The past few days have been emotionally traumatic and intense here at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. Having laid to rest a beloved church member, brother, friend, and relative, we are now faced with a future without Arthur Reynolds Jr. our thoughts and prayers are with each ot you shocked and saddened by this untimely loss, but especially the family. We are never prepared for sorrow and grief.
The most important thing for all of us now is how we respond to what has happened. Our true character as a church and as individuals will be revealed by our response. People respond to tragedy in different ways. Some use it as an excuse to grow bitter, never able to recover victory or joy in their lives. I believe these folks are focused entirely on the here and now, forgetting that this world is not all there is, but we all are living for the world to come.
Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Without a doubt, Paul set the example for a proper response. Let us resolve not to be bitter, but better. Instead of weaker, stronger. Not questioning, but believing. I believe that would be the best way to honor the memory of Bro. Jr. Reynolds.
Praying for you,
Pastor Ritchey
