Dear Family,
Once again we begin our Counting to Pentecost. There will be an entry for each day. We plan to have a write up for each day in our Counting to 50 for 2021.
The Wave Sheaf is Day 1.
The 2021 counting that was originally written in 2021 is being added at a later date so that it can be referenced on the COTSG website.
Love and Blessings to you and your families,
Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Today is Day 1 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost. This is the Day of the Wavesheaf.
Leviticus 23:9-16 (9) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (10) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: (11) And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. (13) And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. (14) And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (15) And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: (16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
From the traditional name “Wavesheaf” we attach to this day, we might be led to believe that an actual “sheaf” of grain was cut and waved before the LORD. However, the Hebrew word is actually more properly translated as “omer.” An “omer” is an amount of grain, not just a sheaf.
That omer, waved before the LORD for acceptance, is a symbol for our risen Savior. He is the FIRST of the firstfruits.
On this wonderful day, about 2000 years ago, our Savior presented Himself before our Heavenly Father, and He was accepted as the risen Messiah. Thus, the Count began toward Pentecost. Our Savior took on the WORK of building His Church. The Count should always make us keep the connection between this special day during Unleavened Bread, and the coming of the Holy Spirit when God provided the power for the rest of the firstfruits to become Sons of God. God bless you with spiritual insights and wisdom.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Once again we will begin our Counting to Pentecost for 2026.
The Wave Sheaf counting will start on the Sunday within Unleavened Bread, which is April 5, 2026, Day-1. There will be an entry for each day until Day 50.
Please have a blessed and inspiring FDUB later this week. Happy Holy Day!
Love and Blessings to you and your families,
Ben Faulkner
Dear Family,
Today is Sunday, June 1, 2025. This is the 50th Day in our Counting toward Pentecost. Happy Feast of Weeks! Happy Pentecost!
We have complete the Counting of 50 Days and 7 Sabbaths.
Leviticus 23:15-16 (15) And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: (16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.
Now Family, let us go before God today with rejoicing, prepared to meet Him and receive every blessing He will pour forth upon us.
Please pray for the unity of the Body of Christ. Let us love one another deeply.
May our awesome and loving God bless each one of us with His love, mercy, and truth this Holy Day!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Sabbath, May 31, 2025. This is Day 7 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 49th Day of Counting. We have entered HOLY TIME which will now last until sundown as Pentecost ends.
Traditionally, the book of Ruth is read in its entirety on the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. It is a beautiful story with wonderful symbolism for Christ and the Church. There is redemption, a kinsman-redeemer, a husband and wife, and a new born baby, plus a lot more in this story.
Back in the Garden of Eden where we first see God instituting marriage, God said it was not good for Adam to be alone.
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said; It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Were these words spoken about Adam also an indication of what God was going to do in the future for His Church, the Bride, and for the Messiah? Was God foretelling us that He was making a help meet for Himself? It’s a magnificent possibility, isn’t it?
Let us remember that God has revealed that He was making man in His image, after His likeness. We have come to understand the awesome doctrine about becoming true sons of God. God is making a family. And, one of the most beautiful and touching aspects of this concept is the wonderful mystery Paul spoke of in Ephesians.
Ephesians 5:30-32 (30) For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
May our loving God bless us to love each other as He loves us, and together pray for the perfection and unity of the Body of Christ.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Friday, May 30, 2025. This is Day 6 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 48th Day of Counting.
Today we are preparing for two days of Holy time, the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy convocation.
Ancient Israel spent several days preparing themselves to meet with God. In the New Testament, we find that the disciples of Jesus Christ were also preparing for a special meeting with God. Jesus had promised them that they would receive power from on high, so they went to Jerusalem and spent their days in the Temple praising God.
What will God grant to us when we truly prepare to go before Him in our commanded holy convocations? Of course, we may prepare ourselves by reading the Bible passages that apply to our upcoming Holy Day. We will clean our clothes and dress our best. Some people fast at least one day prior to each annual Sabbath.
