#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. Keeping Cool When Life Heats Up - Philippians 4 & Daniel 3


Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength...
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7, 12-13, 19

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Daniel 3:16-18

Six things Paul teaches you about staying cool in Philippians 4

  1. GOD IS NEAR (v5)
  2. DON'T BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING (v6)
  3. GOD'S PEACE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO YOU (v7)
  4. LEARN THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT (v12)
  5. YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS IN GOD'S STRENGTH (v13)
  6. GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS (v19)

Two observations - all the powerful people in Babylon witnessed this miracle.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TAKING THE PLANS OF MEN AND USING THEM FOR HIS OWN PURPOSE.
YOU WILL NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING IMMEDIATE RESULTS AS A FRUIT OF YOUR FAITH.

Three questions 

  1. How is life currently heating up on you?
  2. How can you apply the truth from Philippians 4 RIGHT NOW in your life?
  3. Can you serve/trust God even though you don't see the results of your obedience/faith?


If you had a hard time answering questions two and three, take time now, or this week at the latest, to ask God for 

  • Insight: Which verses in Philippians relate to the hot spot(s) in your life RIGHT NOW?
  • Guidance: What can you do to help you KEEP YOU COOL in this hot spot?
  • Faith: Believe that God wants you to keep cool in the FIREY FURNACE in your life and will help you like he helped Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It might not be the same way, but God will help you if you follow Him in faith.


Be specific when you pray 

  • for what you can do in the hot mess of your life. 
  • for how you can take what you learned in this post and serve Him better.  

Thanks to Dr. Dan Copp for the primary teaching in this post.

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