King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Seasoned To Perfection
Date: Sunday December 18, 2011
Chapters: I Peter 3-5
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version, words in red are quoted by Jesus.

Hello My Friend,

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.

The word season means a time to prepare, mature, or discipline, everything has a season, for instance, we have four seasons, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Every season is important because it allows certain vegetation to grow so that we as humans or animals are able to survive through the different types of weather. To meditate means to dwell in God's Word day and night, this does not mean that you have to sit and read the Bible 24/7, but it does mean that you keep God's Word with you throughout the day and night. God's Word is the seasoning we need, it prepares us, matures us, and perfects us to live in His will, the result will be prosperity. Peter encourages Christians to study the Word to be ready to handle every situation they face.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” - I Peter 3:8-17.

God blesses us the more we live in His will, little by little we are being seasoned to His perfection as we study His Word and put it into practice. Even when living in the will of God we are going to face some trials and persecution, but it is better to suffer for doing right than for living in sin. We prosper when we suffer in God's will, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:10.

God sees and knows all that we do, He sees beyond the surface into the heart, He knows who are truly His and who are just going through the motions of being His. The motions do not save us, believing in and asking Christ to save us is what saves us. Peter reminds us that it is the suffering we face in that brings upon salvation.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” - I Peter 4:1-6.

Christ suffered the cross, the humiliation, the pain, the lashings, the mocking, and death although He was a sinless man. You can be sure that if a person simply got saved in vain God, meaning they did not really receive Christ that they will not be in heaven. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” -Mark 16:16.

No one is perfect, we all sin, sometimes even when trying to do God's will, but when we humble ourselves before God He will bless us for our effort. We will face some trials, we will face some affliction, we will even face some chastisement, but God's grace is sufficient enough to season us to perfection. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - I Peter 5:6-10.

All of life has seasons, the Bible says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Everything that we go through in life, from the joys, to the sorrows, to the pains, to the healing, to the peace, to the prosperity, is used to season us to God's perfection. The more we endure through our faith in Him the more we are prepared to handle the next season, the more we are prepared to handle the next season the more blessed we become simply by living in His will. The greatest reward of all is eternal life, Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed...And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day...No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day...Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” - John 6:27,39,40,44,47. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, as I draw near to You in reading Your Word and in lifting my voice to You this day there is a renewal in my spirit. I recognize that my joy and satisfaction will not be determined by the events of this day, but by the state of my heart. When human love is fleeting and disappointments arise help me to look to You beyond my present circumstance and for ongoing fulfillment to meet my every longing. Thank you that Your joy does not last for a season, but for a lifetime on earth and an eternity in heaven. Despite my affliction, help me to press forward in victory with You leading the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Merry Christmas!
Christina

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