And yet, whatever it is we choose to do to prepare ourselves, let us not forget to prepare our hearts. Here are a few verses that underscore the importance God places on preparing our hearts. You may want to read each of these in their full context.
1 Chronicles 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto Thee:
2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Psalm 10:17 LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
May God bless us as we prepare for the additional blessings He will pour forth on us during this very special season of the year.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Thursday, May 29, 2025. This is Day 5 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 47th Day of Counting.
After nearly 7 full weeks of their journey from Egypt, Israel camped before the mountain where they were to encounter God in a special way. They had griped, complained, and criticized nearly all the way from Egypt. They had accused both Moses and God of horrible motives, such as to “kill” them. Yet, now they were cleaning themselves, bathing, and washing their clothes to meet with God. They were given clear instructions about how to approach God; what to do and what not to do; and, they agreed. Moses told them God’s words, and Israel said, YES!
Have you ever wondered why they agreed? Up to this point in their travels, ancient Israel had not shown much faith. Israel had been very disagreeable. So, we ask; Why were they willing to agree now?
Perhaps there are several answers. They wanted a land of their own. They probably liked the idea God had presented to them about being His “special” people. And, they had just come from a bitter battle with the Amalekites.
The battle with Amalek may have given Israel a different perspective and made them more agreeable, even if it was only for a short time. The battle with Amalek was a different kind of challenge to Israel than they had faced since Egypt. This battle was against an enemy that tracked them down. This battle was hand to hand combat. Amalek’s forces sneaked into Israel’s camp and attacked the weakest. And, the battle they were required to fight was ONLY won when Moses’ hands were lifted to God. How ancient Israel and Moses reacted made the difference in whether Israel was winning or losing at any given time. Israel had to fight, but Moses had to hold up his hands! Did the battle soften their hearts toward God?
Clearly, God can allow attack, physical or spiritual, or He can prevent it. And, even in warfare, God can give us the battle, or He can allow us to lose. Sometimes God may allow us to do spiritual battle against an enemy that sneaks up on us, so that we can become more agreeable toward God’s will in our lives. Most often than not, a period of fighting with our spiritual enemy makes us humble, more willing to listen to God’s directions, and more agreeable.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
May God bless us to remember the words of Proverbs and the lessons from Israel; and, we will live in as much peace as is possible. Perhaps God will spare us from many battles.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Wednesday, May 28, 2025. This is Day 4 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 46th Day of Counting.
Before Israel was rescued from Egypt, Moses had told Pharaoh to let God’s people go so they could WORSHIP Him.
Exodus 8:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses; Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him; Thus saith the Lord, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Now, in the 7th week, the people are camped before the mountain where God would present Himself and offer them a covenant relationship. This covenant was a foundation for the worship God expected from Israel.
As the Israelites prepared themselves to go before God at Mt. Sinai, they were given very important and specific rules. There were serious consequences if those specific rules were broken.
Exodus 19:12-15, 21 (12) And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying; Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: (13) There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. (14) And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (15) And he said unto the people; Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives…. (21) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
Many cultures have devised their own so-called gods and their rules of worship. However, God introduced Himself to Israel, the nation He wanted as His special people. As the ONE and ONLY TRUE God, He sets up the rules of worship. He expects them to be followed.
So it is today. God does not accept just any and all kinds of things people want to do toward God. He still wants His people to be holy, sanctified, and clean. He still determines and requires how we are to enter His presence. God expects us to approach Him with awe and respect.
May God bless us as we learn true worship of the true God as we stand or bow in absolute awe!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday, May 27, 2025. This is Day 3 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 45th Day of Counting.
God told Moses to sanctify or consecrate the people; perhaps better, set them apart from Me (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, please realize, 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 God; and, He 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 (AMP) Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood.
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 2025, Church of the Sovereign God
Dear Family,
Today is Monday, May 26, 2025. This is Day 2 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 44th 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 as He 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. And 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.
Many people today 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. So, we ask; Do we?
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God