Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 11, 2023. It is Day 33; Day 5 of Week 5 as we Count to Pentecost.

In the Bible we find more than one kind of Sabbath commanded by God. In addition to the 7th day weekly Sabbath that God had created from the beginning and reemphasized when Israel was in the wilderness, God also instructed the nation of Israel regarding giving the land a rest every 7th year.

Just as God had promised Israel that He would give them extra manna to last over the weekly Sabbath, He also promised an extra abundance of food to harvest in the 6th year of the land rest so that the food would last until the crops came in two or three years later.

Leviticus 25:1-5, 20-22 (1) And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, (2) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them; When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. (3) Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; (4) But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. (5) That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. (20) And if ye shall say; What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: (21) Then I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. (22) And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.

It is truly amazing how God can so easily multiply an amount of food or a harvest’s yield. God simply says; “I will command My blessing upon you,” then it is done! And, we know that is because God’s Word never returns to Him void.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Brethren, we serve a wise, generous, powerful, and unstoppable God. Faithful, loving obedience to God through His Holy Spirit will bring an abundant harvest of blessings to each of us! May He bless us that we always cooperate with Him and trust Him to supply whatever it is we may need.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 10, 2023. It is Day 32; Day 4 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

While the Israelites were on their way to Mt. Sinai, God underscored the importance of observing the Sabbath day for them. He presented them with a 40 year long activity that tested their obedience.

The Israelites lived daily with supernatural intervention. They already had the daily presence of God in the cloud and in the pillar of fire. Now, they had a divine deliverance of daily bread. And, along with the miracle of the bread from heaven, God also intervened supernaturally every 6th day to provide an additional daily portion of bread so that the Israelites could eat without the labor involved in gathering bread on the 7th day.

Exodus 16:14-30 (14) And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. (15) And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another; It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them; This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. (16) This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded; Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. (17) And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. (18) And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. (19) And Moses said; Let no man leave of it till the morning. (20) Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. (21) And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. (22) And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. (23) And he said unto them; This is that which the LORD hath said; Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (24) And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. (25) And Moses said; Eat that to day; for today is a Sabbath unto the LORD: today ye shall not find it in the field. (26) Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. (27) And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. (28) And the LORD said unto Moses; How long refuse ye to keep My Commandments and My laws? (29) See, for that the LORD hath given you the Sabbath, therefore He giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (30) So the people rested on the seventh day.

The way God reestablished the 7th day Sabbath left no possibility that the commanded day of rest could be any other day. He allowed the bread to decay and breed worms if Israel tried to store the bread, except on the 6th day when it would remain fresh for use on the Sabbath.

In addition, God also proved to His people that He could and would supply all of their needs. There is no end to the creative powers that God can use to bless His people.

Brethren, we belong to Him, and He has proven over and over that He has a generous open hand toward His people. May God give us the wisdom and Spirit to rejoice as we fulfill our part in His master plan.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 9, 2023. This is Day 31; Day 3 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Does it astonish us that this group of ancient Israelites could chide (reproach, scold, rebuke, blame) Moses and tempt God after all they had recently seen and experienced? Indeed, they were still experiencing the “cloud” and the “fire” and the “bread from heaven” on-a-daily-basis? Yet, they did not see. It seems they were “blind.” They did not “see” or understand God at all. Why?

Although there are many reasons attached to this kind of “blindness” mentioned in the Bible, God gives us one certain reason for the blindness of the Israelites of the wilderness experiences in Psalms. The answer is that they had hard hearts.

Psalm 95:7-9 (7) For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
Today if ye will hear His voice, (8) Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My work.

Ancient Israel did not have the “heart” to submit to God.

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!

Today, God wants us to consider the state of our hearts, also. The heart is where we store up our impressions and our feelings about what matters to us. We cannot allow ourselves o harden our hearts. God repeats an exhortation about our hearts 3 times in Hebrews.
Hebrews 3:8, 25 (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (15) While it is said; Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Hebrews 4:7 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David; Today, after so long a time; as it is said; Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

It would be wise to consider what the Bible says about how a hard heart is developed. Hebrews 3 gives one answer, and 2 Thessalonians backs up the same thought.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
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.

These two scriptural witnesses give us some idea of the process: first, sin deceives us, leading us to not love truth, then, our hearts grow hard. It is a simple process God’s enemy uses over and over on mankind. However, realizing this process, we can circumvent it in the future. The antidote is receiving the love of the truth of God. No matter what the circumstances are and no matter what we think, feel, or want to hold onto, we are to LOVE THE TRUTH OF GOD. Loving God’s truth will protect our hearts.

