Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 27, 2024. It is Day 30 and Day 2 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

God told Moses He intended to test (or prove) Israel to determine whether they would walk in God‛s law or not, by commanding them to gather on the sixth day of each week, twice as much “bread from heaven” as they were allowed to gather on the first five days of each week.

Exodus 16:4 (B) that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no.

It was a simple and direct commandment God gave them. And, the explanation of exactly what, how, and when “to gather” versus “not to gather” was reinforced each week by divine intervention. Supernaturally, the bread would spoil if kept overnight on any of the week days except for the sixth, but be completely fresh when it was kept overnight on the sixth day for the seventh day‛s food. Obviously, the question is, if Israel wasn‛t going to keep this command, how could God know they would obey His other commands?

During creation week, according to the first chapters of Genesis, the Sabbath was the first full day Adam and Eve lived. The Genesis account shows us that God had created them and placed them in the Garden in Eden during the daylight portion of the sixth day. God then rested and made the seventh day HOLY!

Genesis 2:1-3 (1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which God created and made.

In Exodus 16:23, we find the first reference to the seventh day being called the Sabbath in the King James Version of the Bible. This chapter also ties in “rest” with the seventh day Sabbath and refers to the rest as “the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD.”

Exodus 16:23 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 today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Later, God incorporated His seventh day command into the Covenant He made with ancient Israel at Sinai. Prior to the Old Covenant, the seventh day rest (Sabbath) was a test commandment. It has continued to be so through the millennia.

Obviously, the Sabbath is part of the 10 Commandments and the Old Covenant. However, its being “holy unto the LORD” continues to be crucial to all of God‛s people for today and for as long as there is man, because the Sabbath was made for man. And, we know that everything God does, He does with purpose. Let us learn from ancient Israel regarding God‛s Sabbath test for His people.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 26, 2024. It is Day 29 and Day 1 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 16:4 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.

“Rain bread from heaven for you!” Exodus 16 contains a wonderful account that illustrates a unique characteristic of God. He announced that He was about to do something that no one had ever seen or heard of; in fact, perhaps it had never even entered into any person‛s mind.

Who but God would have ever thought of such a thing?

That‛s Who God is! He is the Source. Our imaginations are far short of God‛s creative “genius.” All mankind can do is “change” the raw materials God has already created when we “create.” We can only rearrange, or put together, or manipulate (in numerous ways) the resources God has already provided for us.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (8) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written; Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

We do not think like He thinks. Aren‛t we glad? God always has something new. And, it is always good.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 25, 2024. It is Day 28 and Day 7 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 16 describes God‛s revalidation of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath.

Instead of punishing ancient Israel for their grumbling and complaining, God sent blessings from heaven, one of which was the reconfirmation of the seventh day Sabbath.

From the very beginning of “man,” God had created the seventh day and made it holy. It was the finale of His physical creation during that first week.

Genesis 2:1-4 (1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made. (4) These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

Many who do not understand the blessing of the Sabbath or its prophetic significance for mankind, like to point out that nowhere in the book of Genesis does the word Sabbath appear, however, we know God made it for all of mankind. Jesus said so!

Mark 2:27 And He said unto them; The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is a wonderful time for fellowship with God and His people. It is a time to rejoice and enjoy!

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.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 24,2024. It is Day 27 and Day 6 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Have you ever wondered about the expectations of the ancient Israelites? Just what did they expect? Their expectations must have been quite out of line with God‛s plan.

God intended one set of events, but Israel must have had their own agenda. And, clearly, they did not want to do without, even briefly. And, clearly, they did not want to humble themselves to ASK God for anything. They were a grumbling bunch. Consider the following verses.

Exodus 16:1-2 (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. (2) And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Perhaps the people could not see accusing God directly, but they had no problem criticizing Him indirectly by complaining about Moses and Aaron. They had already done this at Marah.

Exodus 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

But this complaint against Moses and Aaron was clearly understood by God and His servants.

