[Jesus announced,] “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)

George Foster went to the local practice field. As a Little League coach, he knew it was important to keep his own skills sharp so he could do a good job of teaching the young boys the right way to do things.

Walking into one of the batting cages, George noticed a little boy in the cage next to his. As George put on his batting gloves, he heard the boy talking to himself. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world.” He tossed the ball into the air, swung, and missed. “Strike one!”

Not distracted, the boy picked up the ball, threw it into the air, and said, “I’m the greatest baseball hitter ever,” as he swung at the ball again. And again, he missed. “Strike two!”

The young batter paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. Then, a third time, he threw the ball into the air. “I’m the greatest hitter who ever lived,” he said. He swung the bat hard again and missed a third time. Then he cried out, “Wow! Strike three—what a pitcher! I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!”

George turned to the boy and said, “Hey, kid, how would you like to be on my team?”

Belief! That is the key to so many good things in life.

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is not because we can prove that Jesus is God’s Son. It is not because we can demonstrate that he is God’s Son. It is because we believe it. Have faith in it. Trust it.

When you believe in the one who can save you, you’re batting a thousand, spiritually speaking.

Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, and I put my faith in him to lead me to you. Help my unbelief. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave