Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 16, 2021. This is the 50^th Day in our Counting toward Pentecost. The  Feast of Pentecost has fully come for another year.  

Happy Feast of Weeks! Happy Pentecost! 

Let us go before God today with rejoicing, prepared to meet Him and receive every blessing  He will pour forth upon us.  

Please pray for the unity of the Body of Christ. Let us love one another deeply. God bless each one of us with His love, mercy, and truth this Holy Day.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 15, 2021. This is Day 7 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 49^th day of Counting. We have entered HOLY TIME which will now last until  sundown as Pentecost ends. 

Traditionally, the book of Ruth is read in its entirety on the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.  It is a beautiful story with wonderful symbolism for Christ and the Church. There is  redemption, a kinsman-redeemer, a husband and wife, and a new born baby, plus a lot more in  this story. 

Back in the Garden of Eden where we first see God instituting marriage, God said it was not  good for Adam to be alone. 

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said; It is not good that the man should be alone; I will  make him an help meet for him. 

Were these words spoken about “Adam” also an indication of what God was going to do in  the future for His Church, the Bride, and for the Messiah? Was God foretelling us that He  was making a help meet for Himself? It’s a magnificent possibility, isn’t it? 

Let us remember that God has revealed that He was making man in His image, after His  likeness. We have come to understand the awesome doctrine about becoming true sons of  God. God is making a family. And, one of the most beautiful and touching aspects of this  concept is the wonderful mystery Paul spoke of in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 5:30-32 (30) For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.  (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife,  and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ  and the Church.  

God bless us to love each other as He loves us; and, together pray for the perfection and  unity of the Body of Christ.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 14, 2021. This is Day 6 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 48^th day of Counting. Today we are preparing for two days of holy time, the weekly  Sabbath and the annual holy convocation. 

Ancient Israel spent several days preparing themselves to meet with God. In the New  Testament, we find that the disciples of Jesus Christ were also preparing for a special  meeting with God. Jesus had promised them that they would receive power from on high, so  they went to Jerusalem and spent their days in the Temple praising God. 

What will God grant to us when we truly prepare to go before Him in our commanded holy  convocations? Of course, we may prepare ourselves by reading the Bible passages that  apply to our upcoming Holy Day. We will clean our clothes and dress our best. Some people  fast at least one day prior to each annual Sabbath.  

Yet, whatever it is we choose to do to prepare ourselves, let us not forget to prepare our  hearts. Here are a few verses that underscore the importance God places on preparing our  hearts. You may want to read each of these in their full context.  

1 Chronicles 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this  for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, and prepare their  heart unto Thee: 

2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and  to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. 

Psalm 10:17 LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their  heart, Thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: 

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the  hearts. 

May God bless us as we prepare for the additional blessings that He will pour forth on us  during this very special season of the year.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 13, 2021. This is Day 5 of Week 7 in our Counting toward  Pentecost. It is our 47^th day of Counting.  

After nearly 7 full weeks of their journey from Egypt, Israel camped before the mountain  where they were to encounter God in a special way. They had griped, complained, and  criticized nearly all the way from Egypt. They had accused both Moses and God of horrible  motives, such as to “kill” them. Yet, now they were cleaning themselves, bathing, and  washing their clothes to meet with God. They were given clear instructions about how to  approach God; what to do and what not to do. And, they agreed. Moses told them God’s  words, and Israel said YES! 

Have you ever wondered why they agreed? Up to this point in their travels, ancient Israel  had not shown much faith. Israel had been very disagreeable. Why were they willing to  agree now? 

Perhaps there are several answers. They wanted a land of their own. They probably liked  the idea God had presented to them about being His “special” people. And, they had just  come from a bitter battle with the Amalekites.  

The battle with Amalek may have given Israel a different perspective and made them more  agreeable, even if it was only for a short time. The battle with Amalek was a different kind  of challenge to Israel than they had faced since Egypt. This battle was against an enemy  that tracked them down. This battle was hand to hand combat. Amalek’s forces sneaked  into Israel’s camp and attacked the weakest. And, the battle they were required to fight  was ONLY won when Moses’ hands were lifted to God. How ancient Israel and Moses  reacted made the difference in whether Israel was winning or losing at any given time.  Israel had to fight; yet, Moses had to hold up his hands! Did the battle soften their hearts  toward God?  

Clearly, God can allow attack; physical or spiritual; or, He can prevent it. And, even in  warfare, God can give us the battle, or He can allow us to lose. Sometimes God may allow us  to do spiritual battle against an enemy that sneaks up on us, so that we can become more  agreeable toward God’s will in our lives. Most often than not, a period of fighting with our  spiritual enemy makes us humble, more willing to listen to God’s directions, and more  agreeable. 

Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at  peace with him. 

May God bless us to remember the words of Proverbs and live in as much peace as is  possible. Perhaps God will spare us from many battles.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 12, 2021. This is Day 4 of Week 7 in our Counting toward  Pentecost. It is our 46^th day of Counting.  

Before Israel was rescued from Egypt, Moses had told Pharaoh to let God’s people go so  they could WORSHIP Him.  

Exodus 8:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the  LORD says: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me 

Now, in the 7^th week, the people are camped before the mountain where God would present  Himself and offer them a covenant relationship. This covenant was a foundation for the  worship God expected from Israel. 

As the Israelites prepared themselves to go before God at Mt. Sinai, they were given very  important and specific rules. There were serious consequences if those specific rules were  broken.  

Exodus 19:12-15, 21 (12) And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying;  Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it:  whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: (13) There shall not an hand  touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall  not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. (14) And Moses  went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed  their clothes. (15) And he said unto the people; Be ready against the third day: come not at  your wives. (21) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go down, charge the people, lest they  break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.  

Many cultures have devised their own so-called gods and their rules of worship. However,  God introduced Himself to Israel, the nation He wanted as His special people. As the ONE  and ONLY TRUE God, He sets up the rules of worship. He expects them to be followed.  

So, it is today. God does not accept just any and all kinds of things people want to do  toward God. He still wants His people to be holy, sanctified, and clean. He still determines  and requires how we are to enter His presence. God expects us to approach Him with awe  and respect. 

May God bless us as we learn true worship of the true God.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 11, 2021. This is Day 3 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 45^th day of Counting.  

God told Moses to “sanctify” the people (Exodus 19:10). That was appropriate because they  were going to be near God. He was going to “come down in the sight of all the people” (verse  11).  

Exodus 19:8-11 (8) And all the people answered together, and said; All that the LORD hath  spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. (9) And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when  I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto  the LORD. (10) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go unto the people, and sanctify them to  day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, (11) And be ready against the third day:  for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.  

Sanctify is used in several contexts in Scripture. It is frequently used in connection with  making clean or purifying. And, it also means to make holy; to set apart for sacred use. God  intends for His people to be set apart, wholly or completely! He has paid an awesome price  so this might be done. And, it had to be done as a prerequisite to our eternal salvation. It’s  part of the process. The sanctification of God’s people is extremely important to Him. God  does not take this sanctification lightly. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your  whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus  Christ. 

Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the  word, 

Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own  blood, suffered without the gate. 

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall He be thought worthy,  who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,  wherewith He was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of  grace? 

It is clear that we are to go through God’s process of sanctification and purification; and, to  remain sanctified before God.  

May God bless us to be wholly sanctified for His use.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Monday, May 10, 2021. This is Day 2 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 44^th day of Counting.  

Ancient Israel accepted their invitation to be in covenant with God. One of the aspects of  the covenant promise from God was to make of them a kingdom of priests. Yet, they were  unable to keep the covenant. God, however, did set up a priesthood in the tribe of Levi. He  took the entire tribe of Levi to serve Him instead of the firstborn of every family. 

When they agreed to keep God’s covenant, did ancient Israel truly realize what being a  kingdom of priests would mean for their day-to-day life? Probably not! 

However, God has not abandoned the idea of having a kingdom of priests. God expresses a  very similar desire for those He calls today. So, we ask; do we truly realize what being a  kingdom of priests means to our day-to-day life? 

The Old Testament lists many duties and responsibilities of priests. The duties revolved  around the system of worship God instituted. Dealing with sacrifices is one of the first  things that come to mind when we think of a priesthood. Yet, there were other things God  expected of priests. We find some special duties in Malachi. 

Malachi 2:7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at  his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 

Today many people seem to expect these particular priestly responsibilities (keeping  knowledge, teaching the law, and being a messenger of the Lord) to be duties of the  ministry. And, that is most certainly a justified comparison. However, God, in the New  Testament, refers to ALL of us as being a “chosen generation.”  

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar  people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness  into his marvellous light; 

It is clear from the passage of Scripture in 1 Peter that everyone God has called out of  darkness into marvellous light is intended to “shew forth the praises.” 

May God bless us to take this particular assigned task to heart and put these words (shew  forth the praises) at the top of every “to do” list we make.  

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 9, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost.  It is our 43rd day of Counting. This is the Week of Israel Camping before Mt. Sinai. 

Exodus 19:1-2 (1) In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of  the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. (2) For they were  departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the  wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.  

