WHY IS IT HAPPENING?

1. In parts of the old Soviet Union less than 5% of the population were card-carrying Communists--but they forced total control over the 95%.

2. In the United States approximately 5% of the population are atheist. Yet this 5% are aggressively forcing control over the 95% and stripping the U.S. of religious freedom and national heritage.

3. Example: Michael Newdow, an atheist (one of the 5%) recently filed suit in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remove the words "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance and is now suing to remove our national motto, "In God We Trust," from all U.S. currency. Replacing American coins and bills will cost the national treasury billions of dollars. Newdow cares absolutely nothing about that or the rights of the 95%. Informed sources expect the Court to agree with Newdow's suit.

4. Out National Anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner", contains the words "In God is our trust". Another national hymn, "America" says "God shed His grace on thee." Also at risk are "God Bless America." What about "Our fathers' God, to Thee, author of liberty, to Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!"? The 5% says the 95% can no longer sing these in public.

5. The day Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor the American flag flying above the U.S. Naval base at Honolulu had a second flag beneath it: It was a simple white banner containing the Cross of Christ. In full view, and with the approval of every government office from Hawaii to the White House, the Cross shared the same pole with Old Glory. No one dared challenge it. From the 1776 birth of this Nation forward, the Cross protected believer and unbeliever alike, identifying, defending, fortifying, the moral fabric and heritage of the nation..

6. Our Forefathers did not leave us without guidance as to the confluence of civil and religious matters. They emphatically expressed their posture in the Declaration of Independence where they said: "And for the support of this declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, and Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

7. Instead of banning references to Divine Providence in government, the writers of both the Declaration Of Independence and the Constitution encouraged the people to call boldly upon divine Providence. The Constitutional Convention was failing until Benjamin Franklin rose and urged the men to pray. Every President since has sought the Nation's prayers. This was the concept imbued into both historic documents, the Declaration and Constitution, and was the attitude the Founding Fathers expected of all future generations. To deny that obvious truth is to resort to fraudulence and deceit. But, the 5% are doing that.

8. In harmony with the Founders well-defined position, in 1892, the United States Supreme Court declared, "Our laws and institutions must necessarily be based upon the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind." America's public education occupied the highest academic achievement in the world until atheist Madelyn Murray O'Hare (one of the 5%) succeeded in removing prayer from public schools. Since that time American educational standard has plummeted to that of a Third World Country. Whether the effect of prayer on the students had varied from spiritual to psychological, the fact is, the benefit had been there. At an extremely high price America forfeited its educational accomplishment to satisfy the 5%. The Duke of Wellington rightly said "Educate children without religion and you create a race of clever devils."

9. President John Quincy Adams explained, "Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." He went on to say, "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." Of the Declaration of Independence, he declared: "It laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity." Note the expression "indissoluable bond."

10. James Madison, a chief contributor to the Constitution, explained its relationship to God when he said: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government but upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

11 Today, in direct opposition to such constitutional interpretation, the 5% forbids displaying the Ten Commandments or other references to God in Courts, classrooms, and government property across the land. What would be the reaction of Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, and others?

12. Where do the 5% get support for their position? Not from the Constitution  or  its  authors.  It  comes  from  their self-centered willingness to ignore the will of the masses, to suppress the 95% majority and accommodate their own selfish ways. How is their tactic different from the tactic of Communism's 5%? There is no difference. Were the men alive today who fought British tyranny and defeated the greatest army and navy on earth, they would oppose the 5% with equal dread. Can I prove that statement? When Patrick Henry said, "America was not founded by religionists, nor on any religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!," he was not booed down by politicians. He was applauded by Statesmen.

America, wake up! You are being robbed by political bandits.

My question is Why? Why are American Churches and other God-lovers powerless before enemies who are numerically vastly inferior? This is a democracy. Majority rules. Not 5%. In responding to the question why the 95% act powerless I wish to address two points:

#1: The failure of the Constitutional Convention was that it could not anticipate how devious minds would later search for weakness in the document and then claim those weaknesses were what the framers intended to be the Constitution's greatest strengths. This is happening. By that, I mean the oft-quoted "separation of Church and State" which expression does not appear in the Constitution, is used to imply that government is to prohibit all religious expression within its own ranks. If so, this favored the 5% over the 95% and democracy ceased to exist.

