"God's Work, Done God's Way, Will Never Lack God's Supply"

"God's Work, Done God's Way, Will Never Lack God's Supply"

1988, as an undecided freshman, my college advisor asked what I wanted to select as a major. Looking at the job board, I picked a career that paid the most. At that moment my major and “life course” were decided, or so I thought.

1991, as I entered graduate school, I felt the call to ministry. Suddenly my career path, and life, were changed. 

1993, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in hand and a new job at a Christian school, my life course again would change when I got down on one knee in front of the beautiful third grade teacher, and she said “yes”. As we created our budget together, we soon learned we did not have enough money to afford the weekly newspaper. I had come a LONG way from my dreams of a high paying career. 

However, I soon learned a lesson that changed my life, "God's work, done God's way, will never lack God's supply,".

This quote from Hudson Taylor, a great missionary for the Lord, reminds us God will provide the necessary resources and provision for tasks that are carried out according to his will and methods. It is a call to trust in God's provision for his purposes, rather than relying on human means or agendas.

Nearly 33 years later, I remain committed to the love of my life and to serving the Lord in full-time ministry. Although great wealth still alludes me, I trust in the words of Philippians 4:19, “my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. While personally God’s provision has come through the common things of life, like working hard, saving, or God directing specific details to arrange for my needs to be met.

I have also had the privilege of seeing the incredible blessing of how God uses ways, like the incredible generosity of his people, to provide for the needs of ministry being done in his name.

Each year Bethesda faces great financial need. With a 100-year-old building, a tremendous amount of deferred maintenance, salaries, events, etc., our need is great, but our God is greater. Since the Lord first started the great ministry called The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, he has used the incredible generosity of his people to meet the needs of Bethesda.

As we look ahead to 2026, another year of increased ministry, outreach, vision, and mission. Let us all be reminded to trust in the Lord and, as Father Tim has shared with us, to Worship Regularly, Pray Unceasingly, Serve Joyfully, and to Give Generously.

The Lord’s greatest blessings to you all!



Joseph E. Sanelli

Parish Administrator