Category Archives: Devotional Thoughts

Strengthened by Joy (Aug 14)

Posted on August 14, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Each day is an opportunity for celebration as we hear and understand God’s word. Understanding it brings joy, and that “joy of the Lord is our strength” (8:12). God teaches us principles that enable us to live “life to the full.” His promises give us hope that strengthens us through the most difficult of times. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Each day an opportunity to celebrate, Joy of the Lord is my strength, understanding God's word brings joy | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down (Aug 13)

Posted on August 13, 2021 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, criticism is easy, encouragement, handling critics, real leadership, stick to the task | Leave a comment

Bending God’s Ear (Aug 12)

Posted on August 12, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

David is looking for God’s ear. He is looking for God to hear and answer his prayer. He finds himself in a desperate situation, and he is looking for someone to talk to, someone who can protect and save him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Bending God's Ear, fellowship with God, God's ear, Greatness of God | Leave a comment

Constructive Praying (Aug 11)

Posted on August 11, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Cupbearers tend to be people of prayer. Contractors tend to be people of action. Nehemiah was both. A Burdened heart led to powerful intercession. The struggle of prayer led to an open door by the blessing of God. A praying cupbearer was given opportunity to put feet to his prayers. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged constructive praying, failing to pray, powerful intercession, prayer and leadership, praying and doing | Leave a comment

Hope for the Hopeless (Aug 10)

Posted on August 10, 2021 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 distancing ourselves from God, drifting spiritualy, failures, God is faithful, hope for the hopeless | Leave a comment

Seeking the Blessing of God (Aug 9)

Posted on August 9, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

uilding the temple—it brought him to his knees. They needed “some reviving to set up the house of God, to repair its ruins…” (9:10 ESV). God had been faithful to bless, but the continued hand of the Lord was needed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, Ezra, Hand of the Lord, prayer, revival | 1 Comment

The Hand of the Lord (Aug 8)

Posted on August 8, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

This passage repeatedly mentions the “hand of the Lord.” God blessed Ezra in extraordinary ways because “the hand of the Lord” was “on him.” The hand of the Lord being upon you is his blessing. Just as in the Old Testament, where we see fathers placing their hands on their children to bless them, and just as Jesus placed his hands on children to bless them, so the Heavenly Father himself places his hand upon Ezra and extraordinary blessings followed. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Blessing, Ezra, Hand of the Lord | Leave a comment

The Eyes of the Lord (Aug 7)

Posted on August 8, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God has been watching his people. As they have begun to turn to him, he has turned toward them; he is watching out for them. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eyes of the Lord, God's blessing, God's care, God's protection | Leave a comment

Nursery Duty (Aug 6)

Posted on August 6, 2021 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, immaturity, Spiritual growth | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of Brilliance (Aug 5)

Posted on August 5, 2021 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Many of the greatest minds of history have found their revolutionary ideas to be rejected initially because they seemed to be foolishness. People just couldn’t understand. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brilliance, Foolishness | Leave a comment