Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Thank you for joining today. Let's discuss Matthew the 14th chapter. King Herod hears of Jesus works and

believes John the Baptist has risen from the dead. Sadly, John was beheaded by Herod, not many days before.

Matthew records the details of that event. John was bold and faithful at the cost of his life.

The rest of this chapter records Jesus' actions after hearing of this. He seeks seclusion, but he is also drawn by compassion to keep

healing the people. Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. He then sends the disciples

out in a boat as he goes to the mountains to pray.

Coming to them walking on water, he commands Peter to come out of the boat. Peter becomes frightened,

and Jesus asks him in all of them why they continue to doubt him. Maybe that sounds familiar

in your life. Let's see if there are some lessons we can learn.

Jesus loved John the Baptist. He was no doubt deeply grieved by John's death.

John gave his life to preach the truth, even though he opposed powerful people.

This chapter reads as if Jesus has some expectations of his disciples. He's effectively saying,

My cousin just died for this cause. Is this resulting in deeper faith among my disciples?

He challenged his disciples to feed the 5,000 before doing it himself. Jesus calls Peter

upon the water before having to reach out and save him in his doubt.

Jesus is looking for results.

God's son expects followers, including you and me, to grow in faith, move past doubt,

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