Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, April 18, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 4 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 22^nd day of Counting. 

This begins the week of the manna which fell down upon them from heaven in the desert  (Exodus 16:4-36). Actually, this was a very full week for Israel. There are many lessons to  be drawn from their experiences. 

To help us understand the chronology of the journey, God inspired Moses to write down  each of the camps the Israelites made following the cloud by day and the fire by night. We  find a summary of their camping sites in Numbers 33. Just prior to the 50^th day, they were  camped in the area of Mt. Sinai. Here is an overview of their travels and camping. 

Numbers 33:1-15 (1) These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth  out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. (2) And  Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the  LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out. (3) And they departed  from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow  after the Passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the  Egyptians. (4) For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten  among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. (5) And the children of  Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. (6) And they departed from  Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. (7) And they  removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and  they pitched before Migdol. (8) And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed  through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days ‘journey in the  wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. (9) And they removed from Marah, and came  unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees;  and they pitched there. (10) And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.  (11) And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. (12) And  they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. (13) And  they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. (14) And they removed from Alush,  and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. (15) And they  departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 

It is important to remember that the camp of Israel moved when the cloud moved and they  camped when the cloud rested. We learn of this principle of moving and resting in the book  of Numbers. 

Numbers 9:18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at  the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle  they rested in their tents. 

The journey from Egypt to Mt. Sinai was difficult for this large group of people; yet, it was  God Who was leading them. It was God Who had delivered them. 

It was God Who knew everything they would face at each step of the journey. It was God  Who was proving their hearts to see whether or not they would follow His commands.  

Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;  and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them,  whether they will walk in my law, or no. 

In this Church age we see God following the same kind of process. He is still in charge,  knowing all that we must go through as part of His process of salvation for each of us. And,  He is invested in this process at an extreme level. Nothing can separate us from the love of  God that He has made available to us through our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. 

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Today is Day 4 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost.

There is very little in Scripture to indicate what the Human Jesus looked like nor what His personality was really like. Scripture only gives us a few hints about Jesus’ physical look and dress. It appears that there is a bit more of a direct description and detail about John the Baptist’s look, his dress, and the kind of food he ate (Matthew 3:4). We simply do not know how tall Jesus was, nor even the color of His hair and eyes.

Throughout the last 2000 years, much of what has been painted as portraits of Jesus shows a frail, effeminate man with very weak, soft looking features and long hair. Certainly, that depiction of Jesus does not take into account that Jesus is described as traveling on tough journeys by foot for many miles across Judea and Galilee. Apparently, He and His disciples slept outside and walked in sunshine. His skin may have been quite tanned; and, He may have been as muscled as any of His disciples as He is described as a carpenter from Nazareth.

Below are a few of the places where the physical appearance of Jesus is mentioned to some degree:

(1) He probably looked like a typical Jewish man of His day and was able to slip through a crowd of Jews and had to be identified when He was arrested.
Luke 4:29-30 And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went His way.
Matthew 26:48 Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast.

(2) Apparently, Jesus was not especially handsome.
Isaiah 53:2 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

(3) He wore a beard. His tormentors ripped His beard away from His face.
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

(4) He likely had short hair.
1 Corinthians11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

As true Disciples of Jesus and serious Bible students, we can be comforted to know that God inspired the Bible as we have it today. God will tell us what we need to know in His time and in His sequence. And, one day, we will all finally get to see the face of our Savior. Today, Jesus is described for us in Revelation.

Revelation 1:14-15 (14) His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, Saturday, April 17, 2021. This is Day 7 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 21st day of Counting.

The victory God gave to Israel over Egypt, its mighty armies, and its Pharaoh in the Red Sea on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread has great symbolic significance in our lives. Without the sacrifice of the Passover and the blood smeared above the door posts of the houses of believers, the Exodus would not have occurred. And, an added benefit to Israel was that their firstborn survived while the firstborn of Egypt all died.

Today, we know that the Passover lamb was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of our Savior. The meaning of the blood of the sacrifice is clear to us today. Yet, some of the other symbolism may not be so clear.

There are some Bible readers who teach that the wave sheaf does not symbolize Jesus Christ. There is basically no focus upon the RESURRECTION of our Savior for many bible teachers who are Sabbath keepers. Many have certainly not plumbed the depths of the significance of His RESURRECTION.

When our Savior died, He said I have finished the work you gave me to do (John 17:4). What was left of the necessary miracle to perfect God’s plan of salvation took the Almighty God our Father to complete. He (the Father) resurrected our Lord and Master. He resurrected Him, accepted that aspect of the Savior’s part of salvation’s work! He gave our Savior eternal life, full-born Sonship. He gave Him power and dominion because what had been accomplished legally NOW opened the way for the god of this world (Satan) to be dethroned and his works destroyed.

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

True believers who are cooperating in God’s plan are SAVED BY HIS LIFE (HIS RESURRECTION).

