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Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation. As we were waiting for Ricky to bring what we had ordered, I commented, “You know, we live in a pretty wicked world where sometimes it’s really hard to live as a Christian.”

“You’ve got that right,” Stan replied, “but I think it’s important to know that times like this have happened before and God has shown us how to live in times like these.”

“How are we supposed to live in times of wickedness?”

“Just like Noah,” Stan responded.

“Just like Noah? You mean the guy with the big boat?”

“That’s the one,” Stan replied. “I think he’s the perfect model for times like these.”

“How so?”

“Let’s take a quick look.  In Genesis, the first book in the Bible, it says that God saw the great wickedness and evil that was on the earth, but he also saw that Noah had chosen something different from what he was surrounded with.”

“Something different?”

“Yeah,” Stan replied. “It says that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time, and that he walked with God.”

“Noah walked with God in spite of the wickedness and evil that surrounded him,” I said, “and that’s what we should do. Is that it?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “Noah did it by choosing to do so, and, it seems to me, we can make the same choice.”

“Even though that might not be easy?”

“Exactly,” Stan replied. “Easy doesn’t have anything to do with it. It’s a matter of choosing to be like Noah!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9.

. . .  choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross at 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 choose not to walk with you, but I choose to walk with the world. Please forgive that foolishness and help me to walk with you always, regardless of what may be going on around me. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Are you walking with God in the sense you have accepted His free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him? If no, why do you want to continue to walk apart from Him? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with walking with God regardless of what may surround you in 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 6:6), what does He know you need to choose to walk with Him regardless of the wickedness of the world that may surround you? 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 one morning to enjoy breakfast together and talk about our Christian faith. I never know for certain what Stan may want to talk about, so it’s always kind of an adventure! This morning he said he wanted to talk about something he had focused on in his journaling a bit earlier in the morning.  “What’s that?” I asked.

“The question of whether a believer is supposed to believe,” he replied with a smile.

“Isn’t that pretty obvious?” I responded.

“Not necessarily,” he replied. “At least that’s what I saw in a story from the Book of Acts.”

“Which story is that?”

“Where Peter had been arrested, put in jail, and it looked like he might be executed. Some Christians were praying for him, but it seems they didn’t really believe their prayers would do any good.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The people were praying, God answered their prayers by sending an angel to release Peter who then showed up where the people we’re praying, but they didn’t believe that Peter was actually there. In fact, they told the girl who reported that Peter was knocking at the door that she was out of her mind.”

“You’re right,” I said, “that certainly sounds like they didn’t believe that God would answer their prayers.”

“That’s it,” Stan replied, “and I don’t know for sure about anyone other than myself, but I have to admit I’ve done the same thing.”

“Not believed that God would answer your prayers?”

“Afraid so,” Stan said, “but when that happens, God usually steps in and points out to me that as a believer I’m supposed to believe!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. And they said to her, “You are out of your mind!” Acts of the Apostles 12:13-15.

. . . “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you beginning now and continuing 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 believe what I say I believe about you and your provision. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow your lead into the deepest possible belief in every aspect of my relationship with you, both for eternity and for while I remain here. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Can you come before the Father in the name of the Son because you have become a believer and accepted Jesus’ finished work on the cross and know you have true 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 say you believe? Do you need help with what you say you believe? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?

The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to actually believe what you say you believe? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!

Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?

Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe to have breakfast and talk about whatever happened to be on his mind. He started by saying, “Do you remember we’ve talked about how it’s not possible for people to work their way to heaven?”

“I sure do,” I replied. “The free and gracious gift of salvation can only be accepted for what it is, a gift that can’t be earned. Why do you mention it?”

“In my journaling time earlier this morning,” Stan said, “I read something Jesus said about joy in heaven that led me to focus on the matter that while I can’t work my way to heaven, I certainly can work for there to be greater joy in heaven.”

“Work for there to be greater joy in heaven? What do you mean?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “at one point Jesus talked about there being more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

“What about it?”

“It seems to me,” Stan said, “that’s what the ‘go’ of the great commission is all about. I’m to go and tell people about God’s provision of salvation so they can repent. And when each one repents there will be more joy in heaven. I’m to go, tell, and work to help people repent so there will be an increased amount of joy in heaven!”

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Bible verses to consider:

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7.

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

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.

. . . the kindness of God leads you to repentance. Romans 2:4.

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 told me about your free and gracious provision so I could accept it. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity, I don’t go anywhere to tell anyone anything about your provision so they can repent, accept your free gift, and increase the joy in heaven. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you increased the joy in heaven by repenting and accepting God’s 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 increasing the joy in heaven by helping others repent? 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, not only to personally increase the joy in heaven by repenting, but to go and help others repent and increase the joy 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?

Stan and I were again together for conversation and breakfast at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. As he does from time to time, Stan mentioned he’d received another picture from his friend who photographs things that have some spiritual significance. Stan and his friend talk about those pictures and Stan shares with me what they talked about. As he handed me his phone, Stan said, “Take a look at this picture.” 

