Author Archives: pastorjeffsneighborhood

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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.

Where to Turn

Posted on September 21, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

He took the letter from the messenger and spread it out before the LORD. In prayer, he takes the situation to the LORD and rests in the character and promise of His God. He appeals to God’s glory and prays that God will work in such a way that all the kingdoms will know that “You alone are God.” Continue reading →

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True Freedom

Posted on September 20, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The secret: a dynamic Spirit-filled life where we are led by the Spirit, controlled by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. A life where we draw on the resources of grace. That is true freedom: the freedom to obey; the freedom to serve in love. That requires relationship and it takes away all the boasting and pride. Continue reading →

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Who is Waiting?

Posted on September 19, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Waiting brings a greater blessing, as Isaiah reminds us: “Blessed are all those who wait for him” (30:18b). One day the waiting will be over and God will graciously bless us. He is waiting and longing to do that very thing: “The LORD waits (longs) to be gracious to you” (30:18a). Continue reading →

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Christ Formed in You

Posted on September 18, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul points us to the alternative: Christ being formed in them—Christ living his life out through them.  It’s a life lived by grace through faith. It’s a life of freedom and joy. And it’s all found in a dynamic, ongoing, intimate relationship with Jesus. As we spend time with him, as we pursue spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, we are formed spiritually. We become more and more like Jesus. Continue reading →

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Practicing His Presence

Posted on September 17, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Amen doesn’t have to be the end of our prayer time. It can be only the beginning. If we linger in his presence as we begin the day, we can take his presence with us wherever we go—whatever we do. Continue reading →

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The Real Thing

Posted on September 16, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

By faith we exchange our life for his; our desires for his; our strength for his. By faith we rely on the power he supplies through the Holy Spirit. By faith we recognize that we are dead to the “self-life”—all of our attempts to do it on our own, all of our selfish motives, even our self-righteous attempts to please God that are filled with pride. Our best attempts to do it on our own get us nowhere. Continue reading →

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Stealing Freedom

Posted on September 15, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There will always be some who will try to steal your freedom and place you in bondage to a religious system. Don’t let them steal your freedom. Find the joy of living in the freedom of a relationship with Christ. Continue reading →

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Good News

Posted on September 14, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Don’t let anyone take your freedom. Don’t let others impose unnecessary rules and regulations. Don’t let them look down upon you because you worship and serve Jesus a little differently than they do. Your identity is found in Christ, not in the externals. Open your heart to Jesus and live in intimate fellowship with him. Find the freedom of life lived to the full in the power of the Spirit. Continue reading →

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Passing the Test

Posted on September 13, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul’s measuring stick is this: “Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves: that “Jesus Christ is in you?” The life of Jesus in you is the sure sign that you are moving ahead in the faith. As we become more and more like him, we show the sure fruit that we are growing in the faith. Continue reading →

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The Big Picture

Posted on September 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When what we see with our eyes doesn’t seem to make sense, it is time to look at the big picture—to get an eternal perspective. Continue reading →

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