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

God (both Father and Son) had successfully broken the hold and the sway the devil had held over mankind! They AUTHORED our salvation through these events. They had made the way clear for our FREEDOM.

Now, the devil would like that piece of truth to be deeply submerged in the darkness of his many lies about God, His divine nature, and God’s plan of salvation. But, the TRUTH is WE CAN BE FREE from the devil. He has NO authority over us. He can only work in our lives as we believe his lies.

The RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ to eternal life proves He is our MESSIAH. He, as the accepted WAVESHEAF, the first of the firstfruits, illustrates and provides absolute evidence about what God is now doing in the lives of those who cooperate with Him as He calls, chooses, and makes us faithful firstfruits.

Think about the symbolism. What God (Father and Son) was doing through the symbolism of the Exodus events shows that the devil is defeated AFTER the completion of the entire process legally necessary to do it. The WAVESHEAF had to be RESURRECTED and ACCEPTED before Pharaoh (symbolic of Satan) was destroyed in the sea. Every detail of the Exodus event is significant in showing God’s plan.

Brethren, we are free! Do we believe it? The devil can still only hold sway where he is allowed to continue to deceive. Yet, we can walk in light. We have it available. We have to choose it! Have we let the truth about God’s plan really soak into our beings?

May God bless you as you uncover more and more of His truth and dwell in the freedom, He has purchased for us all.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, April 16, 2021. This is Day 6 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 20th day of Counting.

As we count to Pentecost, we are examining how God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt. The story is a wonderful allegory for us, especially as it relates to spiritual bondage.

To be delivered from spiritual bondage whether of the body, mind, or emotions, we need an awakening. This is how the deliverance begins!

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him

John 14:17 Even the Spirit; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Then, we need to know what we value and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to living it. We must embrace our values with our thoughts and our feelings. It becomes our treasure.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also This adds to the courage we need to face whatever challenges and changes are necessary to face and overcome during the spiritual break-away. And, during all of this there must be an awareness of Who it is that is actually delivering us.

During the time of rest, the Israelites were enjoying at Elim, the wise would have been preparing ahead. The processes of every human life have cycles, like times of trial and testing followed by times of rest and refreshment. Wise believers know this and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the cycles. Have we taken time to take stock of our specific situations?

We need to value and commit ourselves to hope, faith, and trust in our Bondage Breaker. We move from bondages like hopelessness and despair and guilt into inspiration and renewed vigor and purpose.

Have we considered how we have been in slavery and what has us in bondage? What are our emotional and behavioral patterns? What excuses have we used to remain in slavery? Are we holding ourselves in bondage? Are other people holding us in bondage? Cycles…do they get us down? Change is inevitable. Change is often in predictable patterns. When challenges appear, do we lapse back into our old slave habits rather than going forward? And, now that God is delivering us, what Egyptian baggage are we carrying with us? Do we remember the toil and suffering of our past bondage, or are we remembering the onions and the leeks?

Here are some typical ways of thinking that are evidence of spiritual bondage:

Anger, apathy, need for control, cynicism, comparison, competition, denial, despair, envy, fear, greed, guilt, hatred, jealousy, lust, living in the past or future rather than the present, negativity, lust, perfectionism, pessimism, resentment, sarcasm, self doubt, self-pity, self- righteousness, unworthiness.

God bless us as we take the time to inventory and prepare ahead for the next part of the cycle of our lives.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, April 15, 2021. This is Day 5 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 19th day of Counting.

This is the second month of the year on the Hebrew calendar (Iyyar or Ziv). It is considered to be the most beautiful of months, full of light and new, green growth. It is a wonderful time for us to take stock of the lessons we have learned and to move forward spiritually. The wise will reflect on lessons learned from past experiences and seek how they may apply in the future.

There are many forces that hold us in slavery, that hold us back from growing spiritually, from going forward in the will of God for our lives. The enemy knows our physical as well as our spiritual weaknesses. And, that’s where the attack occurs. The enemy may threaten us, coerce us, frighten us, tempt us, beguile us, or attack us.

But, so what! That’s what happens to humans a lot! The difference for true believers is we know the God of miracles. We serve a miracle working God. Who is not limited in His power or purpose. Miracles are His realm, His specialty.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

We just have to remain aware of our DELIVERER and trust Him!

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Psalm 144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

God bless you and grant you more and more trust in our DELIVERER!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, April 14, 2021. This is Day 4 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 18th day of Counting.

We are told we are to draw water from the wells of salvation, and we are to do it with joy.

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Only God knows how many “wells of salvation” He provides for His people. Yet, we can identify many blessings we receive when we are refreshed by God’s Living Water.

One of the most beautiful metaphors in all of the Bible is found in Isaiah 35:1.

Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

It will take life-giving water to accomplish this! The desert will rejoice and blossom!

