Pastor’s Corner

Repent, Believe, and Bear Fruit!

Luke 24:44-47 says, “44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise …

Stay Alert!

“8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8,9) “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13) In these two passages, we …

Continue in Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4 says this, “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” In this brief passage, the apostle …

Glory to God in the Highest!

“10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with …

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

What is the difference between the knowledge of good and evil and knowing right from wrong? In this question is an allusion to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil found in the garden of Eden. God tells Adam and Eve, our first parents, not to eat of the fruit of this particular tree. (Genesis 2:17 and 3:3)  …

Dealing With Grief

I received four more questions, so I will answer two questions this month, and the last two questions in the November newsletter.  What is the best way to move forward from the loss (death) of a loved one? Once you have grieved, once you have prayed and accept by faith that God is taking care of everything, both the living …

To Whom Much is Given

Thanks to everyone who has submitted interesting questions in the Questions for PB box.  Here are the next two selections: How should we interpret the Bible’s admonition, “to whom much is given, much will be required” in light of the fact that we have so much in the U.S. and there is so much need in the world and in …

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

We all have tough life questions that we mull over. We all want to understand the world we live in. Here are two hard questions put to me by my congregation, along with two queries about things you will see in our worship services. Why do bad things happen to good people? At the end of time, do Israel or …

Q & A with Pastor Benner

I was excited to find slips of paper waiting for me in the colorful little “Questions for PB” box in the foyer at church! To the best of my ability, I will endeavor to answer these queries.  Look for the questions and answers over the next few months in this venue of the Pastor’s Corner. Here are two I will cover …

A Bowl of Cherries

The Apostle Paul writes this in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and …

He Is Not Here!

“5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of …

Radical Repentance

Mark 1:14,15 says this, 14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” If we compare this message from Jesus at the beginning of His ministry in Mark 1:14,15 with John the Baptist’s message at the beginning of …

Pastor Cedric Benner

Pastor Benner has a BA in Bible from Bryan College in Dayton and a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.