Author Archives: pastorjeffsneighborhood

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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 Stand in Awe

Posted on July 28, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s plan is sometimes difficult to understand. Especially when we try to figure out how he’s “working all things together for good.” There’s a lot of mystery there. Some things are beyond our knowing.. Continue reading →

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What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Posted on July 27, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

They stood and waited. They listened. They prayed. They stood firm in faith. They praised. Sing loud and see the deliverance God brings! Continue reading →

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The Agony and the Ecstasy

Posted on July 26, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Intercession is both agony and ecstasy—both deep struggle and “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). Open your heart to Jesus, feel the burdens of his heart and allow him to teach you to pray. He has much to teach you. The ecstasy makes all the agony worthwhile. Continue reading →

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Time After Time

Posted on July 25, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We are forgetful people and our forgetfulness keeps us from trusting God fully. Is he not faithful, even when we are faithless? Is he not powerful, even when we are powerless? Is he not loving and gracious? Is he not good? He has demonstrated these qualities in our lives over and over again. Yet we so quickly forget. Continue reading →

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Nothing Can Separate Us From His Love!

Posted on July 24, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Because God loves me, I can endure the present sufferings knowing, that they “are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Continue reading →

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Revival: Do We Really Want It?

Posted on July 23, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In the abstract, everyone seems to want revival. Who wouldn’t want the church to be growing, exciting and alive? Who doesn’t want to see lives transformed by powerful encounters with the manifest presence of God? But when you get specific, few seem willing to pay the price. Revival would be wonderful, but it is costly. Continue reading →

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No Condemnation

Posted on July 22, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

“No Condemnation” (8:1)! Yet many of us carry around a load of shame, guilt and condemnation. Continue reading →

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Hide and Seek

Posted on July 21, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all have times when we wonder if God is hiding. We have times when we don’t feel the sense of his presence. But know that he is there, hoping that you will remember the childhood delight of seeking him diligently—hoping that you will not give up the search before the laughter and joy of “finding.” Continue reading →

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A Heart of Wisdom

Posted on July 20, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God is always pleased when we ask for wisdom. His word makes it clear that it is ours for the asking. He delights in giving it to us, whenever we need it. Continue reading →

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Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on July 19, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s a debilitating disease. A disease of the heart—a heart attack indeed. It eats away at the heart and causes it to wither. In its final stages it combines with hopelessness and fear to completely debilitate the victim. It makes them unable to accomplish any task. It tempts the victim to give up. It is contagious—highly contagious. What is this terrible disease? Discouragement. Continue reading →

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