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.

Prayer Priorities

Posted on October 15, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

October 15 Prayer Priorities Todays’ Scripture Readings: Psalm 116:1-6; Jeremiah 26:1 – 27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – 18; Proverbs 25:16 Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bible, faith, God, Jesus, prayer | Leave a comment

Eternal Encouragement

Posted on October 14, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Perhaps you need a fresh touch of God’s love and encouragement. Maybe you need God to give you a clearer sense of the good hope that is yours in Christ. Maybe you need his strengthening power in every good deed and word today. I pray that Paul’s blessing for the Thessalonians may be yours today. Receive it! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, difficulties of life, encouragement, eternal encouragement, eternal hope, God loves us, persecution, suffering, Thessalonians, trtials | Leave a comment

Beyond Good Intentions

Posted on October 13, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul is praying for these Christians to not only be people of good intentions, but people who follow through to finish all that God has called them to do–and to finish well. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged every good purpose, finish well, good intentions, perseverance | Leave a comment

Always

Posted on October 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Life is not always easy, but the one who walks in the presence of God continually can find joy and be thankful in each and every circumstance. Take time to open your heart to Jesus everyday in prayer. Walk with him. Enjoy his presence. Allow thanksgiving to fuel the sense of his presence and intensify the joy. Don’t allow the circumstances to take your joy! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged always joyful, always praying, always thankful, God's will, joy, practice the presence, prayer, thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Clay in the Hands of the Potter

Posted on October 11, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The process may seem painful at times, but the Potter knows what he is doing. Trust Him to bring shape and significance to you. Trust Him to make you into a beautiful vessel that he will delight in using to display His glory. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged clay in the potters hands, God shapes us for his glory, God's transforming power, mold me, potters wheel, shape me, trials are a means of shaping us transforming us, use me. | Leave a comment

What a Blessing!

Posted on October 10, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There is always need to pray for God to give us increasing and overflowing love for each other. There is also need for God to fill us with love for those we are to reach out to (everyone else). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged love for each other, love for everyone else, love increasing and overflowing., paul's prayers and blessings, teach us to pray | Leave a comment

Real Faith Means Hard Work

Posted on October 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Church at Thessalonica is evidencing the supreme Christian virtues of “faith, hope and love.” through their work, labor and endurance. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged endurance, faith, grace is not opposed to effort but to earning, hard work, Hope, labor, love, willingness to serve | Leave a comment

Scarecrows in a Melon Patch

Posted on October 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We worship and serve many things. Paul shows us that even misplaced values like greed and materialism can become idols. So can entertainment, sports, music or a political cause. The list could include most anything that becomes our preoccupation. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, christianity, God, God shaped vaccuum, idolatry, idols, idols made by hands, idols made by hearts, Jesus, misplaced values, scarecrows in a melon patch, the heart is an idol making factory | Leave a comment

A New Wardrobe

Posted on October 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What may have seemed natural and appropriate before we were Christians is no longer appropriate. Since Christ lives in me, I need to eliminate the clothes that are not in keeping with who he is, and who I am in him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged be like Jesus, character transformation, position in Christ, throw out the old clothes | Leave a comment

Let Them See Your Hand

Posted on October 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In essence, he prays, “God answer this prayer in such a marvelous way that everyone will know that you have done it. Let there be no doubt that your hand has accomplished this.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answered prayer, Be magnified, God's glory, God's reputation, Hand of the Lord, may there be no doubt you have done this | Leave a comment