Tag Archives: joy

Bumps in the Road

Posted on June 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The narrow road of life in Christ can be a bumpy road sometimes. But even then, we can find joy in Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, bumps in the road, Holy Spirit, Jew and Gentile, joy, mixed reactions, narrow road, Paul and Barnabas, persecution | Leave a comment

Sackcloth to Joy

Posted on February 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

The Christian life is characterized by joy. Not that it is always easy—it is not. But joy flows from a relationship with Christ, not from our circumstances, so it is may be found in the most unusual places—especially the difficult ones. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged ashes, clothed me with joy, grief, joy, joy of the Lord, repentance, sackcloth, sorrow, wailing into dancing | Leave a comment

The Blessing

Posted on January 24, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In a world where we hear and experience more curses than blessings, these words of blessing are needed and encouraging. Blessings bring healing to wounded emotions and encouragement to the discouraged and disheartened. They bring joy, peace and hope–and we all need that. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged blessing children, blessings, Genesis, healed by blessing, Hope, Joseph, joy, peace, speak well of, wounded by cursing | Leave a comment

How Long, O Lord?

Posted on January 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We’ve all had times when we can relate to the psalmist’s questions. There are times when we wonder if the Lord is really listening—times when the answer is slow in coming. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged cry out to God, despair turns to hope, devotion to Christ, discouragement, disheartened, doubt and fear, faith, God seems distant, Hope, how long O Lord?, joy, lament, love, unanswered prayer, waiting on God, when the answer never seems to come, Worship | Leave a comment

Rejoice Greatly!

Posted on December 26, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

In Jesus, the prophecies find fulfillment. He is the Messiah, gentle and riding on a donkey. Years before it comes to pass, Zechariah envisioned the gentle King and rejoiced. Indeed, the celebration of Christ’s coming to earth is a reason for all of us to rejoice. So rejoice, O daughter of Zion! As another great Christmas hymn says so well: “Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing!” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged Christmas, daughter of Zion, Emmanuel, Handel's Messiah, Jesus, joy, Messianic Prophecies, prophecy, Rejoice Greatly, riding on a donkey | Leave a comment

Always

Posted on October 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Life is not always easy, but the one who walks in the presence of God continually can find joy and be thankful in each and every circumstance. Take time to open your heart to Jesus everyday in prayer. Walk with him. Enjoy his presence. Allow thanksgiving to fuel the sense of his presence and intensify the joy. Don’t allow the circumstances to take your joy! Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged always joyful, always praying, always thankful, God's will, joy, practice the presence, prayer, thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Unexpected Peace

Posted on October 3, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

We all have times when we are tempted to worry. Yet, worry is counterproductive. It consumes our attention; it saps our energy and creativity; it takes away our peace, our hope, our joy. Paul suggests an alternative to worry: prayer. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged joy, peace, Philippians 4, prayer, unexpected peace, worry | Leave a comment

Joy in the House of Prayer

Posted on September 28, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Prayer should be a joyful experience. Whether personal times of prayer, or corporate times of prayer, those times should be characterized by joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged joy, joy in God's presence, joy in prayer, joyful prayer gatherings, praying together, sleepy and boring prayer meetings | Leave a comment

Time to Celebrate

Posted on August 17, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, as we walk with him through the trials of life, he produces joy in the most unusual places and at the most unexpected times. As we begin to see his hand at work in our lives, our hearts are filled with joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged celebrate, joy, joyful, Nehemiah, reason to celebrate | Leave a comment

Strengthened by Joy

Posted on August 14, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged hearing Gods word, joy, joy is my strngth, joy of the Lord, Nehemiah | Leave a comment