As I looked, I said, “It’s a road sign that says ‘No U-turn’. What’d you and your friend talk about?”

“U-turns,” Stan replied with a smile. “Both eternal and non-eternal.”

“Eternal and non-eternal U-turns? How so?”

“Well,” Stan said, “in the first place, God gave Jesus as the way to make the U-turn that has eternal consequences.”

“Changes our direction of where we’re going for all of eternity?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “Once we’ve made that eternal U-turn, there’s no need to be concerned about it, but there is the concern about the daily U-turns we face as we remain here waiting for the train.”

“Daily U-turns?”

“Yeah,” Stan said, “every single day I’m faced with temptations to turn from God and what He has for me to be and to do in living the new life He’s given. Those are Satan’s temptations to ignore God’s desire that there be no U-turns. When it comes to U-turns, it’s to be a matter of ignoring Satan, not God!”

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Bible verses to consider:

. . . to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the domination of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. Acts of the Apostles 26:18.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as 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 4:6.

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 your provision of the eternal U-turn 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 turn from you and what you have for me to be and to do for you and your kingdom. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me live a life in which here is no turning from you. 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 for the eternal U-turn so you know you have  life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with the daily temptations to turn from God and what He has for you to do and to be? 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 make the eternal U-turn, but to not make the daily U-turns Satan desires for you? 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 has Stan talking about the conversation between Jesus and Pilate — and how it might lead to Jesus’ asking each one of us a very penetrating question. Link — June 29, 2026 — Why didn’t you tell him?

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, June 29,  2026 —Based on the conversation between Jesus and Pilate, Stan presents a penetrating question Jesus may ask each person who knows the truth of the gospel. Link — June 29, 2026 — Why didn’t you tell him?

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 —We are to go into the world — whatever and wherever that world may be for us — and present the truth of the gospel. Although that can be a scary prospect, we need to know we will not be alone. Link — June 30, 2026 — If we arise and go, He will go with us

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — Most if not all of us seek to have a fulfilling life. Stan talks about how our search for that kind of life may begin with what the apostle Paul encouraged his friend Timothy to do. Link — July 1, 2026 — The way to be fulfilled

Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Continuing with the theme of what Paul wrote to Timothy about fulfilling his ministry in Ephesus, Stan talks about and suggests that the Christian life is a ministry all by itself, one we are to fulfill. Link — July 2, 2026 — The ministry of the new life

Friday, July 3, 2026 —Jesus was obedient in going to the cross to redeem the lost world. He told those who wish to follow Him that we are to deny ourselves and then take up our cross. Stan talks about what that cross may look like for us. Link — July 3, 2026 — The cross of obedience

Stan and I were again together for breakfast and conversation at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. As we waited for Ricky to bring what we wanted for breakfast, Stan mentioned that earlier during his journaling time, he’d been focusing again on obedience and he said he wanted to talk about the answer to one of Jesus’ many questions. “Which question?” I asked.

“Why do I call Him ‘Lord’,” Stan replied, “but I don’t do what He says?”

“Oh, yeah,” I said, “that’s a good question for me as well.”

“Not only for me and you,” Stan responded, “but it’s a good question for everyone who claims that Jesus is Lord of their lives!”

“If that’s the question,” I asked, “what’s the answer?”

“I can only speak for myself,” Stan said, “but I can say it’s mostly about the same thing the apostle Paul wrote about Jesus’ obedience.”

“What’s that?”

“That Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross.”

Continuing, Stan added, “Too often I’m not obedient to what God has for me to obey because I don’t humble myself by actually being the disciple I claim to be.”

“What’s being a disciple have to do with it?”

“As you’ll remember,” Stan replied, “Jesus said that if I want to follow Him, I have to deny myself and take up my cross daily.”

“Yeah, I remember that,” I said, “but I’m not sure I get how that relates t obedience.”

“Jesus was obedient to the point of death on the cross,” Stan replied, “and when He says I’m to deny myself and take up my cross each day, it seems to me He’s saying I’m to die to self and take up the cross of doing each day whatever He has for me to do. My cross is to take up is the cross of obedience!”

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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.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a  cross. Philippians 2:8.

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.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His obedience in going to 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 humble myself to be obedient to whatever you have for me to obey. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in truly denying self and in doing each day whatever you have for me to do in taking up the cross of obedience. Thank you 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 His obedience in going to the cross to provide the way for you to have life with God? 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 taking up your cross of obedience? 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 take up your cross of obedience to obey whatever He has for you? 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 having breakfast and conversation at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. Between bites of the wonderful blueberry pancakes Stan was enjoying, he said he had something else to  say concerning a topic we’ve discussed before. I asked him what he had on his mind.

“Fulfilling our ministry,” He responded.

