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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Many believers are 'rabbit hole' Christians. In the morning they pop out of their safe Christian homes, hold their breath at work, scurry home to their families and then off to their Bible studies, and finally end the day praying for the unbelievers they safely avoided all day (Jan Johnson).
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Displaying a Christmas nativity scene is a long-standing tradition, but it can also present a bit of a skewed view of the actual events of Jesus’ birth. While each person depicted in a traditional nativity scene is a part of the Christmas story, not all the characters were present in one place on the night Jesus was born. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were in a stable that night due to the overcrowding in Bethlehem’s inn (Luke 2:7), but the Bible never mentions whether or not animals were present—in fact, it never even mentions a stable. The shepherds, once told of Jesus’ arrival, left their flocks to worship the newborn King (Luke 2:16). However, the angels, which are often part of nativity scenes, bore the good news to the shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:8–14). As far as we know, there were no angels flying visibly over the place where Jesus was when the shepherds arrived. In addition, the wise men (the Bible never says how many there were) were also probably not present that first night. The magi visited Jesus some time later, when He was in a house (Matthew 2:1–11).
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    • Bible Reading: APR17: I Kings 17-19

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    APRIL 17

    Ahab was now king of Israel. His wicked wife, Jezebel,
    encouraged him in Baal worship and Ahab led the entire nation into
    Baal worship.

    In chapter 17 Elijah suddenly appears in Ahab’s court to
    proclaim that the drought would last another three years. Lack of
    rain was the punishment for the sins of the people. Following his
    proclamation, Elijah retires from public ministry for three years.
    During this time the Lord graciously cared for him. The obedient
    servant of God can always depend on the Master’s faithful care.

    In chapter 18 Elijah returns to public ministry. God had
    been preparing him these three years for the job that was now before
    him. In verses 1-16 he faces Obadiah; in verses 17-29 he faces the
    prophets of Baal, mocking them, and later revealing Baal as a false
    god. In verses 30-34 Elijah is in Israel. He had exposed the
    foolishness of sin of Baal, but the more important job was now
    bringing the nation back to the true worship of Jehovah.

    What we do with God in private is far more important than
    what God does for us in public. Our hidden life prepares us for our
    public life. Unless we are willing to go through the disciples of
    the dry brook, the depleted barrel, and the dead boy, as Elijah did,
    we will never have the victories Elijah had at Mt. Carmel.

    In chapter 19:1-8 God refreshes Elijah; in verses 9-18 God
    rebukes him; and finally God replaces him (verses 19-21). Elijah’s
    life should be a good warning to us against despondency and
    discouragement. Often when we feel we have accomplished nothing, God
    reveals that He has used us more than we realize. It is a dangerous
    thing to think we are the only one holding to the truth. Elijah’s
    bitterness and despondency, when he thought he was fighting the
    battle alone, could have shortened his ministry. The best solution
    for discouragement is found in Isaiah 40:31.

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