Author: S. Tory Teller

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, May 25, 2026 — Jesus said we are His friends if we do what He says. Stan talks about how easy it is to describe himself as a “friend of Jesus,” but then asks himself if he does  what Jesus says. Link — May 25, 2026 — With friends like that, who needs enemies?

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 — John the Baptist described Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus described Himself as the “Good Shepherd.” Stan talks about how Jesus is to be both in our lives, one for eternal purposes, with the other for this side of eternity. Link — May 26, 2026 — The Lamb who’s also the Shepherd

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 —Horses, dogs, cats, whatever — you can lead them to water, but you can’t make them drink. It’s the same thing with people and the living water Jesus offers. However, just because we can’t force anyone to drink the water Jesus offers, that doesn’t mean we’re not to tell them it’s available. Link — May 27, 2026 — When they get thirsty enough

Thursday, May 28, 2026 — It’s easy to call Jesus “Lord,” but doing what He says is a different matter entirely. Jesus asked some people about that a long time ago. Stan talks about how it’s still a valid question today. Link — May 28, 2026 — Why do I do the one thing but not the other?

Friday, May 29, 2026 — God told Abraham to leave where he was and go to where God would show him. That’s what Abraham did. What about us? Do we go where God tells us to go? This is the question Stan raises for us to consider. Link — May 29, 2026 — Just like Abraham every day

Stan and I had gathered again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast. After we had ordered and were waiting for Ricky to bring what we wanted, Stan mentioned he had been reading something in the Bible’s Book of Genesis that reminded him of a friend who had a perspective on his faith that Stan wants and tries to make his own. I asked him about his friend’s perspective.

“He seeks to live every day like Abraham.”

“Live every day like Abraham? Is that his name?”

“No, it’s not his name,” Stan replied. “That’s just the way he seeks to live out his faith.”

“The way he seeks to live out his faith? How so?”

“He takes his lead from the story of Abraham in Genesis,” Stan said, “where God told Abraham to go forth to the land He would show him, and that’s where Abraham went.”

“So,” I asked, “to what land does your neighbor go?”

“That’s the point,” Stan exclaimed. “He goes wherever God has for him to go. Just like with the great commission, I am to ‘go’. It may be to another land, or it may be over to Junction City or Weston, or it may be across the street to talk to a neighbor, but the bottom line is that it’s wherever God shows me to go in being just like Abraham every day!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Now the Lord said to Abraham, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; . . . . “ Genesis 12:1.

So Abraham went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; . . . . Genesis 12:4.

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

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.

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. Thank you that Jesus went where you had for Him to go, and that He did what you had for Him to do in redeeming the lost world. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because of the people who came into my world with the truth of the gospel, I confess that too often I don’t go anywhere to say anything to anyone about your provision for them. Please forgive that foolish way of living the new life you’ve given. Help me to hear and to actually go wherever you have for me to go. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you go forth as God tells you because you are His by having accepted His provision of life with Him, 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 with going forth as God tells you? What does “going forth” look like to you? If you sense the desire for change with any of this and you want to go where God has for you to go, what would you need to do for that 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 actually go forth where He can and will use you for His kingdom purposes? Spend time studying Gos’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 being part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were back at our favorite place to meet for breakfast. After Ricky had poured our first cup of coffee and taken our breakfast orders, Stan mentioned he had again been talking with a neighbor about faith and obedience and how it’s easy to do one thing, but it’s real hard to do the other.

“What things were you talking about that are easy and hard?”

“They come from a question Jesus asked,” Stan replied. “A question about lordship and obedience.”

“Lordship and obedience? What’d Jesus ask about that?”

“He wanted to know,” Stan said, “why people, including me way too often, call Him ‘Lord,’ but don’t do what He says.”

“So,” I replied, “the easy part may be calling Jesus ‘Lord,’ but the hard part is doing what He says. Is that it?”

“You got it, my friend,” Stan said. “The question for me to think about is why do I do the one thing, which is to call Jesus ‘Lord,’ but I don’t do the other, which is to do what He says.”

