Author: S. Tory Teller

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?

Stan and I were together again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As he does on occasion, Stan had a picture from his friend who takes them and sends them to Stan. They talk about the spiritual significance he then passes on to me. “What picture do you have this time?” I asked.

“Take a look,” Stan replied as he handed me his phone.

I looked and saw what looked like a grave marker for someone named Lawrence Richard. “Who’s Lawrence Richard?” I asked.

“I have no idea,” Stan replied, “and it makes no difference for the point of what it says on the marker.”

I looked closer and saw that under the person’s name, date of birth, and date of death, there was a Scripture reference. “It says Acts 11:24. What’s the significance of that?”

“That’s what my friend and I talked about,”Stan replied. “Acts 11:24 is where the apostle Luke wrote a wonderful thing about Barnabas. Someone thought it was fitting for Lawrence Richard, and it’s the sort of thing that every person should hope is the epitaph for their life.”

Since I wasn’t familiar with Acts 11:24, I asked, “What’s that verse say?”

“In writing about Barnabas, Luke described him as a good man who was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

“Good and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” I repeated. “What a marvelous description!”

“Indeed,” Stan agreed. “Wouldn’t that be a wonderful epitaph for every person’s life?”

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Bible verses to consider:

And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Acts of the Apostles 11:22-24.

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, it does not appear that Luke’s description of Barnabas applies to me, in that I don’t appear to be good, full of the Holy Spirit, or full of faith. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead so you could, if you wanted to do so, write that epitaph for my life on this side of eternity. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Are you “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” in the sense you’ve accepted God’s provision of life with Him through Jesus’ finished work on the 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 and redemption, does your life manifest that you are a good person who is full of the Holy Spirit and of faith? 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 be full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, but to live a life that meets Luke’s description of Barnabas? 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 together for breakfast and conversation about our faith. I nearly choked on my coffee when he asked, “Do you ever have trouble with temptation?” After I recovered, I responded, “Of course, doesn’t everyone?”

“You’re right,” he agreed. “We all have trouble with temptation. Earlier this morning in my journaling time, I saw that Jesus addressed that problem with a solution.”

“What’d He say?”

“After acknowledging the problem, that our flesh is weak,” Stan replied, “Jesus set forth what looks to me like the solution to weak flesh when He said to ‘keep watching and praying the you may not enter into temptation’.”

“Keep watching and praying,” I repeated. “Watching for what?”

“The tempter and what he wants us to do that’s contrary to God’s will for us.”

“Okay,” I said, “that’s the watching part. What’s the ‘keep praying’ part?”

“How about,” Stan replied with a smile, “praying for what God knows we need? If we watch for the tempter and  we pray for what God knows we need to deal with temptation, don’t you think that will take care of the problem of our week flesh?”

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Bible verses to consider:

Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41.

. . . sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it. Genesis 4:7.

No temptation has overtaken you but is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7.

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 my flesh is weak and I don’t keep watch and I don’t pray to keep from being overtaken by temptation. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead for the solution to having weak flesh. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Where are you in your relationship with God? Have you accepted His provision of life with Him through Jesus? 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 when your flesh is weak? Do you watch for the tempter and pray to overcome what he wants to do in your life? 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 for your weak flesh to deal with temptation? 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 and how we might grow. As we were enjoying the breakfast of blueberry pancakes Cook had prepared, Stan said, “I was again looking at what Jesus said about praying and I was reminded of something someone told me about God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Is that from the Lord’s prayer?” I asked.

“It is,” Stan replied. “Some people call it that; some call it the ‘Disciples’ Prayer’ or the ‘Our Father,’ but what it’s called is not the important part.”

“What is?”

“Whose will is being done where,” Stan replied with a smile. “It’s a matter of God’s will being done here in and through each one of us wherever we go.”

“Oh,” I replied. “God’s will, not my will apart from His. Right?”

“Right,” Stan agreed. “His will, not mine, wherever I happen to be on earth.”

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Bible verses to consider:

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.

. . . yet not as I will, but as Thou Wilt. Matthew 26:39.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38.

