Just being a good neighbor

Covering California's 58 Counties in Prayer

Just being a good neighbor

February 28, 2023 CALIFORNIA COUNTY PRAYER LEADERS Expressions from the Heart Prayer & Intercession Prophetic 0

by Bobbi Dupertuis Feb. 24,2023

I recently attended a funeral where one of the speakers stated he wasn’t a pastor but attended that
church. He stated he was ,”Just being a good neighbor”.


What would a good neighbor look like? They are friendly, available and approachable. They should
know when to be quiet. They are respectable and trustworthy. They are helpful. Good neighbors are
considerate, tolerant, and understanding. of others and their lifestyles. They are also aware of how their
behavior affects others. All of our neighbors are somewhere on the spectrum from being a very casual
acquaintance to being your bestie. There are certain standards that they live up to and it demonstrates
how invested they are in the relationship. We all need to choose our friends wisely and treat them well.
Two are better than one, so those who say they are a friend and being a good neighbor have a certain
responsibility and accountability they must adhere to. Integrity and moral principles are important.
They must know themselves and speak and behave in ways that are consistent. You should be able to
believe in them even when you disagree with them. Trust is extremely important. Dependability is
important. Jesus is a friend who is faithful and true. Just like Jesus good friends show up, and keep their
promises. They do what they say they will do and stand up for you. Jesus is our superhero but remember
friends put their pants on just like you do and will make mistakes. Unlike Jesus who never sinned. They
are loyal, they will be with you through the ups and downs. They have empathy for one another and can
put themselves in your shoes when needed. They do their best.to understand what you are feeling and
react accordingly. They are good listeners. They help you to , :take on the world “Spending time with
them makes you feel good. You look forward to your time together. Just being a good neighbor can
require a sense of humor. If things are on the lighter side it helps when things get tough. You should be
able to come to the table ,”Just as you are” And it helps to remind each other how awesome they are.
Celebrate your wins and help all involved to feel whole. With all of this said, “Don’t be afraid to put
yourself out there. It’s worth it.


We all know we are going to die. The goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.
In this celebration of life it was well known that this person lived a life, and did it well. There was also a
confidence that he /she went home to their eternal home in the presence of God. They had accepted
Jesus and not rejected Him, and believed and confessed, regarding His birth, death, and resurrection
and that we will all be together again. All that believed and are saved. We all know a house cannot be
built without a solid foundation. That’s where we find peace in His unshakeable truth. Love should be a
goal for our life. In 1 John 4:16 the word says, “God is love “If I don’t have love I have nothing. Love
bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. In Revelation it says,” To him who
overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name will
be written on that stone. Which no one knows but the person who receives it. There are many mysteries
yet to come. But we who know God, by the blood of Jesus, who have confessed our sins and received
forgiveness as we forgive others, led by the holy Spirit know the best days are yet to come. God knows
us fully. I have given God a million reasons not to love me and He has never changed His mind about me.
Three things remain faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love. Like a good neighbor the
whole church can be helped and held together for the tough times just as a good neighbor would.
I am reminded of an old song that says,” I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony” Imagine
a world where neighbors helped one another, whether it be at a branding, putting up a barn, praying
with someone, sitting with them when they are ill. What if we all were the hands and feet of Jesus.

Hugging those who are hurting, loving those who are unlovely. You may find that there are so many
times of favor I call God moments that I get a front row parking space, or be in a restaurant and order
then the crowd comes in. What would it be like if we lifted each other’s name up before the Lord and
kept it in mind all day? Our hope is not in our own strength, so no man should boast, but in gazing upon
Christ who first gazes upon us. Loving Father please lead and teach us to live as a good neighbor so
others may see your love and know your word. Remind us Lord we were dust and unto dust we will
return. Foolishness is grasping at the passing of this world. It is all turning to dust in our hands. Lord, we
trust in you. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sins and remind us to forgive others. Forgive our unbelief.
Let us trust in you and your ways. Let us be blessed to be a blessing to others, (We may just have to look
out our own back door) Let us Love you God and love our neighbor. “When life gets difficult and when
everything turns bad always remember that even a turtle can finish a race as long as he never gives up.
Dead things float downstream following the current. (Or cultural), Live things swim upstream against the
norms or culture. Be a doer and not just a hearer of the word. Elizabeth Elliot says, “The measure of our
love is the measure of our unwillingness to be inconvenienced. “We are saved through the blood of
Christ. He finished the work of our salvation. We keep His commands because He came to fulfill the law,
and through the love and power of the Holy Spirit, we can keep them which man cannot keep
otherwise. Don’t live as if you have never heard the truth. For those who believe we know we will all
meet again, when the roll is called up yonder” Lovingly express truth that is enfolded in love. Give and it
shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down and shaken together. How can we be happy when
there is a need around us that we are able to meet. Like State Farm, be a good neighbor, he’ll leave the
light on for us. Be the light and make a difference in this dark world. We have all sinned and” we are all
broken, that’s how the light gets in”. Ernest Hemmingway.

Take control of your own life, choose what you want to do, and do it well. Because no one else can do it for you. “”Don’t doubt the God who is faithful and true. Doubt turns into deception. Celebrate one another’s wins, celebrate His love, Don’t be robbed of the joy of serving one another. Let us shine our lights bright without the titles or positions noted, but just being a good neighbor let us live united and in harmony . We need each other. Two are better than one. Be the neighbor you would like to live in eternity beside. Just being a good neighbor.

With love and blessings Pastor Bobbi 2/24/2023