Author: 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

“The other day,” Stan commented one morning during breakfast, “I was reading in Matthew’s gospel about when Jesus appeared before Pilate and I was reminded about a neighbor who told me someone gave him really bad advice about Jesus.”

“What were you reading that reminded you of that?”

“The story of Pilate’s wife,” Stan replied. “While the advice she gave her husband was in a different context, what she told him was exactly what my neighbor said he was told.”

“What’s that?”

“Have nothing to do with Jesus.”

“Have nothing to do with Jesus?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied, “Pilate’s wife had a dream about Jesus and that’s what she told her husband. My neighbor told me that when he first was interested in Christianity and was considering becoming a Christian, he was told by someone to have nothing to do with Jesus.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure,” Stan replied. “My neighbor didn’t give me any specifics. He just told me he is so very thankful that he ignored that advice and chose to have everything to do with Jesus!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Matthew 27:19.

. . . apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.

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. Thank you for those who told me about your free and gracious provision so I didn’t continue life without a relationship with you through Jesus. 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 tell others about your provision so they don’t have to continue living here and beyond without you. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead into the deepest possible “everything” with you. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you have everything to do with Jesus in the sense that you have accepted life eternally with God through His 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 telling others of God’s provision so they don’t have to continue a life that has nothing to do with Him? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, now 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 for your life, both here and beyond to have everything to do with Jesus? 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?

“I got another picture from my friend yesterday,” Stan mentioned one morning during breakfast.

“The guy who takes pictures of things that strike his spiritual fancy?”

“That’s the one. He takes a picture of something, sends it to me, we talk about it, and then I pass it on to you.”

“What’d he send this time?”

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

I looked at the picture, studied it a bit, and then said, “This looks like one of those self-serve frozen-yogurt machines with an ‘Out of Order’ sign on it. Is that what it is?”

“You got it,” Stan replied with a smile.

“What’s the significance of that?”

“My friend and I talked about that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

“That’s the way what’s supposed to be?”

“Our self-serve is to be out of order. It’s to be broken and never repaired. Jesus talked about that.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “yes and no. Jesus didn’t talk about broken self-serve frozen- yogurt machines, but He certainly did talk about denying self. It seems to me that’s about the same thing.”

“What same thing?”

“We are to deny self. Period. Hard stop. We are to deny self and not fix it so we never again start serving self rather than serving God by taking up what He has for us to take up!”

He then added, “It’s just like the broken self-serve frozen yogurt machine. It’s supposed to stay broken!”

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Bible verses to consider:

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. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” Luke 9:23-25.

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 He denied Himself and went to the cross in obedience so I could accept what He accomplished. 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 deny myself and what I want to do apart from you. Because of that, I don’t take up what you have for me to take up for you and your kingdom. And I don’t follow. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live the new life you’ve given without first denying self. Help me follow every step of your lead in truly denying self and in truly taking up each day what you have for me to take up so I will follow you. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Will you be following Jesus all the way to heaven because you have accepted God’s 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 denying what you want to do apart from God so you can take up each day what He has for you to take up, and then follow? 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 deny self by setting aside what you want to do apart 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?

“Earlier this morning in my journaling time,” Stan mentioned during breakfast, “I saw a verse in John’s gospel that reminded me of one of my neighbors.”

“Something reminded you of your neighbors? What were you looking at?”

“What Jesus once said to some Pharisees.”

“Some Pharisees? Is one of your neighbors a Pharisee?”

“He’s not,” Stan replied with a smile, “but he said he had been just like them.”

“Just like them in what way?”

“He was unwilling to come to Jesus so he would have life.”

“Have life? What kind of life?”

“The only kind of life that matters,” Stan said with emphasis. “Life eternally with God, the life that begins here on this side of eternity but will continue forever.”

“So,” I asked, “if your neighbor was unwilling to come to Jesus to have life, is he still unwilling?”

“He’s not,” Stan replied. “He concluded he wanted the life he didn’t have, the life that he could  only have by coming to Jesus. And that’s what he did. He did what God knew he needed to do to have the only life that matters!”

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Bible verses to consider:

. . . and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. John 5:40.

