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.

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

Trouble

Posted on November 29, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Standing strong in a world of compromise will often mean being out of step with others. They often will not understand. They may even persecute you. But know that whatever trouble you find yourself in, God will not forget you. He sees your integrity and will be there through it all. He can even shut the mouths of lions, if necessary. So stand strong. Be of good courage. Press forward with integrity and keep trusting in your God. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be bold, beacon of integrity, Daniel, lions den, prayer, stand strong, take courage, Trouble, trust in God | Leave a comment

The Power of a Good Reputation

Posted on November 28, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Pride, arrogance and abuse of power find their day of reckoning. God sees and he will make it right. Humility, integrity, obedience and courage likewise come to light before God and men and find their reward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abuse of power, courage, Daniel, good reputation, handwriting on the wall, humility, integrity, Mene Mene Tekel Parsen, Power of a good reputation, pride | Leave a comment

Everything We Need

Posted on November 27, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Ss these resources of grace, promised by scripture, are produced in us by God’s power we will live effective and productive lives as Christians. We become participants in the divine nature. Don’t settle for anything less. He has given us everything we need! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged bible, christianity, everything we need for life and godliness, faith, God, grace, Jesus, keep you from being ineffective, keep you from being unproductive, Knowing Christ, live a godly life, precious promises, promises | Leave a comment

Cast All Your Cares

Posted on November 26, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Recognizing that God loves and cares for you, what could be more natural than to cry out to God—to bring him all your cares and anxieties? Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged cast all your anxiety, cast your cares, God cares for you, humble yourself, resist him, roaring lion, strong firm and steadfast, suffering, temptation, trials | Leave a comment

Standing Strong

Posted on November 25, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Daniel is an example of integrity in the midst of a culture of compromise. His own people, the people of Judah, had drifted from God and were suffering the consequences of being under judgment: In the midst of this spiritual darkness, the integrity of Daniel and his friends stands as a beacon of light. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Abednego, Babylon, bible, Blessing, Daniel, Exile of judah, exploits, faith, favor, God, integrity, Jesus, Meshech, Shadrach, temptation to compromise | Leave a comment

Unjust Suffering

Posted on November 24, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As he was treated unfairly, so we can expect to be treated unfairly. How do we handle it? By drawing from the life we have in Christ and following his example. The key to getting through these times with our faith and testimony intact is his indwelling power and presence. Leaving the matter in God’s hands to judge justly is another key. He will take care of the injustice–that is his job, not mine. I may be tempted to take the way of revenge, reviling, and retribution, but this is not the way of Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged example of Christ, follow in his steps on the road to suffering, leave Justice in God's hands, retaliation, revenge, reviling, suffering, way of Christ | Leave a comment

The Good Scissors

Posted on November 23, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

One life’s most important early lessons was, “don’t use the good scissors.” One of the most awkward moments came when you were asked the question, “Did you just use my good scissors?” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged did you use my good scissors?, effective service, Good Scissors, Holiness, sanctification, sin dulls our edges spiritually, You are God's good scissors | Leave a comment