How does a typical Sunday play out in your home?
Exodus 20:11 (MSG)
God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
A holy day–not a work day, shopping day or housework day. If you haven’t given up something for Lent, why not give your Sabbath to God? 
I see a connection between “lead us not into temptation” and the 23rd Psalm:
Psalm 23:3, 6 (ESV)
He leads me in paths of righteousness . . .
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In a sermon I heard long ago, the pastor described a shepherd with his trusty sheep dogs, Goodness and Mercy. Imagine Goodness and Mercy nipping at your ankles every time you veer towards temptation!
Lead us not into temptation.
Temptation is not the same as sin. Sometimes folks get confused.
Here’s the biblical definition of sin:
James 4:17 (TLB)
Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin.
Knowing the right thing to do and thinking about not doing it is temptation.
John MacArthur, pastor-teacher of global radio fame, makes an important point:
“Every temptation, directly or indirectly, is the temptation to doubt and distrust God.”
The prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” is an expression of faith and trust in God. It’s the antidote to doubt and distrust.
In our church, we pray the Lord’s Prayer in unison every Sunday. I have mental images for each phrase. It keeps me focused.
For “lead us not into temptation,” I see God putting a barricade in front of me:
Traditionally, Christians fast during this time before Easter. Did you give up something for Lent?
Without the spiritual component, fasting from certain foods is just a diet. And giving up meat doesn’t mean much if your favorite item on the menu is fish.
I’m fasting from certain time-wasters on the internet. It is tempting to think it ‘s just an exercise in better time management.
Lead me not into the temptation to make Lent all about me.
I really like this verse:
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Blessings up–from me to God.
Blessings down–from God to me.
Much of my daily conversation with God is devoted to blessing God for the blessings he has given me. May your blessings (both directions) outnumber the shamrocks.
Spring starts today! What do St. Patrick and Spring have in common, besides proximity on the calendar?
Growth, new life.
Just as spring plants grow from seed to tender sprout to fruitful maturity, Patrick grew from child to slave to man of God. And what about you? How’s your spiritual growth? Are you more fruitful, more mature than you were last year, five years ago, 25 years ago?
Mark 4:8 (CEV)
. . . the plants grew and produced thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was scattered.
St. Patrick used a shamrock, so they say, to explain the Trinity.
Three leaves–one shamrock.
Father, Son, Spirit–one God.
Here’s the Bible verse I’m memorizing this week–Paul’s prayer:
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
The Father sends the Spirit so you can know the Son.
May the shamrocks remind you of your many blessings.
Where did St. Patrick find the power to not only forgive his former captors, but to devote his life to serving them?
“I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak to me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me.”
from The Lorica (St. Patrick’s Breastplate)
5th century
The world has changed since St. Patrick’s time. God hasn’t. Go with God.
