The WSFC BIG THREE (Scripture)
HELLO FRIENDS,
As we step into a new school year, it’s a great time to revisit our purpose and mission as a church community. At West Salem Foursquare Church we focus on our BIG THREE: Scripture, Serving and Small Groups.
Last weekend, I wanted to remind us of the power of encountering Jesus through Scripture. There’s no doubt that reading, reflecting, and responding to the Bible has a profound impact on our spiritual growth. It’s not just a book; it’s the living Word of God that reveals the main thing—Jesus Himself.
Luke 24:27 tells us that Jesus, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, explained how the Scriptures pointed to Him. And in John 5:39, He emphasized that the Scriptures testify about Him. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, serves as a compass that continually directs us towards Jesus.
Just as Jesus was the Word made flesh, we seek to make the Word “incarnational” within us. We don’t want to just hear the Word, but instead, we want to eat it up and live it out!
When we “eat this Book,” as Jeremiah 15:16 puts it, two significant things happen. First, the Bible helps us find our identity. It answers the age-old questions: Who am I, and what am I doing here? Our true identity is found in Father God, not in the opinions of others. For more on this check out: Ephesians 1, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Ephesians 2:10.
Secondly, the Bible helps us forge our integrity. The word “integrity” is about both holiness and wholeness. To develop this integrity, we need to read the Word consistently, reflect prayerfully on what God said then and is saying to us now. Lastly, respond actively by living differently because of what we’ve read.
I want to encourage you to check out our PAUSE Bible Reading Plan online or in-print (available at the WSFC Info Center). It’s a great starting point in our journey together in the Scripture.
Grace & Peace,
John