Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 23, 2023. It is Day 45; Day 3 of Week 7 in our Count to Pentecost.

During this last week of our Count to Pentecost, we find several people coming to see Moses. Jethro, Moses’ Midianite father-in-law, brought Moses’ family to him: Zipporah, Gershom, and Eliezer. Moses had been completely involved in the specific commission God had given him, so Moses had not seen his wife and sons for some time.

Exodus 18:1-4 (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:

Moses’ two sons were half Levite and half Midianite. Although the Bible contains much about Moses and how God used him in such mighty ways, God’s promises to make a great nation did not come through Moses and his two sons. Yet, it is interesting to consider that God offered Moses just such an opportunity. After all, Moses’ sons were from Abraham’s line, at least partly.

After Israel’s encounter with God at Pentecost, it did not take long for them to turn to idolatry, and God was so angry with them, He offered this special position to Moses. Of course, Moses declined. He begged God for mercy on these specific people and reminded God of His promises.

Exodus 32:9-15 (9) And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: (10) Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (11) And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? (12) Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say; For mischief did He bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. (13) Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; Thy servants, to whom Thou swarest by Thine own self, and saidst unto them; I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. (14) And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people. (15) And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

This is one of the many stories about Moses that shows he had no agenda of His own. He was a faithful servant of the LORD and a caretaker of God’s people. May God bless us all with such a true servant’s heart.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 22, 2023. It is Day 44; Day 2 of Week 7 in our Count to Pentecost.

Some of the experiences Israel had in the days just prior to their encounter with God at Mt. Sinai provide some of the most valuable lessons of the entire journey. While we can put a lot of attention on Amalek and the treacherous devices he uses against us personally, we must also remember that we have brethren who may be even more feeble and vulnerable to devastating attacks than we are.

Deuteronomy 25:18 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.

Apparently, Amalek never fought a fair fight. In fact, it appears that Amalek never actually attacked an army. Rather, Amalek took out the weak, struggling ones first. And, God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves. So, what do we do to help?

Our Savior said that one of the ways it becomes obvious to others that we are His disciples is when we have love one to another. And, not only does it become obvious to others, such love also makes it more and more obvious to us and to God that we are His disciples.

John 13:34-35 (34) A new commandment I give unto you; That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (35) By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.

As we prepare to assemble before God on Pentecost, let us make a concerted effort to strengthen and care for our brethren; all of them. Most certainly, let us not look down upon them because they are having difficulty in their journey.

Passages in the New Testament indicate how God prizes our care of others. We find one example of this in the book of Romans.

Romans 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

May God give us eyes to see the needs of our brethren and the hearts to respond to them with God’s love.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 21, 2025. This is Day 2 of Week 2 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 9th day of Counting.

As we move through this Counting and tracing the activities of ancient Israel, please notice the vast number of times that Israel cried out and God delivered them. Also, notice just how infrequently Israel’s attitude was good. God did not save them out of Egypt because they had repented in any way. He saved them according to His will and for His name’s sake. He did it as a witness to other nations that He is God!

From this perspective where we see Israel’s “poor” example, one overwhelming lesson is regarding God’s goodness. In this story we discover the depths of God’s grace. He demonstrated restraint, patience, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and many other aspects of His divine nature when He dealt with Israel.

There is no way we can come to the conclusion that Israel deserved any of God’s mercies, yet, God poured out His mercy over and over. Grace! Israel received God’s grace!

The pure truth is God has prepared the entire family of man to received God’s grace. We learn of it in John 3:16 and in other Scriptures like 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

As part of the Church today, we need to realize we are recipients of even greater measures of God’s grace than ancient Israel received. God has given us life and numerous talents and abilities. He has watched over us, protecting us and bringing us to a place where He has called us to repentance. He has forgiven us and granted us the gift of His Holy Spirit. He is placing His divine nature within us, daily teaching us and fellowshipping with us. Now, that’s GRACE!

Truly, God does none of this because we deserve His favor in any way. We have these blessings because He is a determined GRACIOUS God!

