Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood

Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood Born and raised in Minnesota, I have served in churches in Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and California.

I am a graduate of Crown College (MN) and George Fox Evangelical Seminary (OR). I have also done additional PhD studies in New Testament at Fuller Theologic

05/14/2026

JONAH: The Limits of Mercy

05/06/2026

OBADIAH: The Pride of the Heart

05/05/2026

AMOS: Justice Like a River

04/22/2026

JOEL: The Day of the Lord

04/13/2026

HOSEA: The Relentless Love of God

04/07/2026

Easter Service 2026 | Our Only Hope

FAITH THAT REFUSES TO GIVE UPToday’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 15:1-5; Genesis 46:1 – 47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Proverbs 4...
01/23/2026

FAITH THAT REFUSES TO GIVE UP

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 15:1-5; Genesis 46:1 – 47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Proverbs 4:14-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 15:1-28

“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed that very hour” (Matthew 15:22, 23, 28, NIV).

She refused to give up. She had heard of Jesus and knew that he could help her daughter. She sought him out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

At first there was no answer. “Jesus did not answer a word.” Sometimes our cries for help seem to go unnoticed. Sometimes it seems that Jesus isn’t listening to our requests. But he always hears.

Not getting a response, she kept crying out, trying desperately to get his attention. Her persistence got the attention of the disciples who wanted Jesus to do something about it. “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

The Canaanite woman refuses to give up. Jesus engages her in conversation, but doesn’t seem to give any hope that he will answer her request. Sometimes the answers to our cries for help seem to be delayed indefinitely. Everything suggests to us that the answer is no.

She continues to make her case. Her persistent cries for help—her persistent faith—have not gone unnoticed. Jesus is amazed to see such faith in a Canaanite woman, and is pleased to grant her prayer. “‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed that very hour.”

Don’t give up. Persist in your faith. Press on with your prayers. Wait expectantly. Jesus sees and, when the time is right, will answer.

Faithful God, give me a faith that refuses to give up. Hear my persistent cries for help. Meet me in my need and make me whole. Amen.

THE FORGIVING HEARTToday’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 14:1-7; Genesis 44:1 – 45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Proverbs 4:11-13To...
01/23/2026

THE FORGIVING HEART

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 14:1-7; Genesis 44:1 – 45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Proverbs 4:11-13

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 44:1-45:28

“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you . . . . God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt” (Genesis 45:4-8 NIV).

Does God, in his sovereignty, use even the unjust acts of humans for his purpose? Does God, use painful, hard times to prepare us for the things he has planned for us? Does God really work out all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose? All things?

That is exactly what Joseph believed. Despite the injustice and pain of being betrayed, abandoned and sold into slavery, Joseph knew that God was using that event for a greater purpose. Joseph could see the hand of God in it all, and he grew through the experience. The tough times in Joseph’s life were the very things that caused growth and maturity of character. They were the things that caused him to trust God and become the leader God was preparing him to become.

Understanding this truth, allowed Joseph to release forgiveness to his brothers. I’m sure that the work of healing had long been done in his heart—he had already dealt with the matter and brought the injustice, pain and hurt to God. For these are the words of a man whose heart has found healing and wholeness, not the words of someone who refuses to forgive and holds on to anger or bitterness.

When people hurt us, we are sometimes tempted to withhold forgiveness, thinking we retain some power over those who have hurt us by refusing to forgive. But the truth is, we cannot hold on to these things—they eat us up inside. The need to forgive deeply from the heart is a daily need (Jesus taught us that in the Lord’s Prayer). As we take the hurt to Jesus, he helps us to forgive and move beyond the pain, the anger, and the bitterness.

When you are hurt, take the wound to Jesus. Place it in his scars and allow him to take it from you. Allow him to enable you to forgive. Then you will find freedom—a heart that is free. Only a heart that has found such healing is able to deal with the situation with the maturity we see here in Joseph.

Yes, God uses even the hurts from difficult people and the wounds from difficult circumstances to accomplish his purposes. Forgive those who’ve hurt you and move on. Expect that God will use even this to prepare you for the good things he has ahead for you.