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. John 14:6.

Come unto Me, . . . . Matthew 11:28.

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. Thank you for those who told me that He is the only way to you so I could choose to have the only life that matters. Even though I have that life, I confess that too often I don’t continually come to Jesus while I remain on this side of eternity. As well, I don’t tell others about the life they can have in Him. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in having the only life that matters for both sides of eternity. 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 came to provide 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 have come to Jesus for eternal purposes, how are you doing with coming to Him for all you need while you remain here? How are you doing with telling others that Jesus is the only way to have the life that matters? 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 come to Jesus for both for now and forever? 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?

While we were waiting for Ricky to bring breakfast one morning, Stan asked, “Have you ever had anyone laugh at you because of what you believe?”

“I have,” I replied. “When I first told a friend I had become a Christian, he laughed and kind of made fun of me. Why do you ask?”

“I was reading in Luke’s gospel the other day,” Stan replied, “and I saw an account of some people who laughed at Jesus because they didn’t believe something He said.”

“Some people laughed at Jesus? That doesn’t seem like a real good idea. What’d He say that caused them to laugh?”

“He told them a girl was sleeping.”

“What’s so funny about that?”

“The people thought the girl was dead, not sleeping, and they thought they knew better than Jesus did about the situation.”

“Again,” I replied, “that doesn’t seem like a very good idea. What was going on?”

“Quick summary,” Stan said. “At one point, Jesus was in the middle of a crowd when a man named Jairus showed up and asked Him to heal his sick daughter.”

“Was his daughter with him?”

“No,” Stan replied, “she was at home. But before Jesus could even start to go there, someone from Jairus’ house came and told him that his daughter had died.”

“Then what?”

“When Jesus heard what was said,” Stan replied, “He told Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe, and the daughter would be made well.”

“So did Jesus go to the house?”

“He did,” Stan said. “And when he got there, that’s when the weeping and laughing people came onto the scene.”

“How so?”

“When Jesus entered the house, there was a bunch of people weeping over the death of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus told them to stop weeping because the girl wasn’t dead; she was only asleep. And that’s when they laughed.”

“Because they thought they knew better than Jesus?” I replied. “Is that why they laughed?”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “Jesus went on to wake up the girl, but before that happened it says that those people laughed because they knew that the girl had died. And what they did is not a whole lot different from what happens way too often today?”

“What’s that?”

“People laugh at Jesus and at the people who believe in Him,” Stan sad, “because they think they know better.”

“But they don’t,” I commented.

“Exactly,” Stan replied. “And there can be some serious consequences when people laugh because they don’t believe.”

“Like what?”

“Being separated from God for all of eternity, beginning here,” Stan said. “Because they don’t believe, they will miss life eternally with God when they step into eternity. As well, they will miss the eternal life of knowing Jesus and His Father while they remain on this side of eternity.”

“If that’s what they will miss because they laugh in their unbelief,” I asked, “do you think God will say, in essence, that He has the last laugh?”

“I don’t think God’s going to laugh,” Stan replied, “because He doesn’t want anyone to perish.”

“And,” he continued, “when those who are perishing realize too late that their lack of belief  was no laughing matter, I don’t think God will be laughing. Satan probably will be, but God won’t. And we shouldn’t either. To perish in unbelief is no laughing matter!” 

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Bible verses to consider:

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. Luke 8:52-53.

He began to say, “Depart; for the girl is not dead, but is asleep.” And they were laughing at Him. Matthew 9:24.

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 as the way for all who believe to have life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for those who told me the truth of your provision so I could accept what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while you keep me here I don’t tell others about your provision for all who believe. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in going and telling others about your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you, both now and forever. 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, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you want 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 trying to reach the lost who are still laughing at Jesus and at those who believe in 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 knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8),what does He know you need so you will reach out to those who may be laughing at Jesus (and you) so they will not perish in unbelief and be in Satan’s laughing presence forever? Spend some 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?

“Earlier this morning in my journaling time,” Stan mentioned one day during breakfast, “I was focusing on the importance of being a VIP.”

“A VIP? Why were you focusing on being a Very Important Person?”

“Oh, it wasn’t that kind of VIP,” Stan replied with a smile.

