Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 11, 2021. This is Day 3 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 45^th day of Counting.  

God told Moses to “sanctify” the people (Exodus 19:10). That was appropriate because they  were going to be near God. He was going to “come down in the sight of all the people” (verse  11).  

Exodus 19:8-11 (8) And all the people answered together, and said; All that the LORD hath  spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. (9) And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when  I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto  the LORD. (10) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go unto the people, and sanctify them to  day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, (11) And be ready against the third day:  for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.  

Sanctify is used in several contexts in Scripture. It is frequently used in connection with  making clean or purifying. And, it also means to make holy; to set apart for sacred use. God  intends for His people to be set apart, wholly or completely! He has paid an awesome price  so this might be done. And, it had to be done as a prerequisite to our eternal salvation. It’s  part of the process. The sanctification of God’s people is extremely important to Him. God  does not take this sanctification lightly. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your  whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus  Christ. 

Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the  word, 

Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own  blood, suffered without the gate. 

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall He be thought worthy,  who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,  wherewith He was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of  grace? 

It is clear that we are to go through God’s process of sanctification and purification; and, to  remain sanctified before God.  

May God bless us to be wholly sanctified for His use.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Monday, May 10, 2021. This is Day 2 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 44^th day of Counting.  

Ancient Israel accepted their invitation to be in covenant with God. One of the aspects of  the covenant promise from God was to make of them a kingdom of priests. Yet, they were  unable to keep the covenant. God, however, did set up a priesthood in the tribe of Levi. He  took the entire tribe of Levi to serve Him instead of the firstborn of every family. 

When they agreed to keep God’s covenant, did ancient Israel truly realize what being a  kingdom of priests would mean for their day-to-day life? Probably not! 

However, God has not abandoned the idea of having a kingdom of priests. God expresses a  very similar desire for those He calls today. So, we ask; do we truly realize what being a  kingdom of priests means to our day-to-day life? 

The Old Testament lists many duties and responsibilities of priests. The duties revolved  around the system of worship God instituted. Dealing with sacrifices is one of the first  things that come to mind when we think of a priesthood. Yet, there were other things God  expected of priests. We find some special duties in Malachi. 

Malachi 2:7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at  his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 

Today many people seem to expect these particular priestly responsibilities (keeping  knowledge, teaching the law, and being a messenger of the Lord) to be duties of the  ministry. And, that is most certainly a justified comparison. However, God, in the New  Testament, refers to ALL of us as being a “chosen generation.”  

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar  people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness  into his marvellous light; 

It is clear from the passage of Scripture in 1 Peter that everyone God has called out of  darkness into marvellous light is intended to “shew forth the praises.” 

May God bless us to take this particular assigned task to heart and put these words (shew  forth the praises) at the top of every “to do” list we make.  

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 9, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 43rd day of Counting. This is the Week of Israel Camping before Mt. Sinai. 

Exodus 19:1-2 (1) In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of  the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. (2) For they were  departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the  wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.  

Here, God called to Moses and gave him a message that Moses was to deliver to Israel.  

Exodus 19:3-6 (3) And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the  mountain, saying; Thus, shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;  (4) Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and  brought you unto Myself. (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My  covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is  Mine: (6) And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the  words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  

God’s message to Israel was a reminder of what He had just done for Israel, bringing them  out of Egypt on “eagles’ wings.” And, God was proposing the opportunity to enter into  covenant with Him. Other Old Testament Scriptures indicate that this was compared to a  marriage covenant. God offered Israel the honor of being “a peculiar treasure unto me  above all people” and the opportunity of becoming a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy” nation. 

Words very similar to this proposal are found in the New Testament.  

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar  people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness  into His marvellous light; 

Ancient Israel heard the words of the covenant proposal and committed to doing their part;  yet, as we know from Biblical history, they failed to live up to their part of the agreement.  

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and  keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children  for ever! 

