A national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Although it lags behind football in popularity, baseball is still widely considered America's national sport and is commonly referred to as America's pastime. Baseball is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of our nation.
The 2019 Major League Baseball season began on March 20 and is scheduled to end on September 29. This year it is the 150th anniversary of professional baseball, dating back to the 1869 foundation of the Cincinnati Reds. The postseason will begin on October 1. The World Series is set to begin on October 22 and a potential Game 7 will be played on October 30.
This is a story that relates how a game of baseball can be used tp give a lesson about the important role of Grace in our relationship with our Lord.
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Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.
The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter named “Love” stepped up to the plate.
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 works with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.
Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: ball one. Three more pitches 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!”
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking that there was no way he could lose, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen!
However, Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.
He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence for a home run!
The Lord's team won!
The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.
The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game, you would have thought you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith, and Wisdom will get you on base, but only My Grace can get you Home.
- Author Anonymous
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God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 NLT