I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

What started out as a normal Wednesday morning quickly changed into one ordained by God, an indescribable blessing!

Our women’s Bible study group started each session with an ice breaker. From six to eight women would sit around each table. This particular morning only four ladies sat at mine, including myself. Instead of answering the ice breaker question someone mentioned how challenging the week’s lessons had been.

Another lady made a statement about how hard it was for her to understand the Bible when she read it. Upon hearing her, a girl at our table lovingly and gently told her if she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit living in her it would be very difficult to understand God’s Word. Our friend sat up straighter and  immediately replied, “I know! That’s what I’m here for!”

We quickly realized God had opened a door and given us the responsibility of helping her walk through it. After we told her our stories of committing our own lives to him and shared some key Bible verses with her, she was ready to pray and receive Jesus into her heart and life. At this point, happy tears of joy fell from all our eyes.

“That’s what I’m here for!” just resonates with me. We are all here for that same purpose -- to get to know God and have a personal relationship with him. After we accept him as our Savior one of our purposes becomes to lead others to that same relationship.

Our morning ice breaker question never got answered, but God had asked much more important questions of those of us at that table. And, we all had answered, “Yes.”

The spiritual blessings of doing so we will never forget.

God, thank you for sending your son to die for our sins. Thank you for the gospel and the privilege of sharing it.

Susan Partida