MAINTAINING OUR DISTINCTIVENESS AS GOD’S PEOPLE
From the very beginning God has declared His intent that there be a distinctiveness to His people. The Bible is quite clear about the differences between believers and unbelievers. As followers of Jesus, we must strive to maintain those differences, so that we can fulfill our purpose in this world. We can’t be salt and light in our culture apart from this distinctiveness. Pray the Scriptures this week for yourself and your brothers and sisters in Christ in an effort to maintain the distinctiveness which Jesus brings.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” -- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
“Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’” -- Luke 22:25-27 (NIV)
“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (NLT)
“ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NIV)
WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – September 10, 2025
Missions:
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder; new class beginning Oct. 19
Church:
Staff search for permanent worship leader
Current planning for all churches in town resuming Backpack Blessings at school
God's use of school supply project and school's daycare for His purposes
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Gary Carrington – recovering at home now after hospitalization for very serious staph infection; chemotherapy for his cancer will have to be put on hold for now
Grief: Janelle Wilbanks and family – death of son-in-law Darren Herbert (married to Lindsey)
Barbara Nofziger – pray for adjustment to being in an assisted living facility
Catherine Simpson – recovering after back surgery on August 13
Chance Allen – recovering from having both knees replaced on Wednesday, Aug. 6
Shelly Pope – continuing trial treatment for liver cancer – experiencing more side effects, including weakness and joint pain
John Frank's new great-niece, Maggie – has completed chemo treatments for canceroustumors, and they have shrunk enough for her to have surgery to remove them
John Frank's mother, Justine – tumor growth has reappeared; will undergo more treatment
Justin McClain (Ponder resident) & wife, Maranda & 2 daughters – continuing cancer treatment
Lincoln -- 2 yr old son of Brenda Davidson's niece – at home now recovering from brain surgery
Halle Deaton (25 yr old former member from Krum) – diagnosed with breast cancer
Gene and Judy Vaughan – pray for physical and mental healing and mental well being
Arlene Bates' grandson, Joshua – tumor discovered in his arm
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim’s brother) – Kidney and shoulder cancers now in remission
Jesse Woolery's cousin, Andy -- suffering from severe mental illness in Kansas
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Carolyn Gillespie (now in memory care), Jack Williams
Our government leaders
First responders
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” -- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
“Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’” -- Luke 22:25-27 (NIV)
“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (NLT)
“ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NIV)
WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – September 10, 2025
Missions:
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder; new class beginning Oct. 19
Church:
Staff search for permanent worship leader
Current planning for all churches in town resuming Backpack Blessings at school
God's use of school supply project and school's daycare for His purposes
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Gary Carrington – recovering at home now after hospitalization for very serious staph infection; chemotherapy for his cancer will have to be put on hold for now
Grief: Janelle Wilbanks and family – death of son-in-law Darren Herbert (married to Lindsey)
Barbara Nofziger – pray for adjustment to being in an assisted living facility
Catherine Simpson – recovering after back surgery on August 13
Chance Allen – recovering from having both knees replaced on Wednesday, Aug. 6
Shelly Pope – continuing trial treatment for liver cancer – experiencing more side effects, including weakness and joint pain
John Frank's new great-niece, Maggie – has completed chemo treatments for canceroustumors, and they have shrunk enough for her to have surgery to remove them
John Frank's mother, Justine – tumor growth has reappeared; will undergo more treatment
Justin McClain (Ponder resident) & wife, Maranda & 2 daughters – continuing cancer treatment
Lincoln -- 2 yr old son of Brenda Davidson's niece – at home now recovering from brain surgery
Halle Deaton (25 yr old former member from Krum) – diagnosed with breast cancer
Gene and Judy Vaughan – pray for physical and mental healing and mental well being
Arlene Bates' grandson, Joshua – tumor discovered in his arm
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim’s brother) – Kidney and shoulder cancers now in remission
Jesse Woolery's cousin, Andy -- suffering from severe mental illness in Kansas
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Carolyn Gillespie (now in memory care), Jack Williams
Our government leaders
First responders