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Bible verses to consider:

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

Not every one who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your free and gracious provision of Jesus as my savior so I know I have life with you through His finished work on the cross, the life that begins here and will continue forever. I confess that too often I call Him “Lord,” but I don’t do what He says. Please forgive that foolish approach of seeking to live this new life you’ve given without obeying what you say. Help me follow every step of your lead so that Jesus is truly my Lord and I actually do what He says. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever, so you can call Jesus your “Lord”? 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 actually doing what Jesus says? What would it look like for you to actually live doing what your Lord says? 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 call Him “Lord,” but to also do what He says? Spend time on this studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward to: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? Is 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 waiting for Ricky to bring our breakfast orders one morning, Stan mentioned he had been visiting with a friend who has a farm out on the road to Weston. I asked him what his friend grows on his farm.

“Horses,” Stan replied with a smile. “He has some other animals, but his main focus is on breeding, raising and selling horses.”

“I don’t know much about horses,” I replied.”Do you?”

“Not really,” Stan said. “Mainly what other people tell me. Yesterday my friend told me that there are a lot of people who are just like horses.”

“People just like horses? How so?”

“You may be familiar with what I think is an old English proverb that says you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.”

“Yeah,” I replied, “I kind of remember hearing something like that. What about it?”

“Jesus said that He’s the living water we need for the only life that counts. We can tell other people about that living water and we may even lead them to it, but we can’t make them drink of it.”

“However,” he continued, “just because we can’t make them drink of the Living Water, that doesn’t mean we aren’t to tell them about it so they will choose to drink when they get thirsty enough.”

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Bible verses to consider:

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38.

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10.

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 by receiving what He came to give 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 drink of the Living Water as deeply as is available. As a result, I remain thirsty. Please forgive the foolishness of remaining thirsty when you have available all the Living Water I need. Help me follow every step of your lead in drinking of all of the Living Water you have for me. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you come to the fountain of the Living Water in the sense you’ve accepted Jesus’ finished work on the cross and know 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 with drinking all of the Living Water God has available for you? 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?

Think on this: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need not only to come to the fountain in the first instance, but to continue drinking all of the Living Water He has available? Spend time on this 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 hem to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

We were again having breakfast together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. Stan asked me if I remembered when we had talked about Jesus being both Savior and Lord in our lives. I told him I did remember that Jesus is supposed to be both, not just Savior, but also Lord of my life in that I follow Him in obedience.

“Good remembering!” Stan exclaimed with a smile. He then added, “Earlier this morning I was focusing on this same subject from a little bit different perspective I’d like to talk about with you.”

“Whatcha got?” I responded.

“Jesus is both the Lamb and the Shepherd,” Stan replied. “It’s easy to see Him as only one, but He’s both, and that’s how He wants us to relate to Him.”

“Both Lamb and Shepherd? How so?”

“He’s the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world,” Stan replied, “but He’s also the Shepherd we are to know and follow.”

“Oh,”  I said, “He’s the Lamb who has saved me, but He’s also the Shepherd who’s to lead me as the Lord of my life. Is that it?”

“You got it, my friend,” Stan replied. “He’s the Lamb who’s also the Shepherd.”

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Bible verses to consider:

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me. John 10:14.

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

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. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I have accepted what Jesus did as your Lamb who took away my sin, too often while I remain here I don’t allow Him to be my Shepherd who I follow. Please forgive the foolishness of accepting Him as the Lamb who saves, but not as the Shepherd who leads. Help me follow every step of your lead in truly following. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted what Jesus accomplished by being the lamb so you have life eternally 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 with following the Shepherd? 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 have Jesus as both the Lamb and the Shepherd in your life? 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 spends a lot of time talking with neighbors about their personal faith walk experiences. One morning while he and I were together for breakfast, he mentioned he had been talking to a neighbor who told him something about what it meant to be a friend of Jesus. “A friend of Jesus?” I responded. “What’d you guys talk about?”

“How it’s easy for people to say they’re friends of Jesus,” Stan replied with a smile, “but how it would also be easy for Jesus to say, ‘With friends like that, who needs enemies!’”

“Why would Jesus say that?”

“While I can’t be certain Jesus might say that,” Stan replied, “it seems He certainly could as a followup to what He said friends of His are supposed to do.”

“What are they supposed to do?”

“Whatever He says,” Stan said with a laugh. “Jesus said that we are friends of His if we do what He commands. Therefore, if I say I’m one of His friends, but I don’t do what He says, it seems fair that He might say, ‘With friends like that, who need enemies!’”

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Bible verses to consider:

You are My friends, if you do what I command you. John 15:14.

