Tag Archives: encouragement

The Right Response

Posted on September 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Worship doesn’t happen by just sitting in a pew; it doesn’t happen only through the singing. An important and often neglected part of the worship service takes place as we hear and respond to the Word of God as it is read and preached—such a response is a pleasing sacrifice of worship that is sure to bring God delight. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged application, Corinthians, encouragement, godly sorrow, Jesus, obedience, preaching, repentance, right response, scripture reading, truth applied, Worship, worship | Leave a comment

Refreshing

Posted on August 25, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

An encouraging word, a helping hand, a willingness to serve where needed: these things refresh the soul of one who is in ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged a helping hand, Achaicus, encouragement, encouraging word, Fortunatus, Refreshment, soul drainer, soul refresher, Stephanas, willingness to serve | Leave a comment

Building Up or Tearing Down

Posted on August 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Building Up, dealing with criticism, dealing with critics, encouragement, faith, focus, God, Leaders are undeterred by criticism, leaders deal with criticism, leadership, Nehemiah, prayer, tearing down, Tobiah and Sanballat | Leave a comment

Where You Go I Will Go

Posted on May 5, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Loyalty is a rare quality in a day of no commitment. It is also a praiseworthy and attractive quality. May its beauty be seen and noticed in our lives. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged beauty of loyalty, Book of Ruth, encouragement, Loyalty, person of noble character, quotes on loyalty, Ruth and Boaz, virtuous woman, where you go I will go, woman of noble character | Leave a comment

Second Fiddle

Posted on May 4, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Harmony in the body of Christ requires that we learn to “play second fiddle.” The lessons of humility are not easy ones, but they are essential to bringing harmony to lives and relationships. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged bible, Blessing, bridegroom and bride, christianity, encouragement, faith, God, harmony, he must increase, humility, I must decrease, Jesus, John the Baptist, most difficult instrument, obedience, second chair, second fiddle, unity | Leave a comment

Resting Between His Shoulders

Posted on April 9, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

He places us between his shoulders, carrying us as a child. Resting between his shoulders, we are safe, secure and deeply loved. What a beautiful picture of the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Beloved, Benjamin's blessing, Blessing, Dearly loved children, encouragement, Moses, security, shielded | Leave a comment

Thirsty

Posted on March 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We need the refreshment that comes from intimacy with God. Drink deeply, drink long, drink often. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged adoration, drink deeply, drink long, drink often, encouragement, in need of refreshment, intimacy with God, living water, meeting with God, my soul thirsts for God, prayer | Leave a comment

The Final Say

Posted on January 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

When life proves unfair, when we are trampled upon by others, when people let us down, we do not lose perspective. Life is often unfair, circumstances are often difficult, people are often unrighteous, but God is just. And he gets the final say. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged caught in their own traps, circumstances are often difficult, encouragement, give an account to God, God is just., judge, judgement, life is often unfair, people are often unrighteous, The final say, trust God, vindication | Leave a comment

Calming the Storm

Posted on January 11, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

What is your storm? Not all storms are weather related. Some of the strongest are those that rage in the human heart: turmoil because of relationships; frustration at work; difficult circumstances you are facing. Whatever the source of the storm, Jesus knows about it. He sees it. He is able to calm your storm too. Just as he brings peace to the storm, he is able to bring peace to your troubled soul. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged calming the storm, encouragement, even the winds and waves obey him, faith, faith is stretched, inner turmoil, Jesus, meeting your deepest needs, miracles of Jesus, peace, test of faith | Leave a comment

Too Good to Be True

Posted on January 7, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac (meaning Laughter). Indeed he would be the laughter of an old couple that had no hope of their own—a source of joy that only the God of the impossible could bring. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Abraham, Blessing, covenant, encouragement, faith, hopeless situations, miracles, obedience, promise of a son, Sarah, When GOd does the impossible | Leave a comment