The Morning Focus Daily Devotional with Rick and McKenna

Have you ever read this verse before? I didn't know that we're called God's co-workers, I can convince myself that I'm on assignment and it's all on me to figure out how to make it happen. If you feel that way too, join Rick and I for today's episode of The Morning Focus. As God's co-workers  we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.    2 Corinthians 6:1  

Who do you turn to when you need to talk? Friends can be so helpful when it comes to venting about a situation and looking for advice. But that's not always an option. If you find yourself feeling lonely doing Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. In my distress I called upon the  Lord ; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached h...

"Well...now what?" Have you ever asked yourself that before? Maybe after a some sort of event that shook your life up. If, this morning, you are taking stock of what is still standing in your life join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed...

  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [ a ] Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume It could have been sold for more than a year's wages [ a ]  and the money given to the poor." An...

What's the difference between being worthy and being deserving? Normally, there's not much of a difference there but for the believer it is everythign. We aren't deserving of Jesus' forgiveness. We haven't earned his patience with us. But do you believe that Jesus has made you worthy? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they dive into what Jesus has done for us, despi...

Who do you rely on? Is it a leader in your life? Or maybe you rely on yourself? It's not bad to have people you lean on, or to trust yourself, but people do fail. So what happens in that fallout? If you're weary from relying on yourself, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of who we can always rely on. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sw...

We've talked before about how God loves us. We've also talked about how we are fully known by God. One without the other is quite dangerous though. This morning, if you're looking for a reminder of how safe you are join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not...

Today is the last day of our God Still series. Whether you re the richest person on the planet or the poorest, money is on your mind. Resources are something you've got to be aware of. While God never promises that we will all be millionaires, we do know His heart is the same as it was back then. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.   So Abraham called that place The Lor...

Have you ever struggled with your health? Maybe it was a physical ailment, but it could have been mental or emotional. Hope can be so hard to hold during a struggle with health. If you're looking for some encouragement, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."   Luke 8:48  

Maybe you've read the story of the prodigal and found it beautiful, but distant. This was only a parable after all. Have you wondered if God still cares for the wanderers who have abandoned their beliefs? Don't lose hope, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode for The Morning Focus.   "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled wi...

This week we are looking at all the ways that God's character and heart for us is STILL the same. Because He never changes, we can look to stories in the Bible for clues on how God sees us, based on how He saw and treated others. Do you ever doubt that God can forgive you? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they point to Paul who needed more forgiveness than most.  ...

How do you know what God's character is like? When we read or hear stories from the Bible of God doing awesome, huge, miraculous things it can feel like that God is very different than the God we know now. All this time has passed, surely He has changed, right? This morning, if you find yourself wondering what God is like, join Rick & McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus. Every good an...

On this ride of life, it's easy to look for security in money, careers, or status. But those things only offer a false sense of security. Rick looks into where true security comes from in today's Morning Focus.   But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,   made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.   And God raised...

When was the last time you made the right choice and it immediately paid off? Most of the time there isn't an immediate pay off for the good we do, and frankly that can get really discouraging. Especially when it feels like the obstacles only grow in the face of faithfulness. If you're weary with discouragement this morning, join Rick & McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus- they're dig...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

What would you say that "worship" is? Most of us think of the three to four songs that the Worship Pastor leads us in on Sundays. But that's a pretty narrow view of worship, and what happens when you're struggling to be joyful or content or trusting of God's goodness? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus to dig a little deeper into all that worship really is. Away from me...

What movie character do you wish you could be? The character's we love the most have traits we wish we had- bravery, wisdom, and skills. Jesus is like the ultimate character, but do you ever feel like you are nothing like Him? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they'll be digging into what God says is true about who we are. So all of us who have had that veil removed...

Oh, taste and see that the  Lord  is good!      Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8  

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2 

while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough,  Lord ," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."   Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."   He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over...

What makes you nervous to talk to someone? If you tend to be more shy you might be thinking, "What doesn't make me nervous to talk to someone?" While, this kind of nervousness is a normal part of life, being nervous or ashamed to talk to God is not the way He made things to be. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they talk about swapping out shame and fear for confide...

What's the worst pain you've ever felt? Regardless of where you were hurt or how, there is one thing that can make the pain so, so much worse. Needless, pointless pain. Pain that didn't have to happen and had to purpose. Today, if you feel like your pain- physical or otherwise- is wasted, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus for a reminder of how God treats our pain. Inde...

Whether you are feeling forgotten or too far gone there is nothing that will convince our resorative, loving God to give up on you. The story of David helps to prove this! The Lord will work out his plans for my life—  for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8

David almost sounds like a Dr. Seuss book in today's verse. He's hiding here, there, everywhere! We hide when we are afraid of being found out and the consequences it will bring. Today, if you find yourself hiding, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus, they've got a good reminder for you of how our God meets us.   Where can I go from your Spirit?        Where can I flee f...