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.

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ in me, Christ-life, Crucified with Christ, life of faith, living by grace, self-life, the great exchange, trained by grace | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged legalism, relationship with Christ, religious system, rule based system, stealing freedom | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged boundary markers, freedom, good news, gospel, legalism | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged becoming more like Jesus, fruit of the Spirit, growth in the faith, life of Jesus, progress, test yourselves | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged big picture, eternal perspective, Isaiah, kingdom of God, Messiah, second coming of Christ, when life doesn't make sense | Leave a comment

He Will Reign

Posted on September 11, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When our world seems to spin out of control, we must run back to this truth, that the Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. In the midst of tragedy, we must look forward to the day when Christ will return to right all the wrongs and to reign with the government on his shoulders. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 9-11, 9-11 cross, God works all things together for good, sovereign God, the cross still stands, world trade center disaster | Leave a comment

Holy Love

Posted on September 10, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Holy Love Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Holiness of God, Holy is the Lord, Isaiah, love of God, Psallm 103, Unfailing steadfast love, worship | Leave a comment

Boasting in Weakness

Posted on September 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 9 Boasting in Weakness Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 102:18-28 | Isaiah 3:1-5:30 | 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 | Proverbs 22:28-29 Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 11 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged God shines through, grace, jars of clay, scars, weakness | Leave a comment

Demolishing Strongholds

Posted on September 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 8 Demolishing Strongholds Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 102:12-17; Isaiah 1:1-2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Proverbs 22:26-27 Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged armor of God, don't give the devil a foothold, fortresses, mighty fortress, strongholds, struggling with temptation, taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ | Leave a comment

Tired of Waiting

Posted on September 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 7 Tired of Waiting Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 102:1-11; Song 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Proverbs 22:24-25 Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 102:1-11 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged difficulties in prayer, feeling alone and abandoned, God hears and answers, groaning, prayer, sleepless nights, waiting | Leave a comment