Bethel CRC Lacombe Bethel CRC

Today we will reflect on Exodus 20:1-21 and Exodus 24:3-8, The Mosaic Covenant. Here God gives Israel the 10 Commandments and various other laws to shape Israel into his people. A people who will reflect him to the nations. God reminds them of who he is and what he’s done for them, leading them out of slavery and into freedom, using his power and authority on their behalf as his people. The Law is seen as a gift by Israel, as it makes clear what their relationship with the Lord is to be like....

Today we reflect on Genesis 17, The Covenant of Circumcision. This covenant is made with Abraham where God promises to make Abraham the father of many nations. The Lord makes it clear that the child He has promised Abraham will come through Sarah, who will be the mother of the promised child, not Ishmael, who has just been born to the slave girl Hagar. God doesn’t forget Ishmael and promised to make him the father of 12 rulers; a counterpoint to the 12 tribes of Israel that will later come fr...

Today we reflect on Genesis 12:1-9 and Genesis 15:1-21, The Abrahamic Covenant. This is a two-part covenant of land and heirs; a promise to give Abraham an heir from his own body, who will live in the land the Lord is giving him. The Lord tells Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. A promise that God will protect Abraham’s descendants even though a time of slavery outside the promised land is coming. God makes this a covenant of blood and is the only ...

Today we will reflect on Genesis 9:1-17, The Noahic Covenant. The Lord punishes the world for its evilness by sending a flood. God sees that Noah is righteous, so he calls Noah & his sons to build an ark to save themselves and the animals of creation. This flood story takes us back to creation and the Lord’s commands to Adam and his family: to be fruitful and multiply. In Noah’s story, it is the renewing of creation and offering a new covenant with Noah that builds upon the covenant...

Today we will reflect on Pentecost; the great harvest feast of the Jewish people. We will focus our reflection on Acts 2:1-13, The Gift. On Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and 10 days after his ascension to heaven, Jesus sends his Spirit to empower the church and to carry forward his last instruction to go make disciples. The Spirit gives us the gift of communication and courage to go into the world to share the Good News.

Today we will reflect on Jesus’ ascension to heaven by focusing on Matthew 28:16-20, Last Instructions Before Returning Home. Jesus returns home to heaven 40 days after his resurrection from the dead. Jesus is going home to claim his crown as King of kings; to take up the authority he has been given and take his place on the throne beside God his Father. Before he leaves, he gathers with his disciples and gives them one last command, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This command is the...