Volume 12 Issue 2 - February 1997

TRUTH ON TRIAL ... A CRY FOR JUSTICE

"Verily,verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (John 12:24)

Recently, I received a call from Houston, Tx., from an old friend of mine. She called to tell me of all the great things God is doing in the midst of that city. The following is a testimony concerning a precious couple that the Lord has raised up to rally the Church in Houston to address the shedding of innocent blood and the plight of God's little image bearers. This article is not submitted in this edition to brag or boast on our accomplishments, but is humbly submitted to encourage all of you who have paid a price to intervene on the behalf of the most vulnerable, defenseless, and helpless amongst us, the unborn child. I pray this testimony will encourage your hearts and strengthen your resolve to stay on the wall and keep fighting the good fight of faith. Please know that all your prayers, tears, and sacrifice have risen up into God's cup of justice, righteousness, and holiness and in His good time, He will pour that cup out to establish His Kingdom, salvation, and deliverance in the earth.

THE TESTIMONY

"God is our Daddy and is far more interested in what He wants to do for us than what we want to do for Him. In 1992, God had our hearts in mind the night that He led my husband and I to a church in Houston to see a Christian drama called, "Truth on Trial." We knew it was a pro-life story and, of course, we were prolife, we were Christians. Our previous involvement had been superficial at best. God looked past our apathy and saw the wounds in our hearts and began to unfold His plan for our life. We are so grateful that Rusty Thomas and his ministry team said 'dyes" to God when He asked them to stand for life. We want you to know what the Lord has done since that night, when a seed was planted that is growing into a mighty work for the Lord and His glory only.

At the end of the drama, I was physically shaken as if someone had taken me by the shoulders to wake me from a deep sleep. I told Ray that I could not leave without doing something. There was a sign up sheet to volunteer at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. I wasn't sure what that was, but my name and number was at the top of the list. When I was contacted and interviewed, I heard about Post Abortion healing and went through volunteer training and my healing at the same time. God did such a miraculous cleansing and healing in me that my husband was released to tell me of the abortion he had with his former wife. Soon after, he received healing also. It was such a gift to know that God had forgiven us, cleansed us from all unrighteousness, and we did not need to forgive ourselves. From the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished!" The ministry that has followed is fruit of that healing, as God has given us beauty for ashes.

We both became volunteer counselors at the CPC of Houston and Ray served on their Board of Directors. We both began ministering to those wounded, as we were, by abortion. In April of 1994, the Holy Spirit took Ray to Fannin St. and had him drive around Planned Parenthood for two hours as He revealed His vision for a minis try to raise up His standard where Satan's headquarters were in Houston, TX. We were unaware that soon after, Planned Parenthood was planning the Fannin location to become the headquarters for the state of Texas. That has become a reality.

God named the vision "Project Hope" and many began to pray. I took a full-time staff position at the CPC Houston and began the preparation necessary to minister beside my husband. In December of 1995, God asked Ray to dissolve his business and follow Him. We are thrilled to tell you that January 1, 1997, we moved into a beautiful facility strategically positioned directly behind Planned Parenthood, facing a college campus where in excess of 2,200 women attend classes. Project Hope is now the Crisis Pregnancy Center- Central at 3636 San Jacinto, in Houston. Our grand opening will be February 15, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. To God be the glory,

The day God imparted this vision, He said to establish a prayer chapel in the center. He named it "Spirit of Life Prayer Chapel", and said there would be 24 hour intercession, seven days a week, and that the battle would be won on our knees. The chapel is established and His presence is there! As God's people answer the call to pray we will provide security and have prayer around the clock. The chapel is in the back of the center and faces the 15 operating room windows on Planned Parenthood's second floor. It is not possible to look upon that sight and not fall to your knees. The chapel is dedicated to the more than 35 million babies that have lost their life to abortion and to their wounded parents who need God's forgiveness and our compassion.

