I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Posted on August 16, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

August 16

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 89:1-13;  Nehemiah 11:1-12:26;  1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2;  Proverbs 21:14-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 89:1-13

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. [2] I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself (Psalm 89:1-2 NIV).

“Jesus loves me this I know” is a simple but profound truth. That the creator of all things loves me with a steadfast, undying love, is positively amazing. It was that truth, God’s love, that set the Psalmist’s heart to singing, and singing, and singing.

It’s a song worth singing forever and ever. It’s also a truth that needs to be passed down through the generations. Realizing that we are loved by God is a life-altering truth. It is the open door that can lead us into a personal relationship with Christ.

It’s also a life-sustaining truth. “Your love has always been our live’s foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world.” (2, The Message). God’s love for us is a truth that provides a firm foundation. There are many things in this world that we do not understand, or cannot understand. God’s love and faithfulness is the foundational truth through which we filter the questions in our attempts to make sense of the tough times.

God’s love is a roof of protection from the unkind and hateful words and deeds of others. When all the world seems against me, I know that God loves me. Abiding in his love brings healing to the wounds I have suffered. It restores my soul and brings hope. It enables me to come and find rest for my soul.

The psalmist just couldn’t get that song about God’s love out of his head. He had to sing it over and over again, forever. Open your heart to Jesus and his love, and allow him to pour out his love into your heart. Then you too will sing of his love forever.

Lord,  thank you for your unfailing love. I take the time now to abide in your love. Pour it into my heart and let it wash away the hurts and wounds. Fill me to overflowing that I might know that I am your beloved child and that I might overflow with your love today in all my interactions with others. May they too be touched by your love flowing out through me. Amen.

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All Things To All People

Posted on August 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
All Things to All People

Aug 15

All Things to All People

Today’s Scripture Readings:

Psalms 88:8-18;  Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Cor. 9:19-10:13;  Proverbs 21:13

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. [21] To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Cor. 9:20-22, NIV).

The gospel is a message for all people of all languages and cultures. God’s message of love must be communicated to each of those cultures in a way that they can really understand it. Paul, like any good missionary, understood this principle. He went out of his way to communicate the gospel to each group in ways they would be able to better understand it. He became all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some.

We must be careful not to put stumbling blocks in the way to understanding the message. We often use language that doesn’t communicate clearly. Even more often we use methods that just aren’t relevant to the audience we seek to reach. Sometimes our methods betray the message and we miscommunicate the gospel.

The gospel should be communicated differently in Mali, Africa than in Manila, Philippines.  Different means will be necessary in Lima, Peru than Lima, Ohio. We must seek to understand our target audience if we are going to relate the message to them in a way that really communicates the gospel. The more we can communicate in the “heart language” of the people (their music, their stories, their language, their culture), the better they will understand.

Of course, we must be careful not to compromise the gospel in the process—to water down or change the substance of the message. We must speak the message of the gospel loud and clear. Seasoned with grace, we proclaim the message in a way that the love of Christ shines through.

We have a message for all ages, for all peoples, for all languages and cultures. Let us seek to understand those we are communicating with, so we can better relate the gospel to them in ways that best communicate the truth.

God, give us wisdom to communicate your truth relevantly, simply, lovingly, and truthfully. Help us to communicate it in grace and truth. May others see the truth of the gospel in even the manner of our presentation. Amen.

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Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Strengthened by Joy

August 14

Strengthened by Joy 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 88:1-7;  Nehemiah 7:61-9:21;  1 Corinthians 9:1-18;  Proverbs 21:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 7:61 — 9:21

“For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV).

“And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them” Nehemiah 8:12 (ESV).

It was quite a scene. After years and years of neglect, the scripture had been uncovered. Ezra got all the people together in one place and began to read the law. He along with some of the other priests read and explained the law to the people. How did the people react to hearing the Word of God?

They worshiped. “All the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands.‘And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground’”(8:6).

They also wept. “For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law” (8:9). Confronted by the law, they could clearly see their disobedience and sin. Conviction of sin brought tears.