May God bless us richly to zealously love Him and His TRUTH.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 8, 2023. It is Day 30; Day 2 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Before God allowed the Israelites to reach Mt. Sinai and be granted a formal covenant with many promises, including those that were intended to make them a great nation, God wanted “to prove” Israel

Exodus 16:4-7 (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. (5) And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. (6) And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel; At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: (7) And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that He heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us.

This proving of Israel by God centered around the 7th day of the week, the Sabbath, the day of rest or ceasing. God made it Holy. Of course, the Sabbath had been in effect since the first week of creation. Yet, here in the wilderness, God reaffirmed the cycle and the holiness of the Sabbath. At Mt Sinai, God formally incorporated it into the covenant and described the Sabbath in the 4th Commandment.

This Commandment has much to do with God’s recognizing a people as His own. God calls it “a sign.”

Exodus 31:13, 15-17 (13) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying; Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (15) Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (16) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. (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.

May our God recognize us as His people by our response to His “proving” each one of us. May He bless us to be faithful.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 7, 2023. It is Day 29; Day 1 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

As citizens of the 21st century, we have a lot of history we can examine as we look back at mankind’s experiences. As followers of the true God, we need to be acutely aware that there are godly leaders as well as very ungodly leaders. And at times, at least for short intervals, we may not be able to distinguish the godly from the ungodly. That is, until their fruit matures.

God’s Word tells us God found Moses faithful. Yes, Moses was a wonderful example of a Godly leader. The fruit was evident. Yet, Israel murmured against him. In the case of Moses and other such Godly leaders who are following what they have been expressly directed to do by God Himself, murmuring against the leader is equated with murmuring against God. That is how God sees it. Notice what happened in Exodus.

Exodus 16:2, 8-9 (2) And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness… (8) And Moses said, for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against Him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. (9) And Moses spake unto Aaron; Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel; Come near before the LORD: for He hath heard your murmurings.

Can God work through frail, incompetent, inconsistent, fleshly human beings? Of course, He can. God worked through mere men thousands of years ago; and, He also works through mere men in this-day-and-age.

So, in this passage in Exodus, instead of murmuring against Moses, what “righteous” thing could the Israelites have done, even if they truly believed that Moses’ leadership had somehow failed them? They could have remembered what God had already done for them. They could have appealed to God and approached Moses with their concerns in a humble, non-accusing manner. They could have submitted themselves to God’s faithful care.

May God grant each one of us discernment of HIS LEADERSHIP and insight so we respond righteously to it. And, let each of us remember that we ourselves are being trained for positions of leadership. Studying Moses’ life and the lives of other of God’s faithful servants can help us understand what to expect and how to respond in leadership roles.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 6, 2023. It is Day 28; and, Day 7 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

According to the Hebrew calendar we have been using, today is also the 15th of Iyyar (the second month). This date is mentioned in Exodus 16:1 as the day on which the children of Israel entered the Wilderness of Sin.

Exodus 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

During our Count to Pentecost, the Sabbath days are always going to be in multiples of 7 (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th, 42nd and 49th). Of course, the calendar dates will vary.

We do not know that the children of Israel traveled on the Sabbath. They may have arrived in the wilderness on ANY day of the week. What we know is that they were following the cloud by day and were led, protected, and granted light at night by the pillar of fire.

Nehemiah 9:12 Moreover Thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.

At the very beginning of their stay in the wilderness, the Sabbath became an issue for them. Israel also began to murmur against the leaders God had used to deliver them from Egypt. The Israelites ACCUSED them of a murderous motive.

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.

How absurd! Moses had not asked for the job, but God called him to it. Moses had not wanted the job, but God insisted. And, according to the New Testament writings, Moses was faithful, even in the face of lying accusations. Moses was suffering for doing right!

Hebrews 3:2, 5 (2) Who was faithful to Him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (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 all to deal faithfully with the work God gives us to do and trust He knows what He is doing!

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

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 5, 2023. It is Day 27; and, Day 6 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

This is a preparation day! God has given us the 6th day of the week each and every week to prepare ahead for the special fellowship He wants us to have with Him and with those He has chosen to be our brethren.

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.

As we go about our duties today, let us consciously prepare for the Sabbath. Yes, of course, there are physical things we do for its coming. Yet, perhaps more importantly, there are also spiritual things we can do to prepare for Holy time with God.

