3 Strikes and You're OUT!

It's baseball season again.  Soon I'll be going to see a Mud Hen game, along with some friends of mine.  I used to play and coach softball, so I understand the game very well.  But, for today, let's take a look at batting:

Three strikes....and you're out!  But even in baseball, you get a 2nd chance...a 3rd chance...and more to get a hit during the game.  [And there are many more games to play along the way.]

Peter didn't know how to play the game of baseball, but he learned how to play the game of life!

• 3 times he DENIED Jesus....and  STRUCK OUT!
• 3 times in The Garden, Jesus asked Peter (James and John) to stay awake and PRAY...but they all STRUCK OUT and fell asleep!
• 3 times he was asked by Jesus, "Peter, do you love Me?" , but on the 3rd try--he finally scored a HOMERUN!!!

Everytime we STAND UP for Jesus, we have an OPPORTUNITY to get a hit..or strike out.  The more games we play--the better are our chances to get on base and score.

I used to coach my players not to look at their hit or gloat over it....but to run as fast as they could to 1st base--looking straight at the 1st base coach.  He would signal you if you were to stop at 1st base, or continue on.  Our 1st base coach is Jesus; and by the time you're rounding 2nd base, you see Him standing by 3rd base--signalling you to hold up at 3rd--or go for homeplate.

Baseball is a team sport!  You have others on your team; each has a specific position to play; all must pay attention to the coach.  Being a believer (on Jesus' team) works much the same way.

So let me ask you a few questions: 

• What's your "batting average" these days?
• Whose team are you playing for?
• Are you: A regular player?
• Are you on the injured list or the inactive list?
• Are you just setting on the bench?
• Are you just an observer of the game--setting in the stands?
• Or--worst of all--have you been thrown out of the game?

Peter struck out many times--but he stayed in the game!  In fact, he became a star player, and he's been inducted into the Lord's HALL of FAME!  What about you?  Oh--I hear the umpire CALLING you up to bat right now!  Will you go?  Will you stay in the game?  You'll be a winner, if you play on His team!