It’s the same in the life of a true Believer. It takes life-giving water for us to blossom spiritually; and, bringing forth fruit follows the time of blossoming. God desires for us to rejoice and blossom; and, that we then bring forth fruit.

John 15:8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be My disciples.

There is divine purpose in our drawing from God’s wells; being refreshed, having joy, and blossoming! That purpose is to bear much fruit and glorify God!

God is glorified, and God saves us; He honors us; He provides our joy; and, brings forth fruit; giving our lives real purpose! In God’s Plan, everyone wins!

May God bless us all as we step up to His wells of salvation and participate in His process and purposes for our lives.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 13, 2021. This is Day 3 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 17th day of Counting.

The Israelites camping at Elim were no doubt enjoying the water of the 12 wells. Today, let us contemplate the qualities of the refreshing physical water they were enjoying and draw spiritual lessons from some very special Scriptures about the Living Water God provides for us on our wilderness journey.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 23:1-2 (1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalms 36:7-9 (7) How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (8) They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. (9) For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 46:4-5 (4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (5) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Psalm 107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into
watersprings.

Jesus said we would be blessed if we thirsted for His righteousness. May God bless us with that thirst!

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 12, 2021. This is Day 2 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 16th day of Counting.

During their stay at Elim the children of Israel rested and were refreshed. The Sabbath itself is a time of refreshing, and Scripture says God Himself rested and was refreshed. That’s an amazing statement about God.

Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The Bible mentions times of refreshing in Acts 3:19, also.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

What does “times of refreshing” mean? The dictionary shows that “refreshing” is used in a number of different ways. To “refresh” means to reinvigorate or energize, to stimulate, to restore, to revive, or to cheer.

We have all experienced special seasons in our lives when God has refreshed us. It may be our special refreshing followed a time of great trial and testing as it did for Israel when they were tested and proved at Marah. However, the Bible also portrays our Savior as the refreshing water of life. And, we always have access to this Fountain. And, we can always be refreshed by being in God’s presence, even during times of trials and testing.

Among its many benefits, being in His presence continually gives us the promise of answered prayer.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

May God bless you with a moment-by-moment awareness of being in God’s presence. May you abide with Him. May you be constantly refreshed by this relationship.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, April 11, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 3 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 15th day of Counting.

God led Israel to the oasis at Elim where they camped, rested, and were refreshed for quite some time. Tracing their journey and camping, we find Exodus 16:1 tells us they finally left Elim on the 15th day of the second month. Remember they had begun their journey out of Egypt on the 15th of the first month, and finally crossed the boundary out of Egypt on the 21st of the first month. Then, they trekked 3 days into the wilderness to Marah, and from Marah they walked on to Elim where they found 12 wells of water and 70 palms.

There are a few times when the numbers 12 and 70 appear connected in Scripture. Many theologians have proposed theories about their symbolism and significance. Elim’s 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees is only the first of the examples. A second connection between these two numbers is the existence of the 12 tribes of Israel and a special group of 70 elders from the tribes. These elders are mentioned a number of times (see Exodus 24:1, 9 and Numbers 11:16, 24-25. Then, in the New Testament, Jesus sent out His 12 original disciples and 70 others.

Luke 10: 1, 17 (1) After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…. (17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

The appearance of these same numbers in these situations prompts us to connect the stories in some way. While we still do not know the significance, we can search the Scriptures and ask for guidance and understanding. God does seem to do things in patterns and in an orderly fashion. Truly, there is still a lot to be learned about how God organizes our lives the way He does.

What we do know is that in these accounts ancient Israel was refreshed, the 70 ancient elders experienced a portion of the spirit God had given to Moses, and the 70 sent out by Jesus were in awe at the authority that had been given to them over evil spirits. We can only marvel with great anticipation at what God still has in store for us as we journey through our own wilderness on our way to the real Promised Land.

God bless your journey.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Today is Day 3 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost.

Are we aware there is an abundance of symbolisms that God gave Israel throughout their wilderness journey? Consider in addition to the Tabernacle, the sacrificial system, and the priesthood; God also provided for their physical needs at specific time in some ways that can only be described as being supernatural; only from God. And, here is the point; are we aware these were given as symbolic pictures of the coming Messiah.

We know this is true because of what Jesus told Nicodemus in the Gospel of John.

John 3:10,14-15 (10) Jesus answered and said unto him; Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus also taught the Jews who followed Him that He symbolically pictured the manna that their forefathers ate in the wilderness.

John 6:41,48,51 (41) The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said; I am the bread which came down from heaven. (48) I am that bread of life. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

And, of course, we also know; Paul correctly taught the Corinthian Brethren that the rock in the wilderness; where the waters came out; was Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

We can also add the account of the bitter water that was healed by the tree thrown into it (Ex. 15:22-27) to the account of the rock and the bronze serpent and the manna.

So, we repeat again, there is an abundance of symbolisms that God gave Israel throughout their wilderness journey; and, these were given as symbolic pictures of the coming Messiah!; our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God