WORDS OF HOPE is a weekly post of encouraging messages from the Lord. It is our prayer that these words will bring you hope and lead you to a closer walk with Jesus.
More than We can Ask or Think
By David Hill | March 31, 2025
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
As winter turns into spring here in metro NYC, harvest season has come early. Katherine and I are beginning to see God's promises come to fruition. No matter where we serve, the fullness of His promise to use us in His harvest is usually different from what we originally envision. If we put Christ first in our hearts, promises fulfilled are always more than we have asked, and more than we can even imagine.
In a few days Katherine and I leave for the Philippines. As soon as we arrive back, we will be preparing for an evangelistic journey to Mexico this summer. After that we will be setting our sights on training youth and children's leaders for churches in Cuba. Last but not least we are considering a trip to India in the fall, to work in the harvest there with a pastor friend.
Matthew 28 is our motivation. The Spirit is our empowerment. The fields are white. The nations of the earth are ready to hear the gospel of Jesus. The question is never one of calling, empowerment, or need. The question is our availability. Katherine and I have made it our daily prayer, that the Lord would prepare our hearts so that we are available for His global harvest.
The mission field awaits every Christ-follower! It may be around the world, or your mission may be around the corner. Every true Christian is a missionary. Hurting people who need Jesus are all around. With these things in mind, Katherine and I sincerely hope that you are flourishing in your mission. The Mission Hills exists to reach the lost, strengthen churches, and inspire Christians to engage in missions.
No price is too high, and no distance is too far. We must reach the harvest for Jesus.
Email us through this site with any prayer need,
David Hill
The Power of Repentance
By David Hill | March 25, 2025
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (II Chronicles 7:14 KJV).
GOD HAS GIVEN a powerful promise to His children. Our key verse of Scripture this week comes from the book of II Chronicles. At the time that this promise was given, the temple of Solomon was being dedicated. It was during this marker in Israel's history, that the Lord assured His people of a timeless truth: When they turned their faces toward Him in repentance, He would bless them. When they turned their backs on Him, God would punish them. Yet this punishment was not destructive in nature, but restorative.
As we consider the spiritual state of America today, it is easy to lose hope. The nation that was founded on the great promise of unity, stands bitterly divided in many ways. A people who have sent Christian missionaries around the world, now struggle with our own collective spiritual identity.
Yet there is hope. Our hope is not found in the arena of politics. New policies and laws, on the local, state, or even national level, cannot offer the transformation that we need. Our hope is not found in the strength of our military might, or in economic reform. Just as with ancient Israel, God is looking at something much deeper than these surface indicators of the health of a nation and a society.
America's hope is found in repentance. As simple as that sounds, it is true. The promise of national spiritual restoration is as sure for us today, as it was for Israel nearly three thousand years ago. The power to change is inherent in the heartfelt response of sincere repentance.
To break things down to an even more basic level, national repentance and restoration must start with the body of Christ. It must begin with individuals just like us. With these timeless truths in mind, we have dedicated the first three days of each month this year to prayer for America and fasting.
Ours is a small part to play, but an important one nonetheless. Individual prayer and fasting are the outward expressions of a heart of repentance. That repentance can lead to national spiritual restoration.
We invite you to consider joining with us and churches we are partnering with during the first three days of each month this year. Together, we believe that the Lord can use our faith in Him, and the power of repentance, to change America as only He can. Let's turn our hearts toward heaven.
The Girl Behind the Giant Chair
By Katherine Hill | March 17, 2025
IT IS HUGE. It is gigantic. It is enormous. And it sparkles all around. I have never seen such shimmering stones before. There are so many of them in different shapes and sizes, different colors, too. Each one looks really beautiful I cannot pick a favorite.
Its arms glitter more than my jewelry box. Even its feet shine like my Mama’s wedding ring. “Oh, how she would love to see this!” I say to myself. It is beaming, and dazzling, and glistening. But I do not think it is the right chair for me because it is way too big for my little body.
“Sam, what are you doing back there?” a voice from behind asks me. I turn and see a man wearing a robe so white looking at me as if He really knows who I am. His face is like an angel, very gentle and bright, yet He does not have any wings. I wonder how He knows my name. Maybe He is one of my Papa’s friends.
“I broke my blue chair the other day. I was just looking for a place where I can kneel down and pray, and I saw this from far away,” I answer Him as I look at the towering seat before me. “It scared me at first because it made me think of Goliath, you know, the giant that King David killed with just a sling and a stone. But when I came closer, I realized it’s not like Goliath at all, and I’m not afraid anymore. So I thought I could kneel behind it and pray. Then I looked and found this long line of people in front of it. Some of them look happy, but some seem so sad. There are those who are dancing, while the others are on their knees. There’s an old lady singing, and a little boy is crying. Do you know who all these people are?”
“My Father knows all of them by name,” He says. “People always come here. They come to worship. They come to make an offering. And they also come to pray…just like you. Come, and I will take you to My Father.”
As He stretches out His arm to me, I notice something strange.
I ask Him, “Why do you have such a big scar on Your hand?”
He takes my hand and says, “Because of love.”
Before I can ask another question, a different voice calls out my name, “Sam, Sam.”
I look up, and there I see the One who called me by my name. He is big like the giant chair! And He wears a golden crown on His head like a king. No, He looks so much better than any of the kings I have ever read about. He is the King of kings! I am so amazed that I do not know what to say except to ask Him, “How come You also know my name?”