The murmuring was against God. Compare the two verses in Exodus 16.

Exodus 16:2, 8 (2) And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: (8)(B) 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.

They could not fool God. No one can. We are directed to cease from all murmuring and complaining. It‛s hard, I know because we are still vulnerable human beings, but God wants His Spirit, not a complaining one, to lead us.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

David recognized the evil in what he had done in the “matter of Uriah.” Yes, it affected humans, but David knew something else very special about how God views sin.

Psalm 51:4(A) Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight:

David knew sin was against God. Murmurings and disputings are, also.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 23, 2024. It is Day 26 and Day 5 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

In the weeks following their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the Israelites witnessed God‛s generosity, power, and protection. Yet, witnessing these things was not enough to humble them or bind them to God. Why?

It seems the Israelites brought a different kind of bondage with them out of Egypt. Their deliverance was out of physical bondage. The bondage they continued to have was a bondage in their flesh. They continued to be enslaved. Speaking of our spiritual deliverance through Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul wrote that we need “to be dead” to sin so we can be “alive unto God” and be bound to Him and serve Him instead.

Romans 6:11-12 (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

The Apostle makes it really plain in this same chapter (Romans 6) that we “serve” (and are in bondage to) whatever it is that we obey (yield ourselves to).

Romans 6:16-18 (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

God delivered Israel from physical slavery to make a physical nation of them. And, He recorded these events for our example… so we would not “lust” after evil things as they “lusted.”

1 Corinthians 10:6, 11 (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (11) Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

God delivers us from many things, including the “bondage” kind of power that sin has over us because of our flesh (lusts) that make us vulnerable to sin and death.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

We can thank God that today we can be free indeed. Let us “stand fast” in our liberty! Praise God!

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 22, 2024. It is Day 25 and Day 4 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

As we look at stories and lessons from the Old and New Testaments, we find a very consistent thing about God. We find His faithfulness.

Regardless of the bad attitudes, the grumbling, the lack of thankfulness, and a host of other horrific sins the ancient Israelites displayed; God was faithful. He was faithful to His Word.

God brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage for His own reasons. Of course, God felt compassion on them in their slavery. The Bible says He heard their cries. Yet, God had other reasons, as well.

Exodus 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

Notice in this verse, God says He remembered His covenant. This is the covenant He made with Abraham. He had not yet made one with these descendants of Abraham.

We can rest assured that God keeps His Word. He fulfills His promises. In fact, He cannot be stopped.

We can take great hope in the truth about God‛s faithfulness. Here are a few verses describing God‛s promises and faithfulness to us.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, Who also will do it.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Speaking of Abraham, God inspired the Apostle Paul to write about His promise, Abraham‛s “fully persuaded” state, and God‛s ability to perform.

Romans 4:20-21 (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

Today, we are privileged to know the details of how many of God‛s promises have already been fulfilled. We need to be even more “persuaded” than our father, Abraham. And, so let us be faithful as well, walking with God in perfect assurance of His faithfulness.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 21, 2024. It is Day 24 and Day 3 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Some of the most remarkable and fascinating occurrences in ancient Israel‛s story of freedom from Egyptian bondage are the abundance of wealth God gave to them and the fact that there was not even one feeble person among their tribes.

That‛s fascinating! These are facets of God‛s goodness to Israel that we often overlook.

First, God brought them out, carrying a fortune in gold, silver, and other precious metals. In Exodus 25, 26, and 28, we find very specific instructions on how to build the portable tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and all of the holy vessels. The instructions required a wealth of gold and other precious metals. And, even after using much of their gold, these Israelites were still very rich with such treasures, so rich, that they even had enough gold to make a golden calf to worship later (Exodus 32).

Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Psalm 105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

And, “not one feeble!” What a generous, kind God we serve. Israel may not have stopped to consider God‛s goodness, but we can! So, we ask; Are we?