But Nehemiah encouraged the people to find joy. They were hearing the law and understanding it. This was reason for celebration. There would be a time for weeping, but this was a time for celebration: the celebration of understanding God’s word.

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.

As you spend time in His word today, look for understanding and find joy knowing that the principles will strengthen you for the day ahead.

May the Joy of the Lord be your strength! Open your heart to him and live in his joy today!

Heavenly Father, I look to you to replenish the fountain of joy in my life. Fill me with joy in your presence that I might find strength for the trials of the day. In all I do today, may I find joy in doing it for the purpose of your glory. Amen.

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Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Building Up or Tearing Down

August 13

Building Up or Tearing Down

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 87:1-7;  Nehemiah 5:14-7:6;  Corinthians 8:1-13; Proverbs 21:8-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 5:14-7:60 

“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you? Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer” (Nehemiah 6:3-4 NIV).

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.

The world is filled with critics—so is the church–when will we realize that there is no “gift of criticism” listed in scripture? They are good at seeing the obvious, and get stuck on the problem rather than trying to be part of the solution. Nehemiah had his critics. They kept harassing him with their complaints.

Anyone in a leadership role must learn to deal with criticism. Nehemiah was in the midst of this leadership lesson.  I love his response to the criticism: “I am carrying out a great project and I can’t come down.” He refused to be distracted by the criticism of Tobiah and Sanballat.

Tobiah and Sanballat had evidently gone to the school of Telemarketing, and kept pestering Nehemiah again and again. Nehemiah remained devoted to the task and undeterred from his vision of rebuilding the walls. He would not stop building just because a few words were aimed his way to tear him down.

When the criticism became almost unbearable, he took it to the Lord. “But I prayed, ‘now strengthen my hands’” (6:10). When the criticism seems too much to bear, take it to the Lord and ask him to fill you with his strength to stick to the task he has called you to do.

Lord, keep me so focused on the project you’ve called me to, that I’m not tempted to fall prey to criticism. Instead, may the voices of encouragement keep me pressing forward in obedience to your gentle whisper. Amen.

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Bending God’s Ear

Posted on August 12, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Bending God's Ear

August 12

Bending God’s Ear 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 86:8-17;  Nehemiah 3:15-5:13;  1 Corinthians 7:25-40;  Proverbs 21:5-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 86

“Bend an ear, God; answer me” (Psalm 86:1 The Message).

“Teach me, your way O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:11-12 NIV).

We’ve looked for God’s eye to watch over us and his hand to bless us. Today, 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.

David knew the fickle nature of the human heart—the difficulty of keeping a pure heart. Single-minded devotion is easily distracted by other things. He rightly prays for an undivided heart.

In his present circumstances, David knew where to turn. He knew the greatness of his God:

“You are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you” (5). “You are great and do marvelous deeds, You alone are God” (10) “Great is your love toward me” (13) “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Awestruck by his greatness, amazed by his abounding love toward him, David always knew where to turn. No matter how difficult the circumstances or the opposition, he knew his God was greater; he knew his God loved him.

Open up your heart like David. Tell him all your troubles and look to his loving heart to bring the deliverance you need. Ask him for wisdom and for the singleness of purpose to follow his ways.

Teach me your way O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Amen (Psalm 86:11-12).

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Constructive Prayer

Posted on August 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Constructive Prayer

August 11

Constructive Prayer 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 86:1-7;  Nehemiah 1:1 — 3:14;  1 Corinthians 7:1-24;  Proverbs 21: 1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 1-3

“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man” (Nehemiah 1:11 NIV).

Cupbearers tend to be people of prayer (being the guinea pig for possible poisoning will bring on that tendency). 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.

The King saw Nehemiah’s distress and asked him why he looked the way he did. Nehemiah, because the hand of the Lord was upon him, grew bold and not only told the king the reason for his distress but also made some major requests. The praying cupbearer became the contractor on a major project: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

The foundation for his work was laid in prayer. It always is. People of action must also be people of prayer. To try to do God’s work without laying the prayer foundation will lead to frustration and walls that won’t stand for long. As one seasoned prayer warrior said, “We must do more than pray, but not until we have prayed.”

