Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 5, 2025. This is Day 2 of Week 4 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 23rd day of Counting.

Israel packed up and moved out of Elim during this week. They moved toward the Wilderness of Sin. Some Bible scholars call this area the Wilderness of Zin. There is no consensus on just where this wilderness is, other than that it lies somewhere between Elim and Mt. Sinai. Most scholars do agree, however, that the name “Wilderness of Sin” has nothing to do with Israel’s rebellion here. Actually, the area already had that name. And, most scholars agree that it may have been named after a local pagan god.

Once in the wilderness Israel quickly began to grumble and complain about their lack of food. The wilderness presented quite a contrast after their experience at the lush oasis of Elim. They began to turn both their hearts and minds back to the “good” things they could remember in Egypt. Their words were filled with dreadful accusation, “…you have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

How soon they forgot! After all the miracles and the daily presence of God in the cloud and fire, they still were without the “fear of the Lord.” Instead of being humble and thankful for what they had and how they had been redeemed, they griped and accused God and Moses in a very provocative way.

Exodus 16:2-3 (2) And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: (3) And the children of Israel said unto them; Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Still, God was gentle and merciful. How like God that is! He is patience and kind, not easily provoked. This is an amazing aspect of Who and What God is: that He loves us and does so much for us. Scripture tells us that our Savior died for us WHILE WE WERE YET GOD’S ENEMIES!

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

If God had dealt with Israel according to their sins, they would have ceased to exist. And, some of us today who are direct blood-line-descendants of those Israelites would also NOT exist.

May our loving God bless us all with the ability to see His grace, His patience, His mercies, and His kindness to us; and, cause us to truly bask in His love for us moment-by-moment!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 4, 2025. This is Day 1 of Week 4 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 22nd day of Counting.

This begins the week of the manna that 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 50th 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; however, it was God Who was leading them; and, 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 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, Saturday, May 3, 2025. 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. However, 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 MESSIAH; our deliverer and savior! 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 us as we uncover more and more of His truth and dwell in the freedom He has purchased for us all.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 2, 2025. 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 it is of the body, or 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.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; 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. So, we need to ask; 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.

May our loving and merciful 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 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 1, 2025. 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 is 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.

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

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 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 is 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 then to 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 He SAVES us. He HONORS us, 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 that He has for our lives.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 29, 2025. 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 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 28, 2025. 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 is 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 each one of us with a moment-by-moment awareness of being in God’s presence. May we abide with Him. May we be constantly refreshed by this relationship.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, April 27, 2025. 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 our journey.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, April 26, 2025. This is Day 7 of Week 2 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 14th day of Counting.

Ancient Israel was blessed with the presence of God in the cloud by day and in the fire by night. Yet, they were somewhat oblivious to His presence. The Sabbath is a special time of communing with God, because He has placed His presence in the Sabbath, making it Holy time. Let us NOT be oblivious. Let us take special time today and every Sabbath to fellowship with God’s people, God the Father, and Jesus Christ His Son.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Moses knew fellowship with God. It was expressly connected to enjoying “rest.” Notice verse 14 of Exodus 33.

Exodus 33:13-14 (13) Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, shew me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people. (14) And He said; My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Jesus Christ came to give us rest. He wants to dwell with us…share His presence with us. When we have truly repented and given our lives to God, God gives us a special rest. We are freed from the bondage of sin. We are freed from the guilt of our sins. We are freed from the eternal death penalty of sin. But, there is more.

Notice in Matthew 11:28-30 that the word “rest” appears twice. The first time the word rest refers to freedom from the trials and labors of our past. The second time the word rest refers to rest we begin to receive when we take on the easy yoke of God’s service and continue to learn of Him. This rest is an ongoing process and a revelation as we learn and follow. Jesus said, “…and ye shall find rest.…”

Matthew 11:28-30 (28) Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

And, finally there is an all-encompassing, never-ending rest that we shall enter when our vile bodies are changed from mortal to immortal, from physical to spiritual.

Philippians 3:20-21 (20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

That is the rest referred to in Hebrews.

Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Let us celebrate the Sabbath together, in awareness and appreciation of all of the “rest” God has prepared for us!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2025, Church of the Sovereign God