Here, God called to Moses and gave him a message that Moses was to deliver to Israel.  

Exodus 19:3-6 (3) And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the  mountain, saying; Thus, shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;  (4) Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and  brought you unto Myself. (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My  covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is  Mine: (6) And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the  words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  

God’s message to Israel was a reminder of what He had just done for Israel, bringing them  out of Egypt on “eagles’ wings.” And, God was proposing the opportunity to enter into  covenant with Him. Other Old Testament Scriptures indicate that this was compared to a  marriage covenant. God offered Israel the honor of being “a peculiar treasure unto me  above all people” and the opportunity of becoming a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy” nation. 

Words very similar to this proposal are found in the New Testament.  

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar  people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness  into His marvellous light; 

Ancient Israel heard the words of the covenant proposal and committed to doing their part;  yet, as we know from Biblical history, they failed to live up to their part of the agreement.  

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! 

God wants our hearts. He wants our heartfelt love. He wants ALL of the rest of our being,  also. The gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost has made it possible for us to give  all of our being to Him. 

May God bless us to give God exactly what He wants.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 8, 2021. This is Day 7 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is  our 42^nd day of Counting.  

While Jethro was visiting Moses in the camp of ancient Israel, he provided some sound advice to  help Moses in dealing with the immense number of leadership issues; including one of judging  (arbitrating, giving rulings, decisions, and verdicts) on various matters.  

Judgment (decisions) on all matters from the top done was cumbersome and unnecessary. It was  a hardship on the people as well as upon Moses. Therefore, a wise and practical suggestion was  implemented. Part of it involved the character of the men to be chosen. And, a second part of  it involved teaching the people the law so they were active participants in receiving justice and  knowing that they had received it. It provided confidence in leadership. 

Men who were to provide “justice” for the Israelites were to be  

• Men who loved truth 
• Able men with good judgment (wisdom), discernment of truth, and knowledge of the law
• Men who feared God and who would not be swayed by any form of coercion, threats, or  flattery 
• Men who would not give into bribery 

Read these characteristics in the language of the King James Bible.  

Exodus 18:19-22 (19) Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be  with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:  (20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they  must walk, and the work that they must do. (21) Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the  people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over  them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:  (22) And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they  shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself,  and they shall bear the burden with thee.  

It is clear from Exodus 18 that there was some form of “law” already in place before the 10  Commandments, statutes, and ordinances were given as part of the covenant in codified form at  Mt. Sinai. The people were to be taught that “law.” The leaders chosen to judge were to use  that “law.” Everyone was involved; and, everyone could know what the outcome needed to be once  all the details were known and the “law” was applied correctly. 

God’s people need to have confidence in the men who lead them. The people need to know what  God expects.  

Ancient Israel apparently had many ideas about what a leader was and was not suppose to do.  Frequently throughout their journey in the wilderness, they falsely accused the leaders,  including God. They were stubborn, self-willed, and rebelled in different ways. It made sense 

that God would set forth characteristics of leadership that everyone could learn, understand,  and recognize in leaders. The characteristics listed for leaders can guide us today. 

God bless us all to learn and apply God’s standard for all we do.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 7, 2021. This is Day 6 of Week 6 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It  is our 41^st day of Counting.  

During this 6^th week of the journey, Moses received a special visitor, his father-in-law,  Jethro; who brought Moses’ wife and sons to be with him in the wilderness.  

Exodus 18:1-6 (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: (5) And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife  unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: (6) And he said  unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons  with her. 

Zipporah is mentioned only 2 other times in Scripture; first in Exodus 2 when she married  Moses, and then in Exodus 4 where we see Zipporah and her sons on the way to Egypt with  Moses where he was to tell Pharaoh to let the people go. Zipporah and her two sons had  returned to Jethro’s home some time after the events of Exodus 4. Apparently, Zipporah  circumcised her firstborn son to save his life.  

Exodus 4:19-20,25 (19) And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt:  for all the men are dead which sought thy life. (20) And Moses took his wife and his sons,  and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of  God in his hand. (25) Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son,  and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.  

Moses lived quite a busy life, dealing with life and death issues publicly and privately. The  Bible only gives us meager details in the story of his family. However, whatever the family  issues were, God was still very pleased with His servant, Moses. What we learn by putting  the details together is that Moses was just a man.  

Hebrews 3:1-5 (1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider  the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to him  that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (3) For this man was counted  worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more  honour than the house. (4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all  things is God. (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 to consider our leaders; in and out of the Church; and, that we pray for  their faithfulness to God’s directions.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2021, Church of the Sovereign God