Author: S. Tory Teller

As we were waiting for Ricky to bring our breakfast orders one morning, Stan mentioned that one of his neighbors was thinking about moving. I asked him why.

“He’s quite elderly,” Stan said. “His wife passed away from cancer about a year ago and he’s finding it increasingly difficult to live alone. He told me he’s thinking about moving to that new retirement community over in Junction City.”

“I’m not familiar with that,” I replied.

“Well,” Stan said, “as I understand it, they have different levels of living, starting with totally independent living and advancing to assisted living and then to full-time care.”

“Oh, yeah,” I replied, “I’ve heard of those kinds of places. Sounds like a good idea.”

“That’s what my neighbor told me,” Stan said, “but he also kind of joked and said he was going to skip the independent living because too much of his life had been that way.”

“I’m not sure I get the joke.”

“I didn’t either at first so I asked him what he meant.”

“What’d he say?”

“That’s how he views sin,” Stan said with a smile.

“Sin? I still don’t get it.”

“He told me that he views sin as basically choosing to live independently of God,” Stan replied, “and that he’d had enough of that to last several lifetimes!”

“Oh,” I said, “I get it. Stop sinning and stop living a life independent of God. Is that it?”

“It is,” Stan agreed. “My neighbor said he had decided that independent living is not a real good idea!”

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Bible verses to consider:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who have died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2.

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, he quarrels against all sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1.

. . . go your way; from now on sin no more. John 8:11.

. . . do not sin any more, so that nothing worse will befall you. John 5:14.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way for life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you Jesus went to the cross to pay the price for my sin and separation from you. Even though I know I have been forgiven and will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often I choose to live my life independently from you and contrary to what you intend. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead so I don’t  choose to live independently of you and what you know I need. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you chosen to not live independently from God for all of eternity in that  you’ve accepted His free and gracious provision of life eternally 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 choosing to not live independently from God while He keeps you on this side of eternity? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that 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 live independently from Him? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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 spend more time with it), each Sunday we repost the prior week’s WFTT devotional that got the most attention. The selection for this week is the one where Stan talks with his friend concerning two separate truths about prayer and how they can be combined. The first truth is where Jesus said that God knows what we need before we ask Him. The second is what James wrote about effective prayers. Stan suggests combining these two truths will result in really effective prayers! Link — April 6, 2026 — Looking for an effective prayer?

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, April 6, 2026 —Jesus said that God knows what we need before we ask Him. James wrote that effective prayers accomplish much. Stan talks about combining these two truths in order to have a really effective prayer. Link — April 6, 2026 — Looking for an effective prayer?

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 —Only God can change a person’s heart to want the life that only He offers, which is life eternally with Him that begins here and will continue forever. What is our role in that? Stan talks about a neighbor’s friend who spent her life bringing people to hear the truth about what only God can do. Link — April 7, 2026 — Asking God for what only He can do

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 —We are to share with others. That includes everything others need, but especially the truth of the gospel. Stan talks about why we often don’t do that because we aren’t prepared to do so. Link — April 8, 2026 — To share I have to be ready

Thursday, April 9, 2026 — God wants to refresh us with what He knows we need. Stan points out to his friend that to receive God’s refreshment we have to stop what we’re doing and purposefully seek it. Link — April 9, 2026 — Pausing to be refreshed

Friday, April 10, 2026 —Jesus asked a lot of questions when He walked the earth. Stan uses one that Jesus asked Philip to point out that God often asks him (and the rest of us) the same question about knowing Him. Link — April 10, 2026 — How well do I know Him?

One morning while we were enjoying breakfast together, Stan mentioned that Jesus is recorded as having asked a lot of questions. After I agreed with what he said, I asked Stan if he had mentioned that for any particular reason, of course knowing that he had!

“Because,” Stan replied, “of the impact one of Jesus’ questions had on changing a neighbor’s casual faith walk.”

“Changing a casual faith walk?”

“Yeah,” Stan said. “My neighbor told me that for way too long, he approached his faith walk in a pretty casual way in that he didn’t take it very seriously. He went to church pretty regularly, prayed when he wanted something from God, rarely opened his Bible, and never attended any sort of Bible study, those sorts of things.”

“That probably describes a lot of people,” I ventured.

“I think you’re right,” Stan agreed. “Maybe more of them should do what my neighbor did, focus on a question Jesus asked Philip.”

“What question is that?”

“Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me?”

“Oh,” I said. “Tough question!”