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. 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 do what you say, I don’t do your will, but I do what I want to do apart from your will. Please forgive that foolish way of living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead so your will is done on earth in and through me. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: God’s will is that none perish (2 Peter 3:9). Are you in God’s will in that you have repented and have 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 with doing God’s will being done in and through 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?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need for His will to be done in and through you on earth as it is in heaven? 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?

One morning while Stan and I were together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith, he said, “I was talking last night with a neighbor about being a moving fragrance.”

“A moving fragrance,” I said. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“It comes from something the apostle Paul wrote,” Stan replied, “about being the fragrance of Christ.”

“Oh,” I replied, “I kind of remember that, but what’s it have to do with moving?”

“Paul wrote that we are a fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

“So?”

“Maybe,” Stan responded with a smile, “by actually being such a fragrance of Christ, some of those who are in the perishing group will be attracted by that fragrance and will move to the group of those who are being saved. It will be a moving fragrance!”

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Bible verses to consider:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

Prayer: Than 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 manifest the fragrance of Christ, but something with a much less pleasing aroma. Please forgive that foolishness and help me manifest the aroma of Christ to everyone so some who are perishing may change and be saved. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you manifest the sweet aroma of Christ because you’ve accepted the life He came to give, 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 manifesting the sweet aroma 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 Orr 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 and manifest the sweet aroma of Christ? 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 was posted on Wednesday and deals with prayer.

For many people, prayer is all about telling God what they want without any regard for what He knows they need. In Matthew 6:8, Jesus made a statement about prayer that’s not to be overlooked. He said that God knows what we need before we ask Him. If that’s true (which it is), doesn’t it make sense that our prayer should be to ask God to show us what He knows we need — for whatever? This is what Stan talks about in this devotional that may form the basis for a new book! What do you think about that? Link — August 19, 2026 — Fill in the blank

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 17,  2026 —In Luke’s gospel, he noted that others had undertaken to compile an account of what had been accomplished in the church. Stan uses what Luke wrote to talk about what it would look like for there to be a complication of what’s been accomplished in his life as a Christian, as well as what he would like such a compilation to look like. Link — August 17, 2026 — What’s been accomplished and what’s left to do?

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 —The time to take advantage of an opportunity to be involved with God and what He’s doing is when He presents the opportunity, not some other time. If we wait, we likely will miss the opportunity. Link — August 18, 2026 — Did he miss the opportunity?

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 —God knows what we need before we ask Him. He also knows what we want. Too often what we want is not what God knows we need. Stan talks about what a difference there would be in our lives and in the world if everyone asked God about everything He knows we need. Link — August 19, 2026 — Fill in the blank

Thursday, August 20, 2026 —When the older brother of the prodigal son complained about the special treatment the prodigal was getting, the father told him that the prodigal had been dead but had begun to live a new life. This is what is available to all who have accepted the new life Jesus came to give. It’s a new life that begins and is not to end. Link — August 20, 2026 — Begin and don’t stop for as long as we’re here

Friday, August 21, 2026 —With being involved with the great commission, we are to go into the world and present the truth of the gospel. Stan talks about how Philip and Paul are good examples of what that world looks like. Link — August 21, 2026 — Wherever and with whomever

As Stan and I were enjoying our breakfast together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe one morning, Stan mentioned he’d been talking with a neighbor who told him he follows the example of Philip and Paul. “Example for what?” I asked.

“Their approach to presenting the gospel.”

“What’d they do that’s worth following as an example?”

“With Philip,” Stan replied, “it says that when he found himself at a certain place, he preached the gospel.”

“Wherever he found himself, he preached the gospel. That does sound like a good example, What about Paul. What’s his example.”

“With him,”Stan replied, “it says that when he was in Athens, he would go to the market place and reason with the people who happened to be there.”

“So,” I said, “following the example of Philip and Paul would result in presenting the gospel wherever I am to whomever happens to be there. Right?”

“You got it, my friend,” Stan replied with a smile. “Jesus said we’re to go into all the world with the gospel. It looks to me like we’ll be doing what He said if we do it wherever we are with whomever happens to be there!”

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Bible verses to consider:

But Philip found himself at Azotus; and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea. Acts of the Apostles 8:40.

So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. Acts of the Apostles 17:17.