If we enter the Sabbath without conscious thought, are we shortchanging ourselves in our potential fellowship with God? If we enter the Sabbath in a hurried, hectic, or unpeaceful way, are we being dishonest with ourselves when we say. “I have prepared?” If we carry over the everyday cares, worries, and fleshly concerns that are common to our day-to-day lives, are we corrupting the wonderful possibilities for blessings that God desires to give to
us as He fellowships with us on the Sabbath?

Let us be especially aware of our need for preparation as we Count toward Pentecost. May God bless us with the insight on how to truly be prepared for this and every Sabbath.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 4, 2023. It is Day 26 and day 5 of Week 4 as we continue our Count to Pentecost.

God presented ancient Israel with Christ the Rock in the wilderness several thousands of years ago. Then, about two thousand years ago, He presented the living, breathing Jesus Christ Who spoke the Words of life as He preached to His disciples and the multitudes that followed Him. Today, we have daily access to the Rock and to His Words of life.

From both of these examples, hopefully, we have learned the importance of Jesus Christ as our Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) and our Source of the Words of life (John 6:63). Jesus has told us we must build as a wise man builds – upon a rock. In Matthew 7 Jesus described the foundational rock upon which we must build as the words He spoke, “these sayings of mine.”

Matthew 7:20-28 (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them; I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. (24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (28) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine:

We need this indestructible foundation. We need this unmovable, stable, stedfast foundation. Jesus Christ is our Rock and the Words of God are our foundation. Jesus said the house will stand when one “heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them” (verse 24).

Today, I have a challenge for each of us. Take a few moments and consider each of the following questions: How much of the Word of God do we know? How much of what we know do we use? How much can we recall of what Jesus Christ spoke as a human being bringing God’s good news? How many of His parables can we list? How much of this do we really understand? How much of this foundational knowledge do we know well enough to pass on to others?

As true disciples of Jesus Christ I know we want to earnestly learn and love what God has to say. These words He spoke are the foundation of our way of life. May God bless us to discern the Word of God and build on our Rock-solid Foundation. May we hear and DO the Word of God. The Word of God is worthy to be shared with others who also may hear, do, and live.

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

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 3, 2023. It is Day 25; and, Day 4 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Through the Spirit of God we are becoming sons of God. And, as part of that process, we have access to God and His divine nature.

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Whatever it is that we need to accomplish God’s plan for us, God is able and ready to supply.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We see a list of the fruit of God’s Spirit in Galatians. This passage tells us that there is NO LAW against such characteristics. Each of these characteristics is completely in harmony with law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

As part of our Counting to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, let us take the time to prayerfully review the abundance of these characteristics in our own lives. It is certainly God’s will that we abound in this fruit, because God is glorified through such fruit.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

May God bless us to yield ourselves to God so there will be MUCH fruit for His glory. And, may He give us the eyes to see all of His power working in our lives, along with the other blessings and experiences He gives to us. Truly we have much to rejoice about!

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

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 2, 2023. It is Day 24; and, it is Day 3 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

The Counting of the days between the wave offering and Pentecost ties both special events together. After His successful life as a human, our Savior was raised up by the Father to a life that is forever. The Father was granting Him glory that had once been His already. It had belonged to our Savior when He was the Word or Logos.

Certainly, our Lord and Savior was “ready.” He was ready for the glory. Being waved and accepted was part of the process. He was certainly “ready” to be waved. He had been tried and tested and had overcome totally and perfectly by the power of God.

Now, it is our turn. We are being tried and tested and are overcoming by the power of God. This time of Counting is a time of anticipation. It can also be a time of introspection and a time of perfecting. Of course, we did some of this prior to the Passover. God tells us through the apostle Paul that we were to examine ourselves and then take the Passover.

We can also use this time of Counting to Pentecost to continue to look at ourselves. When humans count their own days, we can learn how very frail we are physically. And, yearly, as we Count to Pentecost, we can be reminded of how spiritually frail we are without the Spirit of the Living God.

Some have used the 49 days (7 cycles of 7) to work on the inner self; to work on the personality issues that need to be prepared for an everlasting covenant with God. It can be a wonderful time of allowing God to accomplish a significant work in perfecting us. It can be a time of seeking to take on more and more of the divine nature of God through His Holy Spirit.

Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.

May God bless our efforts to prepare ourselves to seek Him fully with our whole heart.

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