God is also awakening the church! There is a historical event planned as I write this to you. On January 16th, Pastors will cross Houston and denominational lines to meet at a downtown church to hear a presentation on Crisis Pregnancy Center ministry and an appeal to support a "Campaign of Compassion," raising the funds to place a minimum of 22 billboards on the freeways of Houston. These billboards will direct women in crisis pregnancies to Houston crisis pregnancy centers. Pastors of three of the largest churches in Houston signed a letter of invitation that was sent to 1200 pastors. We know that the Holy Spirit has much more in mind than billboards and the awakening that will bring repentance can spread across our nation if we obey what God asked of us in I Chronicles 7:14, l 5.

God is doing exceedingly, abundantly above anything we could ask or think. Ray and I want to say "Thank you," to Rusty, his family, and all those who support Elijah Ministries and make eternal differences through faithful giving and prayers. Your seed is planted in fertile ground that has been broken and prepared through personal sacrifice and fervent prayer. Now, more than ever before, we must stand for Truth as it remains "on trial."

I am reminded of the song, "Ordinary People", God uses ordinary people. He uses people who are willing to do all that He commands. He uses people who will give their all, no matter how small your all may seem to be, because little becomes much when you place it in the Master's hand!

Two ordinary people serving Christ for life,

Ray and Lana Sanders."

THE INAUGURATION

"O Foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth." (Galatians 3: la)

While I participated in the recent Operation "John the Baptist" event, there were three observations that impacted me as we confronted President Clinton with the evidence of his child-killing policies along the Inaugural Parade. Number one, there is no question in my mind, this nation is under a spell. As I looked upon the tens of thousands thronging to hail the Commander in Chief, I was struck by the notion, "Who hath bewitched this nation?" Multitudes swarmed passed us and had a bird's eye view of God's precious image bearers that were horribly mutilated by the vicious act of abortion with no apparent reaction whatsoever. There were, of course, a small percentage of hard-core pro-aborts who screamed, cursed, and spat at us, but a large segment was just content to walk by as if we or the 6-ft. pictures of aborted children did not exist. My heart broke when I realized all these smiling faces who are chatting with their friends and celebrating Clinton's second term, do so, without even registering a bleep on their screen the incriminating evidence that exposes our selfishness, greed, and bloodlust as a nation. I thought, "My goodness, at least be angry that we are here! Show me something that reveals you still have a conscience that can be stirred!" Unfortunately for our nation, there was none. Our collective conscience as a nation, it would seem, has been seared and only God knows what it is going to take to make it tender again.

Number two observation clearly provides an x-ray that defines this administration and the shameful legacy they will surely pass on. On the one hand, the Clintons graciously invited, by special invitation, the Lesbian and Gay Marching Bands to help fuel the festivities and on the other hand, they were prepared by threat of force of law to arrest peaceful pro-life American citizens simply because our message was not politically correct. This marks the first time in U.S. history that our government went to that length to silence those who were trying to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. It would appear the Clinton's redefining of Freedom of Speech only includes those who are sponsoring Sodom and Gomorrah and those who have opened the floodgates that is drowning this nation in a sea of blood. All other dissenting voices must be silenced by arrest or marginalized as right wing religious terrorists. The good news is, we won the court case and were still allowed to be a prophetic witness to our nation and the President of the United States. One thing is certain, President Clinton will have no excuse on the day of Judgment. The Lord is faithful to reveal the truth and give ample warning before He calls us to account.

The final observation deals with the sometimes subtle and sometimes overt use of Christianity that this administration utilizes to sanitize and promote their wicked and abominable policies. There is one lesson that I have learned in this battle for the souls of men and of this nation, and that is, the enemy craves religious endorsement to mask their evil. I stand appalled at how many Churches have swallowed, hook, line, and sinker, the feigned religious lip service this administration provides, while clearly violating the ~righteous principles, laws, and decrees Christianity contains. I prayed fervently that God would remove the religious trappings that has blinded the Church and this nation to the wickedness and evil that is defiling our land. It is the height of hypocrisy to take the name of the Lord thy God to promote that which God condemns. I pray this administration repents and practices true and undefiled religion before God, that is to care for the widow and the orphan, and not to slay them for convenience sake.

