The Morning Focus Daily Devotional with Rick and McKenna

Let's be honest with each other for a second. We know that we should choose God over the desires of our heart, but how often do we disregard what we should do for what we think will feel good? God's grace is key when it comes to this flaw that we all have. What to hear more? Joe Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to im...

It's the ounce of truth that makes a lie believable. Has the enemy ever tried to convince you that God doesn't love you? It's so good to know that when it comes to God's love for us, He did not just tell us He loves us, He proved it! Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   R...

Are you perfect yet? Have you gotten rid of every sin and temptation in your life? Do you know the secret to loving everyone exactly as they need to be loved? If you can answer yes to those questions, you'll have to send us the book you write, but for everyone else, the good news is that God isn't waiting for you to be perfect. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. You wi...

Do you think you'd be any good in a fight? Maybe you've got a good right hook, or you're fast enough you think you could dodge a hit. What about fighting against the enemy? It's a lot harder to fight against something you can't always see, or to fight against something that you don't always see as an enemy. If you want some training on fighting the enemy today, join Rick and McKenna for today's ep...

Have you heard those stories before of someone being washed with a wave of inexplicable peace in the midst of an impossible situation? Those stories can be so encouraging- but what about the day to day anxieties we face? Does God give peace for those moments? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being woul...

Okay so we don't make sacrifices in the Old Testament "spotless-lamb-on-in-a-fire" sense, but we still make sacrifices in worship all the time. We sacrifice our time, our money, our energy, our focus, but often towards things that do not satisfy us. While you might know the Sunday school answer is that only God is worthy of our worship, you might be asking what makes Him worthy. If that's you, joi...

Do you remember the day you were saved? Maybe it was a distinct moment you'll never forget, or maybe it happened when you were young enough that the memory is a bit foggy. Either way on that day something amazing happened- you were changed! Immediately God saw you as holy. So how why do you still sin? Why do you still give in to some of the temptation that haunted you before you were saved? The en...

How tight is your grip right now? It's okay we all do it. Grabbing on tight to whatever thing in your life you don't want to change or go away is a natural response when our idea of control is threatened. But none of us have any actual control, and feigning that we do is exhausting. Got a white knuckle grip right now? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Take your choice...

Remember when you were a kid and it felt like time moved impossibly slow? Now that you're older, maybe you feel like life moves way too fast. The only time it seems to slow down is when we're waiting on God to fulfill His promises. If you've been feeling unbelief settling in, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. " Is anything too hard for the  Lord ? I will return to you...

Have you ever wished that God would just call you up, and tell you exactly what you should do? So much more often He is quiet, and it can seem like He doesn't care. Yet He promises to be with us and to guide us. Seem like two opposite things? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, 'You have stayed at this mountain l...

Do you ever just get tired of...people? God gives us community, and it is so important to have people in your life that point you to Jesus. But at the same time each and every one of us is broken, and we hurt each other. How we respond to that hurt can make a world of difference. Today Rick and McKenna are looking at how Moses responded to "people problems." Join them for today's episode of The Mo...

Do you feel distracted in your relationship with God? We talk a lot on the Morning Focus about how the enemy lies to us, and that's because He does- a lot! But it's not his only trick. So often, he will pull our focus and distract us with temptations. Anything to pull us away from God. If you've been feeling distracted lately, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. He held...

When I was a kid, if I didn't feel like the person who I was talking to was listening to me, I'd just stop talking mid sentence. I didn't like the idea of talking "to a wall". Have you ever felt that way about God? When we start to doubt that God hears our prayers, we can stop asking Him for things at all. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Until now you have asked not...

Big and bold seems to be the way doesn't it? If you want what you're doing to be considered successful or worthwhile, it should be big! It should have a big impact, with lots of positive feedback, and of course all the social media attention to go with it. Living that way can be crushing, because so much of life is small. Small choices and small actions. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode o...

"All this I have spoken while still with you.   But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:25-26

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Phillippians 4:12

  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phillippians 4:13

Because God has said, "Never will I leave you;      never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b

It's one thing to doubt people, but how do you feel about doubting God? It might seem obvious that that's something we shouldn't do's something we should avoid at all costs. But doubt come- they're a normal part of any Christian walk, so what do you do when you start to doubt God? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they discuss how God sees our doubts. Then he said t...

How do you imagine God feels about you? For as holy and perfect as He is, you might wonder if He really has any positive thoughts about you. But the Bible (God's love letter to us, that shows us who He is) is filled with reminders that God wants to be with you. Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for one of those reminders. "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voi...

What's that thing from your past that the enemy loves to drudge up? That thing you can't seem to get past? Those attacks are so hard to defend against let alone withstand because they feel like so much a part of you, and who you are. For a reminder of who God says you are, join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.   Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old...

When life is not working out and things are breaking around you, maybe you've asked yourself- "Is it me? Is there something wrong with me?" The enemy is thrilled by that questions, ready with arrows of self hatred and doubt, but his lies cannot stand against the truth. If you're wrestlign with these questions this morning, join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.    I have chosen you...

Does life ever feel like it's just way too complicated? With the 12 steps for this and the 10 days of that, it can feel like you'll never figure out what it takes to live the life God has called you to. There's truth we can rely on when the enemy tries to scare us with all the unnecessary complications. Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.   Turning around, Jesus saw them followi...

Has anyone ever asked you, "Do you trust me?" Depending on who that question is coming from, it may make you immediately suspicious. God asks us to trust Him, a lot. Like a lot a lot. Have you ever wondered if that trust is misplaced? Or if He really does want the best for you? If that's you, you're not alone. Join McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Trust in him at all times, you pe...

Are you an overachiever? Or maybe you wish you could just achieve more, period. There's this pressure to do more, experience more, and add more to your life. The promise is that if you do enough of all of this, you'll be worth something. We've got such good news for you. You do not have to achieve to be worth something- God does not put that pressure on you. "Teacher, which is the greatest command...