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 Revelation of Jesus Christ

Posted on December 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Try reading Revelation as a book of worship. Stand in awe of the revelation of Christ in his glory. Stand in awe of the wisdom of God as we get glimpses of Christ’s rule and reign. Long for more of a revelation of His presence here even as we wait for his coming in great glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Learn of Him. And worship and adore Him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, he is coming with the clouds, Jesus Christ, kings and priest to serve God, Revelation, ruler of the Kings of the earth | Leave a comment

Grumblers and Faultfinders

Posted on December 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Do “grumbling” and “faultfinding” really demand such stark warnings? Boasting and flattery? We often tolerate the “sins of the tongue” and treat them as “not as big of a deal” as other sins. But they have devastating effects on people and in the life of the church. Perhaps that is why Jude includes them on his list of serious offenses. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, cursing, encourage, faultfinding, grumbling, Jude, lift up, sins of the tongue | Leave a comment

Forever

Posted on December 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God loves you with the same kind of relentless, faithful love. Take the time to meditate on that. Remember something that God has done for you and then say, “His love endures forever.” Allow God to move that truth deeply into your heart. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged faithfulness of God, forever, hesed, love of God, loving kindness, mercies, repetition | Leave a comment

Love and Obedience

Posted on December 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

John makes several connections repeatedly throughout his letters. He repeatedly connects love for God to our obedience—especially obedience to the two great commandments (to love God and to love our neighbor) Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged love for God, Love for neighbor, love in actions and truth, love prated in obedience to God, obedience and love, obedience to God | Leave a comment

Faithful to the Unfaithful

Posted on December 5, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In this extraordinary prophetic act, God is demonstrating his unrelenting faithfulness to his people in spite of their repeated acts of unfaithfulness Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged disobedience, faithful God, Gomer, Hosea, return, seek the Lord, Unfaithful people | Leave a comment

You Are an Overcomer

Posted on December 4, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You are an overcomer. There is no reason to wallow in defeat. Your greatest enemy, the devil, is a defeated foe. Greater is the one who is in you (Christ) than he who is in the world (Satan). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged false guilt, Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world, overcomer, rejoice!, slander and accuse, steal your joy, temptation, victory is yours | Leave a comment

Love in Action

Posted on December 3, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Christ is our example. He gave his very life to prove his love for us. That kind of sacrificial love is the standard he set for us to follow. His sacrificial act of laying down his life for us is the very definition of the love; the standard he calls us to follow with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 1 John, agape, Christ's love, example of Christ, Jesus, love, practical demonstrations of love, rugged commitment to love, sacrifice, sacrificial love, to will the good | Leave a comment

Dearly Loved Children

Posted on December 2, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

To experience deeply God’s love–a love that surpasses knowledge–is to be forever changed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged forever changed, God's love lavished on us, Jesus loves me this I know, love of God, love that surpasses knowledge, open your heart to the Father's love | Leave a comment

Worldliness

Posted on December 1, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Embrace life in its fullness under the Lordship of Christ. Enjoy the good gifts of the Father with gratitude, but do not allow your affections that rightly belong to the Giver to be focused on the gifts. Do not allow the focus of praise to turn from God to yourself. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged a matter of the heart, boasting, God and his gifts, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, not a style, pride, secular vs sacred, worldliness | Leave a comment

Real Fellowship

Posted on November 30, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Fellowship is more than casual conversation over coffee and cookies. Fellowship is the deep connectedness we have with one another because of our common bond, our relationship with Christ. That isn’t to say that the casual conversation is unnecessary or unimportant, but true fellowship will always take us deeper. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged coffee and conversation, encouragement, going deeper, life together, love for God, Love for neighbor, real fellowship, relationship with Christ, true fellowship | Leave a comment