GOD IS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

"Thus said the Lord unto me: Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:19,20)

On March 3rd, a major campaign will commence. Operation Rescue National is calling the Church of Jesus Christ back to one of the most crucial gates in the land. A gate that was unfortunately abandoned by the Church when a misguided Supreme Court ruled that is was unconstitutional to teach American children the knowledge of God, thus making the schools the first Gospel-free zone in our country. With an arrogant stroke of the pen, God was outlawed from our schools, His Ten Commandments were stripped from the school walls, and the prayers of our children were abruptly silenced. And what in our perverted logic, did this nation replace the knowledge of God with? Condoms, metal detectors, and police officers. As a result, violence, sex, drugs, and gangs have become the norm. But at least the children are protected from God.

Martin Luther once stated, and I believe this quote accurately warns, portrays, and illustrates the the reason responsible for the decline, the sad condition and the complete disarray that is now associated with our public schools. He stated, "I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the word of God must become corrupt." When our nation spends more money than any other nation to educate our children and the results are as deplorable as we now are producing, then obviously, the system is corrupt.

Consider the insight and warning from one of our godly Founding Fathers, Benjamin Rush. He unequivocally stated, "In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, (if we were to remove the Bible from schools) I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them. We profess to be Republicans (our nation was founded as a Republic, not a Democracy), and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our Republican forms of government, that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible. For this Divine Book, above all others, favors that equality among mankind, that respect for just laws, and those sober and frugal virtues, which constitute the soul of Republicanism."

It is evident from this signer of the Declaration of Independence that if the Bible did not remain as the cornerstone of public education, then not only will our government fail, or be changed, but we would be heavily taxed to pay for the punishment of crimes, instead of preventing them. Benjamin Rush correctly discerned that all crime begins with the heart of man. He also knew that only the truths of God's word could change the heart of man, thereby effectively shutting down the crime factory. Imagine the countless money, misery, and precious children's lives that would have been spared, if only this nation didn't arrogantly believe that we were more enlightened and wiser than God, thus proving just how foolish we actually are (Romans 1:22).

On March 3rd, my pastor, John Wachsmann, and I will join Flip Benham and Operation Rescue National in Dallas to kick off the the national campaign, "God is going back to school." Starting Monday, March 10th, we will bring this outreach right here to Waco, TX. I pray those in Waco who receive this newsletter will be moved by God's Spirit to come participate in the privilege of bringing God and His message of redemption back to the kids that have been long abandoned by the Church of Jesus Christ. Brethren, for thirty years we have silently stood by while a whole generation has been given over to a godless education. Will you join with me to say, "We repent, kids, and here is the fruits of our repentance, the truth that will set you free,'. Brethren, we go with the big sign of Baby Malachi, a sign of a live baby, Gospel tracts, abstinence literature, and the love of Jesus in our hearts for these kids. A generation of kids that is not even aware that 1/3rd of their generation has been savaged and wiped out by the grisly practice of abortion.

BLOODSHED TOUCHING BLOODSHED

"Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. because there is no truth, nor mercy' nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood."

Notice that God's controversy with the land did not center on the fact there was no knowledge of God in the Church. What incensed God was the pursuit of Israel from removing the knowledge of God from the land, the public life of their nation. The results were predictable, the breaking of God's Holy Laws, the defiance of His authority, the cheapening of His grace, and the grieving of His Holy Spirit. The consequences were also foretelling, swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery broke out to pollute and defile the land. Tragically for Israel, and applicable to America, is these practices unchecked came to define Israel's, and now America's national character.

