Corey Sanders

This has been a rough week, hasn’t it. The week began with a light heart, planning to celebrate Pastor Mead’s 50 years of ministry. Then, tragedy struck, and the Mead’s grandson, Corey Sanders, passed away unexpectedly. In a moment, the mood changed from anticipation of celebration to shock and heartache. In the midst of that heartache, we do find hope, though. That hope is the testimony that Corey knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Though most of us can hardly imagine the pain the family is going through, let us all remember the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Corey’s faith has now become sight. Worship of God from a distance has now become worship of God, sitting at His feet. Corey’s Savior has welcomed him home. But, please, pray for the family as they get used to this earthly home without Corey.

In times like these, it is imperative that we remember that God is still faithful and His ways are often mysterious. This day, I encourage you to ponder the words of Isaiah 55:6-11:

6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

In His grip,

Pastor Decker