# 2: The spiritual inertia of Christians and other conscientious Americans who hold a vast numerical majority but act powerless before a minor opposition.

Point # 1. While the Constitution's document has remained the same, its characterization has undergone deceptive change. The expression, "Separation of Church and State" came after the drafting of the Constitution and appeared in a personal letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a Baptist Association in Virginia assuring them that the State would never threaten the safety and well-being of the Church. The State would remain separate from the Church's operations. Did Jefferson imply that all references to God would have to be removed from American government and public life? Absolutely not! That was not the consideration. Nor had it ever been. Instead, Jefferson stood with others whose signature on the Declaration Of Independence told King George that with "firm reliance" they depended on the "protection of divine providence." The Cornerstone of American government was laid in the cement of patriotic blood and patriotic devotion to the Almighty.

Today, in direct opposition to the will of the Constitution's authors, the 5% forbids displaying the Ten Commandments in class rooms and Courts of the land. The 95% doesn't count. Instead, the intent is to reduce America to a godless atheistic society. Proof? The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the one hearing Michael Newdow's case, has already ruled that judges--not parents--have final say in what 6 and 7 year old school children  will be taught about sex, the use of condoms, and homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle. With more pastors than judges, more churches than courts, the God-believers, like people hypnotized into inertia, passively watch the nation's moral identity be ripped away. Never in political history have "so few stolen so much from so many."

Point # 2. Before giving my opinion as to the Church's inability to withstand the 5% minority, let me first give an illustration: During Colonial America's "Great Awakening", 1740+, Jonathan Edward's ministry was opposed by Charles Chauncy, a prominent Boston pastor who encouraged congregations to withdraw from Edwards and the revival sweeping the nation. Chauncy insisted the unusual manifestations accompanying the ministry of Edwards, George Whitfield, others, were not the work of the Holy Spirit--even though tens of thousands of people were converted and brought into deep relationship with Jesus Christ. As is true today, the "manifestations" Chauncy saw were shocking. People fell under the power of God, vibrated for hours, lay seemingly dead for a full day and night. The sight was alarming. But, in denying the work of the Holy Spirit Chauncy shoved New England into a deeper pit of unbelief. Ultimately hundreds of historic churches went into Unitarianism and denial of all miraculous manifestations. Overnight, congregations became victims to Scripture rejection and agnosticism. Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, Christian bodies that had once been fortresses of evangelical truth were swept away by a simple lie of unbelief.

That brings us to today's Church. In the same pattern of Chauncy and New England Churches, modern Christians have been taught to reject the Holy Spirit's miraculous manifestations. An inestimable number of modern believers have no concept of the Holy Spirit's visible works. Like "devout Jews" on the Day of Pentecost who were "confused ... amazed ... perplexed", Acts 2, these too go away believing people experiencing such things are "full of new wine." The result is their missing a genuine encounter with God and a lack of relationship with the Holy Spirit. Where there is limited relationship there is limited motivation. Where there is limited motivation there is limited resistance. As New England Christians found themselves powerless before demons of unbelief, so current Christians find themselves powerless before political demons. In both cases, victims become easy prey to inferior opponents. To miss any potential of the Holy Spirit is a loss of critical proportions. It affects every area of life. And the modern Church has missed much.

A century ago, Charles Spurgeon shouted his warning about such denial of the Holy Spirit: "Death and condemnation to a church that is not yearning after the Spirit, crying and groaning until the Spirit has wrought mightily in her midst. He is here! He has never gone back since He descended at Pentecost ... Brethren, if we do not have the Spirit of God, it were better to shut the churches, nail up the doors, put on a black cross and say, ‘God have mercy on us!' If you ministers have not the Spirit of God, you better not preach and you people had better stay at home. I think I speak not too strong when I say that a church without the Spirit of God is rather a curse than a blessing. This is the solemn word: ‘The Holy Spirit or nothing ... and worse than nothing!'"

