Category Archives: Devotional Thoughts

He Holds Your Hand

Posted on September 23, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Whatever your trial, know that your heavenly Father is holding on to your hand. He is there and won’t let you go. Don’t be afraid. He is there to help you. When his hand is clasping yours, any place is a safe place. As we walk together, he brings comfort and hope to any situation we may face. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged comfort, do not fear, fiery trials, God, he knows your name, Heavenly Father holds your hand, I will be with you, protection, safety, through the deep water | Leave a comment

Soaring on Eagle’s Wings

Posted on September 22, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we wait in hope—seeking him expectantly—he renews our strength. God gives us the ability to walk when we grow tired—the ability to run when all our strength is gone. He even gives us the ability to soar against all the gusts of wind—the circumstances of life that seem to make it impossible to keep moving forward. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged eagle, eagle's wings, Isaiah 40:31, mount up with wings, renew their strength, run, soar, soaring, soaring against the wind, wait in hope, wait upon the LORD, walk, wind currents, winds of life | 1 Comment

Where to Turn

Posted on September 21, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 21 Where to Turn Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 105:37-45; Isaiah 37:1-38:22; Galatians 6:1-18; Proverbs 23:24 Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 37-38 “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged he turned to the LORD, Hezekiah, humbling himself, Isaiah 37, Lord reveal your glory, seek God's wisdom, threatened, words of the accuser, you alone are God | Leave a comment

True Freedom

Posted on September 20, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The secret: a dynamic Spirit-filled life where we are led by the Spirit, controlled by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. A life where we draw on the resources of grace. That is true freedom: the freedom to obey; the freedom to serve in love. That requires relationship and it takes away all the boasting and pride. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged do not use freedom to indulge the sinful nature, freedom, freedom to love, freedom to serve, keep in step with the Spirit, liberty, real freedom, serve one another in love, spirit controlled life, Spirit-filled | Leave a comment

Who is Waiting?

Posted on September 19, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We do a lot of waiting. God does too. There can be many reasons for the waiting, but this passage reminds us that sometimes the reason we are waiting is because God is waiting for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged even more gracious, God waiting on us, Isaiah, pray and wait, waiting brings greater blessing, waiting on God | Leave a comment

Christ Formed in You

Posted on September 18, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Paul points us to the alternative: Christ being formed in them—Christ living his life out through them. It’s a life lived by grace through faith. It’s a life of freedom and joy. And it’s all found in a dynamic, ongoing, intimate relationship with Jesus. As we spend time with him, as we pursue spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, we are formed spiritually. We become more and more like Jesus. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged abundant life, christ is formed in you, freedom, freedom and joy, Knowing Christ, likeness of Jesus, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation | Leave a comment

Practicing His Presence

Posted on September 17, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

This praying continually begins by our daily time of finding a solitary place and opening our heart to the Lord. As we find him in those times, he is able to strengthen our hearts to take his presence with us the rest of the day. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Amen, Brother Lawrence, I keep the Lord always before me, manifest presence, Open your heart, practicing the presence, pray without ceasing, prayer, presence of God, solitary place | Leave a comment

The Real Thing

Posted on September 16, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Our best attempts to do it on our own get us nowhere. In poverty of spirit, we come to Christ—our prodigal hearts revealed—and in humility, surrender our lives to Him. As we open our hearts to Christ, he comes and fills us with himself. He dwells in our hearts through faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christ in me, filled, freedom in Christ, fullness, great exchange, live by faith, poverty of spirit, power of the Spirit, self-life, the Christ life | Leave a comment

Stealing Freedom

Posted on September 15, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The focus of true Christianity is not performance, but walking with God in a close intimate relationship. It’s not about rule keeping to look spiritual, but about serving God because I love him. It’s a journey where I know that I am loved by God through it all, and where he comes alongside each step of the way to help me on my way. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bondage, christianity, focus on appearances, freedom, Jesus Christ, legalism, perfectionism, relationship with Christ, religious system, rule-keeping, stealing freedom | 1 Comment

Passing the Test

Posted on September 13, 2026 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

It’s good to check our progress. It’s encouraging to see more of Christ’s love, more of his joy and peace, more of his patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It’s also humbling to realize how far we have to go to become like him. But that humility only causes us to place our trust not in our self-effort, but in Christ who lives within us. He is the one who began the good work in us and he will complete it (Phil 1:6). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged 2 Cor 13, character of Christ, fruit of the Spirit, growth is a process, he who began a good work, Jesus, pass the test, perfectionism, Spiritual growth, spiritual progress, test yourselves | Leave a comment