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.

Time to Celebrate

Posted on August 17, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, as we walk with him through the trials of life, he produces joy in the most unusual places and at the most unexpected times. As we begin to see his hand at work in our lives, our hearts are filled with joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged celebrate, joy, joyful, Nehemiah, reason to celebrate | Leave a comment

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Posted on August 16, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There are many things in this world that we do not understand, or cannot understand. God’s love and faithfulness is the foundational truth through which we filter the questions in our attempts to make sense of the tough times. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged firm foundation, God loves you, God's love, I could sing of your love forever, Jesus loves me this I know, sing about God's love | Leave a comment

All Things to All People

Posted on August 15, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Of course, we must be careful not to compromise the gospel in the process—to water down or change the substance of the message. We must speak the message of the gospel loud and clear. Seasoned with grace, we proclaim the message in a way that the love of Christ shines through. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Nehemiah encouraged the people to find joy. They were hearing the law and understanding it. This was reason for celebration. There would be a time for weeping, but this was a time for celebration: the celebration of understanding God’s word. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged hearing Gods word, joy, joy is my strngth, joy of the Lord, Nehemiah | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Tearing down is simple. Building up is an art. Anyone can criticize; it takes no great skill to see the problems. It takes a real leader not to be distracted by the words that tear down; to keep to the task despite criticism. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged criticism, dealing with critics, I cannot come down, Nehemiah, no gift of criticism in scripture, Tobias and Sanballat | Leave a comment

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