Daily Devotion

“Those who serve the Lord fear most having gifts but no life, having work but no spiritual communion. We must be like branches tightly bound to the vine, first having inner fullness before outward expression; first having sacrifices on the altar before having fruitful results in the field.”

Lin Daoliang · The Art of Service

Scripture

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Reflection

Today's busyness is a blessing, but it can also easily lead us into the trap of "working for God" while forgetting "being with God." As Pastor Lin Daoliang said, artistic creation and interviews without an inner connection to life are merely withered branches. The Book of Ezra reminds us that rebuilding the temple requires first restoring worship; similarly, tomorrow's Bible study is not about eloquence, but about whether we are truly rooted in the true vine of Christ. Only by being filled with the Lord in secret can we exude the fragrance of life in tomorrow's ministry, rather than merely engaging in dry textual discussions.