THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

          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 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 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!"

          Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.
          Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up
          and fired his first pitch.  To the shock of everyone,
          Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever
          seen!  But 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 flew
          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 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 you
          saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest
          any man should boast."

          Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and
          shield; the Lord will give grace and glory;
          no good thing will He withhold from those
          who walk uprightly."