Invitation: So I've been in a few discussions over the years about altar calls and invitations. I think for the most part the "new skool" of thought says that altar calls are typically manipulative and therefore aren't used all that often. I will admit that as I work with my students I recognize how easy it can be to "manipulate" them to make a certain decision. Sometimes it is hard to let the Holy Spirit work w/out greasing the wheels.

So because of my desire to not be manipulative I do try to be careful when I give an invitation but I do still give them because I feel that merely hearing and never being asked to act is an equal injustice.

So that brings us to last night. Last week I merely read the passage in Galatians posted below, so last night I read the second part. The part about how we are to nail our sinful desires and passions to the cross. I told the students its a day to day thing, an hour to hour thing. There were lots of blank stares throughout the lesson and I was pretty discouraged. Then at the end I merely asked if there were any questions and one of the guys raised his hand and said "Nick, I'm a liar. I live one way on the outside and then I act a certain way here. Every week I come and tell myself I'm not going to do it again but then I go back with my friends and mess up. I'm just a liar, I don't even know how to live the truth."

So after I picked up my teeth from the floor. I stared at him for a few minutes. Then I stared at my paper stand and then I picked up my jaw from the floor.

I said " Since February -2 (pronounced "ought 2") I have never heard someone be so honest with me and I don't know what to say."

I gathered my composure and told him how he needed to put to death his old life style. I told him it would be one of the most painful things he will do in his life but one of the most necessary. I told him how I had to do that and for a long time life was very hard but that is why I am the man of God I am today.

So invitation or not the Holy Spirit worked last night.

All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing
Hallelujah!