A Strong Tower

Posted on July 2, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
A Strong Tower

July 2

A Strong Tower

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 143:7-12; 2 Kings 20:2-22:2;Acts 21:17-36;Proverbs 18:9-10

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Proverbs 18:10

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;  the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 ESV).

God reveals himself through his names. We sometimes choose names because we like they way they sound. But biblical names are given to say something about the person and their character. 

This is especially true of God as he reveals himself through his names. God reveals his names so that we might better understand who he is. Each of them is a reflection of his character. As we call on his names, we are reminded of who he is and we are encouraged. Like a strong tower that protects the city, He reminds us through his names that we are safe in the hands of our loving heavenly Father. He is: 

“The LORD our Healer”

“The LORD our Peace”

“The LORD our Righteousness”

“The LORD our Provider”

He is:

“Our Rock, Our Fortress, Our Deliverer, Our Ever Present Help in times of Trouble.”

He is Almighty God–the one for whom nothing is too difficult.

And we’re only getting warmed up–there are hundreds more.  Search the Scriptures and run to the name of the LORD! Remembering who he is brings comfort–His name is a strong tower; a place of refuge.  Run to His Name and find safety!

Lord God, thank you for revealing your character in your names. We praise you, O Rock, Our Fortress, our Deliverer, Our Ever Present Help in times of trouble. We run to your name as a strong tower—a place of refuge and safety. Be with us today today. Amen.

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Open Your Eyes

Posted on July 1, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

July 1

Open Your Eyes, Lord

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 143:1-6; 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-16; Proverbs 18:8

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 19

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God (2 Kings 19:14-16 NIV).

Hezekiah was one of the rare good kings of Judah that followed the LORD. The LORD blessed and prospered his reign. Yet, this does not mean that his reign was completely free from trouble. Following the LORD in no way means a trouble free life. 

The problem that Hezekiah faced was the impending attack of the king of Assyria. Assyria had already attacked and defeated the Northern Kingdom, now they were on the door of Jerusalem and threatening attack.

Hezekiah was confident that the LORD would deliver the people of Judah from the hands of Assyria. The Assyrian king sent a commander to try to get the people of Judah to doubt the LORD and to live in fear of the impending attack of Assyria. The commander began to taunt the LORD God much to the dismay of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah soon after receives a message from the commander of the Assyrian army with further threats and taunts. How would Hezekiah handle this trial of his faith? He spreads out the message before the LORD and he cried out to God in prayer.

The Prophet Isaiah sends God’s answer to King Hezekiah and reassures him that God has heard his prayer. The threats of Assyria were empty threats. They had no reason to fear.

How do you handle a trial of your faith? How do you handle the taunts of the enemy? Hezekiah sets a great example. Lay out the problem before the LORD and cry out to him in prayer. He hears and he will answer.

Father, I don’t know what to do. I need your wisdom and strength. I lay out my problems before you and cry out for your to answer. Please guide me, empower me, help me. Amen.

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Reckless Abandon

Posted on June 30, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Reckless Abandon by jeff Syverson We who have encountered the risen Christ have a story to share. We whose lives have been shaped by the grace of God have a message to pass on.

June 30

Reckless Abandon

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 142:1-7; 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Proverbs 18:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 20

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:22-24  NIV).

Paul may be uncertain about his future, but he is clear about his calling and purpose in life. He senses that the Holy Spirit is preparing him for prison and hardships in the days to come. Would this deter him from his task? Not at all! It seems to only intensify his passion for his God given calling to preaching the gospel.

Paul is not concerned about the hardships—he has had his share of them. He is not concerned about more prison time—something that he is also quite familiar with. In fact, he is not afraid to die. He considers his life to be of no value in comparison to his determination to finish the task he has been given: “to testify to the good news of God’s grace” (24).

Still haunted by his confrontation by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul wants to finish the task he has given: to preach the gospel to those who haven’t heard. His life-changing encounter forever altered the course of his life and ministry. He refused to give up on the task now.

