The Morning Focus Daily Devotional with Rick and McKenna

Ever ask yourself, "What am I here for?" It's one thing when you ask yourself that after walking into a room and not knowing what you came in for, it's another when you're questioning if your life has any purpose. If you've been wondering that yourself lately, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;   I do not fight lik...

Some things in our lives are just... dead. Dreams, relationships, seasons we wish we could get back. But instead of letting go, we hang on—afraid to call them what they are. But what if the thing you're holding on to is the very thing keeping you from the new life He's offering? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. "Then he said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to...

Maybe you've tried reading the Bible but felt more confused than comforted. You hear other people talk about Hebrew and Greek root words and cultural context and start to wonder… is this even for me? If you've ever felt disqualified or discouraged when opening God's Word, you're not alone. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of who Scripture is written for...

Maybe life feels more like a treadmill than a journey—lots of movement, but not much meaning. When you're overwhelmed by the pace or pain of it all, it's easy to forget where you're headed. But what if the strength you need is found in remembering the destination? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Link is in the comments. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, wh...

When pride, insecurity, or comparison try to define who you are, how do you stay rooted in what   God  says about you? In this Full Focus episode, Chad Mattson, lead singer of the band Unspoken, shares how he works to keep a truth centered understanding of who he is—and how that struggle is something we all face, whether we're on stage or not. This conversation is honest, challenging, and ultimate...

Maybe you know it's time for change, but you just don't have the energy to do the work. If you go to God you'll have to shape up-do better-BE better. While it's true that God does call us to grow, His response to our repentance isn't shame and lecturing. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of how He does respond. Don't be afraid, O land. Be glad now and re...

Have you ever felt your phone or watch buzz, but there isn't any notification? It's called a phantom buzz, and a lot of people experience this! It comes from having so many notifications and alerts all the time. But this space of attention and comparison isn't where God invites us to root ourselves. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Make it your goal to live a quiet l...

Why is is so easy for everyone else and so hard for you? What's wrong with you that you are still struggling with these same sins? Have you asked yourself questions like these before? These questions of comparison are rooted in lies the enemy has sold us, but we don't have to believe them. If you need a reminder of the truth this morning, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Fo...

Maybe you've decided that it's not that bad. That it's not hurting anyone, really. When we dismiss the sin in our life like this, we've believed lies about what God has for us. This morning, if you need a reminder and a challenge to how we deal with sin, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your...

Have you ever had a pair of shoes that were just a little too tight—but you kept wearing them anyway? Sometimes we do the same thing in our hearts. We settle into our pain, or disappointment, or dysfunction—like it's just how life will always be. But we don't have to settle! Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been...

It's all on you. All of the weight, all of the expectation, all the responsibility. Have you ever felt pressure like that before? The enemy lies to us, telling us that we have only our own strength to lean on. But the enemy lies. For a reminder of the truth. Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them....

"Patience is a virtue. Not many have it." Have you ever heard that saying before? Waiting is just hard to do. Have you ever thought about the fact that God waits too? If you're curious, join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.  So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. Isaiah 30:18

Have you ever said something like this: "I just don't feel God's love for me." "I don't feel like reading my Bible." "I don't feel God's presence."  Sure, we want to be emotionally intelligent people, but what happens when "feeling" becomes what we serve over serving God? Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must...

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything just feels off? You're not necessarily mad or upset—you're just off . Maybe you feel restless, or unmotivated, or just kind of blah . And when you stop and think about it, you realize you haven't really spent much time with God. You've been caught up in the busyness of life, and slowly, without even noticing, your heart has started to drift. St...

From jump scares to terrifying diagnoses, life is filled with scary moments. The enemy would love for you to live constantly on edge. Afraid of life itself. But that's no way to live. Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of the truth. 

There are moments in life when we feel worn out, unproductive, maybe even too far gone. We can convince ourselves that God is ready to give up on us. But that's not who He is. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a remidner of God's heart in relation to our mistakes. 

A hero never gives up, right? But when you don't feel like a hero, giving up may feel like the only option. A hero has power of their own to draw on, but you're fully drained. But giving up isn't your only option this morning. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Let us not become weary in doing good,   for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up....

Have you ever reads something that makes you do a double take? First read, you smile and think, "that's nice," but the second time you read it you realize you're not fully sure what it means. 1 Timothy 6:6 is more than a quotable verse, there's some real wisdom packed in here. Dig in to it this morning with Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. But godliness with contentment i...

Have you ever been in a pitch-black room and fumbled around for a light switch? It's disorienting! That's what life can feel like when you're struggling. When you're hurting, exhausted, or overwhelmed, even reaching for the light can feel impossible. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of the hope we have in the midst of our darkest moments.   You light a...

The enemy doesn't always try to stop you with a battle—sometimes, he just wants to slow you down. He knows he can't take away God's calling on your life, so instead, he distracts you. No distractions this morning! Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. I replied by sending this message to them: "I am engaged in a great work, so I can't come. Why should I stop working to co...

Are you a giver, or a taker? Well, we all know what the "right" answer is. "It is better to give than to receive" and all that…But even if you are someone who gives and gives and gives…there's an over used quote for that too: "You can't pour from an empty cup." So what about finding a way to mix the two? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. He comforts us in all our trou...

Is there a difference between the presence of God and the feeling of the presence of God? Rick and McKenna say that's a definitely "Yes!" Curious on why? Join them for today's episode of The Morning Focus. I go east, but he is not there.  I go west, but I cannot find him.  I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.  I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And...

Do you struggle to get to your God time? Does your relationship with God feel stale? Or maybe, do you feel like the problem is less about finding time to spend with God and more about not wanting to spend the time with Him? When the enemy speaks lies into our relationships with God, we can lose sight of what He intended the relationship to be like in the first place. Let's get reset on the truth t...

You know, normally on the Morning Focus, we talk about who we are and what our identity IS. The enemy often lies about who we are, but sometimes those lies are more about putting expectations on us that aren't our to carry. Want some clarification on what your job is and isn't as a believer? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. For God did not send his Son into the world...

"God is good, so just have faith, and it will all work out." Maybe you've heard something like this before from a well-meaning believer. This idea that "good" Christians never experiences crises of faith, or struggle through sorrow, is harmful and not biblically accurate. So, what do you do, when you believe in God, but at the same time feel crushed by whatever pain you're experiencing?   For this...