People of prayer must always be people of action. While people of prayer know how to wait until the right time, they don’t procrastinate their obedience when God opens the door. They step out in faith expecting the hand of the Lord to be upon them. They expect God to already be at work, preparing the way for their steps of obedient faith.

Nehemiah’s story also reminds us that it isn’t only the pastor’s job that is important. Whatever we do should be done for the glory of God. Ezra (the ministry role) and Nehemiah (the contractor role) had to work together to get the job done (not to mention prophets like Zechariah). If you are a cupbearer, God can use that for his glory. If you are a contractor, he can use that too. Whatever your vocation or calling, God would have you do it with all your heart unto him (bringing him great glory).

Like Nehemiah, lay the foundation of prayer and look for the opportunity to act. This is the way to glorify God and to accomplish great things for him.

Heavenly Father, continue to teach me that prayer should be the foundation of all I do. Continue to teach me that I must also act as you open doors and empower me to do the things you have called me to do. Help me to be a leader who balances prayer and action. Amen.

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Hope for the Hopeless

Posted on August 10, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Hope for the Hopeless

August 10

Hope for the Hopeless

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 85:8-13;  Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Proverbs 21:3

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 10

“We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel” (Ezra 10:2 NIV).

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “There is always hope.” How do these two expressions fit together? Somehow Ezra’s story twists and turns through those two clichés. Maybe the hybrid expression would be: “It’s tough to teach an old dog new tricks, but there is always hope.”

The “old dogs” of Judah are returning to their old ways. God had been faithful to them, yet they once again proved to be hopelessly faithless. God had warned them about the effects of marrying the Canaanite women. He had forbidden it and already they had disobeyed big time (I sometimes wonder about some of the lists in the Bible, but I can understand the reason for the list in this passage—it shows the depth of compromise). 

By the way, occasionally I hear someone use this as a proof text against “inter-racial marriage”—not the point. The Canaanite people were of the same basic racial background as the people of Judah. The problem is that they had a reputation for sin and idolatry. God knew that intermarriage with Godless people like that would lead to further drifting and compromise. Be careful not to allow your prejudices to skew your interpretation of scripture.The point is: choose a Godly spouse!

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. He saw the sin of his people, and knew that they needed repentance and revival. So he prayed intensely until he got the breakthrough. 

I love the response of Shecaniah that signals the beginning of the breakthrough: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.” You see, there is always hope, even for “old dogs to learn new tricks.”

Paul in 1 Corinthians gives us a a lot of hope in regards to ability to change, despite our past failings. After describing their past lifestyles of sin, he says, “and that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. See, there is hope for you after all (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

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.

God of Hope, thank you for your faithful and steadfast love. Thanks for your patience with your people. Help me to find my hope in you today and keep walking on the path you have laid out for me. Amen.

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Seeking the Blessing of God

Posted on August 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Seeking the Blessing of God

August 9

Seeking the Blessing of God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 85:1-7;  Ezra 8:21 – 9:15;  1 Corinthians 5:1-13;  Proverbs 21:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 8:21 – 9:15

“‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:22-23 NIV).

Yesterday we saw that the blessing of God was upon Ezra because he studied and obeyed the word of God. He was devoted to the word of the Lord and it brought the blessing (the hand) of God. 

Today we see that the blessing of God (his gracious hand) comes through prayer—intense prayer (such as fasting and prayer). God was showing his blessing in many ways, but there was continued need for the blessing of God. So Ezra and the people began to fast and pray for more of his blessing.

When Ezra saw the compromise of the people, it brought him to his knees. When Ezra saw the incredible job ahead of him—rebuilding 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.

The Psalmist echoes the cry for the blessing of God: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6).

We all stand in need of the hand of the Lord (his blessing) each and every day. We just can’t do it alone. Therefore we go to him daily in prayer seeking his blessing as we pray, and as we hear and obey his word.