Paul’s reckless abandon to serve God in taking the gospel to the Gentiles is a challenge to us all. We are so easily deterred from the task, giving way to distractions, to fears, and to our desires for comfort. We who have encountered the risen Christ, even if our encounters were perhaps less dramatic than the Damascus Road, have a story to share. We whose lives have been shaped by the grace of God have a message to pass on. 

God, give us determined hearts to press on in the call of God for our lives whatever the cost. Strengthen our hearts to follow you with such reckless abandon. Amen.

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Hear Me When I Call

Posted on June 29, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Hear Me When I Call by Jeff Syverson "There is often little we can do about the enemy, but we can pray for strength to respond well."

June 29

Hear Me When I Call

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 141:1-10; 2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Proverbs 18:4-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 141

I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:1-2. NIV).

Whatever we face it is good to know we have a place to turn; wherever we go it is good to know we have someone to hear our concerns. The Psalmist beautifully pours out his heart to God seeking his protection and intervention against unnamed enemies.

While he is concerned about his enemies – evildoers he calls them—his prayer is focused more upon himself and his response to his enemies. There is often little we can do about the enemy, but we can pray for strength to respond well.

He prays for his mouth—that God would guard his words and keep him from saying something he would later regret. What a wise prayer. Our words can often lead us into even more dangerous places; often getting us into even more trouble.

He prays for his heart—his inner being—that he would not be drawn to evil. He knows the powerful draw of sin and evil. He prays for vigilance to stand against it.

He prays for his eyes—that they would be fixed on the LORD. God is his refuge and strength. As he keeps focused on the LORD, he expects to find safety.

He prays for his feet—that they would not get caught in the snares of the enemy. Instead he hopes that his enemies will fall into their own traps.

When we are confronted by opposition, we do well to follow the Psalmist in pouring out our hearts to God. We do well to pray for our response to that opposition—that God will strengthen our mouths, hearts, eyes and feet to follow his ways and not fall into the snares laid for us.

Father, guard my words this day. Keep my heart from evil. Strengthen my feet that they would not get caught in the snares of the enemy. I give myself to you today—every part. Use me for your glory. Amen.

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A Second Chance Squandered

Posted on June 28, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

June 28

A Second Chance Squandered

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 140:9-13; 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Proverbs 18:2-3

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29

Then Jehoahaz sought the LORD’s favor, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel (2 Kings 13:4 NIV).

Jehoahaz’ seventeen year reign as King of Israel started much like the majority of his predecessors: he did evil in the eyes of the LORD. The people willingly followed his evil path and continued on in their idolatry. 

Jehoahaz’ wake up call came in the form of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-hadad his son. Hazael’s army attacked and dominated the Northern Kingdom. It was a season of severe oppression. In desperation, Jehoahaz sought the LORD and his favor. The LORD heard his prayer and provided a deliverer that would enable the nation to escape the clutches of oppression from Aram.

On the one hand, Jehoahaz’ story is a reminder that God delights in giving second chances. On the other hand, Jehoahaz’ story is a reminder that we often squander the chances we are given—we often fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing that could be ours.

Jehoahaz was right to repent and cry out to God, but he failed to follow through—as the text reminds us, “The Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria” (6). Likewise, the people of Israel returned to their homes in freedom, yet quickly drifted back into idolatry. They somehow found the snooze button on God’s alarm to wake them. 

Life is filled with opportunities to follow the LORD and experience his blessing. We are too easily distracted, we too often procrastinate, and miss out on the opportunities he gives. Even when confronted with a second chance and a fresh start, it is easy to drift away from our initial enthusiasm.

Learn the lesson of Jehoahaz: make the best of the opportunities God gives. When you fail, cry out to the God of second chances. Then don’t squander the opportunity that he gives—don’t miss out on the fullness of his blessing!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with us. Thank you for second chances and new opportunities. Help us not to squander them. Help us to enter into the fullness of your blessing. Amen.