We are truly a blessed people. Let us strive to really get our minds around this kind of perspective about Who and What God is as He deals with us. God did not fail ancient Israel. He will not fail us. All of us who will put our trust in Him will be delivered!

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

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 21, 2023. It is Day 43; Day 1 of Week 7 in our Count to Pentecost.

As we begin this last week of our Count to Pentecost, let us consider one of the possible reasons why God said He would war against Amalek through all generations.

The Bible has several references to Amalek. His beginnings go back to Esau’s line. Apparently, Amalek was born to Esau’s son, Eliphaz, and a concubine named Timna.

Genesis 36:12(A) And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek….

Although Esau was Israel’s brother (originally named Jacob), there was much animosity between them. Amalek’s bloodline, through Esau, apparently brought with it a set of tendencies against God and His people. Esau preferred the temporary satisfaction of food over the future blessings from God. He was attracted to pagans and idolatry. And, Amalek was attracted to treachery and violence. His ruthless tactics included attacking the elderly, the sick, and the weak from the rear.

Deuteronomy 25:18 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. When we consider a parallel between the physical and the spiritual, we can see that spiritual Amalekites attack us when we are feeble, faint, and weary. Only God can deliver us from such attacks. Only God can provide the spiritual health and strength we need. In several places in the Scriptures, God reveals a way for us to be “strong.”

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them; Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

As we progress to Pentecost, let us keep in mind this valuable lesson. We all need to be spiritually alert and strong. Strength to overcome and become sons of God started for us at Pentecost about 2000 years ago. May God bless us with more and more of the joy of the Lord, His power; and, His divine nature.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 20, 2023. It is Day 42; Day 7 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

Just after the battle between Amalek and the ancient Israelites, Moses built an altar. Then, he introduces us to a new name for God.

Exodus 17:13-16 (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. (14) And the LORD said unto Moses; Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (15) And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: (16) For he said; Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

In the King James Version, the name is Jehovahnissi, taken from the Hebrew YHWH nissi. Basically, this name means the Everliving One, My Banner. After God provides triumph in a battle with our enemies, God’s people need to gather around Him to recognize His crucial and decisive involvement. God is our Savior! The Banner signifies His presence. When God raises His Banner, Ensign, or Standard in a battle, the enemy knows God has claimed the people, the land, and the victory!

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

A verse in Isaiah reveals that Jesus our Messiah is the true Jehovahnissi.

Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. This Banner has been promised to those who fear God.

Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

May God comfort and encourage us with the beautiful truth attached to this name for God, our Savior!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 19, 2023. It is Day 41; Day 6 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. It is also the preparation day for the Sabbath.

We learn from Israel’s experiences with Amalek at Rephidim that God allows us to be attacked by enemies at times. Most certainly it is God Who gives the victories, even though we are in the battle.

We also learn that it is God Who can give us the upper hand in a fight or Who will allow our own strength to be mightily tested. Consider how Israel prevailed against Amalek when Moses’ hands were raised and how Amalek prevailed when Moses’ hands were down. That takes direct supernatural intervention!

Exodus 17:8-13 (8) Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. (9) And Moses said unto Joshua; Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. (10) So, Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge ofthe sword.

May God bless us with leadership that will always have their hands raised to God on our behalf when we are faced with an attack from the enemy.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 18, 2023. It is Day 40; Day 5 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

Jesus came preaching that the Kingdom of God was near.

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison; Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God

During the 40 days He spent with His disciples were to further equip them to be His witnesses. Those 40 days were days of special preparation. The disciples were to preach about the Kingdom of God just as Messiah had done. They were to explain what the Kingdom of God entailed, including Messiah’s virgin birth, His teachings and miracles, His sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection to eternal life, and His ascension to heaven to His glorified position at the right hand of the Almighty Father. They were also to preach repentance and remission of sins in the name of the Anointed One of God.

It was the ascension of Messiah into heaven that marked the conclusion of the physical preparation of the chosen apostles. Ten days after the ascension, God sent His Holy Spirit to grant them the spiritual preparation for their evangelistic witness to all the world. On Pentecost, they were to be given qualities of God’s divine nature including the boldness to preach the gospel and power to become sons of God.

