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.

When God Asks the Questions

Posted on September 1, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The answer to God’s questions is not found in words, but in falling on our faces in humility, repentance and worship before the awesome creator of all things. The questions call for a response: surrendering all that we are to Him; becoming a living sacrifice. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Job's questions, perseverance through trials, questions no man can answer, suffering, the book of Job, When God asks the questions | Leave a comment

Eternal Glory

Posted on August 31, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We tend to magnify the troubles down here and lose sight of the glory that is to come. It seems the natural tendency. Paul did the opposite. He focused more on the glory that was to be revealed. From that perspective, even the most devastating events were viewed as “light and momentary troubles.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eternal glory, eternal perspective, light and momentary troubles, seen versus unseen, the glory that is to come, trials of life | Leave a comment

Sing a New Song

Posted on August 30, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

just as God desires a fresh intimate walk with me each and every day, so there will be new expressions of praise. A daily, fresh encounter with Jesus is likely to lead to new songs of praise. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged fresh and vibrant walk with Christ, new songs, old songs, Psalms hymns and spiritual songs, sing a new song | Leave a comment

Glowing with Glory

Posted on August 29, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

I’m encouraged to know that as I spend time with Jesus daily, he begins to rub off on me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Glory, growth, means of grace, Moses face glowed, surpassing glory, Time spent in God's presence | Leave a comment

What is that Fragrance You Are Wearing?

Posted on August 28, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we know and walk in the fullness of Christ, we begin to take on an aroma–-the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Wherever we go, that pleasant aroma follows us. Just by being around us, people sense Christ’s joy, or his love, or his kindness, or one of his other winsome character qualities. As Christ lives out his life in us, we become more and more like him, and people begin to notice the difference. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 Corinthians 2, fragrance of Christ, Making God smile, Spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, witness | Leave a comment

Purer Than Gold

Posted on August 27, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all have these “dark nights of the soul” where God is teaching us to trust him in the dark. They are difficult times because they stretch our faith, but they can be times of incredible growth. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged dark night of the soul, Job trusted God, job's suffering, purified through trials, tough times test our faith, trials bring growth | Leave a comment

Comfort Received, Comfort Given

Posted on August 26, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The comfort God gives is meant to overflow. He comforts us not only that our need is met, but also so that we have comfort to give away to someone else in need. As he fills you with his comfort, you become one he can use to comfort others. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged comfort given, comfort overflows, comfort received, father of compassion, God of all comfort, suffering, trials | Leave a comment

Refreshing

Posted on August 25, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s good to have people like Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. We all need the encouragement that such people bring. An encouraging word, a helping hand, a willingness to serve where needed: these things refresh the soul of one who is in ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Achaicus, encouragement, Fortunatus, refreshed my spirit, soul drainers, soul refreshers, Stephanas | Leave a comment

Worthless Physicians

Posted on August 24, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When we see a friend in pain, we are often quick to spout cliches. Yet these are the very times we would usually do well to just be there and to be a good listener. James tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. That’s good advice. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged cliches, encouragement, grief, Job and his friends, Listen, loss, mourning, presence, Worthless physiicians | Leave a comment

No Easy Answers

Posted on August 23, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We grow up learning the “Sunday school answers” to all of life’s questions. But life’s questions sometimes require more than just a simple answer. They require more than the standard cliches. Especially when we are dealing with the mystery of suffering. Even more so when we are dealing with trying to figure out God’s purpose in our suffering. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged growth through difficulties, mystery of suffering, suffering, the mystery of God's ways, trials, understanding suffering, when life is tough | Leave a comment