Author: S. Tory Teller

For those who may have missed it (or want to spend more time with it), each Sunday we re-post the prior week’s WFTT devotional that got the most attention. The one for this week appeared on Friday and dealt with the question of the abundant life Jesus came to give and how it contrasts to the life of abundance that so many seek. An abundant life versus a life of abundance. Link — September 4, 2026 — Seeking an abundant life, not a life of abundance

Stan’s main takeaway for each posting this past week. Each posting can be accessed by clicking the link for that day. 

Please forward this to friends, family, colleagues, etc. as a way to introduce them to Stan,  S. Tory Teller, and the conversations about faith, discipleship, and what it means to be a Christian who is pursuing discipleship.

Also, don’t forget that S. Tory Teller’s book, the 100-day devotional, Waiting for the Train — Biblical Food for Growing Before Going, is available from amazon.com, other on-line book sellers, and directly from the publisher at www.s-toryteller.com 

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Monday, August 31,  2026 —Prodigals basically waste what they’ve been given. From the story of the prodigal son, Stan talks about how we can waste the life we’ve been given from birth if we don’t accept the new life Jesus came to give. Link — August 31, 2026 — The cure for a prodigal’s life that’s being wasted

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 — Speaking in such a way that others come to believe is what the great commission is all about. This is what Stan addresses. Link — September 1, 2026 — Speak in such a manner that others come to believe

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 — What is the portion God has for us? Do we accept that portion or do we want more than God knows we need? These are the questions Stan addresses in this devotional. Link — September 2, 2026 — My portion

Thursday, September 3, 2026 —Has God preselected those who will come to Him in faith so there’s really no need to try to reach others with the truth of the gospel? Link — September 3, 2026 — Why take a chance

Friday, September 4, 2026 —Jesus came that we might have life and might have it in abundance. Stan talks about how a lot of people prefer to seek a life of abundance rather than abundant life. Link — September 4, 2026 — Seeking an abundant life, not a life of abundance

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about out faith. As we waited for Ricky to bring our breakfast, Stan asked, “Do you remember what Jesus said about what He came to give us?”

“I think so,” I replied. “Didn’t He say something about coming so we could have life?”

“That’s basically it,” Stan agreed. “And, as He said that, He contrasted Himself with a thief.”

“A thief?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied. “Jesus said that a thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but that He came that we might have life and might have it abundantly.”

Continuing, he added, “I was talking with a neighbor the other day and he told me that after spending too much of his life pursuing abundance, he realized he was pursuing what the thief came to give, rather than what Jesus wanted him to have.”

“How so?”

“As he told me,” Stan replied, “the pursuit of a life of abundance was a killer. He worked too hard to gain a lot of stuff that was really meaningless. Even though he had a lot of abundance, he didn’t have what God knew he needed, which was the life Jesus came to give.”

“Abundant life?”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “And it’s the same for all of us. We’re to seek the life Jesus came to give, which is an abundant life, not a life of abundance!”

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Bible verses to consider:

The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10.

For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:25.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to abundant 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 pursue the abundant life Jesus came to give. Please forgive that foolish way of living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead into the full abundant life you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted the new life Jesus came to give? 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 pursuing the abundant 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 does He know you need not only to have the life Jesus came to give, but to have it abundantly? 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?

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. Between bites of the delicious blueberry pancakes Stan was enjoying, he said, “Earlier this morning in my journaling time I focused on a verse that reminded me of a conversation I had once with a neighbor.”

“A conversation about what?”

“Not taking a chance.”

“A chance with what?”

“Another person’s salvation and eternal destination.”

“How could a person take a chance with that?”

“By not telling them about what Jesus accomplished on the cross.”

“Why would anyone do that?”

“Because they think only certain people have been pre-selected for salvation and, if they’ve been pre-selected, there’s really no need to tell them.”

“What’d your neighbor say about that?”

“He said he doesn’t know for certain about any sort of pre-selection, but he’s not willing to take a chance with another person’s eternal salvation so he tells everyone he can!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts of the Apostles 13:48.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross a 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 go anywhere to tell anyone anything about what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Please forgive that foolish approach to dealing with another person’s eternal destination. Help me follow every step of your lead in going wherever you have for me to go and telling whomever you  have for me to tell about what you’ve provided through Jesus and His cross. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His precious name. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted life with God through the cross of Christ? If no, why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with telling others about God’s provision of life with Him through Jesus’ cross? Do you tend to think God will take care of then without your help? 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 to not only have life with Him, but to go and tell others about His provision for them? 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?

Stan and I had again gathered at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As Ricky brought what we had ordered for breakfast, Stan said, “Wow, that looks like what I was focusing on in my journaling time earlier this morning.”

“You were journaling about breakfast?”

“No,” Stan replied with a laugh. “I was focusing on the daily portion God knows I need, and these blueberry pancakes look like more than I need!”

“What caused you to focus on your daily portion?”

“A couple of different things,” Stan replied. “First, I was again looking at how Jesus taught the disciples to pray about asking for their daily bread.”

“Yeah,” I said, “we’re to pray each day for the Lord’s provision. What was the other thing you were focusing on?”

“A verse in the Book of Proverbs,” Stan replied, “that asks God to feed us with the food that is our portion.”

“Our portion?”