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 20, 2024. It is Day 23 and Day 2 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them

Exodus 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

These three Scriptures remind us that God‛s presence was with the Israelites at all times. Whether they were moving or camping, God was watching over them, guiding them, and camping with them. He was constantly with them, and protecting them, although they generally seemed oblivious to His presence and His protection.

David reminds us all of God‛s goodness, provision, and protection for His people (those that fear Him) in the Psalms.

Psalm 34:7-10 (7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. (8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. (9) O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. (10) The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Unlike the ancient Israelites, we can be aware of God‛s presence, including His Spirit within us and His angels surrounding us. During this season of Counting, let us look to God to heighten our awareness of all of the ways God favors us and deeply loves us.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 19, 2024. It is Day 22 and Day 1 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

When we think about the perfect Passover Lamb of God, prepared by God Himself, we often think about our “sins” and the breaking of God‛s commandments. And, we also connect the sacrifice Jesus paid through the stripes He received that broke His body with the promise He gave us of healing. What we often do not connect to His sacrifice is the emotional aches, the sadness, the disappointments, and the grief He suffered for us as part of His human existence and as part of His ultimate sacrifice.

The prophet Isaiah describes our Savior as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

Isaiah 53:3(A) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief….

We learn in the New Testament that Jesus felt the pains of life deeply. He groaned in emotional agony and sadness. Consider the story of Lazarus. The Bible says Jesus wept. Perhaps the sadness was for His friend Lazarus, and perhaps it was for the doubts and unbelief, or even for the grief and emotional pains others were experiencing.

John 11:33-38 (33) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. (34) And said; Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. (35) Jesus wept. (36) Then said the Jews; Behold how He loved him! (37) And some of them said; Could not this Man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? (38) Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave.

It is clear from Scripture that part of Jesus‛ work of salvation was His carrying our “griefs and sorrows.”

Isaiah 53:4 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Jesus was often moved with compassion…so much so that He “healed them all” (Luke 6:19; Matthew 14:14), and; raised the dead (Luke 7:12-15).

Luke 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all.

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Luke 7:12-15 (12) Now when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. (13) And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her; Weep not (14) And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said; Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (15) And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.

Brethren, God wants us to be comforted. Jesus‛ sacrifice paid for this, also. Yes, He carried our griefs and sorrows. He will shoulder those for us now. And, He has sent us another Comforter, the Holy Spirit for us, as well.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.

In the end, there will be no more sorrows. In fact, we have God‛s promise that there will never be more tears, crying, death, or even any more pain (physical and emotional).

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

It‛s all part of the price He paid! Praise God!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 18, 2024. It is Day 21 and Day 7 of Week 3 in our Count to Pentecost.

In Exodus 15, we find a beautiful song that many Christians rarely read or consider. On the surface, it is clearly a song of praise to God for His triumph over the Egyptian enemies.

However, when we look more closely at the song and contemplate the possibility that it has spiritual and prophetic significance, the song becomes much more interesting and useful to us today. Consider a few of the more prominent ideas the song presents as you read it and meditate on it today.

God describes Himself as a “man of war” (verse 3). He allows (and requires) His people to fight at times, but God is always our salvation from the enemy (verse 2). God is interested in having a habitation prepared for Him (verse 2). God‛s right hand (our Savior, of course, verse 6) is glorious in power and dashes the enemy into pieces. The enemy thinks he can pursue God‛s people and win (verse 9), but God sends the sea upon them (verse 10), and also the earth swallows them (verse 12, reminiscent of Revelation 12:16). In God‛s mercy, He leads the people He has redeemed to His holy habitation (verse 13). And verse 17 indicates God will dwell in a Sanctuary He prepared for Himself, with His people. And, there is much more God will show us as we dedicate ourselves to pursue Him and what He offers to us.

Exodus 15:1-19 (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. (4) Pharaohs 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. (19) For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

This song is for us! Rejoice in the victory!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God