Gary Varvel: Bill Gates' climate change 180Essay: When strength becomes weakness – Bible lesson on guarding your heart. Plus Humor Me winners, time lapse video and an climate change cartoon from my archives.
In a new memo, Bill Gates appears to have done a 180 on climate change and abandoned his previous climate alarmism. Townhall staff writes: “Why Bill Gates sounding the alarm over climate alarmism should infuriate you.” WND writes, “Trump ‘grateful’ for Bill Gates pivot, declares victory over ‘climate change hoax.” I’ve often wondered — if the government stopped funding climate change research, would we see a change in the results? DEVOTIONAL“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) You may be familiar with this Bible verse which means that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. But 30 years ago, I remember Moody Church Pastor Warren Wiersbe quoting that verse and then pointing out the opposite perspective. He said, “Where you think you are strong, that’s where you are weak.” Our enemy, the devil, attacks us where we think we’re strong, and the Bible is full of examples. What was Abraham’s strength? Great faith. Where did he fail? He doubted God would take care of him during a drought and fled to Egypt, where he lied about his wife being his sister. What was Moses’ strength? Numbers 12:3 says he was very meek, ‘above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.’ Where did he fail? He got angry at the Jewish people and disobeyed God by striking the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it. What was Aaron’s strength? Great obedience. He assisted Moses in facing Pharaoh and became the father of the Levitical priesthood. Where did he fail? He gave in to the people’s demands and disobeyed God by building a golden calf altar. What was Samson’s strength? God-given physical strength to defeat the Philistines. Where did he fail? He married a Philistine woman, Delilah, who betrayed him, resulting in his weakness and capture. What was King David’s strength? Great integrity. A man after God’s own heart. Where did he fail? He sinned with Bathsheba, then lied and committed murder to cover it up. What was Solomon’s strength? God-given wisdom. God granted Solomon wisdom exceeding all others, enabling him to govern Israel justly and write profound proverbs (1 Kings 4:29-34). Where did he fail? Solomon’s confidence in his wisdom led to moral compromise. He disregarded God’s commands and married many foreign women. Their influence turned his heart to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). What was Peter’s strength? Great courage. Matthew 26:35 says, “But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’” Where did he fail? Fear. When a girl asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, he denied knowing Jesus three times. Yes, wherever you think you are strong, that is where you are weak. These biblical examples remind us of a timeless truth, one I’ve seen play out in real life. Many years ago, two of my close friends left their wives for other women. Independent of one another, they both told me the same thing: “I never thought this would happen to me.” They both thought they were strong in their walk with the Lord, so they never saw any danger in having lunch, talking, and joking with a woman friend. And that was where they were weak because, over time, their conversations led to flirtation, which led to romantic feelings, which led to physical infidelity and ended in divorce. In his book Staying Close, Dennis Rainey wrote, ‘People commit emotional adultery before they commit physical adultery. Emotional adultery is unfaithfulness of the heart. It starts when two people of the opposite sex begin talking with each other about intimate struggles, doubts, or feelings. They start sharing their souls in a way that God intended exclusively for the marriage relationship.’ Unlike my two friends, I am aware that “this could happen to me,” and because I love my wife of 45 years, I set up boundaries to protect my heart and my marriage. I avoid being alone with a woman who is not my wife. Popularly known as the Pence Rule or Billy Graham Rule, former Vice President Mike Pence does not dine alone with a woman other than his wife or attend events where alcohol is served without her by his side. If you are wise, you’ll recognize that your strength can become your weakness and seek God’s help to set boundaries for yourself. RIGHT VIEWSTownhall - Scott McClallen: US Sen. Ted Cruz calls for impeachment of federal judge who ordered Artic Frost gag order. Victor Davis Hanson: Are Americans Better or Worse Off Since January? While the media fixates on Trump’s tweets, the numbers tell a different story—closed borders, lower inflation, revived energy, and restored U.S. strength at home and abroad. Babylon Bee: Democrats vow to starve as many food stamp recipients as it takes to gGet free healthcare for illegal immigrants. (parody) SPEAKING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 2-3Santa Claus, Indiana: I will be speaking 3 times (Sunday morning, Sunday night and Monday night) at Heritage Hills Baptist Church in Santa Claus, Indiana on the “Foundations for the Family.”
NEED A SPEAKER?• Contact gary@garyvarvel.com to inquire about speaking rates and availability.TIME LAPSE VIDEOS...Continue reading this post for free in the Substack app
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