God wants our hearts. He wants our heartfelt love. He wants ALL of the rest of our being,  also. The gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost has made it possible for us to give  all of our being to Him. 

May God bless us to give God exactly what He wants.

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

Dear Family,  

Today is Friday, April 10, 2026. Today is Day 6 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost.  

As we consider some of the many signs, exorcisms, raising the dead, healings and other types of miraculous works Jesus did while He was Human, as His disciples, we will be growing in grace and knowledge of Who and What God is.  The Apostle John emphasized that Jesus did many miracles that He was not able to write about.  

John 20:30-31 (30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. (31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

Jesus’ miracles served God’s purposes, including showing Jesus’ glory.  Jesus began doing miracles at the beginning of His public ministry. John wrote that the first miracle Jesus did was to manifest His glory.  When the disciples witnessed miracles He performed, they believed on Him. 

John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him. 

We continue to experiences various miraculous works.  And, that will continue to happen in God’s timing.  The Word promises more to come. Jesus’ works showed God’s love and Jesus’ compassion, and they met the real needs of people.  We learn from the Apostle John that Jesus promised that His disciples would do greater works than He did while on earth.  How is that to be accomplished?  

John 14:10-13 (10) I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. (11)  Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. (12)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. (13)  And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

All miraculous works we will ever experience begin and end with Jesus’ doing the will of His Father.  Jesus said the miraculous works He did were done by the Father, and Jesus will continue to do them now that He is in heaven with His Father. Greater works are not only possible; they will be done.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 8, 2021. This is Day 7 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is  our 42^nd day of Counting.  

While Jethro was visiting Moses in the camp of ancient Israel, he provided some sound advice to  help Moses in dealing with the immense number of leadership issues; including one of judging  (arbitrating, giving rulings, decisions, and verdicts) on various matters.  

Judgment (decisions) on all matters from the top done was cumbersome and unnecessary. It was  a hardship on the people as well as upon Moses. Therefore, a wise and practical suggestion was  implemented. Part of it involved the character of the men to be chosen. And, a second part of  it involved teaching the people the law so they were active participants in receiving justice and  knowing that they had received it. It provided confidence in leadership. 

Men who were to provide “justice” for the Israelites were to be  

• Men who loved truth 
• Able men with good judgment (wisdom), discernment of truth, and knowledge of the law
• Men who feared God and who would not be swayed by any form of coercion, threats, or  flattery 
• Men who would not give into bribery 

Read these characteristics in the language of the King James Bible.  

Exodus 18:19-22 (19) Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be  with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:  (20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they  must walk, and the work that they must do. (21) Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the  people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over  them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:  (22) And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they  shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself,  and they shall bear the burden with thee.  

It is clear from Exodus 18 that there was some form of “law” already in place before the 10  Commandments, statutes, and ordinances were given as part of the covenant in codified form at  Mt. Sinai. The people were to be taught that “law.” The leaders chosen to judge were to use  that “law.” Everyone was involved; and, everyone could know what the outcome needed to be once  all the details were known and the “law” was applied correctly. 

God’s people need to have confidence in the men who lead them. The people need to know what  God expects.  

Ancient Israel apparently had many ideas about what a leader was and was not suppose to do.  Frequently throughout their journey in the wilderness, they falsely accused the leaders,  including God. They were stubborn, self-willed, and rebelled in different ways. It made sense 

that God would set forth characteristics of leadership that everyone could learn, understand,  and recognize in leaders. The characteristics listed for leaders can guide us today. 

God bless us all to learn and apply God’s standard for all we do.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 7, 2021. This is Day 6 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It  is our 41^st day of Counting.  

During this 6^th week of the journey, Moses received a special visitor, his father-in-law,  Jethro; who brought Moses’ wife and sons to be with him in the wilderness.  

Exodus 18:1-6 (1) When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all  that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought  Israel out of Egypt; (2) Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife,  after he had sent her back, (3) And her two sons; of which the name of the one was  Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: (4) And the name of the other  was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the  sword of Pharaoh: (5) And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife  unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: (6) And he said  unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons  with her. 