“Yeah,” I replied, “we’ve talked about that several times, what more do you have to talk about?”

“As you’ll remember,” he replied, “the apostle Paul told his friend Timothy to fulfill his ministry in the work God had given him to do in Ephesus. It seems to me, that’s the same thing for us, at least for me.”

“What same thing? Fulfill a ministry in Ephesus?”

“If that’s what God has me to do,” Stan replied with a smile, “but really everywhere is to be my ‘Ephesus’.”

“Everywhere is to be your ‘Ephesus’? How so?”

“Timothy was in Ephesus to do what God had for him to do. Same thing for me and for the rest of us. We’re where we are, wherever that is, to do what God has for us to do. That’s the ministry He’s given each one of us to fulfill.”

“So,” I replied, “what you’re saying is that simply being a Christian is a ministry we’re to fulfill, is that it?”

“That’s basically it,” Stan said, “but I would add that there’s nothing simple about it! It may sound simple or easy, but it’s not. If it were, all of us would be doing it, but we don’t. Just think what this world would look like if we all actually fulfilled the ministry of living the new life Christ came to give!”

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Bible verses to consider:

. . ., fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5.

. . . whatever you do, do all to glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17.

 . . . so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, . . . . 1 Peter 4:11.

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 fulfill the ministry of actually living the new life Jesus came to give. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in fulfilling all you have for me for as long as I remain here. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you have a ministry to fulfill because you’ve accepted God’s provision of life with Him? If no, why do 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 fulfilling what God has for you to do in and through your life 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 knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only have life with Him, but to fulfill what He has for you to do? 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 one morning having breakfast together. We had both ordered the blueberry pancakes. As we waited for Ricky to bring them, Stan mentioned he’d been talking to a neighbor who had found how to have a fulfilling life. Since I’m interested in having that kind of life, I asked Stan what his neighbor had to say.

“What he said,” Stan replied, “is that he took a cue from one thing Paul wrote to his friend Timothy.”

“What’s that?”

“Paul encouraged Timothy to fulfill his ministry.”

“So?”

“My neighbor said he assumes Timothy did what Paul encouraged him to do and, as a result,  found fulfillment in doing so.”

“Well,” I replied, “that’s probably great for Timothy that he found fulfillment in his ministry, but what about people who don’t have a ministry to fulfill?”

“Find one and fulfill it,” Stan said with a smile. “That’s the way to be fulfilled!”

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Bible verses to consider:

. . . fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5.

Therefore, gird your minds for action, . . . . 1 Peter 1:13.

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’m not fulfilled by fulfilling a ministry. Help me be fulfilled by doing what you have for me to do for you and your kingdom in redeeming the lost world. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Do you want to have a ministry to fulfill for God and His kingdom because you have 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, do you have a ministry to fulfill? If yes, how are you doing with it? If no, why do you not have such a ministry? 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 a ministry to fulfill? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journalling 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 sat together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe having breakfast one morning, he told me he had heard from one of his neighbors another personal testimony he wanted to pass on. Since I love hearing what others have to say about their personal faith experiences, I asked him to tell me what he’d heard.

“As often happens,” he began, “a single Bible verse can have a huge impact on a person’s faith.”

“Is that what happened with your neighbor? A single verse made a difference?”

“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “My neighbor told me that for a long time he’d been pretty complacent about his faith. He was a believer, but he didn’t do much to increase his faith. He would read his Bible, but only occasionally.”

“However,” he continued, “as God is apt to do, one morning my neighbor said he was looking at John’s gospel and saw a single thing Jesus said that changed everything for him and his desire for a closer relationship with God.”

“A single verse? It must have been a powerful one.”

“It was for him,” Stan responded. “It actually became his guiding verse. It’s the one he focuses on every day that gets him to move.”

“Move? Move where?”

“From where he is,” Stan replied with a smile, “to where God knows he needs to be.”

“Where God knows he needs to be for what?”

“Whatever God has for him to be and do there,” Stan replied. “And, it seems to me, what Jesus said is good advice for all of us, but especially for me!”

“What’d Jesus say?”

“He said three separate but related things, “Stan replied. “He said to ‘arise’, which means we have to get up so we can actually go, which is the third thing. In between, Jesus said a really important thing by using ‘us’.”

“Us?”

“Yeah,” Stan said. “Jesus said,’Let us go,’ which looks to me like He’s going to go with us to where He has for us to go. If we arise and go, He will go with us!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Arise, let us go from here. John 14:31.

Go therefore . . . , I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 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. 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 arise and go from where I am to where you know I need to be to be a part of what you are doing for your kingdom. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in arising and going from where I am to where you have for me to be, knowing you will go with me. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you arisen from where you were, separated from God, to where you now 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 arising and going from where you are to where God knows you need to be? How about with knowing He will go with 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, not only to change from being eternally separated from Him, but what you need to continually arise from where you are to where He knows you need to be for His purposes. 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?