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.

Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. No matter how difficult the circumstances or the opposition, he knew his God was greater; he knew his God loved him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged answers to prayer, Bending God's Ear, goodness of God, Praise, prayer, undivided heart, when life is difficult | Leave a comment

Constructive Prayer

Posted on August 11, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Like Nehemiah, lay the foundation of prayer and look for the opportunity to act. This is the way to glorify God and to accomplish great things for him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged building the walls of Jerusalem, Cupbearers tend to be people of prayer, lay the foundation in prayer, Nehemiah, Prayer and Action, when to pray and when to act | Leave a comment

Hope for the Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Despite our failures, our attempts to distance ourselves from God, our deliberate disobedience, our drifting from the principles of his word, God is still faithful and forgiving. He is a God of grace and mercy. He is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13). He doesn’t give up on his people—even the ones who seem hopeless. People like you and me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged deliberate disobedience, faithful and forgiving, God of hope, new tricks, there is always hope | Leave a comment

Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all stand in need of the hand of the Lord (his blessing) each and every day. We just can’t do it alone. Therefore we go to him daily in prayer seeking his blessing as we pray, and as we hear and obey his word. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Hand of the Lord, intense prayer, prayer, prayer and fasting, seeking the blessing | Leave a comment

The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s blessing (his hand) was on him because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and therefore, the hand of the Lord was upon him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing of the Lord, Ezra, Hand of the Lord, leadership, study of the word | Leave a comment

The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Of course it didn’t take long for opposition to arise. When God is at work, the enemy does what he can to cause confusion, division and frustration. No exception here. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged babylonian exile, Cyrus, eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth, Ezra, God watching over his people, prophets | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s not terribly surprising that a consumer culture produces so many spoiled spiritual babes, but it is sad. Growing up requires taking up the cross and dying to our selfish immaturity, moving beyond our comfort zone and our need to always have it our way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged babes in Christ, moving on toward maturity, nursery duty, Spiritual growth, spiritual maturity | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We will never be able to completely comprehend the brilliance of God’s plan—his wisdom is beyond ours. But what we do know is that God loves foolish people like you and me and seems to delight in transforming the foolish, to frustrate the wisdom of this world. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brilliance, Foolishness, God's plan, message of the cross, over my head | Leave a comment

Plastic Prayers

Posted on August 4, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Open up your heart to God, just like David did. Get it all “out on the table,” then allow God to deal with the questions, the fears, the pain, the problems, the doubts. He patiently waits on us to clean out the closets of our heart. He delights in meeting with us when we do. Honesty is the road to transformation. We trade in our plastic religiosity to become authentic Christ followers. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged authenticity, honesty, lay everything on the table, Open your heart, plastic prayers, pour out your heart to God | Leave a comment

Amazing Grace!

Posted on August 3, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Grace truly is amazing. If it can find and change a man like Manasseh, there might be hope yet for you and me. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged amazing grace, evil king, humbled himself, Manasseh, The Lord got his attention | Leave a comment