Category Archives: Devotional Thoughts

Forever (Dec 7)

Posted on December 7, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Repetition can be a powerful liturgical device. It helps us slow down and focus on a key theme long enough to let it sink in. It gives time for the truth to engage not only the mind, but the heart. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged hesed, his love endures forever, steadfast love | Leave a comment

Love and Obedience (Dec 6)

Posted on December 6, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

John makes several connections repeatedly throughout his letters. He repeatedly connects love for God to our obedience—especially obedience to the two great commandments (to love God and to love our neighbor). “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 John, commands, Love and Obedience, love for God | Leave a comment

Faithful to the Unfaithful (Dec 5)

Posted on December 5, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In this extraordinary prophetic act, God is demonstrating his unrelenting faithfulness to his people in spite of their repeated acts of unfaithfulness. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged compromise, drifting, faithful to the unfaithful, faithfulness of God, repentance and return | Leave a comment

You are an Overcomer (Dec 4)

Posted on December 4, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

You are an overcomer. There is no reason to wallow in defeat. Your greatest enemy, the devil, is a defeated foe. Greater is the one who is in you (Christ) than he who is in the world (Satan). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged devil, enemy, Greater is He, Satan, temptation, You are an overcomer | Leave a comment

Love in Action (Dec 3)

Posted on December 3, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The identifying mark of a true follower of Christ is love. This love, always more than a feeling that comes and goes, is evidenced in practical ways through our actions. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged follower of Christ, hand and feet of his people, love in action, sacrificial acts of love | Leave a comment

Dearly Loved Children (Dec 2)

Posted on December 2, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

A great theologian was asked what he thought was the most profound thought he had ever had. He replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” The words of a simple children’s hymn were more stunning, more profound to him than any of the theological work that he had written or read. To ponder the thought of God’s love toward us–that God lavishes his love on us, calling us his children–is truly amazing. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Beloved, dearly loved, God's love, love | Leave a comment

Worldliness (Dec 1)

Posted on December 1, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

John’s insistence that we should not love the world or anything in the world is easily misunderstood or misapplied. For some it signals a dualistic way of life that views life in categories where spiritual is prized over earthly, sacred is valued and secular is rejected. This rejection fails to recognize that “the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (1 Cor. 10:26). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged boastful pride of life, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride, worldliness | Leave a comment

Real Fellowship (Nov 30)

Posted on November 30, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Fellowship is more than casual conversation over coffee and cookies. Fellowship is the deep connectedness we have with one another because of our common bond, our relationship with Christ. That isn’t to say that the casual conversation is unnecessary or unimportant, but true fellowship will always go deeper. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brothers and sisters, fellowship with God, Fellowship with other believers, real fellowship, the church | Leave a comment

Trouble (Nov 29)

Posted on November 29, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

“And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (6:23). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged daniel in the Lion's den, God's intervention, protection, Trouble | Leave a comment

The Power of a Good Reputation (Nov 28)

Posted on November 28, 2020 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Pride, arrogance and abuse of power find their day of reckoning. God sees and he will make it right. Integrity, obedience and courage likewise come to light before God and men and find their reward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged arrogance, Daniel, Power of a good reputation, pride, pride goes before a fall | Leave a comment