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 digging into how God treats faithfulness.

And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 13:14-15

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, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:8-9

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 can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 3:18

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 hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

1 Kings 19:4-6

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 confidence and boldness.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.

Ephesians 3:12

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.

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 1:9

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