousness, take refuge in God | Leave a comment

The Voice of the LORD

Posted on March 6, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Moses had an unusual intimacy with God: “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Ex 33:11). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged face to face, intimacy with God, prayer, tent of meeting, The Lord's voice, the voice of the Lord | Leave a comment

Amazed, Delighted or Afraid

Posted on March 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

March 5 Amazed, Delighted or Afraid? Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 35:11-18; Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Proverbs 10:26 Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 12:18-37 “And they were amazed at him.” (Matthew 12:17) ”And from then on no one dared ask him any … Continue reading →

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God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves

Posted on March 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The vulnerable may be neglected or even oppressed by the world, but they are deeply loved by God. Christians are to stand in sharp contrast to the world by doing all we can to see that needs are met. We are called to express God’s heart to them—to show His love and compassion in practical ways. Not to do so is a sign that our faith is compromised and our love for Christ is lacking. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged do we really love Christ?, faith, God cares, God is concerned, helpless, hopeless, love, marginalized, not lost on God, obedience, poor, poverty, We are the hands and feet of Christ | Leave a comment

Turn the Tables

Posted on March 3, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Is your house of prayer a place for all people? What about those that are from different nations and cultures? The Temple had lost its missional focus: the court of the gentiles had become a place of convenience for the Jewish worshipers—a place where they could buy the things they needed for the sacrifices. Are we reaching out to the nations? The nations are coming to us in America, what are we doing to reach out to them? Does your church see the potential of being involved in missions here—as well as there? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged den of robbers, house of prayer for all people, joyful house of prayer, my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations | Leave a comment

Servant of All

Posted on March 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Jesus is the ultimate example of servanthood. He humbled himself by becoming a man, by his daily acts of service, and most graphically, by dying on a cross. When Jesus took the form of a servant and washed the disciples feet, he was giving an example of the kind of humble service we are all called to as his disciples. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged called to be disciples, first place, humility, last place, servant hood is the path to greatness, servant of all, servanthood, taking last place is the way of the servant | Leave a comment

Growing Young

Posted on March 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Children have an ability to trust that we often lose as we grow older and become more jaded and cynical. We must recover that child-like trust to enter the reality of God’s kingdom. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged child like, child like trust, faith, Growing young, kingdom of God, Let the little children come unto me, we become jaded and cynical as we grow older, we must recover child like trust | Leave a comment

Too Many Words

Posted on February 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It is easy in the social media environment in which we live today, to pass on false, unhelpful or hurtful words. It’s easy to waste our time with “too many words.” Take the time to make sure your “few words” are truthful, helpful words. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged careful listeners, careless with our words, facebook, quick to listen, slow to become angry, slow to speak, social media, too many words, twitter, wisdom, x | Leave a comment