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

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 for those who presented the truth of the gospel where I was so I could hear and believe. 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 about the truth of the gospel. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in presenting the gospel wherever I am to whomever happens to be there. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s provision of life with Him 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 and redemption, how are you doing with presenting the truth of the gospel wherever you happen to be to whomever happens to be there? 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 present the truth of the gospel wherever you happen to be to whomever happens to be 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?

As Stan and I were enjoying breakfast together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe, he said, “Earlier this morning in my journaling time I was again focusing on the story of the prodigal son. It reminded me of what I was told once about living the new life I’ve been given through Christ and His finished work on the cross.”

“Were you a prodigal?” I asked.

“Aren’t we all?” He responded with a smile. “Don’t we all tend to waste what we’ve been given by God? It seems to me that we do, but such wasting is not what I want to talk about this morning.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“The importance of coming to our senses, repenting, beginning to live the new life we’ve been given, and, once we’ve started, don’t stop.”

Continuing, he added, “You probably remember the story of the prodigal. He got his inheritance, went off and squandered it, got hungry, came to his senses, and returned to his father.”

“Yeah, I do remember that story,” I said. “And wasn’t there some sort of a grumpy older brother?”

“There was,” Stan agreed. “The older brother couldn’t rejoice with the father over the prodigal. What the father said to the older brother is a vital lesson for me.”

“What’d he say?”

“He told the older brother that his younger sibling had begun to live.”

“So?”

“Isn’t that what we’re all supposed to do? Aren’t we supposed to begin living the new life Jesus came to give? Begin and don’t stop for as long as we’re here.”

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Bible verses to consider:

The story of the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32.

But when he came to his senses, . . . . Luke 15:17.

But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found. Luke 15:32.

I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10.

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 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 you’ve given in the way you intend. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in coming to my senses, repenting, and truly living to the fullest the new life you’ve given. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you live a new life in Christ because you’ve accepted what He accomplished by His finished work on the cross? If no, why do you choose not to have life with God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with 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 does God know you need into only to have the new life Jesus came to give, but to actually live that new life as God intends? 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. As we were enjoying the breakfast Cook had prepared for us, Stan mentioned he had attended his neighborhood fellowship group last night.

“How’d that go?” I asked.

“I thought it was very nice. It’s always good to get together with fellow believers to find out what’s going on with them.”

“And,” he added with a smile, “I think my little talk went well.”

“Your little talk? What little talk?”

“The guy who heads up our fellowship group had asked if I would prepare a short devotional on something I thought would be interesting to the group.”

“What’d you talk about?”

“Filling in the blank.”

“Filling in the blank? What blank did you talk about?”

“Matthew 6:8,” was his short response.

“That God knows what we need before we ask Him?”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “You and I have talked about that as a way to a deeper relationship with God based on asking Him to show us what He knows we need.”

Continuing, he added, “That’s what I talked to the group about. Then we went through a little exercise of filling in the blank.”

“What blank?”

“What is it that God knows I need concerning something specific? And that specific thing is to be put into the blank.”

“Oh,” I replied, “I can see that could be an almost endless list of blanks filled in to find out what God knows I need for whatever it is I ask about.”

“Exactly,” Stan said. “Just imagine how lives, relationships, and whatever will be changed when people ask God for what He knows they need about their friendships, their marriage, their family, their work, their finances, their relationship with Him, their faith, their commitment, their belief, their everything. Just fill in the blank!

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Bible verses to consider:

Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8.

. . . for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:32.

. . . , Lord, teach us to pray . . . . Luke 11:1.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for allowing me to come before you in prayer and that you know what I need before I ask. I confess that too often my prayers are self-centered requests for what I want without any thought given to what you know I need. Please forgive that foolish approach in my prayers. Help me to seek only what you know I need in everything pertaining to this life you’ve given me. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you come before God in prayer through Jesus because you’ve accepted life eternally with God through Jesus’s finished work on the 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 and redemption, how are you doing with your prayers? Are they merely a list of what you want without any consideration of what God knows you need? Have you considered asking God for what He knows you need for different aspects of your life and relationship with Him?  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 does know what we need before we ask Him, what does He know you need for a life that is based on what He knows you need? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need for whatever you bring before Him. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know other 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?