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Under Attack

Posted on June 27, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Under Attack

June 27

Under Attack

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 140:1-8;  2 Kings 10:32-12:21;  Acts 18:1-22;  Proverb 18:1

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 140

“They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips” (Psalm 140:3 NIV). 

The Psalmist is under attack. Though unconventional, the weapons used against him are not unfamiliar to most of us. He describes his foes this way: “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.” Often times the deadliest weapons aimed against us are the words of others—words aimed to wound and destroy.

As children we used to say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Those words may be valiant attempts to downplay a verbal attack, but they are untrue. Deep down we all know that words can wound us deeply.

Jesus gave us a pattern for praying that includes releasing forgiveness to those who sin against us (“forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”). An important part of following this pattern of prayer is found in releasing forgiveness to those who have wounded us. Forgiving those who wound us by their words brings deep freedom and brings rest to our troubled souls. That Jesus includes this in his pattern prayer shows us the importance of regularly dealing with the wounds brought on by the words and deeds of others.

Have you been wounded by the words of others? Take those words to the cross and leave them there. As you forgive those who have wounded you, you will find rest for your souls.

Father, forgive me when my words are as sharp as a serpent’s tongue; when my words are like poison. Help me to forgive those whose words have wounded and poisoned me. Help me to find the healing and freedom that comes from forgiving those who’ve sinned against me. Amen.

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Search Me, O God

Posted on June 26, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

June 26

Search Me, O God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-24;2 Kings 9:14-10:31;Acts 17:1-34;Proverbs 17:27-28

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 139:13-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)

God knows us completely. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees the motives behind our words and actions.  

We think we know ourselves, but as Jeremiah reminds us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV). Our minds and heart play many games to justify our behavior. Other times morbid introspection leaves us in a hopeless pit of false guilt and despair. But God sees through it all.

It is wise to pray the prayer of the psalmist daily. “God, you know me thoroughly. So search my heart. Test me and know my thoughts and cares. Show me the areas where I am causing offense.”  As God searches our hearts, truth is revealed so we can deal with it.

Armin Gesswein often reminded us at the College of Prayer that, “what God wants is not morbid introspection, but Holy Spirit inspection.” As he searches our hearts, we can repent and be set free. God’s searchlight brings repentance and transformation and leads to freedom.

God search our hearts so we can be set free from sin and its effects and find the life that is full, free, and everlasting. Amen.

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Singing at Midnight

Posted on June 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Singing at Midnight Keep Singing. Keep Praying. Keep looking for the intervention of God.

June 25

Singing at Midnight 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-12;  2 Kings 8:1-9:13;  Acts 16:16-40;  Proverbs 17:26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 16:16-40

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose (Acts 16:25-26 NIV).

Sometimes going to a prayer meeting can get you in trouble. At least that was the case for Paul and Silas when they were in Philippi. On the way to pray, their paths crossed a demon-possessed fortune teller. She started following them and would shout: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 

After many days of the woman shouting, Paul had finally had enough of it, he commanded the demon to leave her and she was immediately delivered and set free. This would seem a positive end to the story, but there is more.

Others were making money off of the fortune teller. Now that she had been delivered of the demon, their source of income had been taken away. This led to confrontation, a beating and finally, imprisonment for Paul and Silas.

How would Paul and Silas react to these unexpected circumstances? They prayed and praised God, at the top of their lungs, into the night. About midnight, they were still praying and praising, and doing so loud enough that the other prisoners couldn’t help but listen.

Finally, about midnight, an earthquake interrupted the prayer and praise. The prison was demolished. The chains were broken. Paul and Silas were set free. Prayer and praise led to God breaking chains and setting captives free.

The jailer too was set free—spiritually. Though his initial reaction was to take his own life, Paul reassured him and led him to faith. He and his household were set free from their chains to serve the living God. 

When confronted with impossible circumstances, remember that prayer and praise can powerfully deliver and set us free. As you approach midnight, do not fear. Do not give up. Keep singing. Keep praying. Keep looking for the intervention of God.