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

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:17.

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17.

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 act more like an enemy rather than a friend of Jesus by not doing what He says. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live the new life you’ve provided without doing what I know I am to do. Help me follow every step of your lead in being a true friend of Jesus thorough my obedience. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in His precious name. Amen.

Think on this: Are you a friend of Jesus in the sense you have accepted what He accomplished on the cross and have life with God through Him? 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 being a friend of Jesus by doing what He says? 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 actually live as a friend of Jesus? 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 selection for this week is the one where Stan focuses on what the apostle Paul wrote about fighting the good fight. Stan talks about all of the fights we face as Christians, such as from the world, the flesh, the devil, self, addictions, and all sorts of things that really do put up a good fight. So isn’t it really all about who wins the fight and whether we keep the faith? Link — May 18, 2026 — Isn’t it really about who or what wins the fight?

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, May 18, 2026 — The apostle Paul wrote, near the end of his life, that he had fought the “good fight.” Stan uses what Paul wrote to talk about that there are all kinds of “good fights” that are ranging all around us. And the real point is what Paul also wrote, “that he had kept the faith.” Link — May 18, 2026 — Isn’t it really about who or what wins the fight?

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — Jesus said that anyone who serves Him will be honored by His Father. Stan talks about how what Jesus said affects what he does in serving Jesus. Link — May 19, 2026 — I want that honor, so that’s what I’m going to do

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 —Stan talks a lot about what is commonly known as the “great commission” to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. In this devotional, Stan talks about how in too many of our lives we have omitted to make that a priority. Link — May 20, 2026 — Is it more like the great omission?

Thursday, May 21, 2026 —Everybody talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it. Stan uses that familiar idiom to focus on why so many people talk about the darkness of the world without doing what they can about it. Link — May 21, 2026 — Let there be light

Friday, May 22, 2026 — Being self-employed is not a bad way to earn a living, but it doesn’t work with seeking to actually be a disciple who is to deny self. Link — May 22, 2026 — Employed for self?

During breakfast together one morning, Stan mentioned that he had been talking to a neighbor who told him about the danger of being self-employed.

“The danger of being self-employed?” I responded. “What danger?”

“What my neighbor told me,” Stan replied with a smile, “is that he realized a long time ago that everything he does is to be done for God, not himself, and that if what he does is for himself and not for God, that’s a real danger for his discipleship.”

“His discipleship? How so?”

“As you’ll remember,” Stan replied, “Jesus said if we want to follow Him, we have to deny ourselves and take up each day what He has for us to take up. Then we can follow as we work for God.”

“Oh,” I said, “we are to work for God rather than work for ourselves. Right?”

“That’s right, my friend,” San replied. “We are not to be employed for self!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. Colossians 3:23.

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Ephesians 6:7.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally 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 work for myself and not for you. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in truly denying self and truly taking up what you have for me to take up so I can follow and work for you in all things. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s eternal provision for you so you can work for Him as you remain here? If no, why do you choose to be separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with working for God? 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 no longer work for yourself, but to do everything for Him? Spend time on this studying God’s Word, praying, reflecting, and journaling about 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?

One morning while we were waiting for Ricky to bring breakfast, Stan asked me if I was familiar with the idiom that everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. 

“Yeah,” I replied, “isn’t that something Mark Twain said or wrote?”

“Someone else may have said it first,” Stan said, “but, yeah, Mark Twain is often given the credit. But who gets the credit doesn’t really matter for the point I want us to focus on this morning.”

“What point’s that?”

“How a lot of people talk about the darkness of the world, but not enough people do anything about it.”

“What can they do?”

“The only thing that works,” Stan replied with a smile. “Be light that shines into the darkness!”

“Be light,” I repeated. “That has a familiar ring to it,”

“You’re right,” Stan agreed. “That’s what God said at the beginning of creation and He continues to say the same thing today. ‘Let there be light’!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5.

I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12.

And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. John 3:19.

You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving the light of the world 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’m not the light you intend for me to be. I don’t shine the light of Christ into the dark world. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live the new life you’ve given without actually being the light you intend. Help me follow every step of your lead to be light that shines into the dark world. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you have the light of Christ in that you’ve accepted His finished work on the cross so you have life eternally 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 doing with being light that shines into the darkness of the world? 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 actually be light that shines into the darkness of the world? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling about 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?