Open up your heart to him today. Share your concerns, your frustrations and your needs; look for the gracious hand of the Lord to bless you.

Father, I open my heart to you, freely sharing my concerns and needs. I look to you for your provision. I look to you today, that your gracious hand would be upon me. Oh that I might walk in your blessing today. Amen.

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The Hand of the Lord

Posted on August 8, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
The Hand of the Lord "He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and therefore, the hand of the Lord was upon him," -Jeff Syverson--

August 8

The Hand of the Lord

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 84:9-12;  Ezra 7:1 – 8:20;  1 Corinthians 4:1-21;  Proverbs 20: 28-30

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 7:1 – 8:20

This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (Ezra 7:6 NIV).  

In yesterday’s reading we saw that the “eye of God” was upon his people. He was watching over them–he knew their problems and was acting on their behalf. It is a comforting truth that we all need to hear.

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.

Blessings like God moving on the heart of pagan Persian king to do everything he could to see that the temple would be built: “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.” Imagine that! The king granted him everything he asked for. Amazing! He arrived in Jerusalem safely “because the gracious hand of the Lord was with him” (9).

The hand of the Lord also gave Ezra courage to lead the people courageously. He knew that God was with him blessing his efforts. 

Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem,  and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me (Ezra 7:27-28).

Why was the hand of the Lord on Ezra? The text makes it clear:

“The gracious hand of his God was on him. [10] For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” Ezra 7:9-10 (NIV).

God’s blessing (his hand) was on him because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and therefore, the hand of the Lord was upon him.

Look and pray for the hand of the Lord to be upon you as you devote yourself to studying the word and putting it into practice–and as you share it with others.

Apart from him we can do nothing, but with the hand of blessing upon his we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Father, help me to delight in your word. May I cherish it, meditate on it, memorize it, and allow it to work in and through me. As your Word penetrates my mind and heart, let me see your hand of blessing. Amen.

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The Eye of God

Posted on August 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
The Eye of God

August 7

The Eye of God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 84:5-8; Ezra 5:1 – 6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Proverbs 20: 26-27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 5:1 – 6:22

“But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped” (Ezra 5:5 NIV).

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.

The story of Ezra is the story of God turning his face of blessing toward his people after a time of judgment. The people had been idolatrous and rebellious under the kings of Judah and had been taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked king of Babylon.   

Prophets like Jeremiah and Habakkuk saw it coming, and lamented and wept that the people of God could fall so low that God would remove his hand of blessing, and allow them to come under the judgment of exile in Babylon. The story of Daniel and his three brave friends takes place during this exile in Babylon.  It was a hard time for the people of Judah. But as the 70 years of exile were coming near to an end, Daniel (and presumably others) began to pray and seek God for the fulfillment of the promise that God would turn his face toward them again, and bring them back to the land of the promise.

The Kings of Babylon were eventually overthrown by the Medo-Persian empire (as God had predicted through his prophets); God was watching and he was acting on behalf of his people.  He would prove faithful to his covenant, and his promise by moving on the heart of a pagan King (isn’t he amazing?).

One of those kings, Cyrus, ordered that the walls of Jerusalem and the temple be rebuilt. He allowed some of the people to go back to begin the job. He also sent along helpers and supplies.

Of course it didn’t take long for opposition to arise. When God is at work, the enemy does what he can to cause confusion, division and frustration. No exception here.

But once again, we see the sovereign hand of God ruling over even the hearts of evil kings. His eye was watching over Judah to protect them, to care for them, to bless them. His eye was watching to strengthen them to accomplish the task of rebuilding the temple. That is the story of Ezra: The story of God watching over his people, remembering his promises to them, seeking to bless them so they can be a blessing.

But his eye is watching you too. He wants to strengthen you today to accomplish the tasks he has given you. He hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s there to care, to protect, to provide and to bless.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Father, thank you for watching over me, protecting me, strengthening me for the tasks of the day. I give myself wholly to you today that I might be used for your glory. Amen.

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