Category Archives: Devotional Thoughts

Hope for there Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

That God’s chosen people would so quickly fall back into deliberate disobedience and sin brought Ezra to his knees. Rebuilding the temple was important, but they also needed to rebuild their lives in accordance with God’s design. Continue reading →

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Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Ezra and the people began to fast and pray for more of God’s blessing. Continue reading →

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The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

God’s blessing (his hand) was on Ezra because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. Continue reading →

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The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2023 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 →

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Nursery Duty

Posted on August 6, 2023 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 →

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The Foolishness of Brilliance

Posted on August 5, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Imagine trying to understand the wisdom of the most brilliant being in the universe—the creator of the universe. Is it any wonder that Paul tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to many? Continue reading →

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Plastic Prayers

Posted on August 4, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Painfully honest, the psalmist pours out his heart to God. He doesn’t hold anything back.  He doesn’t put on any masks; he doesn’t pretend. He just tells God what is on his heart and hopes that God will help him sort through his questions, his pain and his problems. Continue reading →

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The Mountaintop

Posted on August 2, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

But it’s tough to stay on a mountaintop. When others see your success, they criticize, they attack, they envy. Continue reading →

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Blessing Instead of Bleeping

Posted on August 1, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

There’s a lot of cursing going on in the church too, but we don’t bleep ours.  Our cursing is more sophisticated and less crass.  But it is just as hurtful (maybe even more so).  Instead of blessing one another, we curse when our lips wound and hurt one another—It may be more subtle, but it is still a curse.  Continue reading →

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Thank God for Broccoli

Posted on July 31, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Our freedom in Christ may lead to differing convictions on some issues. These should not be a source of disunity in the body of Christ. Continue reading →

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