Zipporah is mentioned only 2 other times in Scripture; first in Exodus 2 when she married  Moses, and then in Exodus 4 where we see Zipporah and her sons on the way to Egypt with  Moses where he was to tell Pharaoh to let the people go. Zipporah and her two sons had  returned to Jethro’s home some time after the events of Exodus 4. Apparently, Zipporah  circumcised her firstborn son to save his life.  

Exodus 4:19-20,25 (19) And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt:  for all the men are dead which sought thy life. (20) And Moses took his wife and his sons,  and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of  God in his hand. (25) Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son,  and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.  

Moses lived quite a busy life, dealing with life and death issues publicly and privately. The  Bible only gives us meager details in the story of his family. However, whatever the family  issues were, God was still very pleased with His servant, Moses. What we learn by putting  the details together is that Moses was just a man.  

Hebrews 3:1-5 (1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider  the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to him  that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (3) For this man was counted  worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more  honour than the house. (4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all  things is God. (5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony  of those things which were to be spoken after; 

May God bless us to consider our leaders; in and out of the Church; and, that we pray for  their faithfulness to God’s directions.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 6, 2021. This is Day 5 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 40^th day of Counting.  

On this 40^th day of Israel’s journey, they were dealing with Amalek. They were attacked,  and God was delivering them. This event was another way God was making known His power  and revealing how He would deal with Israel. Over and over, a lesson prominent in their  experiences is that they MUST trust God. God is the Deliverer. He gave Himself that job! 

Following the resurrection of our Savior, He remained on the earth with His disciples for 40  days. Today marks the day that He ascended into heaven. Scripture indicates several  important reasons that God sequenced His Plan in this way. One of those reasons is that  God led captivity captive!  

Psalm 68:18(A) Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led captivity captive: 

Ephesians 4:8(A) Wherefore He saith; When He ascended up on high, He led captivity  captive 

God’s schedule for our salvation is absolutely perfect and ON TIME. He has perfected His  Plan; and, He will not be turned aside from completing His intentions for us. God has called  us individually. He is working with each one of us individually. He is our Salvation. He is in  charge of it. God fully intends to lead us out of every bondage, every sin, and everything  that is evil. There is nothing that our Deliverer cannot do!  

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them  openly, triumphing over them in it. 

God has already spoiled principalities and powers. Nothing can keep us back from God’s  displaying His love and power toward us. Just as God (through Joshua) defeated Amalek,  God defeats our enemies now through Joshua (Jesus, Jah-shua, the Salvation of Jah). 

Romans 8:37-39 (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) 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. 

May God awaken us all to the power He uses on our behalf.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 5, 2021. This is Day 4 of Week 6 in our Counting toward  Pentecost. It is our 39^th day of Counting.  

The War with Amalek has many parallel details that New Testament believers relate to  situations in our daily lives. Of course, one of the easiest details we find relevant is the  fact that we fight spiritual battles against those fallen angels that rebelled and became  God’s enemies. 

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual  wickedness in high places. 

And, our weapons are not of this material earth; they are spiritual weapons that have to be  provided by God. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God  to the pulling down of strong holds; 

Another important detail that parallels the story of Israel’s war with Amalek is that God’s  supernatural intervention determines the outcome of the battle. God sent Joshua out to  combat the enemy. And, God has already sent out our Savior, the Living Messiah, to  overcome our spiritual enemies.  

The name Joshua means the salvation of the I AM or the Everliving One, the Eternal.  The name is fitting! In the book of Matthew, we find Mary was told her firstborn son was  to save us. God knows our spiritual battles will always require God’s intercession on our  behalf. God sent our Savior for this purpose; to save us, to destroy the works of the  enemy. 

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. 

We, as the Church, are called the beloved of the Lord in MANY scriptures (example: Philippians 2:12; 4:1, Colossians 3:12, etc.). God will deliver us. It is not God’s will that any  one of the beloved saints of the Lord should ever loose our spiritual battle against evil. 

