pastor jeff's neighborhood

Aug 21
Hard Times

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 90:11-17
 | Job 1:1 – 3:26 | 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 | Proverbs 21:25-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: 
Job 1-3

Bad things do happen to good people. Job is a perfect case in point. He was a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil. Scrupulous about sin, he tried hard to follow God. God had blessed him with a great family. He lived comfortably and well. Then one day he lost it all.

Similar things happen everyday. People who seem to be living well, feeling secure, find themselves dealing with unimaginable tragedy. It all seems so unfair; a point that this book seems quite willing to concede.

How do we handle unimaginable tragedy? What do we do when our worst nightmares come true? This is the stuff that Job had to deal with. This is the stuff that this book deals…

Quote From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 20
If. . .

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 90:1-10 | Esther 8:1-10:3 | 1 Cor. 12:27-13:13 | Prov. 21:23-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV)

Love is the glue that holds the body of Christ together despite the differences of our background, beliefs or experiences. Often people get “bent out of shape” regarding spiritual…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 19
Finding Your Place

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 89:46-52 | Esther 4:1 – 7:10 | 1 Cor. 12:1-26 | Proverbs 21:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 12:1-26

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV)

Every one of God’s children is gifted and is an important part of Christ’s body, the church. We all are important; we all have a part to play.

Sometimes people think that because they prefer to serve “behind the scenes” that they aren’t as important as those who serve with the “up front” gifts. Not…

Quote From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 18
Behind the Scenes

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 89:38-45 | Esther 1:1-3:15 | 1 Cor. 11:17-34 | Proverbs 21:19-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Esther 1-3

She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. [17] Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:16-17 NIV)

While the book of Esther never mentions the name of God, his working is seen throughout the book. While he may not be “front and center,” he is clearly working behind the scenes.

Unfortunately there are too many people like Haman. Their…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 17
Time to Celebrate

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 89:14-37 | Nehemiah 12:27-13:31 | 1 Cor. 11:3-16 | Proverbs 21:17-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31

“The singers, directed by Jezrahiah, made the rafters ring. That day they offered great sacrifices, an exuberant celebration because God had filled them with great joy. The women and children raised their happy voices with all the rest. Jerusalem’s jubilation heard far and wide.” (Nehemiah 12:41-42)

A major work has been completed. The walls have been rebuilt. Despite opposition and numerous setbacks, the job has been completed. It was time to celebrate.

They gathered the choirs and “made the rafters ring.” They had an exuberant celebration. They were filled with great joy.

Notice that it was God who filled them with joy. He had worked behind the scenes moving on the hearts of pagan kings and…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 16
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 89:1-13 | Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 | 1 Cor. 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…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Aug 15
All Things to All People

Today’s Scripture Readings:Psalms 88:8-18 | Nehemiah 9:22-10:39 | I Cor. 9:19-10:13 | Proverbs 21:13

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

1 Cor. 9:20-22 (NIV) [20] 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.

The gospel…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

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…

August 13
Building Up or Tearing Down

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 87:1-7 | Nehemiah 5:14 — 7:6 | 1 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…