Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May, 4, 2022, Day 4 of Week 3. This is the 18th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The existence of evil and the asserted goodness of God are seen by many as contradictory. Those who propagate this supposed contradiction conclude that their two foundational suppositions have to be mutually exclusive. Another prevalent assumption made by many atheists, pseudo-Christians, and other foolish beings; and, that is, evil is permanent. A third faulty yet prevalent assertion is that is, God is in a battle with evil where He is often overwhelmed.

People with such beliefs are only partly informed. They do not have the full story. They are shortsighted, and at best, they base their assumptions on faulty reasoning and incorrect information.

They live their lives in darkness, being blinded by a fallen angel whose primary way of life is lying.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The Holy Bible makes the reality of all of these things plain to those who are blessed to be able to see now.

Luke 10:23 And He turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately; Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

Thankfully, all of these members of the human race who have been so terribly misled and misinformed will soon have a tremendous wake-up call. They will be stunned by the powerful and unmistakable light of truth.

As we count forward to Pentecost this year, let us be particularly aware of just how much light God has already granted to each of us. Do we realize and appreciate how the light of truth has, in fact, set us apart?

It is the cause for great thanksgiving, celebration, and humility as we realize we are privileged to see ahead of most of humanity.

What we know and can rely on completely is that God is good, evil is real, but it is only temporary, and God never backs away in defeat! Nothing ever defeats God! God is completely OMNIPOTENT!

We are privileged to be a part of the greatest of God’s creations. We are privileged to be part of His first harvest from mankind.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Day 3 of Week 3. This is the 17th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The Bible makes many references to palm trees. The most common reference to palm trees in the Bible appears to be toward the date palm. And, it is likely that the 70 palm trees at Elim were date palms. From those trees, the Israelites would have found some shade from the heat of the desert sun and sweet, tasty food.

In addition to these benefits of these trees (shade and the prized fruit), palm dates were often fermented into wine by ancient cultures. The trees were also cultivated in the Middle East for building materials, and for making items such as baskets. They were very, very useful trees. And, the palm motif was common on walls, including walls of the temple built by Solomon.

1 Kings 6.29 And he carved all the walls of the house roundabout with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.

One of the most beautiful things about palms is that they grow so tall, with new fronds reaching toward the sky as the old fronds drop off. Typically, they also have a long life span…over 100 years, according to some experts.

As we remember Israel camped under the palms planted near the 12 springs, we can be reminded of how God compares us to a flourishing palm tree, “planted in the house of the LORD,” and flourishing “in the courts of our God, “and bringing “forth fruit in old age.”

Psalm 92:12-14 (12) The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

There is probably much more symbolism to be gleaned from this comparison of God’s people with the palms. The key to remember about the flourishing palm is where it is planted, in God’s house, where it can drink from unfailing, living springs.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 2, 2022, Day 2 of Week 3. This is the 16th Day of Count to Pentecost.

According to Exodus 16:1, ancient Israel remained at the Elim oasis until the fifteenth day of the second month after they left Egypt. Elim was a place of abundance. At Elim God gave them a special period of rest and refreshing, and God does the same for His people today.

Resting and being refreshed do not indicate periods of complete inactivity. Actually, there are important things God’s people need to focus on as they rest and are refreshed. During those times of rest and refreshing, God’s people need to still be active.

Periods of refreshing can be used to take stock of ourselves . . . to consider how we are doing, and perhaps what kinds of things might need to be changed. God associates this concept of becoming “converted” (i.e., changed) during times of refreshing from God.

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.

Additionally, Jesus describes the right kind of activities we should engage in as we come to Him for the rest He can give. Essentially, Jesus tells us we are to take His yoke and determine to learn of Him during His rest.

Matthew 11:28-29 (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.

And, why not use these special times to seek God with all of our hearts and learn of Him? After all, He is the Master, and we are His disciples.

If we seek Him diligently in good times, we may have to endure less of the more difficult times. It’s quite a possibility to consider.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 1, 2022, Day 1 of Week 3. This is the 15^th Day of our Count to Pentecost. 

After a brief stay at Marah, the Israelites went further south to another campsite about 20 miles away. At Elim they found an oasis of 12 springs and 70 palm trees. There they were able to rest and  refresh. God was preparing them for more lessons and challenges that were on the way. 

As we follow the journey the Israelites took from Egypt approximately 3500 years ago in the Wilderness, let us also be reminded about the fantastic events that were occurring about 2000 years ago in the area of Galilee and Jerusalem. 

God’s Son, now raised to everlasting life, was appearing to His Apostles, faithful disciples, and other witnesses. He was talking with them and teaching them out of the Holy Scriptures, preparing them for the great events of Pentecost and beyond when God was going to begin His Church and create a spiritual people who would truly be prepared for the literal Kingdom of God on earth. 