Here is what I am saying: Political freedom and spiritual strength are inseparable. This nation is dependent on both. When the foundation of Godly truth is removed from political life the nation will collapse. There is no other way. The 5% are "little foxes" that destroy the vines and are capable of bringing America to crashing defeat. What can one do to help? First of all, pray for the 5%, love them, forgive them, ask God to change them. Next, become fully acquainted with the Holy Spirit. He is your source of wisdom and power. Accept Him as He is. Don't try to re-cast Him into your denominational image. If His manifestations challenge you, accept the challenge. Don't fight them. Your own survival and that of the nation depends on it. If you are a pastor preaching a watered-down gospel, stop it. Stop it now. Don't become another Charles Chauncy. Be filled with the Holy Spirit as Jesus provided and be one of those--of whom the Lord said to Gideon--"Go in this your strength and you shall save Israel" (and America.). It is unthinkable that the 95% of Americans can be defeated by a paltry 5%. ___

Charles Carrin

         IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SILENT ABOUT HIMSELF?

Great violence has been done to the Holy Spirit because of the claim that He is silent about Himself--and accordingly--we too must be silent about Him. This idea is based on John 16:13, where Jesus said of the Spirit, "He will not speak of Himself ..." If Biblical knowledge ended there we could justly preach the "silence" doctrine. But knowledge does not stop there. Jesus makes the same claim about Himself. Observe the two passages together:

Of the Spirit, Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak." John 16:13.

Of Himself, Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." John 14:10.

The fault is not in the King James translation but in the readers misapplication. The New King James version makes the passage more clear. Of the Spirit, then of Himself, Jesus said:

"When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me." John 16:13-14.

"The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works." John 14:10.

These passages point out a cardinal truth of Scripture: All truth originates with the Father; nothing originates with the Son or Spirit. Jesus repeatedly told the people "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me." John 7:16-17.

What each is saying is that all truth originates with the Father. Jesus originates nothing; the Spirit originates nothing. They do not speak from themselves. Are we to preach about each? Absolutely!  _ CC

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK IN JESUS: CONCEPTION AND ANOINTING

Jesus was not only conceived in the womb of the Virgin by the Holy Spirit but in the introduction of His public ministry was also "anointed" by the Spirit. These are two very definite works of the Spirit in Jesus' experience. In referring to the descent of the Dove upon Himselfin the Jordan, Jesus explained in His first sermon immediately following that event:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor ... " Luke 4:18.

"Anointing" and ministry are inseparably connected. Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of His incarnation and redemption. Hisanointing by the Holy Spirit was for" ... Healing the broken hearted, preaching deliverance to the captives, recovering of sightto the blind, and setting at liberty those who are bruised". To be thorough students of the Word, we must make this distinction carefully. As in the case of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has more purpose with us than just our new-birth/conception by Him. We too need anointing.

Words we need in our spiritual vocabulary: 1. The Greek title "Christos" (Christ) means "Anointed One." This is the exact equivalent of "Messiah" in Hebrew. 2. "Chrisma" means "the anointing". 3. "Charisma" (with another "a" in the spelling) means "effects of the anointing", or more explicitly, "Gifts of the Holy Spirit". I Corinthians 12.

 It was for a very necessary reason that Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were "endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49. Like His own, their ministry was not to begin until the Holy Spirit had equipped them. Their salvation was a past consideration. Anointing was not. Identically so with us, the question does not regard our being born again. Rather, it is precisely stated in Paul's question to the Ephesian believers, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit (baptism) when you believed?" Acts 19:2. If you study this passage it is obvious that Paul knew these men were genuine believers. His concern for them rested wholly upon their lack of spiritual power not upon their salvation. This points out the fact that regeneration alone does not equip us for ministry. Baptism in the Spirit does. True, the original disciples preached with Jesus for several years before their personal anointing came. So may we. But the difference before and after with them was the same difference that "turned the world upside down". Acts 17:6. After Pentecost, with the winds of the Holy Spirit within them, they covered the earth with the message of Jesus. Historians estimate that within fifty-six years following Pentecost the gospel had been preached throughout the Roman world and much of the Far East. The "anointing" made the difference. If the first -century disciples needed the Holy Spirit's baptism, can we expect to need less? The answer is obvious.

How does one receive the anointing? Jesus said, " ... your Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."

ASK, FRIEND, ASK!  _  CC

CHRISTMAS, "SON OF SORROW"--"SON OF THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND."

More than seventeen hundred years before the birth of Christ, Rachael, the beloved wife of Jacob, gave birth to her second son and died. To her he was "Son of Sorrow," and she named him that in her final moments. "Not so!", the father of the baby corrected her. "He shall be called `Son of my Right Hand.'" In that dual-naming of Rachael's son we have one of the clearest and earliest prophesies of the Christ. In Hebrew, the name Benoni, marked Him out as the "Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." (Isaiah 53:3.)

