The Lord's Baseball Game

               Freddy  and the  Lord stood  by to  observe a   supernatural
          baseball game.  The Lord's team was playing  Satan's.  The Lord's
          team was at bat, the score was tied  zero to zero, and it was the
          bottom of  the ninth   inning  with two  outs.   Things not  only
          looked pretty  grim,  it looked  right  down impossible  to  most
          people.

               As they continued to watch, a batter stepped up to the plate
          named Love.   Love swung  at the  first pitch and  hit a  single,
          because "Love never fails."

               The next  batter was  named Faith,  who also  got   a single
          because "Faith without works is dead faith."

               The next  batter up was  named Godly Wisdom.   Satan's first
          pitch was a fast ball.  Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it go
          and  smiled as  it passed  by the  outside corner  for ball  one.
          Satan's next pitch was  a curve ball.  Godly Wisdom  actually had
          to step back  to keep from getting  hit.  Satan's next  pitch was
          far wide to the outside for ball three.  Satan's last  pitch went
          wild  and Godly  Wisdom  walked  because he never  swings at what
          Satan  throws.  The bases were now loaded.

               The Lord then   turned  to Freddy  and told him  He was  now
          going  to bring in  His star player.   Up  to  the  plate stepped
          Grace.  Freddy said, "He  sure doesn't look like much."

               Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.  Thinking he
          was going to  tie the  game and  perhaps win  in overtime,  Satan
          wound up   and fired his absolute  best lightning fast ball.   No
          one had ever hit Satan's best pitch.  The ball flashed across the
          plate but to the shock of everyone,  Grace hit the ball; breaking
          the bat in the process.  Satan  watched the ball sailing out into
          center field and  he smiled.  Satan's best  player covered center
          field so he was not worried because his center  fielder never let
          anything get  by him.   the player went up  for the ball,  but it
          literally burned right through  his glove.  The crowds went  wild
          as  the ball continued over the fence  for a home run and a grand
          slam.  The Lord's team won.

               The Lord  then asked Freddy  if he knew why  Love, Faith and
          Godly  could get on base but couldn't win the game.  Freddy  said
          that he  didn't know  why.   The Lord explained,  "If your  love,
          faith and wisdom had won the  game,  you would think you had done
          it by yourself.  Love, Faith and Wisdom will  get you on base but
          only My  Grace can get you Home.

          For  by  grace  are ye  saved  through  faith;  and that  not  of
          yourselves: it  is the gift  of God: Not  of works, lest  any man
          should boast.
          Ephesians 2:8-9

          For the LORD God  is a sun and shield:  the LORD will give       
          grace and glory: no  good thing will he  withhold from them  that
          walk uprightly.
          Psalm 84:11


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