“You’re right,” Stan replied. “It is a tough and penetrating question. One that I, you, and the rest of us need to take seriously. How well do I know Him?”

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Bible verses to consider:

Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?” John 14:9.

And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way for life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will sped eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t pursue knowing you as well and as deeply as you have available. Please forgive that foolish approach of seeking to live this new life without knowing you as well as possible.

Help me follow every step of your lead so I know you as well and as deeply as possible for as long as you keep me here. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you know God in the sense that you have accepted His free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why to you choose to remain separated from Him both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with pursuing knowing God in Christ as well and as deeply as possible? 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 in order to know Him as well and as deeply as possible. Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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?

“A couple of weeks ago,” Stan mentioned one morning during breakfast, “I called Paige Turner at her used book store on Grand Avenue and asked if she had a particular book I was looking for.”

“What’d she say?”

“She didn’t have a copy,” Stan replied, “but she thought she might be able to find one, and she did. Yesterday I went over to see what she found.”

“Did you buy the book?”

“I did,” Stan said. “What Paige found was in excellent condition. It looks like it has hardly been opened. I was very pleased.”

“In any event,” he continued, “while I was waiting to pay for the book, I was looking at an old magazine Paige had on the counter.  It was kind of ragged and torn, but it had an ad for a soft drink on the back cover that really caught my eye.”

“In what way?”

“It was about being refreshed if a person would pause to drink what they were selling.”

“Oh,” I said, “the old pause that refreshes.”

“That’s it,” Stan replied.  “And it struck me that they had the right message, but the wrong focus.”

“How so?”

“I can be refreshed, but I have to pause from what I’m doing and focus on being refreshed by what God has for me, not on what the world offers as refreshment.”

Continuing, he added, “We all need to be refreshed by what God has for us. His refreshment is available, but too often it’s ignored.”

“If God has refreshment available,” I asked, “why wouldn’t everyone take advantage of that?”

“Probably lots of reasons,” Stan replied. “Maybe they don’t know it’s available. Maybe they just prefer to pursue being refreshed by something else, thinking that what the world offers is better than what God has to offer. I don’t know about all the other people, I just know about me —and I know that too often I foolishly choose to go it on my own rather than to pausing to be refreshed by God!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28.

For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh every one who languishes.  Jeremiah 31:25.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to be refreshed through 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 choose not to be refreshed by you. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead in only being refreshed in the way you intend, not by anything the world may offer. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this:  Have you been eternally refreshed in the sense of having accepted what Jesus accomplished by His finished work on the cross, namely 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 what you pursue to be refreshed? 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 be refreshed only by Him? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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 I think I mentioned before,” Stan commented one morning, “I’m in the letter to Hebrews in my morning journaling time.”

“Yeah,” I replied, “you did mentioned that. How’s it going?”

“I’m just about done and ready to move on to James,” Stan said, “but this morning I was led to focus on something the writer of the letter to Hebrews wrote about sharing with others. I’d like to pass it on to you.”

“What’s that?

“That we are to do good and share with others,” Stan replied.

“Share what?”

“While I think the writer was focusing on sharing physical things,” Stan said, “what I was led to focus on was sharing everything, especially the truth of the gospel. I also looked at what the apostle Paul wrote to his friend Timothy about being ready to share.”

“Being ready to share?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied. “If people aren’t ready to share, sharing the way God wants probably won’t happen, whether it’s physical stuff or the truth of God’s provision of life eternally with Him.”

“So,” I said, “be ready. Is that the point?”

“Exactly,” Stan responded. “To share the way God intends, I have to be ready to do so!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16.

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18.

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

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

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for sharing Jesus by giving Him and His finished work on the cross so that all who believe will have life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know you want me to share with others, not just physical things, but especially the truth of the gospel, I confess that too often I’m reluctant to share in the ways you want. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in sharing with others exactly as you want, both with physical things, but especially with the truth of the gospel so they can be saved. 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 free and precious gift of life eternally with Him that He provided by sharing His only begotten Son? If no, why do you choose to not have life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with sharing — sharing physical things and, most importantly, sharing the truth of the gospel? 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 in order to be ready and to actually share with others as He intends? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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?

[Note: The following devotional is dedicated to the memory of a dear friend who, at the age of 101, recently boarded the train. Before then, her entire life was the epitome of what our lives are to look like while we are waiting for the train! Thanks, Liz.]

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One morning during breakfast, Stan told me that his next-door neighbor had attended a memorial service for the woman who was instrumental in his coming to faith. The neighbor told Stan he had spoken at the service about the impact she had on his eternal destination and his life here before then.