“Yeah,” Stan said, “neither so much that I’m full and deny God, nor so little that I’m in want and steal profaning His name.”

“So, it’s really what God knows we need that we should ask for. Right?”

“That’s what it looks like to me,” Stan said. “And, by the way, would you like some of these blueberry pancakes? The portion Cook prepared and Ricky set before me is more than the portion I need!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11.

. . . give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, lest I be full and deny Thee and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9.

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 want more than you know I need. Please forgive that foolishness and help me seek only the portion you know I need. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you rely on God’s provision because you’ve accepted life with Hm? 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 seeking only the portion God knows you need? 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 is the portion He knows you need? 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?

As Stan and I were together for breakfast and conversation about our faith one morning, he said he’d been reading something about the apostles Paul and Barnabas that brought back a memory of what he was told when he first became a Christian. “What’s that?” I asked.

“How I speak can make an eternal difference in someone’s life.”

“What brought that to mind?”

“The Book of Acts says that at one point Paul and Barnabas were is a place called Iconium and they spoke in such a manner that a whole bunch of people came to believe. I’m to do the same thing.”

“Speak in such a manner that others come to believe?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “Didn’t someone speak to you in such a manner that you came to believe?”

“You’re right,” I replied, “someone did. I guess I should do the same thing.”

“Good guess,” Stan said with a smile. “Speak in such a manner that others come to believe!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. Acts of the Apostles 14:1.

Let the words of my mouth . . . be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17.

How shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? Romans 10:14.

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 go anywhere to tell anyone anything about you and your provision. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in speaking the truth of the gospel so others may come to believe. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you come to believe? 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 speaking in such a way that others come to believe? 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 to not only come to believe, but to speak in such a way that others come to believe? 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?

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 replied with a smile. “That’s the cure for any prodigal’s life that’s being wasted!”

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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?

For those who may have missed it (or want to focus on it again), each Sunday we re-post the prior week’s WFTT devotional that got the most attention. The one for this week concerns what Luke wrote in describing Barnabas and how it applies to us. Luke described Barnabas as a good person who was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Is that how you would like to be described? Link — August 27, 2026 — The epitaph

Stan’s main takeaway for each posting this past week. Each posting can be accessed by clicking the link for that day. 

Please forward this to friends, family, colleagues, etc. as a way to introduce them to Stan,  S. Tory Teller, and the conversations about faith, discipleship, and what it means to be a Christian who is pursuing discipleship.

Also, don’t forget that S. Tory Teller’s book, the 100-day devotional, Waiting for the Train — Biblical Food for Growing Before Going, is available from amazon.com, other on-line book sellers, and directly from the publisher at www.s-toryteller.com 

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Monday, August 24,  2026 —The apostle Paul wrote about Christians being a fragrance of Christ to everyone, those who are being saved and those who are perishing. Stan talks about this in terms of being such a fragrance that might change some from perishing to being saved. Link — August 24, 2025 — A moving fragrance

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 —When Jesus was teaching how to pray, He mentioned God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Based on this, Stan talks about God’s will being done in and though us wherever we are on earth. Link — August 25, 2026 — His will, not mine, wherever I happen to be on earth

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 — In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus addressed the problem of our weak flesh and temptation. Stan talks about this in terms of the solution Jesus offered. Link — August 26, 2026 — Weak flesh

Thursday, August 27, 2026 — In the Book of Acts, Luke wrote a wonderful description of  Barnabas. Stan suggests that the world would be a much different place if that description fit more of us. Link — August 27, 2026 — The epitaph

Friday, August 28, 2026 —By accepting what Jesus accomplished through His finished work on the cross we will be able to stand before God clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. Stan uses this truth to suggest choosing to live here as we will be seen when we stand before God in eternity. Link — August 28, 2026 — Living here as He will see me there

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about growing in our faith. Ricky had poured our first cup of coffee and Cook was preparing our breakfast orders. While we waited, Stan mentioned he’d been able to introduce a neighbor to the commonly-used shorthand definition of ‘justification’ he’d told me about some time ago. “You mean the one about how accepting Jesus’ finished work on the cross,” I replied, “is just as if I’d never sinned.”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “Good remembering! To be justified is to be put in the state that’s just if I’d never sinned.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “when I stand in God’s eternal presence, He’ll see me as without sin because Jesus on the cross took the punishment I deserve for my sin.”

“So,” I continued, “did your neighbor understand what you told him about justification.”

“He not only understood it,” Stan replied, “right away he took a next step of growing in his faith.”

“How so?”

“He said something like, ‘if God is going to see me in eternity as sinless because I’ve accepted  what Jesus accomplished on the cross — if He’s going to see me as justified — I think I should  seek to live here as He’s going to see me there!'”

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Bible verses to consider:

When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16.

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 and you will see me as justified and righteous because of Jesus, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t live here as you will see me there because I choose to walk my own way apart from you. Please forgive that foolish way of living the new life you’ve given and help me follow every step of your lead in living here as you will see me there. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Will you be able to stand before God in eternity as righteous because you have accepted what He provided through the finished work of Jesus’ cross? 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, redemption, and justification, how are you doing with living here how God will see you when you stand before Him clothed in the righteousness of Christ? 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 be justified, but to live here as He will see you there? 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?