The Morning Focus Daily Devotional with Rick and McKenna

Maybe you’ve tried to push it down or pray it away, but it always seems to find its way back. Fear. It's just one of those things that both paralyzes and makes your heart race, and it can feel like you have no control over it at all. Meredith Foster, host of The Unfolding Podcast , understands that struggle. It started in the middle of sleepless nights as a new mom, when she began to see how hard life can be, and question where God was. If fear has been a seemingly unsurmountable wall in your life, join Rick, McKenna, and Meredith for this Full Focus episode as they unpack how God used one, simple, daily question to teach Meredith how to be fearless. Full Focus episodes are longer episodes of The Morning Focus, where Rick and McKenna dive deeper into the truths they highlight in the daily Morning Focus devotionals. Sometimes they’re joined by special guests, and other times they share from their own lives and faith. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Unfolding Podcast: Find it wherever you listen to podcasts or here. The Unfolding with Megan Thompson Living Fearlessly by Jamie Winship Winning the War In Your Mind by Craig Groeschel   🔗 Find previous Full Focus episodes here: Waiting with Rick and McKenna Seeing God For Who He Really Is With Dustin Lolli Keeping It Real with Michael Cochren

It's okay to admit it. We’ve all done it: settled for a quick fix when something really needed more than a patch job. But what about when it comes to our own lives? No amount of effort or good behavior can fix what’s truly broken inside us. The good news is, Jesus can. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  Romans 10:9-10  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

We all like to feel in control. But the truth is, control is an illusion, and carrying that weight can get exhausting. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  I know that you can do anything  and no plan of yours can be thwarted.  Job 42:2  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

We all love that feeling of earning something we truly deserve, it’s satisfying. But when it comes to our own brokenness, what we actually deserve isn’t something we’d want. For the good news, join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears  to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.  Lamentations 3:55-58  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

Ever feel like you’re running out of strength? Like you’re surrounded by darkness and just trying to hold it all together? Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26   Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

Don't worry. You're not the only one who is barely into the day and already feeling behind. Peace can feel impossible to find. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Isaiah 26:3  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  Psalm 34:18  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.   

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.  Exodus 34:6-7  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  

We all want to be known as trustworthy people, but have you ever thought about being trustworthy to God? Friendship with Him starts with salvation, but it grows through obedience and trust. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  "You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15:14   Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.     

It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when everyone else seems to be moving ahead. But God doesn’t measure your life by how quickly you hit milestones. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. Link is in the comments.  “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

We all love those little moments when someone surprises us with kindness. But God doesn’t just do good things, He is good. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  No one is good—except God alone  Mark 10:18  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.   

It’s easy to get distracted by the things right in front of us. But those things never fully satisfy. The enemy wants to pull the wool over our eyes, but God invites us into something better. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”  1 John 2:16-17  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  

It’s easy to brush off the little things we say to ourselves, but those words add up—and they can shape how we see ourselves. The good news? We can choose words that align with truth instead of lies. Proverbs 12:18 reminds us that our words carry the power to wound or to heal. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Proverbs 12:18 Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  

Mondays can feel heavy with everything waiting for you—projects, conversations, and obstacles that seem bigger than your strength. But the truth is, it’s not all on you. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  Ephesians 1: 20-21  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  

Spiritual growth can feel like it’s all on our shoulders, but only God makes things grow. That means our role is to posture ourselves for growth—opening our hearts, showing up, and trusting God with the rest. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Being kind to everyone sounds like a kindergarten lesson, doesn’t it? But choosing encouragement and kindness every day actually protects our hearts from becoming hardened and judgmental. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.   “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

We don’t need laughter, flavor, or even that rush of endorphins after a good workout to survive, yet God built those joys into us on purpose. That tells us something about His heart. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; Genesis 2:16

Have you ever wondered if you’ve finally messed up too much for God to forgive you? No mistake, no failure, no regret can separate you from His love. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.  “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37

Ever tried to count grains of sand? It’s impossible. Yet Psalm 139 says God’s thoughts about you outnumber them. That's a new way to look at God's love. Join Rick and McKenna for today’s episode of The Morning Focus.    How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:17-18