The Morning Focus Daily Devotional with Rick and McKenna

There are seasons of ease and seasons of pain. No matter where you are, God is with you! For more encouragement, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;        even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.   Psalm 65:11  

Things just tend to fluctuate. Up and down, up and down. This up and down is a natural cycle…we're used to it. And that's the problem. We are used to things going up and down, so when the enemy tries to tell you that God's love for you fluctuates in the same way…well, it makes sense. But that's the enemy's voice. If you need a reminder of what God's voice says, join Rick and Mckenna for today's ep...

The idea of being exposed is not a comforting idea to anyone. It brings up shame and fear. But that's not how we have to live. In fact that whole deal comes from lies we believe, spoken to us by our enemy. For a reminder of the truth, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.   Could this be the Messiah?"   John 4:29  

Claustrophobic or not, the idea of being caught in a narrow passageway hundreds of feet under ground isn't a picnic for anyone. If life has been squeezing you in lately, and you need some room to breathe, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. He brought me out into a spacious   place;        he rescued   me because he delighted   in me.   2 Samuel 22:20  

Whether it's losing an hour of sleep or something else entirely, sometimes life just whips us around. If you're looking for a place of rest and security today, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.    Hebrews 6:19  

Have you ever had to do something really hard, all alone? Not having support as you work through a difficult challenge makes the challenge all the more impossible. Life is not easy. In fact, Jesus promises us that we will have troubles. If you've been wondering lately how God expects you to live out the calling He has for you then join Rick and McKenna for The Morning Focus as they dig into the su...

Do you ever get paralyzed by questions and decision making? None of us want to waste our life, so we try to make the best decisions we can. But sometimes that decision making turns into trying to decipher what God's plan is. Good news! You don't have to become a super sleuth to live a life honoring to God. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Whatever you do, work at it...

Have you given up on the possibility that God has called you? Sure, He's called the people around you, but maybe the trajectory of your life would suggest that there's nothing "usable". The enemy is crafty, but he is a liar. Your struggles and weakness have not disqualified you. In fact God is notorious for using people just like you. Curious about how? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of...

Have you ever asked God, "What do you want me to do with my life?" So many of us ask this question, and it is a good one! But often the enemy will jump in and try to answer for God: "God doesn't have a plan for you. You're too broken for Him to use you." Thankfully, the Bible says otherwise- and clearly too! If this is a question you wrestle with, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The M...

Have you ever felt like you were barely holding on? Like your faith was flickering, your heart was bruised, or your spirit was running on empty? If that's you today, no need to brace yourself- join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. He will not crush the weakest reed   or put out a flickering candle.   Matthew 12:20  

When it comes to becoming more like Jesus, to changing our lives, what's your main tool? What do you put your energy into? Jesus has been showing me lately that I've been focusing on the wrong thing. Victory won't be had the way I'm doing things. Have you been fighting without making any headway? Join me for today's episode of The Morning Focus. - McKenna But you will receive power when the Holy S...

Remember getting hand-me-downs as a kid? Some were okay, but others… not so much. In life, we sometimes wear what life has handed us—grief, shame, heaviness. But Jesus says, I have something brand new for you. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. to bestow on them a crown   of beauty instead of ashes,   the oil   of joy   instead of mourning,   and a garment of praise in...

We talk a lot about the negative voice in our heads, and the lies the enemy feeds us. But maybe your head isn't flooded with negativity, it's full of...everything else. Often we can get distracted from who God is by the world around us. It makes us forget who He really is and what His love for us is really life. To focus back up, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Bles...

Let's set the scene: Imagine you get a call, telling you that you've been chosen as the recipient of a huge award. What's the first thought in your mind? Maybe it's "What did I do to earn this?" You don't just get things just because, especially not good things. You've got to earn them, that's the way the world works. But it's not how God works. If you're curious about how He does work, join Rick...

Have you ever snapped and bitten off someone's head over a silly, unimportant thing? Those moments don't feel good at all. Talk about instant regret. But those moments can actually be helpful- they can be indicators that we have built up a tough wall around our hearts. Need an indictor this morning? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. And I will give you a new heart, an...

Have you ever come to the end of yourself? We all wish we could do more, be better, erase what makes us weak. But the reality is not only that we can't fully erase them, but also that when we chase after our own perfection we lose the opportunity to glorify God and deepen our relationship with Him.  Full Focus episodes are longer episode of The Morning Focus where we get to go deeper into the trut...

It's a little difficult to help yourself, when you're the one struggle to stay afloat. Maybe "little" is an understatement. If you're looking for rest today, you're in the right place. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the  Lord  gave them...

Do you feel like you've ever been scattered before? Maybe you're life shattered in some way or another and now you've got pieces of yourself all over. However that happened, we're slowing down this morning to tell you that God sees what has happened, He knows how broken up you feel, and He will not leave you that way. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. But I will gathe...

Sharing is caring! You've probably heard that phrase before, and maybe when it comes to encoiuragement you live it out! But what about you, is the word of encouragement, or piece of direction ever for  you ? Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.  Then he added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Ezekiel 3:10

Would you describe your life as vibrant and hopeful, or does it feel more like you're tending a grave? Something has happened, and you've given up your hope. You can't see a version of your life that has more. Maybe you've just resolved that you need to accept things the way they are. Being content in struggles is virtuous, but accepting a life that is less than what God has for you is not the sam...

Do you ever size yourself up against the challenges you face and feel much too small? Or maybe it's the constant list of to-do's that seem like more than what you can handle. If discouragement is eating your lunch today, join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.  Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainl...

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." 2 Chronicles 20:17

And what does the  Lord  require of you?  To act justly and  to love mercy  and to walk humbly  with your God.    Micah 6:8  

If you stood before a judge who knew every thought you've ever had and every thing yo've done in secret, would you start to sweat? Would you start begging and explaining trying to talk your way out of it, or would you stand silent unable to speak? I am so glad that I have an advocate who knows what it's like to be human AND is fully righteous. Do you have this hope? If not, text the word HOPE to 4...

What's the "What if" that's been racking your brain lately? Worry can be a monster! It's totally natural that we would be concerned about the twists and turns of life, we have little to no control! But that doesn't mean fear has to run rampant in our lives. If you're looking for a place to rest and find peace, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. "Blessed is the man who...