As much as this verse is meant to encourage you to be bold about your faith, has it ever left you feeling insecure about your relationship with God? For me, I can feel that I need to have a perfect relationship with God and also be equipped with the answer to every possible theological question. If you're carrying the same burden today, join Rick and I for today's episode of The Morning Focus.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15

The Oxford Dictionary defines shame as "a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior." When shame is beating me down, I wish that I could get away from myself. Do you know that feeling? It can seep in like poison and convince you that God feels the same repulsion towards you. Join Rick and McKenna for a reminder of the truth, and some encouragement on today's episode of The Morning Focus.

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Hebrews 2:11

What is covering your this morning? Is it fear, or anger? Maybe you feel draped in anxiety. Sounds like it's time for a wardrobe change. Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they'll be digging into what God offers us to wear.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness

Isaiah 61:10

I heard a story about a girl in fourth grade who got her first ever "B" on a report card and was absolutely destroyed by it. She felt she had totally and completely failed. Do you resonate with that? Are you achievement driven? That can be such a great, effective trait! But what happens when we don't hit our goals with our relationship with God? Do you feel like a failure of a Christian? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.

and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:12

Have you ever been caught outside in a storm? All that rain and wind and lightening is much nicer to watch through a window than it is to feel beating down on your body. Life can feel like getting caught in a storm, and the enemy would tell you that you have no where to go. That you are all alone. If you've felt that hopelessness, then Rick and McKenna have a reminder for you on the truth. Join them for today's episode of The Morning Focus.

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalm 91:9-10

The average American values their time as being worth $240/hour. Time is money and we know it! That's why we hate interruptions soooo much. Have you ever felt like an interruption to God? Like an inconvenient blip stealing His attention away from the larger, much more important things He manages? If you've got two minutes today, join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus, they're talking about how God actually feels about your "interruptions."

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

Mark 10:49

What's your biggest flaw? What do you like least about yourself? I'd bet it doesn't take you long to think of something. What about your best trait? Your favorite thing about yourself? It can be harder to see ourselves in a positive light. But God doesn't struggle with this. Want to know how a perfect God could possibly see you and call you good? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

Genesis 1:31

Don't worry, you aren't the only one who feels like a chicken with its head cut off. Life gets chaotic, which is why we need God so much. We need Him to guide us and to teach us and to lend us His strength. Don't let the enemy convince you that He does so begrudgingly. Need a reminder of how God sees you today? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34

Where is your attention turned this morning? Did you open your eyes and immediately remember the mistakes you made this weekend? You're not the only one, and this isn't coincidental. The enemy is strategic in reminding you of your failures so that you don't look to what Jesus has done for you. Want to reset your focus? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

What do you need today? Do you feel overwhelmed by everything around you and the weight that's on your shoulder? Maybe you need a strong Father to help you face the day's challenges. Or maybe you feel tired and weak; beaten down by life. Do you need a Father who is caring, attentive, and nurturing? Join Rick and McKenna for today's episode of The Morning Focus as they're digging into the all encompassing nature of El Shaddai.

the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am El Shaddai; walk before me faithfully and be blameless." Genesis 17:1