The Good Works
The Journey of Faith
August 14, 2022
“If you want to do God’s good work,
the Bible’s super clear.
You need to have faith.”
~Melissa Sanchez
What a blessing to have David and Melissa Sanchez share in our last installment of The Good Works Series. They shared a beautiful story of faith in God and the work He has done (and is doing) in their lives. David and Melissa shared their faith journey through adoption. Melissa said, “There are two aspects of faith, one when God tells you to do something and then there’s the wait time until He actually gives it to you.” They had two little boys but had always wanted to adopt. And then God gave both David and Melissa a dream separately that they would adopt a little girl.They spoke of the process of waiting and faith in this time from knowing they would adopt to completing the process and the blessing that resulted.
Then they shared about the years it took for David to get his Master’s Degree and become an ordained minister. He served at a church in Philadelphia and also over a 501(c)(3) ministry, serving many areas of need. At this time, God had blessed Melissa with the opportunity to found a S.T.E.M. school in North Philadelphia. The first point they made was this- God’s good work requires faith.(Hebrews 11:1-3) They had seen God work before and they believed His Word.
They had faith in God and were being obedient.The Sanchez family was thriving.
David and Melissa then shared how God then spoke to their hearts that He wanted them to leave it all behind. The second point was- God’s good work requires sacrifice and obedience. Abraham served as a Biblical example to them as God had called him to leave what he knew. (Genesis 12:1) They prayed and sought the Lord, and after some time He opened a door for them right here in San Antonio. Again faith and trust were required through the process of listening and as they obeyed, God made their path clear. David was really praying and seeking the Lord, trying to find “the more” God had for Him. He reminded us about our identity being in Christ and not what we do. The third point-God’s good work results in blessing.(Genesis 12:2-4). The Lord opened the door to a not for profit, Christian organization called, Children’s Hunger Fund right here in San Antonio. They do get food to the needy (both locally and they are in 30 countries around the world) but they also and most importantly, get the Gospel out to those who receive the food. Melissa also had another opportunity to found a school, Compass Rose Ingenuity. The last point David and Melissa shared is that-God’s good work results in sacrifice as an act of worship.(Genesis 12:6-7). In all that God may call you and I to do, may we have faith in God to trust and obey Him. May we be willing to sacrifice and also find blessing in obedience. And lastly, may we always look at our call, whatever it is we are doing for Christ, that our sacrifice be offered as an act of worship.
Monday:
Let us consider that “God’s good work requires faith.”
Take some time and read Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” and Hebrews 11:8 “ It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”
What has God asked you to trust Him about? What is He asking you to have faith in Him for?
Tuesday:
Take some time today to think about, “God’s good work requires sacrifice and obedience.”
Read Genesis 12:1 “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”
Where does your mind go when you think of sacrifice? Is God asking you to let go of something that you are having a hard time letting go of? How are you living your life in obedience?
Wednesday:
“God’s good work results in blessing.” When in your life have you experienced this? Where have you seen God’s blessing as you have had faith and sacrificed and been obedient?
Read Genesis 12:2-4 “ I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3) I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”4) So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.”
Thursday:
The last point David and Melissa shared was this, “God’s good work results in sacrifice as an act of worship.” That is such a beautiful way of looking at what God has called you to do as an act of worship. Teaching, working at a financial institute, being a student, a mom, a coach, etc. As you follow God in faith, sacrifice self desire and obey God’s leading you will find that there is beautiful blessings and the sacrifice can be viewed as acts of worship to God.
Read over Genesis 12:6-7 “Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.7) Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”
Friday:
David shared that God provided a place for him to minister through the Children’s Hunger Fund (https://childrenshungerfund.org/). The mission of CHF “is to deliver hope to suffering children by equipping local churches for gospel-centered mercy ministry.” The organization does meet a natural, physical need by providing food. But most importantly, the Gospel of Christ is given and that is true hope.
Take some time to look at the link and pray for this ministry as well.
Saturday:
Melissa shared that God knew what was in her heart and through her faith, trust and obedience allowed her the opportunity to found Compass Rose Ingenuity (https://compassrosepublicschools.org/locations/ingenuity-campus/) here in San Antonio where she serves as Principal. Rockhills recently held a book drive and were able to bless Compass Rose with many books that they needed. The students and staff alike were blessed by the generous gift of books. Please take some time to pray for Melissa, the staff that God has blessed her with and the precious students who attend this school.