As Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe to have breakfast and talk about our faith, he asked, “Do you remember the other day we talked about the story of the prodigal son?”
“Sure,” I replied. “The prodigal son got an early inheritance from his dad, went away and wasted it, then came home to be welcomed by his dad. Right?” [Link — August 20, 2026 — Begin and don’t stop for as long as we’re here]
“That’s basically it,” Stan agreed. “The other day I was talking with a neighbor about the same story. He told me he’d been kind of like that.”
“Kind of like that? In what way?
“He said that while he had not gotten an early inheritance, he was on the path of wasting the life he’d been given until someone graciously told him the cure for what he was wasting.”
“The cure for what he was wasting? What cure?”
“The new life Jesus came to give,” Stan relied with a smile. “That’s the cure for any prodigal’s life that’s being wasted!”
__________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t live the new life Jesus came to give. Please forgive that wasteful way of living what you’ve provided and help me follow every step of your lead in living the abundant life Jesus came to give. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His precious name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the life Jesus came to give so you have life with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing wth actually living the new life Jesus came to give? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what doe He know you need, not only to have life with Him, but how to live the new life He sent Jesus to give? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?