March 5, 2026 Devo

I spent a good bit of my day today working on my message for Sunday. The message is titled “Stay Connected.” It’s based on the passage from John 15 where Jesus declares that He is the Vine, and we are the branches.
One of the pieces I focused on was trying to identify what causes us to become disconnected from God. It was a pretty painful exercise as I could see how each one of those disconnections had happened to me along the way. It made me realize how easy it is for us sometimes to let go of the Very One we say we can’t live without. It hit me hard.
As I read our verse for today, I thought about the disconnect that had happened for the Israelites. They were passionate about their ethnic identity. They were passionate about their rituals. They were passionate about their temple, their scriptures, and their patriarchs. But what they had lost was their passion for God. Isaiah told them in his prophecy today that there would be a day that would change. God would once again be their “glorious crown” and their “pride and joy.” One day, they would get back to God and be connected again.
How about YOU? Are you connected to God? Are you passionate about your walk with Him, your relationship to Him, and what He means to you? I’m not asking if you’re excited about your church, your new building campaign, or the new programs you’re starting. I’m not asking if you love your new Bible, your new Christian necklace, or the latest song on Christian radio. Are you passionate about HIM? Are you still in awe that the Creator of the whole universe knows, cares, and is in love with YOU? Is HE your “glorious crown?” Is HE your “pride and joy?” The Israelites disconnected from God without even knowing it. Their religious life took the place of a relationship with Him. I realized today that it happens to me, too. Maybe it’s time to get back to God. That’s God’s Word for you today.