“How so?”

“I was reading at the beginning of the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome,” Stan replied,  “and I sensed the importance of being what Paul wrote he wanted to be.”

“Paul wanted to be a Very Important Person?”

“No,” Stan replied, “he wanted to be a Very Imparting Person, and I think that’s what each one of us is called to be.”

“A Very Imparting Person? What’s that?”

“Paul wrote about his desire to impart some spiritual gift to the people in Rome,” Stan replied, “and it seems to me that’s what I, along with the rest of us, should desire to do.”

“Impart spiritual gifts?”

“Why not?” Stan asked. “I’ve certainly received a lot of spiritual gifts, and you probably have also. Don’t you think it’s time to impart some of those to other people? Isn’t it time to be a Very Imparting Person, a VIP?”

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Bible verses to consider:

For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established. Romans 1:11.

Go therefore and make disciples . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the gift of Jesus and His finished work on the cross that opened for me the way of 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 don’t impart spiritual gifts so that others may know you in a deepening personal relationship. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given to me. Help me follow every step of your lead in imparting to others exactly what you intend for me to impart to them. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted the gift of Jesus 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 imparting spiritual gifts to others? 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 in order to impart spiritual gifts to others? Spent 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?

For those who may have missed it (or want to spend more time focusing on it), each Sunday we repost the prior week’s WFTT devotional that got the most attention. The selection for this week is the one dealing with how we must change in order to be disciples. Stan talks about how the first disciples, who were fishermen, had to get out of their boats in order to follow Jesus. It’s the same thing for each one of us today: we can’t continue with our old lives and follow Jesus at the same time. We need to get out of our “boat.” Link — March 23, 2026 — Getting out of the boat

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 23, 2026 —Before the early disciples who were fishermen could follow Jesus as disciples, they had to get out of their boats — they had to stop doing what they were doing and take up what Jesus had for them to do in following Him. It’s the same thing for all of us today. Link — March 23, 2026 — Getting out of the boat

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 —While we can’t force anyone to become or to actually live as a Christian, we can have a compelling message that may lead others in those directions. Link — March 24, 2026 — A compelling message that can make a difference

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 —Many people write personal mission statements of what they want to guide their life. Have you considered one that guides eternal life? Link — March 25, 2026 — Shouldn’t that be our mission?

Thursday, March 26, 2026 —Just like the woman at the well, we are to go and tell people what Jesus said to us so those people, in turn, will listen to what He has to say to them. Link — March 26, 2026 — They may listen to us, but they really need to listen to Him

Friday, March 27, 2026 —Jesus said that the kingdom of God is in our midst. He also told us how to see it. Link — March 27, 2026 — That’s how I can see what’s in my midst

Between bites of the blueberry pancakes he was enjoying one morning, Stan said, “My journaling earlier today showed me something I’d like to pass on to you.”

“I’d love to hear it,” I replied. “What’d you see?”

“What I saw,” Stan said, “reminded me of something I didn’t see for way too long even though it was right in front of me.”

“You didn’t see something that was right in front of you? What’s that?”

“The kingdom of God,” Stan said. “Jesus said that the kingdom of God is in our midst, but He also said that we need to have something I didn’t have in order to see it.”

“What didn’t you have?”

“The new birth,” Stan replied. “I wasn’t born again so I couldn’t see the kingdom of God even though it was right in front of me.”

“But now you can?”

“I can,” Stan agreed, “because I did what Jesus said needed to be done in order to see the kingdom of God.”

“Be born again?”

“That’s it,” Stan affirmed. “That’s how people can see what’s in their midst!”

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Bible verses to consider:

For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst. Luke 17:21.

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.

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. Thank you for those people who told me what was necessary for me to see your kingdom and to be in the midst of it. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, too often I don’t tell others what they need to see the kingdom of God and to be in the midst of your kingdom. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead in not only being in the midst of your kingdom, but in telling others how they, too, can see and be a part of your kingdom. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you see the kingdom of God because you have 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 seeing God’s kingdom? How about telling others how they can see the kingdom of 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 God know you need to see His kingdom, as well as helping others to see it? 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?