Category Archives: Devotional Thoughts

The Strength to Go On

Posted on April 25, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Facing denial, betrayal, mocking, scourging and a cruel painful death on a cross, Jesus went to his usual place to pray: The Mount of Olives. This solitary place was a regular place of refuge for Jesus where he would pour out his heart to the Father. Continue reading →

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Never Ending Cycle

Posted on April 24, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What happens when God’s people turn away from God’s commands and do whatever is right in their own eyes? That seems to be the question that the writer of Judges is trying to answer. The answer? In short: Chaos. The pages of Judges are filled with missed opportunities, deceit, destruction, and death. Continue reading →

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Time Well Spent

Posted on April 23, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The cross was drawing nearer and nearer. Ministry was taking place daily. After a day of teaching in the temple, Jesus finds one of his favorite places to pray. He gets away to the Mount of Olives to spend the night in fellowship with his Father through prayer. Continue reading →

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As For Me and My House

Posted on April 22, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

They had, more or less, conquered the land. Nearing the end of his life and time of leadership, Joshua calls the people together. First he reminds them of the way God has been with them in giving them this land. Continue reading →

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Every Promise

Posted on April 21, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

“Not one word of his promise has failed–they have all been fulfilled.” With these words, Joshua reminds the people of Israel of the faithfulness of God. God has been with them. He has fought for them. He has given them the land he promised. Continue reading →

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Rest

Posted on April 20, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God promised that if they would obey him, he would give the children of Israel the land. While their obedience was far from perfect, God fully fulfilled his end of the bargain. Not one of all his good promises had failed; they all came to pass. Continue reading →

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Robbing the Purpose

Posted on April 19, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The temple was designed by God to be a place of worship and prayer for all of God’s people. It was to be a house of prayer for all nations. But somehow it lost its focus; it was robbed of its purpose. Jesus cleared the temple and declared that the house of prayer had become a den of robbers. So, how does a “house of prayer” become a “den of robbers?” Continue reading →

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Who Do You Eat With?

Posted on April 18, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Who do you eat with? Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. This was a major problem for the Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Jesus seemed more than willing to fuel the fire of their accusations that he was a “friend of sinners,” and someone who “eats with tax collectors and sinners.”  Continue reading →

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Cast Your Cares

Posted on April 17, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

David laments the wounds caused by the betrayal of a close friend. He is filled with anguish, fear and troubled thoughts. He wishes he could fly away like a bird–escaping the hurt. But realizes a better course is to takes his burden to God. Continue reading →

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We Should Not Give Up

Posted on April 16, 2022 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When our prayers are not immediately answered, our faith is stretched and tested. It is easy to give up. It’s easy to throw in the towel and not make the effort to persevere in prayer. Continue reading →

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