“Ricky Shanks October 2022 Report”

Sunday, November 06, 2022

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location.

October 2022

Brethren,

The efforts to find those who “ask , seek and knock” are continuing. The UNG efforts have slowed down this month due to fall break and weather. Never the less, the studies with repeat students continue to get deeper and more pointed to helping them into Christ. Some study sessions go over 2 hours at a time. There are now over a dozen that I periodically study with. They continue to show great promise. Most of them live 30 minutes to two hours away and commute to the campus.

A year ago I studied with a sharp young man named Tim. He took careful notes. At the end of the study he repeated points that we had read from the Bible. Encouraging right? Then he said, “that is the most hopeless teaching I have ever heard.” He was a strong Calvinist. Fully convinced of once saved always saved. I went over a couple of other verses where God give us the hope as we walk in Him as we repent of sins we commit. Well, fast forward a year. He is still on campus and the more I saw him the more my heart was compelled to prepare a study on the subject that is very clear and compelling us to know how to have hope in Christ. It included over 2 dozen passages to show what God has to say about eternal security. The next time I saw him I gave him a copy of it. He studied through it...but with a view to rebuttal it. He did not stop there he actually copied it and gave it out to a room of his Baptist friends and tried to tear it apart. I’m thrilled he did that. Even though his motive was wrong and he did not submit to the teaching from God’s word, I can’t help but think God will use this for good. I think that some of those young people might have a good and honest heart and will study the many verses and come to the truth. It has already resulted in a 2 hour study with one of the young people who sees the error of Calvinism.

The two Brenau students (J & J) still seemed to be interested but severely distracted. Recently a couple of saints made harsh comments about ungodly behaviors in the world. It hampered and may have destroyed their seeking after more Bible studies. Hopefully they will not let those kind of distractions sidetrack their pursuit of God. Please pray for these efforts that they will follow through with their obedience to God.

The business cards shown in last month’s report have been very useful. 100’s have been given out personally face to face and left places like gas pumps and waiting areas. In October there were over 600 videos downloaded from website. I also made banners, car magnets and yard signs made. But the QR code somehow changed from what was put on the card. Which made the QR code useless. I’m in the process of doing them over. This time making certain it is correct each step of the process. I did not even notice until I took a picture of the set up table and my phone gave me a unknown message. I have no idea how it changed on the magnets, signs and banners.

The flock has continues to slowly grow (swell). All three of our deacons are very reliable and responsible. Which enables everything to be moving in the right direction.

Janice and I are well. The only hiccups are age related. To God be the glory, Ricky

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