Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 21, 2020; and, it is Day 40 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 5 of week 6. 

Today marks the 40^th day since Jesus offered Himself and was accepted by the Father as the True Wavesheaf.  Today marks the day that the resurrected Jesus Christ ascended in the clouds to our Father in heaven.  Today also marks the day Jesus’ disciples were reminded that our Savior is coming again!  

Jesus had told the High Priest during His illegal trial that He would return in this manner.

Matthew 26:63-64 (63) But Jesus held His peace, And the high priest answered and said unto Him, I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.  (64) Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

Jesus had also promised His disciples He would return in power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mark 14:62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

And, today, as He was ascending, “two men” in “white apparel” confirmed the promise again.

Acts 1:11Which 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.

This is what New Testament believers have as a hope for the near future: the return of our Savior in power and glory!  Let us think on these things and be encouraged.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 20, 2020.  It is Day 39 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 4 of week 6. 

A key point for God’s people to grasp about the story of Amalek and Israel is that Amalek did not fear God.  Amalek’s attack against Israel was a form of attack against God.  

Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (17) Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;  (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 people (or angels) do not fear God, there is little or nothing to keep them from sinning.  God makes this connection between “fear” of God and not sinning in Exodus 20.

Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

There are many characteristics God lists for us that describe someone who lives before God with the proper awe and respect.  One of the primary characteristics is “to hate evil” just as God hates it.  Notice God lists pride, arrogancy, the evil way, and the forward mouth as examples of evil.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

However, sometimes people live as if there is no distinction between good and evil, or they have their own list of what is “good” and “evil” where these categories do not agree completely with God.  Ancient Israel, for example, would be hard pressed to believe they did not know the difference between the two.  They might find it difficult to admit that they often chose what God labeled as evil.  Frankly, many “Christians” have the same problem today.

In the story of the Exodus and Israel’s journey to Mt. Sinai, we learn that neither ancient Israel nor Amalek feared God.  The difference between the two nations was that one was favored through Abraham’s seed and had the absolute certainty of God’s promises.

Brethren, we are truly privileged; we are favored today.  God has brought us into covenant with Him and has made sure and certain promises to us.  Let us do our part faithfully, and learn carefully what God labels as “good” and “evil.”  

Israel did not hate evil.  Do we?  Can we recognize it in all its forms and truly hate it?  As we move toward Pentecost, let us become more aware of the differences between good and evil and be more and more determined to choose the good (as God defines it) in the fear of God.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 19, 2020, and, it is Day 38 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 3 of week 6. 

While the children of Israel, camped at Rephidim; and complaining about having no water; God sent Moses to “smite the rock” in Horeb.  That was some distance away from the Israelite camp.  And, Moses took the elders of Israel to the rock in Horeb as witnesses.  Verse 6 of Exodus 17 says Moses smote the rock “in the sight of the elders.”  They were all away from the main camp.

Exodus 17:5-6 (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. 

It is interesting to consider that Amalek’s forces waited until the leaders were away from the main body of people to attack.  That should give us all great pause to think about God’s emphasis on leaders and leadership in our battles against God’s enemies.  

God is investing a tremendous amount of effort and energy to develop those who will sit with Him in His throne forever, leading and sharing leadership in fantastic capacities.  

Amalek’s tactics should also give us occasion to think about how God gives us human leaders and leadership skills to help protect us.  We must all learn to be both followers and leaders.  And, we must all come to understand the great importance God places on their being present in our lives.  

As we move towards Pentecost, let us align ourselves with God’s way of doing things and appreciate the lessons along the way.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Monday, May 18, 2020; and, it is Day 37 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  This is the 2nd day of Week 6.

Just Who is this great God Who has made us and called us and saved us and sustains us?  Certainly, we know some things about Him.  These are revealed bit by bit as we walk with Him, and we seek His face. And yet, there is still much to learn about God.

In this Church era that is most certainly a time of great grace and mercy, some professing Christians tend to overlook that the LORD is a man of war as well as a kind, gentle, loving Being.

God is never at a loss to handle any situation He finds among men or angels.  His power is limitless.   And, He has chosen to call Himself a man of war.  We first learn of this title in Exodus 15 in the song of Moses, composed just after God destroyed Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.  Notice especially verse 3.

Exodus 15:1-18 (1) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.  (2) The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. (3) The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is His name.  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. (5) The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.  (6) Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.  (7) And in the greatness of Thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.  (8) And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.  (9) The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.  (10) Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.  (11) Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (12) Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.  (13) Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.  (14) The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.  (15) Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. (16) Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of Thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till Thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which Thou hast purchased.  (17) Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which Thy hands have established. (18) The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

God has no intention to allow Himself to be overrun.  Yet, God allows enemies to attack us.  Surely, He has eternal purpose for us that is only good.  He wants us to learn to do battle just as He does.  As we know the story of Amalek contains this lesson because God used humans to assist in the battle.  Even the Psalmist was aware of this purpose of God.

Psalm 144:1-2 (1) Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:  (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. 