The ascension, which occurred 40 days after the Wavesheaf offering, is mentioned in both Acts and the gospel of Luke.

Luke 24:45-53 (45) Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them; Thus, it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (49) And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (50) And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Acts 1:1-11 (1) The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: (3) To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of themforty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. (6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying; Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And He said unto them; It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (9) And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said; Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

Jesus sent the apostles to Jerusalem. There they waited in one accord in prayer and supplication. They had great expectations, and they were not going to be disappointed.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

May God bless us with just such an expectant approach of being in one accord with prayer and supplication as we look forward to the coming of Pentecost and all that God has in mind for us this year.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 17, 2023. It is Day 39 Day 4 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

Considering all the trouble and complaining the Israelites seemed to be addicted to, God’s manner of dealing with Israel was very gentle. And, God’s manner of dealing with us is also very gentle.

The Scripture tells us that God chose ancient Israel for His people. He claimed them. And, He even asked them to agree in His covenant with Him at Mt. Sinai. One of the major problems with Israel is that they did not treasure God’s presence in their lives. They chose to dwell in their circumstances instead of looking to the Source of Life and all good things.

Our God has chosen us; are we choosing Him? Do we dwell in our circumstances or do we seek our God regardless of circumstances? Do we persevere in our relationship with God? Have we set our hearts to seek Him?

One way to know that we are persevering in our relationship with God is our choosing to look to God and rejoice through all our circumstances. No matter what!

Philippians 4:4-9 (4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say; Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Ancient Israel did not grasp these spiritual realities; however, we have the Holy Spirit and the power from God to do so. May God make us constantly aware of His presence in our lives and cause us to respond to Him with positive thoughts and rejoicing.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 16, 2023. It is Day 38; Day 3 of Week 6 as we Count to Pentecost.

According to Numbers 33:12-15, Israel had camped at Dophkah and Alush just before Rephidim. Exodus 17 does not mention those two camping sites. Perhaps not much of great significance occurred at those sites. However, at Rephidim, the Israelites had several very important experiences. The word Rephidim means support. And, because of the actions and attitudes of the Israelites, Moses called the place by two other names: Massah which means testing and Meribah which means quarrelling or contention.

Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying; Is the LORD among us, or not?

Later, when Moses wrote of this place, he continued to use the names Massah and Meribah.

Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.

Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.

Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said; Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;

What is it about the Israelites that they continued to reject their own historical experiences where God demonstrated His awesome wonders for their benefit? Why is it that humans test God, strive with Him, contend with Him, and provoke Him?

All true Believers will come to the same general conclusion. Sin is the answer, because it blinds us to what is really going on. In sin, people see only present problems and distress, not the truth regarding the wonders God has wrought for them and Who He really is!

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

This quirk of human nature is another of the reasons we need the total fulfillment of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit that will grow in us and provide us with God’s divine nature and the power to make us sons of God. May God grant us His own powerful love of the truth!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 15, 2023. It is Day 37; Day 2 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

When ancient Israel grew agitated and began to complain about not having water, God directed Moses and the elders of Israel to go on ahead to the area around Horeb. A smaller group could move faster; and apparently, God wanted the elders of Israel to witness what He was about to do through Moses.

Exodus 17:5-7 (5) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. (6) Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (7) And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying; Is the LORD among us, or not?

What God told Moses to do was of great prophetic significance. Moses struck the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel, and life-giving water flowed from it into the desert floor. The river of water continued to flow until it reached the on-coming Israelites and their herds and flocks.

Of course, we know that ROCK was CHRIST. It was to be centuries later that the true ROCK was to be smitten while other Israelites were positioned to be witnesses. The Savior’s work provided the water of life freely to those He is calling today and to all the world as they desire to come to God at His future invitation.

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.

These physical events foreshadowed what God was going to do through the life of His Messiah back 2000 years. It also foreshadows what God is doing in our lives today through the power of the Holy Spirit.

May God bless us with the insight to see just how much we need the fulfillment of Pentecost and the pouring out of His Spirit of power.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God