Category Archives: THE HILLS

as i mentioned in my last post
we are in the middle of a series at the hills fellowship
called “wise guys”

we are studying the story of the wise men
2 weeks ago we focused on the fact that wise men follow
this past sunday our subject was wise men give

during studying for this message
it was alarming to find how few believers actually give
Christians in America on average give only 1.7% of their earned income
imagine the great things we could do if each believer just tithed
and how much more if we gave offerings as well
just imagine…

there are a couple of authors that have dreamt about this
one incredible book on this subject is
“The Hole In Our Gospel” by Richard Sterns

during my study for this message
i received some insightful revelations

for example
Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

lets look at the word storehouse
i feel that the storehouse represents your local church
the storehouse has several purposes

here are a few:

the storehouse provides for the needy
it is great when individuals help the needy
but imagine what good we could do if we pooled our resources
the hills fellowship is helping to provide winter wear
to needy children in school in our neighborhood
we are making a significant impact for a church our size
but i am believing that next year we will back a truck up to that school
what if the storehouse was full
just imagine…

the storehouse provides for the ministry
imagine what our pastors & churches could get accomplished
if there was enough in the storehouse
to provide for support staff to release him/her to focus on prayer
the word & providing vision for the church
most pastors are overwhelmed during the week
then are expected to show up with a fresh word each weekend
plus provide vision and leadership for the body of believers
what if the storehouse was full
just imagine…

the storehouse provides for the giver in time of need
where are you sustained, challenged, encouraged?
where will you celebrate births, dedications, graduations,and marriages?
where will you be memorialized?
this is your storehouse
while we are giving to some families in our community this year
the hills fellowship is also giving to several needy families
that attend our church
this is their storehouse
how many could we help
if the storehouse was full
just imagine…

now…
how about we stop imagining
and get this thing done

we are in the middle of a series at the hills fellowship
called “WISE GUYS”
we are studying the wise men and learning lessons from their story

this past sunday i focused on the fact that the wise men followed
Matt 2:9 the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

in the age of blogs, facebook & twitter
it is easy to “follow” a lot of people
but if they upset or disappoint us we can just as easily “un-follow” them

however the wise men followed this star
from the east [it was quiet a trek]
and they followed for a long time [it is believed to be up to 2 years]
and they never “un-followed”
plus when they finally reached their destination
and came face to face the child
they did not seem upset or disappointed
instead they gave gifts and worshipped

why?
because the star lived up to it’s purpose…

want people to follow you?
follow your ministry?
follow your business?
and do you want them to keep following you?

then live up to your promise and purpose
lead them to where you promised you would lead them

and if you really really want to be a star
lead them to Jesus.