November 9, 2026 — Keep them in the right order

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying our time together, Stan mentioned he’d talked to some neighborhood children about something he wanted to pass on to me. “What’s that?” I asked.

“I was in my front yard yesterday cleaning out some of the flower beds,” he replied. “While I was there, a couple of the neighborhood children stopped to talk on their way home from school.”

“That’s nice,” I said. “What’d they have to say?”

“After I asked them how their day at school had been, they excitedly told me that the teacher had given them an assignment of something to think about.”

“What was that?”

“It seems that their teacher had given them the old riddle of the chicken and the egg to think about and to come back with their answer.”

“Oh,” I said, “the one about which came first, the chicken or the egg?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed.

“Did you tell them what you think about that?”

“The children didn’t ask, and I didn’t volunteer my opinion,” Stan said with a smile. “But as they went on their way, I was thinking about the question and how it applies to our belief and obedience.”

“Chickens and eggs applying to our belief and obedience? How so?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “the chicken and egg riddle may leave the question up in the air, but Jesus and the apostle Paul took a more direct approach with belief and obedience.”

“What kind of more direct approach?”

“First of all,” Stan replied, “Jesus asked why we don’t do what He says even though we call Him ‘Lord’. And Paul pointed out that we can’t work our way to heaven by our obedience, but we are saved through faith and not as a result of what we do.”

“So,” I said, “while we can’t work our way to heaven by good works, good works are to follow because we believe. Right?”

“You’re right, my friend,” Stan agreed. “And it’s important to keep them in the right order!”

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Bible verses to consider:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you by faith. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I believe, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t do what you say. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in being and doing what you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you by faith accepted God’s provision of life with Him through the cross of Christ? 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 with your obedience? 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 does He know you need, not only to have faith in Him, but to obey Him? 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?