“So she led him to faith, is that it?”

“No, that’s not it,” Stan replied. “But what she did is a lesson for me that I would like to pass on to you.”

“What lesson is that?”

“Invite people.”

“Invite people? Invite them to what?”

“Any place where they might hear the truth of the gospel.”

“How so?”

“From what my neighbor said,” Stan replied, “the woman was not necessarily gifted in actually  leading people to Christ, but she was abundantly gifted in hospitality and in being bold to invite people to church and to other events where they might hear the truth of the gospel and take the step of asking God to do what only He can do.”

“Only what He can do? What’s that?”

“Change their heart,” Stan replied with a smile.

Continuing, he added, “That’s what my neighbor said happened with him. The woman he honored at her memorial service invited him to church, to Bible studies, to social events, to all sorts of things where he heard and eventually accepted the truth of the gospel and asked God to do what only He can do.”

“Change his heart?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “And with his changed heart he follows the lead of his friend and invites others to where they might hear the truth and ask God to do what only He can do!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; . . . practicing hospitality. Romans 12:10-13.

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 have 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 I don’t invite anyone to anything where they might here the truth of the gospel and ask you to change their heart. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in seeking others to invite them to where they might hear the transformational truth of the gospel. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you asked God to do what only He can do in changing your heart so you have life eternally with 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 inviting others to where they might hear the truth of the gospel and ask God to do what only He can do? 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 invite other people to church and to other events where they might hear the truth of the gospel and ask God to do what only He can do? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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?

“Have you ever thought that your prayers don’t accomplish much,” Stan asked me between bites of the delicious blueberry pancakes he was enjoying one morning.

“Only about most of the time,” I responded with a laugh. “Why do you ask?”

“The other day,” Stan said, “I was talking with one of my neighbors who told me he thinks he has come up with a way to have effective prayers all of the time.”

“Effective prayers all of the time? That sounds great! What’d he say?”

“It’s based on what Jesus said when He taught His disciples how to pray.”

“Well,” I responded, “if it’s based on what Jesus taught, it’s probably pretty good. What’d your neighbor say?”

“That since God knows what we need before we ask Him, what could be a more effective prayer than asking Him what He knows we need?”

“Asking God for what He knows I need,” I responded. “That does sound like an effective prayer that will accomplish much. I’ve been looking for that!”

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Bible verses to consider:

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

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16.

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

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way for life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you that the life here includes access to you through Jesus. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, and even though I know I have access to you through prayer in Jesus’ name, I confess that too often my prayers are shallow and I seek only what I want without any consideration of what you know I need. Please forgive that foolish approach in my prayers. Help me follow every step of your lead into the most effective prayers possible. 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 free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him so you can approach Him in prayer through Jesus? If no, why do you not want to accept Jesus’ finished work on the cross, but prefer 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 having effective prayers that seek what 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 does He know you need to have the most effective prayers possible? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, 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 about the broken self-serve frozen yogurt machine. Stan uses this as an example of what it means to deny ourselves before taking up we are to take up as disciples who actually follow Jesus. Self-serve is the opposite of denying self — and the self-serve in our Christian lives is to be permanently out of order! Link — April 2, 2026 — It’s supposed to stay broken

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, March 30, 2026 —Paul wrote to the church in Rome that he wanted to impart some spiritual blessing to them. Stan talks about how he thinks this is something we should all want to do. Link — March 30, 2026 — Is it time to be a VIP?

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 —Has anyone ever laughed at or made fun of you for what you say you believe? Stan uses this question to talk about a time some people laughed at Jesus for something He said. They laughed because they thought they knew better than He did. Do you know anyone like that? Link — March 31, 2026 — To perish in unbelief is no laughing matter

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 —Coming to Jesus is the way for life, both now and forever, but many people are unwilling to do that. Stan talks about the importance of truly seeking the only life that matters for both sides of eternity. Link — April 1, 2026 — The only life that matters

Thursday, April 2, 2026 —To be disciples who take up what we are to take up so we can follow involves denying ourselves — denying what we want to do apart from what God has for us to be and to do. Stan talks about how a self-serve frozen yogurt machine that’s broken is a good reflection of how we’re to deny and keep on denying ourselves. Link — April 2, 2026 — It’s supposed to stay broken

Friday, April 3, 2026 —When Pilate was considering what to do with Jesus, Pilate’s wife said something to him that Stan uses to make the point that we’re to do the exact opposite of what she said. Link — April 3, 2026 — Have everything to do with Jesus