There were at least 11 different appearances prior to His ascension into heaven. (1) Mary Magdalene apparently was the first to see the resurrected Christ (John 20:10-18). (2) Later, there were several women at his tomb that saw Him (Matthew 28:9-10). (3) On the road to Emmaus, two other disciples encountered Jesus (Luke 24:13-31). (4) Then Jesus appeared to Peter in Jerusalem (Luke 24:34 and 1 Corinthians 15:5). (5) While in a closed room in Jerusalem, several other disciples saw and spoke to Jesus just appeared in their midst. (John 20:19-23). 

(6) Eight days later, again in a closed room, Jesus appeared. This time the Apostle Thomas was present (John 20:26-30). 

(7) Later, 7 of Christ’s disciples saw Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-24). (8) 1 Corinthians 15:6 asserts that 500 believers saw Jesus at the same time. (9) James saw Jesus according to 1 Corinthians 15:7. 

(10) Jesus appeared to the eleven Apostles/disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:18-20). 

(11) And, on the 40^th day after His resurrection, Jesus walked with His disciples toward Bethany just prior to His ascension into heaven (Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1: 4-9). 

The only other account we have of a direct encounter with the risen Christ is that of the Apostle Paul who apparently saw Him (1 Corinthians 15:8) and heard His voice from heaven while he was on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). 

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, April 30, 2022, Day 7 of Week 2. It is our 14th Day of Count to Pentecost.

God has made His desire for a close, personal connection with us really obvious, especially at certain times. For example, just imagine how intimate a connection God had with Adam when He breathed the breath of life into him. And, He did that right after He had fashioned Adam’s body to look just like God Himself. This was certainly up close and person. Perhaps it was even mouth-to-mouth.

And, God made it very “up close and personal” when our Savior emptied Himself of divinity so He could share in the experiences of humans first hand. And, then to be tormented and die for us while we were still His enemies! Wow! That’s God making a very personal connection!

Yes, God has made His interactions with mankind very up close and personal at times. And, soon we will experience even more of that kind of interaction. If the Song of Songs gives us any indication at all, then we have to realize that God intends an up close and personal relationship with His chosen.

Consider a few thoughts that help focus us on the kind of relationship God desires with mankind: He knows the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). Jesus allowed John to lay upon His bosom, and it is clear He LOVED him (John 13:23). Jesus exuded loving concern for His mother even as He died on the tree (John 19:26-27). Jesus calls us the BELOVED, and refers to us as His BRETHREN (2 Thessalonians 2:13). He sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17). A major theme of discipleship is LOVING one another, and having tender bowels of mercy toward each other (Colossians 3:12). And, we come to know the Father by knowing the Son . . . they have the same nature and purposes. They both want the chosen to be up close and personal. They have designed a master plan whereby they can give us their divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Their plan is to COMFORT us, and to ABIDE with us forever (John 14:16). Our body is God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).

This is all part of a great “up close and personal” mystery God is revealing at His own pace. It is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We are a privileged creation in progress.

Discover just how personal and close God wants to be with us. Enjoy God’s fellowshipping with us, especially on this Sabbath day (1 John 1:3).

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, April 29, 2022, Day 6 of Week 2. It is our 13th Day of Count to Pentecost.

God’s turning the bitter water to sweet at Marah can serve to remind us how quickly God can turn our circumstances around. The more we experience God’s goodness, the more we can trust. And, conversely, the more we trust Him, the more we will experience God’s goodness.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

Once we taste (experience for ourselves by using our senses) the goodness of God, we become more and more aware of it. In essence, we grow in our ability to “see” the Lord is good.

There are so many people with so many attitudes about God. Yet, many have never really “tasted” God to find out about His goodness. They just rattle off their “inexperienced” opinions without really having tasted Him.

Some individuals may have come to know certain things about God by reading about Him, or just hearing people talk about Him. Others may have heard His voice as Israel did at Mt. Sinai. And, there are other ways people have come to learn specific things about God. Some have seen Him at a distance, while others seem to sense His presence as they pray. However, knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Knowing about God is especially not the same thing as knowing God’s goodness.

God wants true Believers to really experience Him and His goodness. Yes, we can know God. Spiritually, He can be tasted . . . and savored!

The Holy Bible says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” Trust in any relationship grows as we experience faithfulness over and over. And, the words “in Him” infer a very close, personal, abiding relationship. It is one God wants all of His chosen ones, His children, to experience fully.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, April 28. 2022. This is Day 5 of Week 2. It is our 12th Day of our Count to Pentecost.

Quickly responding to Moses cry at the bitter waters of Marah, God showed Moses a tree to put into the bitter waters. Miraculously, the bitter water became sweet and easy to drink.

While the children of Israel typically grumbled, complained, and quickly lost hope when they faced a new challenge, Moses characteristically submitted to God. Throughout Israel’s wilderness journey, we find Moses turning to God over and over. There’s an important lesson for us in Moses’ example.

Moses entered the 40-year wilderness experience with a different mindset, and with a different spirit than the mindset and spirit we find in the children of Israel. Moses was humble.

In almost every circumstance, when the Israelites sinned or railed against him and against God, Moses turned to God and answered the situation with restraint, mercy, and wisdom. We find a key to Moses’ approach to challenge in the book of Numbers.

Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

In the book of Hebrews, God reports that Moses “was faithful in all his house “(Hebrews 3:2b).

Humility is more than just a wise way to respond to new and challenging circumstances, it is also an extremely important characteristic we will find very useful in being counted “faithful” throughout our journeys.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, April 27, 2022. This is Day 4 of Week 2. It is our 11th Day of Count to Pentecost.

God knew Israel needed water as they trekked through the wilderness, and He was ready.

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Walking for three days from the Red Sea and finding no water simply intensified the imminent test facing Israel. Could it be that God’s leading Israel to the water at Marah was part of His plan to bless them even more than He had already blessed them?

God knew how the water at Marah tasted. He also knew He had the antidote to sweeten the water ready, close by. What God wanted was for Israel to trust Him as the Deliverer and the Provider. He wanted them to become aware of their need, to realize that God wanted/intended to provide their need, to ask humbly for what they needed, and then to be thankful when they received it.

However, it looks like Israel just wanted God to perform…automatically.

Have you ever considered the idea that God actually created us to have both needs and longings?

The cyclical nature of many of our needs and desires is no accident. God has designed us to have desires and needs that He earnestly wants to provide for us.

Psalm 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
What He requires is for us to ask in a particular manner! When we ask properly and He provides, we form a bond to Him. God is THE GIVER of all givers. And, there is no end to His store of resources. When He withholds, He does it with deliberate intent to get our attention and teach us something important.

At Marah, Moses knew exactly what to do. He went to God! And, God provided.

Exodus 15:24-25 (24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying; What shall we drink? (25) And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, April 26, 2022. This is Day 3 of Week 2. It is our 10th Day of Count to Pentecost.

After walking past the Red Sea for three days into the wilderness of Shur, the children of Israel had found no water. Finally, they arrived at a place they labeled “Marah” because of the acidic, bitter taste of the water they found there.

Israel had known bitterness. Back in Egypt, their lives had been full of bitterness, and they had cried out for deliverance from their bondage. So, God had set out to deliver them. And, to represent their bitterness, He instructed them to eat bitter herbs at the Passover.

There is quite a difference between going through bitter times and becoming bitter toward God or others. The story of what happened to Israel at Marah helps illustrate an important difference.

At Marah, the Israelites murmured. They chose to vent negative feelings rather than to be humble and thankful. They began to be bitter toward God and His leadership through Moses. Yes, the water there was bitter, but their attitudes were also beginning to be bitter. And, it was their choosing to neglect thankfulness while allowing a growing sense of loss that fertilized bitterness in many of the ancient Israelites whose “carcasses” eventually fell in the wilderness.

Hebrews 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?

The word bitter has many uses in the English language. It can refer to tastes of food and drink, as well as to physical and emotional experiences that people feel are harsh, sharp, disagreeable, or unpleasant. It is the emotional bitterness that is the most difficult to bear, and it can bring about strong animosity and expressions of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment. This kind of bitterness within people can often grow from even a very small root. And typically, that root is planted by some sense of loss. It may be generated from something real or imagined.

In the New Testament we find bitterness being placed alongside some very bad company, like wrath, cursing, envy, and strife (Romans 3:14, James 3:14). And, God warns us of its dangers.

Believers cannot allow even the smallest root of bitterness to exist. In addition to defiling many, bitterness can also cause a person to “fail of the grace of God.”

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

We need God’s antidotes to bitterness. God healed the bitter waters at Marah. He can heal any bitterness we may ever encounter. The answer is to completely trust and rely on God.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 25, 2022. This Day 2 of Week 2. It is our 9th Day of Count to Pentecost.

God’s omnipresence is distinct from the special manifestations of His presence at numerous times we find recorded in Holy Scripture. The cloud and pillar of fire that covered and guided the ancient Israelites is only one example of God’s special or “manifest” presence.

Is there a spot in the universe where one can go and God not be there? Certainly not! There is NO where anyone can go to completely escape the omnipresence of God.

Psalm 139:7-12 (7) Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. (9) If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; (10) Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. (11) If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. (12) Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.

However, God has made His very special presence known to many in His own special ways. A number of people have been privileged to experience a Special Presence of God.

For example, Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. God spoke to Cain after Cain had killed his brother. He also spoke directly to Abraham. And later, God spoke face to face with Moses.

At Mt. Sinai, God spoke in a thunder and made the earth shake. Some humans saw only God’s glory while others spoke with the One we now know as our Savior, the Son of God. And, these are only a few of the instances and kinds of manifestations.

In the New Testament writings, we find a voice from heaven. But, probably the most distinctive manifestation of God in the New Testament occurred when the Day of Pentecost had fully come. It was the day God sent the cloven tongues of fire, and people clearly understood a description of the wonderful works of God in their own language and dialect.

Acts 2:7-11 (7) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another; Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (9) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

And, because of the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that begats us as His children, and continuously dwells in us, we are experiencing God’s presence more and more in a most intimate way as we grow to the full maturity of sons of God. What a concept! Praise God!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God