Almighty God, fill our hearts with prayer and praise. Break the chains that bind us. May our joyful praise fill the air day and night—and especially when things seem darkest. Amen.

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Messy Growth

Posted on June 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Messy Growth

June 24

Messy Growth

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalm 138:1-8;  2 Kings 6:1-7:20;  Acts 15:36-16:15;  Proverbs 17:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 15-16

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers” (Acts 16:5 NIV).

The church in the book of Acts was growing in faith, in the number of people, and in the number of problems. Sometimes when we think of the church in Acts we forget that growth is often a difficult and messy process. It is wonderful to see the growth in faith and growth in numbers. Yet with all the excitement of growth there inevitably comes struggle, conflict and problems. All these require creativity and flexibility.

As a ministry team Paul and Barnabas had a great run. Barnabas was there at the beginning of Paul’s ministry encouraging everyone to give Paul a chance. He had been there to travel and minister with Paul. Issues developed and there came a day when these two godly men had to part ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. Paul partnered with Silas. Despite the disagreement, the church continued to grow. Growth is messy sometimes.

Paul showed flexibility in handling his young disciple Timothy. While at other times and in other places Paul would stand strong against the need for circumcision, here he shows some flexibility as Timothy is circumcised. Growth sometimes requires creative flexibility. The ministry goes on without a hitch and the Church continued to grow.

Paul had ministry plans, but God had a better idea. Confronted by a vision, Paul shows creative flexibility and sets aim to bring the gospel to Macedonia. The church, now entering the European continent, grows more than geographically: it continues to grow in numbers and the believers continue to be strengthened in faith.

Growth is often messy. It can lead to conflict, to struggle and all sorts of problems. Remain flexible, follow God’s leading and trust him to give you wisdom and creativity. As you do, God works and the church continues to grow in numbers and to be strengthened in faith. What appears to us to be merely a problem is often a path to growth.

Father, thanks for reminding me that growth can be messy. Help me to not be discouraged by the problems I face, but instead to view them as opportunities for further growth. In Jesus name, Amen.

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I’ve Got a Better Idea

Posted on June 23, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
I've Got a Better Idea

June 23

I’ve Got a Better Idea 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 137:1-8;  2 Kings 4:18-5:27;  Acts 15:1-35;  Proverbs 17:22

Today’s Scripture Focus:  2 Kings 4:18-5:27

Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy” (2 Kings 5:10-11 NIV). 

Naaman was a valiant warrior, but he was also a leper. Urged by his wife’s helper, he set off to find healing from the healing prophet whose reputation for doing extraordinary miracles was already becoming well established: Elisha.

Journeying to Elisha’s door, he is directed by Elisha’s servant:“Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” Naaman was hoping for something different—something that seemed more “prophet-like.” 

Angered by the suggestion of Elisha’s servant, he sketches out a scenario more to his liking: “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy” (5:11).

And more than that, if he needed to wash in a river, why not one more to his liking? He continues: “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” (5:12). Naaman’s healing required humble submission to the simple acts of obedience prescribed by God through his prophet Elisha. 

When he stopped negotiating and started obeying, God answered and brought the miracle he desired. Often the answer to our prayers requires an act of obedience. The miracle we seek depends on following through on the revealed will of God. We suggest alternate scenarios. We try to set the conditions for obedience. We want the miracle—the answer—but we want to dictate the steps it takes to get there.

The answer comes as we humbly submit to the acts of obedience that the Lord sets out in front of us. Often the path we have been seeking opens when we follow through on that one thing God has asked us to do but that we are resisting. Do it—stop resisting, complaining, or trying to dictate alternate scenarios—follow through and see the miracle God brings.

Lord, help me follow. I am reminded that my attempts to dictate the conditions of my miracle and resist your clear instructions only lead to trouble and failure. Help me to follow without question. As I take steps of obedience, open the way before me. Amen.

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