Dead Armadillos

Texas author and activist Jim Hightower once noted:

"The middle of the road is for yellow lines and dead armadillos."

Jesus agreed.

In Revelation 3:15-16 (NKJV), Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. He is disgusted by how tepid they are. Jesus tells the Laodiceans:

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

The church in Laodicea was filled with many so-called believers who claimed to be Christ followers, but who really did not know Him or belong to Him. They were tepid and they were lukewarm in their faith.

The church in Laodicea was filled with a bunch of dead armadillos.

Avoid the middle of the road. Don't be tepid in your faith profession. Don't be lukewarm in your faith profession.

Don't be a dead armadillo.

Age

George Foreman was 45 when he won the world heavyweight championship.

Ray Kroc was 59 when he purchased McDonald's from two brothers and began to franchise the restaurant worldwide.

Paul Newman was 62 when he won his first Oscar.

Colonel Harlan Sanders was 65 when he began to franchise Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Ronald Reagan was two weeks shy of 70 when he was inaugurated as President of the United States.

Abraham was 75 when God told him to leave his country and go to a land that God would show him.

Moses was 80 when God called him to go to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of servitude and toward the Promised Land.

Noah was 500 when God told him to build an ark.

How old are you?

Do you think you are too old for God's service?

In a culture that worships youth, it is easy for many people to believe that, after a certain age, one no longer is eligible to serve God, serve others, and make an impact in this world.

It's a lie.

No matter your age, God has a plan for you.

No matter your age, God wants to use you for His glory.

Stop focusing on how old you are.

Start focusing on how much more God can have you do.

You are never too old for God's service.

Eagles

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) says, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Waiting on the Lord can be excruciating at times.

Frequently we want God to accelerate His divine pace when we are waiting on certain things to happen in our lives.

But God has His own time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Waiting on the Lord means acknowledging His sovereignty, His will, and His timing in our lives.

Waiting is never easy, but rely on the Lord to give you the strength of eagles while you are waiting on Him, just as He promised in Isaiah 40:31.

George Bernard Shaw

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once observed:

"God created man in His image, and then man returned the favor."

Being created in God's very own image is more than sufficient for all of us. There's absolutely no need for any of us to return the favor.

Image

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once observed:

"God created man in His image, and then man returned the favor."

It's a very humorous line by Shaw.

But also tragically true.

It's important to understand that God doesn't need you or want you to return His favor in this matter of image. You were created in His image. That is totally sufficient. There is no need to return His favor.

Edmund Burke

Irish statesman and Parliament member Edmund Burke:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

So ... what are you doing?

Justice

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. He had a passion for liberty and for justice.

Jefferson once remarked:

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV):

"For the Lord is a God of justice ...."

A just nation is a God-blessed nation.

Sparrows

Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV):

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

His eye is on the sparrow.

And I know He watches me.

JFK

Former United States President John F. Kennedy:

"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."