Sovereign God, I trust that you are at work even in this trial. I believe you are using this trial bring maturity and to develop character within me. Even when life seems unfair, I rest in your wisdom. I wait with expectation as to how you will work even this for my good and for your glory. Amen.

CARELESS WORDSToday’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:16-18; Genesis 37:1 – 38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Proverbs 3:27-32Today...
01/21/2026

CARELESS WORDS

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:16-18; Genesis 37:1 – 38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Proverbs 3:27-32

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 12:22-45

“A tree is recognized by its fruit . . . . For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:33-38 NIV).

Our words say a lot about who we really are on the inside. They are one of the fruits of our inner life. Jesus reminds us: “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our words often say a lot more about us than we realize.

You expect an apple tree to bear apples, a peach tree to produce peaches and a pear tree to bring forth pears. Similarly, you expect an angry person to produce angry words, a dishonest person to speak lies, and a negative person to criticize and put down other people. You expect a loving person to speak loving, encouraging words. A joyful person can be counted on to brighten up your day with words that bring you laughter.

Your words really do reveal your character. They point to what is really inside.

To the follower of Christ, those words should be words that bless rather than curse; words that lift up rather than words that tear down. Instead of gossip and slander, the changed heart speaks words of hope and love.

Jesus also reminds us that we are accountable for our words. We will one day be accountable for every careless word we have spoken.

Do your words reflect a heart being transformed into the likeness of Jesus? As he changes you from the inside out, you should expect the fruit of your words to be consistent with the transformed heart within. Open your heart to Jesus. Allow him to transform your heart into his likeness . . . and your tongue.

Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart and let my words reflect the transforming work of your Spirit. Produce in me good fruit and words appropriate to the life of Jesus within me. Amen.

CAN WE FIND ANYONE LIKE THIS?Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 12:1-8; Genesis 41:17 – 42:17;Matthew 13:24-46;Proverbs ...
01/20/2026

CAN WE FIND ANYONE LIKE THIS?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 12:1-8; Genesis 41:17 – 42:17;Matthew 13:24-46;Proverbs 4:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 41:17 – 42:17

“So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “since God has made all this know to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:38-40, NIV).

Joseph had been through quite a journey of ups and downs. Rejected and betrayed by his brothers, he was sold into slavery. Taken to Egypt, the hand of the Lord was upon him and he proved faithful and successful. He was taken into the service of Potiphar. There again, the Lord prospered him, and he proved faithful. Potiphar’s wife made advances and his integrity was tested. Joseph proved faithful, but Potiphar’s wife’s deceitful ways meant that he suffered great injustice again: he was thrown in prison. There again he proved to be faithful and successful. But further injustice was seen in the cupbearer who fails to follow through on his promise.

Yet, in all of this, Joseph waited patiently on God. When the time was right, God exalted Joseph. The times of testing, the perseverance through difficult and sometimes unjust circumstances had taught him lessons of faith and trust. Now he was ready–and God brought him from the lowest place to the highest place.

Joseph, relying on God’s Spirit, is able to interpret the dream of Pharaoh. He carefully gives the glory to God. Yet Pharaoh is impressed by his discernment and wisdom. He knows that this is a man who evidences the “Spirit of God” (38). What a powerful testimony.

Joseph proved faithful through incredibly difficult and unjust circumstances. He continued to trust when things seemed hopeless. He refused the temptation to allow bitterness to poison his spirit (despite the injustice, rejection and betrayal he suffered). When God exalted and used him, he proved humble and trustworthy–and he exalted and magnified the Lord.

The world, like Pharaoh, is looking for men and women of like character–people of integrity, men and women who are spirit-filled and walking in intimacy with God. May others look to us and say, “Can we find anyone like this, one in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Trustworthy God, help me to wait patiently and may my example of integrity shine forth when the time is right. May others see the Spirit of God at work in me and may I always exalt and magnify you, Lord. Amen.

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2367 CEDAR Lane # 551
Arnold, CA
95223

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+12098407776

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