The Father says to me, “My Son knows who you are because I know you. I knew you before you were born. I knew you before you learned how to walk. I know all the words you say. I know what makes you laugh. I know even every moment that you cry. I also know about your favorite chair, how you broke it, and why you kneel behind it to pray.”
He really knows who I am! Only my parents know about my blue chair.
“Yes, it’s broken now. It was a gift from my Papa,” I recall never forgetting the day when he made it for me. “I’m sure if he was still alive, he’d fix it for me.”
I try to look at the Father’s face, but I cannot, and I do not know why. I turn to His Son, who did not leave me but stayed beside me holding me with His scarred hand, “Is it okay if I kneel and pray behind His giant chair?” I ask Him.
“My child, you are welcome here anytime, and you may even bring Beltesh with you.”
Holding out my stuffed lion, I could not help but exclaim, “Wow! He knows your name, too, Beltesh!” My Papa was right. God watches over me everyday.
I am about to say, “Thank You” when another voice calls my name.
“It’s my Mama!” I open my eyes and see her walking into my room.
“Are you done praying? Go to bed now. We are going to the store in the morning.” She must have read the big “Why?” on my face because she says, “Don’t you want a new chair?”
“That’s okay, Mama.”
Looking somewhat puzzled, she holds my face between her tender hands, looks straight into my eyes and asks, “Are you sure? I know I can’t promise you a blue one, but I will try to get you a nice one.”
I give her a giant smile, and tightly wrap my arms around her saying, “Thank you, Mama, but I don’t need a new chair anymore. I already found one. And it’s big! It’s really big!”
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1 ESV).
The Great King and the Blessed Nation
By David Hill | March 10, 2025
THERE WAS ONCE A GREAT KING. His glory and renown filled the earth. Tyrants and oppressors feared this great king. His power was unrivaled, yet his mercy was without limits. The great king loved justice, and defended the downtrodden. He deeply loved all those in his kingdom, but especially the fatherless and the helpless.
One day a weary traveler, who had journeyed from a distant country in the kingdom, arrived at the royal city of the great king. With no strength left after his arduous journey, the traveler collapsed on the steps of the great king’s glorious throne.
"O great king," cried the traveler through tears, "come to our aid!"
Moved by the traveler’s frail appearance, and the urgency of his plea, the great king stepped down from his throne. He then placed his hand on the shoulder of the weary traveler to steady him. At once the entire royal court stood in awe and complete silence. All eyes were fixed on the scene now unfolding before the great king’s throne.
"Take courage, weary traveler," the great king spoke gently. "You are safe here in my city. All who travel here from any nation, yes everyone who journeys here will truly find rest."
Overcome with emotion at the great king’s kindness, the traveler began to weep so profusely that he could no longer speak. With a trembling hand he took a scroll from his weathered satchel. The great king motioned to his royal guard standing nearest to the messenger. The guard in turn took the scroll from the traveler and began to read it.
"A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. 'Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she with silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'"
After listening, the great king gazed affectionately into the distance as he pondered. "Yes, I remember this engraving. It is etched on the foundation of the blessed nation." The great king then turned to his royal guard who held the parchment. "What news does the scroll contain from the nation that I have blessed above all others?"
The guard became visibly distressed, as he read silently and then replied. "O great king, the blessed nation that you gave as a light for the oppressed of the earth is now divided."
"Divided?" The great king echoed. "What do you mean? I have given this people my favor and blessings above any nation on earth. What could possibly divide them?"
"Great king," the weary traveler was finally able to lift his head to speak, "Our nation no longer rejoices in welcoming the poor huddled masses. Instead many seek only their own welfare and riches, while many of our nation’s leaders strive for prominence."
After contemplating the words of the messenger for what seemed like an eternity, the great king turned again to his guard. His reply was firm, yet filled with patience, "Strengthen this messenger with food from my storehouse. Clothe him with my royal garments, so that my authority is recognized. Escort him back to the blessed nation and let him plead, that they again commit to the purpose for which I planted them."
"O great king," the royal guard replied with trembling lips, utterly astonished at the rest of the words written on the scroll. "There is yet more here to read."
"More?" The great king asked.
"Yes, your majesty." Holding back his own tears, the guard finished reading the scroll. "The blessed nation that you established to welcome the poor of the earth is now filled with injustice. It is divided concerning the welfare of its unborn children. Sixty million of these children have now perished in this division."
"Perished?" The great king pressed inquisitively as he stood.
"Yes, your majesty," the royal guard replied, still visibly shaken. "The lives of their unborn are taken from them while they are still in their mother’s wombs. Many claim that this is their right to do."
The great king was no longer listening. He turned to the captain of his army and spoke with great authority. "Shake this nation from its foundation and divide it now, for they are divided in justice. Remove the wealth of the blessed nation and cause it to become impoverished, for they have trusted in their riches and murdered the fatherless."
"My king, it will be done at your word," came the swift reply. "Shall the blessed nation be uprooted, as you have done to other unjust nations in times past in your kingdom?"
The great king paused for a long time. "Not yet," he replied contemplatively. The better part of the royal court now saw the tears welling up in the eyes of the great king. "Not yet," he again spoke calmly. "First fully open the gates of my royal city. Send out every messenger now, and invite the poor and the broken of the blessed nation to come into my city for refuge. Do not uproot the blessed nation yet. I will first humble it, as I have humbled no other nation. We will wait to see if they and their leaders will seek my help."
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