Psalm 60:5 That Thy beloved may be delivered; save with Thy right hand, and hear me. Psalm 108:6 That Thy beloved may be delivered: save with Thy right hand, and answer me. May God bless us all with the knowledge and faith that God will hear us, answer us, and  deliver us!

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 04, 2021. This is Day 3 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 38^th day of Counting.  

Why does God tell Israel to “remember” what Amalek did (Deuteronomy 25:17)? Consider  how the enemy of God and His people works to harm us today. He attacks us at our weakest  point; he attacks where we are tired, feeble, and vulnerable. The enemy uses a type of  guerilla warfare. 

Not only must God’s people be aware of and remember what the enemy did in the wilderness to Israel, we must be kept aware of on-going assaults, sneaky tricks, and other various wiles  of the devil he uses against us. 

What are some of those “wiles?”  

The devil lies, kills, steals, and destroys (John 10:10a). He mixes up cause and effect, so  people look at the short-term exaggerated pleasures of sin. He obscures the real effect of  sin (pain and death). He beguiles people through his subtlety, with enticing words and  through the vanity of our fleshly minds. He corrupts our thinking and distracts us from our  focus on God. He also takes us into bondage through fear. 

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his  subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

Colossians 2:4,18 (4) And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words….  (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels,  intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 

Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject  to bondage. 

Those are only a few of Satan’s tactics. Do we know them? And, if we know them, do we  remember them and remain on guard?  

What true Believers ALSO must “remember” is that our Savior has already overcome these  things. Through Christ we can do all things because He strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).  

Like Moses lifted up his hands to God, and Israel received victory, so we must lift ourselves  up to God. And, if we grow weary, we rely on our faithful, believing brothers to help hold up  our hands until the victory is sure! Yes, God expects that we will do that for one another! 

God bless us all to be overcomers of evil until the end.

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

Dear Family, 

Today is Monday, May 3, 2021. This is Day 2 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 37^th day of Counting.  

Amalek is Esau’s grandson. Esau produced Eliphaz who produced Amalek through his  concubine Timna (Genesis 36:12). The people of Amalek are called “first of the nations” in  Numbers 20. Throughout the Bible, Amalekites are seen in negative circumstances. And, in  the end they shall perish for ever.  

Numbers 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was  the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish forever. 

We find the Amalekites in many battles in the Bible; and, yet, we never see them fight  “fair.” They showed cowardice and cruelty. God said they would be destroyed, partly  because they were enemies of Israel. Even more importantly, God took them as His enemies. He said He would war with them.  

Exodus 17:16 For he said; Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. 

Israel participated in many battles after Egypt; and, the Amalekites were the first to  oppose them. The Amalekites planned their attack from the rear. They fought against the  weak, the feeble, and they massacred children. 

Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (17) Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye  were come forth out of Egypt; (18) How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of  thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared  not God. (19) Therefore, it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all  thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an  inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under  heaven; thou shalt not forget it. 

Just prior to hacking Agag into pieces in 1 Samuel, the prophet Samuel reminded Agag (a  title for an Amalekite king) that he was a killer of children. 

1 Samuel 15:33 And Samuel said, as thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy  mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in  Gilgal. 

Amalekites have become the symbol of people who are evil. God allowed Amalek to attack  Israel. Why? There are a number of reasons that seem to fit; yet, we do not know for sure  because the Bible does not say why directly. One possible reason is that Israel was so  unthankful, so rebellious, and so complaining against God and God’s leadership through  Moses. 

Another reason may be for us today, so that we might come to understand the tactics of  our enemies now. We can learn a lot about the mind and tactics of Satan through studying  how the Amalekites dealt with other people. 

We are in spiritual battles in these last days; and, we need to understand the tactics and  the “wiles” of the devil. 

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the  wiles of the devil. 

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his  devices. 

May God bless us to be alert and prepared, trusting God for every victory.

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