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.

I Have Not Forgotten You

Posted on September 26, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

How could a young mother forget her newborn baby? How could she fail to have compassion? God says that he will remember us and have compassion on us even more surely than a young mother who cares for her newborn child. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compassion, engraved on the palms, feeling forsaken, I have not forgotten you, Isaiah, The Lord has forgotten me, unanswered prayers | Leave a comment

Thanks For Your Support

Posted on September 25, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

That is a beautiful picture of a healthy church. It is a picture of a church operating as it was intended to. Notice the results: the body is built up, there is unity, there is maturity, there is growth. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged body of Christ, church, discipline, edification, encouragement, equipping, growth, maturity, mentoring, Spiritual gifts, supporting ligaments | Leave a comment

He is Doing a New Thing

Posted on September 24, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Your situation is never hopeless with God. He is the God of new things.When there seems to be no hope, he opens a new opportunity. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God will make a way, Hope, in the wilderness, new thing, springs in the desert, waiting for the rain | Leave a comment

He Holds Your Hand

Posted on September 23, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Then with his hand firmly clasped around ours, he comforts us with these words: “Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid for I myself will help you” (41:13-14). “Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name, you are mine” (43:1-2). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged comfort, encouragement, fiery trials, Holding God's Hand, Hope, protection, safety, through the deep water | 1 Comment

Soaring on Eagle’s Wings

Posted on September 22, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we wait in hope—seeking him expectantly—he renews our strength. God gives us the ability to walk when we grow tired—the ability to run when all our strength is gone. He even gives us the ability to soar against all the gusts of wind—the circumstances of life that seem to make it impossible to keep moving forward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged against the wind, eagle's wings, Hope, Let's soar, presence and power of God, soaring above life's difficulties, wait | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged find hope, Hezekiah, lay out the situation in prayer, rest in the character of God, trust in the promises of God, turn to God in prayer, Where to turn | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged freedom to do what is good, freedom to obey, freedom to serve, grace, legalism, liberty, license, true freedom | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, God acts when he might be most gracious, God is longing and waiting to bless you, prayer, Sometimes God waits, Sometimes we wait, wait in hope, waiting in prayer | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ formed in them, freedom, knowledge of Christ, more and more like Jesus, relationship with Christ, spiritual formation | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Amen doesn't have to be the end of our prayers, I am with you, linger in God's presence, practicing the presence, prayer, spiritual disciplines, wherever we go | Leave a comment