Perhaps we may find it difficult to think of ourselves as warriors; however, that seems to be a thread that runs through the pages of the Bible.  The key is having God show us what to battle and how to battle.  

May God bless us that we become ALL that He is creating us to be.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 17, 2020, Day 36 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  This is the 1^st day of Week 6.

During their journey to Mt. Sinai God had covered Israel again and again.  Now, at Rephidim He used humans to battle Amalek, but the victory was clearly in God’s hands.  When Moses lowered the rod Amalek prevailed, but when the rod was high Israel prevailed. 

Exodus 17:8-12 (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.

As true Believers we see this pattern of spiritual warfare in our lives today.  When we reach upward, looking to God, we prevail.  When we are not offering ourselves up to God, or lifting ourselves up to God, reaching out to Him, we fight on our own, and we suffer. He is our Shield, our Defender, our Savior.  

1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Psalm 3:3 But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Exodus 14:14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Psalm 35:1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

God instructed that Joshua should choose men and fight, but safety was of the LORD.  And, so it is in our lives.  God fights some battles for us all by Himself.  Then, there are other battles He wants us to engage in, realizing where the victory rests.

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

May God bless us to fight the good fight of faith as He directs.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,   

Today is Sabbath, May 16, 2020, Day 35 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 7th day of Week 5. 

The Church at Sardis is the fifth Church mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3.  The city of Sardis was a very old city with a great history.  At one time, it was a teaming, bustling ancient center of commerce.  There was gold in the river that ran below the city.  And, a number of sources mention that Sardis may have been the first city to mint coins from gold and silver.  Sardis also was a textile city where beautiful white cloth was made for the local goddess worship.

The city was built upon a rock; not on the top of the rock, but high upon its side.  And, for many centuries the city was thought to be impregnable.  However, twice it was over run by enemies.  In both cases, the posting of guards around the city became very lax.  And, the enemies came in like a thief in the night. The city also was once quite devastated by a huge earthquake and never ever really gained the prominence the residents liked to claim they had.  In some early writings, the word Sardis became associated with arrogance and overconfidence. It lived on ancient prestige, not realistically adapting to ongoing challenges.

Revelation 3:1-6 (1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. (5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. (6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

Revelation says Sardis had a name.  Sardis had the outward look. They had a form of religion, but they had no spiritual life.  They were dead.  Why?

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

We can deny the power of God through many means, including failing to see God’s guidance in our daily lives, hypocrisy, any religious form we invent, failing to pray as if we believe God has power He will use on our behalf, failing to study so the Word of God lives within us and empowers us, failing to grow, or just plain refusing to live God’s way.  To be alive one has to be connected with the Source of life and with daily nourishment.  A branch cut off from a tree will die.

Ancient Israel forsook the Fountain of Living Waters.  They eventually turned up their noses at God’s Food, despising the Spiritual Manna.  They took God and His daily Presence for granted. And, they complained bitterly about where the Pillar of Cloud and Fire led them through Moses.  Brethren, bitterness defiles. Let us take heed!

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.

Many in the Sardis Church in Revelation had defiled their garments.  They were very complacent, relying on “reputation” alone. They were told to “be watchful,” because they were not on guard. They had not properly built on the Rock of their Salvation.  When Believers build on the sayings of God, our Rock, what is built will last!  When Believers are connected to the Source of Life and continue to seek God’s will in every circumstance, they will be ready and alive to meet whatever challenges appear. 

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.

Brethren, when we abide in Christ, we will be alive.  May God bless us with constant contact with Him.  May God bless us that we abide in His presence and that His Word abides in us. And, may God grant us speedy answers to our prayers.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,   

Today is Friday, May 15, 2020, Day 34 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 6th day of Week 5. 

Throughout Israel’s history they rejected the blessing of the Rock of their salvation.  Repeatedly, they stumbled at God’s Word, rejecting His counsel, and disobeying clear instructions. They wanted life their own way.  They wanted religion, worship of God, their own way.  They wanted the look of doing things right without submitting to God.

Ten of the tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people, eventually went into a lengthy captivity because of continued idolatry, Sabbath breaking, and other abominations.  They were carried away captive and scattered by the Assyrians around 722 BC.  These tribes remain scattered and basically unknown as “Israel” today.  Most of these blood descendants of Abraham think they are Gentiles.  Some of these Israelites have been evangelized by true Believers and other “Christians,” and millions of them have embraced an invented form of religion, claiming worship of Christ.

Around the 580s BC the tribes of Judah, Levi, and half the tribe of Benjamin also went into captivity in Babylon for 70 years. When they returned to the “promised land” under Nehemiah and Ezra, they brought numerous unscriptural practices with them, including a long list of do’s and don’ts for Sabbath keeping.  They held onto invented religion. They had a form of worship.

When the Word of God became flesh and was manifested among us, He continued to be a stone of stumbling in the land of Israel.  The invented form of religion of the Jews was a key element leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Rock. They said He broke the rules of their God.