But His other name, and the one by which we remember Him, Benjamin, is the one which acknowledges Him not in humiliation but in glory: "Son of the Father's right hand." It was not accidental that Rachael gave birth to her son at Bethlehem. It had to be that way. Her own name in Hebrew means "Mother Sheep"---that is, the one who gives birth to the lamb. Like the Virgin Mary, her counterpart who gave birth to the Lamb of God, both of these women were destined to witness tragedy in the births of their sons. The Scripture tells us that when Herod saw that he was mocked of the wise men, he "sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem." According to Matthew's account, the weeping of Bethlehem's mothers, was the fulfillment of Rachael's earlier tears:

"A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachael weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matthew 2:18.)

In the years that followed Rachael's death, Jacob carefully guarded his son. While the other children were allowed freedom to travel about, Benjamin was kept close to home and to the heart of his father. For this reason, when the famine came and the older sons went into Egypt to buy grain, Benjamin was not permitted to go. Jacob diligently kept his promise to the boy's mother. This son remained close to his "right hand." And, as we read in the Genesis account, when the demand was placed upon Jacob that no more food could be purchased unless Benjamin went with them, it was only in great agony of soul that he consented for young Benjamin to go. At that point, none of them realized that Rachael's prophetic name, "Son of Sorrow," was soon to fall upon this innocent young man with its deadly blow.

Over the protests of his father, Benjamin accompanied the others into Egypt. Here the silver cup was secretly put into his sack of grain, and in spite of his innocence, the burden of guilt fell convincingly upon him. We have to read the New Testament to hear the words of Benoni's cry when his sack is emptied and the cup is found. It is the words of Gethsamane. The night is that infamous one of betrayal. Benoni cried, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Seventeen hundred years separated the first Benoni from the Second, but the mission for each was the same, and the price to be paid was one of sacrifice. The single purpose uniting both was that a lost family be reunited with its Elder Brother. With Benjamin, it was the restoration of an earthly household. With the Second, the promised Messiah, it was the restoration of a fallen race to the glories of a Heavenly Throne. In both cases, the sons of Rachael and Mary fulfilled their work well. Bethlehem wept that the world might rejoice. Both sons had to make a pilgrimage into Egypt; Jesus doing so in the escape from Herod. But surrounded by the sorrow of that place, great joy broke forth.

Benjamin returned to his father, riding in glory. The cup of grief was forgotten. The anguish of the trial was past. He had served both prophetic names well: He had been loyal to his father's right hand, and had obediently taken the cup of his mother's sorrow. Justly, he earned the tributes which were given him upon his triumphant return to the family home.

Again we must turn to the New Testament to find the description of that holy scene. It is the one of the Messiah's restoration to His Father's right hand.

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. ...Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!"

This is the story of Christ's birth.

Genesis 35:16-20, 44:11-16. Matthew 2:16-18, 26:39

In 1853 Japan was a closed nation, no foreigner was allowed in, no Japanese was allowed out. There was no public school system, no development of natural resources, no opportunity for leadership development, and Japan looked only to its past. That year the U.S. invaded Japan with a fleet of Gun Boats under the leadership of Commodore Perry. They sailed almost-dockside into Tokyo Harbor. The Japanese huddled in fear, awaiting the attack. Promptly at two o'clock Sunday afternoon the bombardment began. The Marine Brass Band began to play "My Country ‘Tis Of Thee," and the soldiers on deck sang. Then followed "Nearer My God to Thee," Lead Kindly Light," "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross," "Onward Christian Soldiers," and finally climaxed with the "Star Spangled Banner." By the end of the concert, Tokyo harbor was lined with mobs of astonished Japanese whose hearts had been won by patriotic music and Godly praise. Following that "attack", the U.S. entered Japan and helped bring it to the world's "family of nations." In that wonderful period of American history our Government unashamedly presented the world with the healing power of Jesus Christ on the wings of its own military bands.

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Charles and Laurie
And
The Board of Directors
Of
Charles Carrin Ministries
Wishes You A Blessed Christmas
And
Happy New Year!
Thank You For Your Wonderful Support
Now and Always!
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