Let us now focus on that little, but tremendously important phrase, "blood touches blood". For many years now Flip Benham and I and other Rescue leaders have put the trumpet to our mouths to give a distinct sound, call, and message to our nation. The essence of that message is simply, "There is a direct correlation between the violence in the womb through abortion and the violence in our streets. God warns that bloodshed touches bloodshed. You sow the shedding of innocent blood of the unborn child in the womb and you will reap a spirit of murder that shall savage your land." I cannot tell you how many law enforcement agencies we have delivered this message to. Pleading win them, "If you're truly concerned with random violence and the outbreak of murder, then you must work to shut down these death camps that masquerade as health facilities for women. Gentlemen, there is a faucet of innocent blood that was turned on 24 years ago and if America's streets will ever know safety again, we must have the courage to turn the faucet off.,'

The word of God tells us in Mark 16:20, that the Lord worked with the Disciples conforming their message with signs following. Well, behold, God gives us a sign and even the newspaper confirms the truth of God's message and warning to our nation. A federal agent friend of mine faxed me a copy of two newspaper articles from the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that were one day apart and almost in the exact location. The first article with bold headlines declared, "Abortion rate falls to 18-year low." The next day the same paper reported this good news, "National violent crime fell 3% in '96, FBI finds." The paper stated that the cause of abortion declining is because of the direct intervention of prolife Christians at the death camps. Once again, the abortion industry is defenseless against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to now pray, that they make the connection between the lower number of abortions with the drop in violent crime. Just maybe, this trend can turn this nation back to moral sanity, just laws, and arrest the spirit of murder that is savaging this generation. So be it, Lord!

MISSIONARY TRIP

"Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the `Son' and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway. even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19,20)

A tremendous effectual door has been opened to me. I've been invited by a close missionary friend who is a Champion for Jesus Christ, Franco Gennaro, to spend a couple of days in San Jose, Costa Rica. From March 26th-30th the Central America Leadership Conference will commence. This is a bi-annual gathering of churches and Christian leaders from throughout Central America. This is an opportunity to help train, encourage, equip, and send out young Latin Americans to reach their campuses and their nations for the Lord.

To be perfectly honest with you, my main burden is for America. My burning passion is for our nation to return to the faith of our Fathers and the covenant that declared, we are One Nation Under God. In times past, I've turned down opportunities like this simply because my heart breaks for my own country. The Lord though, has convinced me that I am to go, doubting nothing. He assured me the struggles and message that God birth in me will be beneficial to the future leaders He is raising up to reach their perspective nations.

Brethren, my heart's desire is not just to go, but to be sent. I'm requesting and coveting your prayers and financial aid as the Church of Jesus Christ to help send me to make an impartation and deposit in these nations. My lodging and food are graciously taken care of. I do need help with the cost of the airplane ticket. The best price I could find is in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars. This amount needs to be raised above and beyond our normal budget for family and the ongoing expenses that are much needed for the rest of our ministry. If the Lord would so direct, please send your offering to Elijah Ministries and on the memo section, please designate it Costa Rica, or missionary trip. Thank you so much for in investing in the advancement of God's Kingdom. I pray whatever fruit is produced will be added to your account in Heaven.

"COME ALIVE!" VIDEO

After the production of "Come Alive!" there were some of you who desired a video of the performance. Video tapes of this anointed drama are now available. To those on our mailing list that would desire a tape, for an offering of thirty dollars or more, we will gladly send you a copy. This will hopefully bless you and your family as they witness God's healing touch restore a devastated home and also help support Elijah ministries in the process. When you send your offering of thirty dollars or more just simply request the "Come Alive!" video with a return address. Thank you.

PETITIONS

Last month, I sent out a Petition and a call to come to the Waco Solemn Assembly. This invitation was specifically given for the purpose of seeking the face of God together as we are struggling with the homosexual agenda trying to take root in Waco. Those of you from the Waco, McLennan County area that received this Petition, I exhort you to please fill them up with signatures and send them to me before March 4th. On March 4th, we must rally our churches, families, neighbors, and friends to come and prayerfully request that our City Council do what is right in the sight of God and do not allow Sodom and Gomorrah to be established in our city with all its subsequent evil, perversion, sickness, and death. Remember, we cannot do this alone. It is imperative that we present a large united front. For the sake of this city and the future of your children come to the City Council meeting at the Waco Convention Center on Tuesday, March 4th at 5:45 PM.

IN KING JESUS’ SERVICE,

Rusty Lee Thomas