1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Although physical Israel has consistently rejected God’s form of religion, or true worship, God has called a people of faith who will believe God and obey.  They hear and heed the sayings of the Rock of their salvation.  Instead of being ashamed of Him, these sons of Abraham through faith are building upon the Rock.  

Romans 9:33 As it is written {Isaiah 8:14; 28:16}, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Matthew 7:24 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:

Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Christ is building His Church.  It will consist of people who will not invent their own religion.  And, what is built upon the Rock will never fail! 

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

Much of ancient Israel and their modern-day descendants have forsaken the Rock, also referred to as the Fountain of Living Waters.  

Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

However, true Believers will remain faithful, following God’s lead, feeding upon the Bread from heaven, and drinking of the Water of Life.  

May God bless us all with an abundance of this fresh and new daily direction, Spiritual Food, and Living Water.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,   

Today is Thursday, May 14, 2020; and, it is Day 33 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 5th day of Week 5.  

Ancient Israel apparently had no idea of the spiritual significance of their daily experiences.  New Testament verses tell us about that “spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1Corinthians 10:4).  That same verse tells us that He was a ”spiritual drink,” but they never understood it.  They were never aware of the spiritual Rock.

Clearly, God was very particular about how that Rock was treated.  And, what occurred in the desert thousands of years ago is a strong warning for God’s people today.  

Remember, the first time Israel cried for water, God told Moses to strike the Rock.  That was a parallel to what God was planning for our eternal salvation.  Notice the verse in Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

Striking the Rock was prophetic.  Therefore, when Israel cried for water a second time, and Moses struck the Rock again, God decreed Moses would not be able to enter the promise land with Israel.  All God allowed Moses to do was to see the land in the distance just prior to his death.  Numbers 20:2-13 and Deuteronomy 34:1-7 tell more of the story of what happened to Moses because He struck the Rock, instead of speaking to it as he had been instructed.

In God’s plan there was no need for His Christ to be smitten twice!  Notice the verses in Hebrews that address this.

Hebrews 6:4-6 (4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. 

Brethren, have we been enlightened?  Have we tasted of the heavenly gift?  Have we been made partakers of the Holy Spirit?  Have we tasted the good Word of God?  Have we tasted the powers of the world to come?  

For a faithful, begotten child of God, the answer to all of those questions is Yes, Yes, Yes!  Let us never loose sight of our part in what God is doing for us, in us, and through us for the rest of the world. We are in the middle of counting toward Pentecost, the Feast of Firstfruits.  We are the firstfruits that belong to God.  He has claimed us for Himself.  We are God’s seed mentioned in Isaiah 53.  We are God’s pleasure, as is the living Jesus Christ; and, God will cause His pleasure to prosper in His hand. May God continue to guide, nourish, protect, and perfect each one of us as we walk with Him in faith.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2020; and, it is Day 32 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 4 of week 5. 

According to Exodus 16. God used the manna (bread from heaven) to perform a supernatural intervention each week to validate the holiness and rest of the Sabbath.  Israel ate manna for forty years.  Now, that’s a lot of miracles.  

Exodus 16:31-36 (31) And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.  (32) And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.  (33) And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.  (34) As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.  (35) And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.  (36) Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

And, God commanded that a portion (an omer being the tenth part of an ephah) of the manna be placed in a pot and kept “before the LORD” for all of Israel’s generations.  Moses and Aaron did just that.  And, later, after the ark of the covenant was completed, the pot of manna was placed inside the ark along with Aaron’s rod that budded (at Korah’s rebellion) and the tables of the Covenant.

Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

It appears that when God uncovers where He has placed the ark for safe keeping, all of the generations of Israel will see the bread for themselves.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,   

Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2020; and, it is Day 31 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 3rd day of Week 5.  

Is anything too hard for God?  NO!  Not even water from a solid rock.  What a fantastic miracle to behold!   Water gushing from a rock in the desert.  God was wooing Israel into a covenant relationship with Him.  He was going to be Israel’s Husband.  He was demonstrating His capacity to provide and protect.  Yet, Israel was not buying!  

God’s provision for us is always on His terms and in His own way.  He sets the standards and procedures for any relationship with Him.  Brethren, God cannot demonstrate to us His incredible capacities and abilities to abundantly provide for us if we do not cooperate by exercising faith and trust.  Without our part; the faith and trust; God would just be pouring His goodness into something of a black hole.  

When there is lack of faith toward God, then, people misunderstand what is going on, even in times of God’s outpouring of goodness. Compare the verse in James 1:17 with Deuteronomy 8:17. God gives every good gift.  Still, Israel tends to discount God and claim benefits from the work of their own hands.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.  

Humans must make the connections between God and His good gifts.  When God is testing, we must know it.  When God is providing, we must know it.  We must have eyes to see His benefits and hearts to respond to His generosity appropriately.

May God bless you as you grow in faith and trust in Him.  May He fill your life with His physical and spiritual treasures.  And, may you KNOW these are His gifts.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God