Unfortunately, not all Christians are members of a church where they can be built up in their faith by being held accountable and restored when they sin (Prov 27:5-6, 2 Cor 2:5-8).

Not all Christians have the support of other believers for times of rejoicing, or times of sorrow (Rom 12:15). They are alone. Why? Because sadly, they've believed the devil's lie that listening to a sermon on the radio, TV or internet is good enough. They've fallen into the enemy's trap best known as, "You don't have to go to church. That's being legalistic. God is everywhere so you can worship Him anywhere." Of course, as with all lies, there's a grain of truth; and just enough to fool anyone who's discernment is weak because they're not in the Word daily, and they've neglected to fellowship and be strengthened by being with other believers in Christ.

They are alone.

And those who are alone, are the best and easiest prey for Satan, the most crafty and cunning predator.

Have you ever watched the animal channels on TV? The ones where they show lions and other predators hunting for their next meal? I have. And no matter the predator, they all use the same tactic. They quietly and patiently lie in wait, studying their oblivious prey; watching their lone victim eat, drink and be merry, with no regard for the danger it put itself in by wandering off...alone. Then suddenly, with no warning, the predator leaps out from the shadows and plunges towards the foolish animal that's too stunned, too slow and too weak to ward off the attack of its adversary. It's a sad and gruesome demise, and one that's necessary in the animal kingdom. But this is not a necessary and can be avoided by those who have been called into the Kingdom of God, as His holy and beloved children.

So how do we avoid becoming foolish prey to the devil, our adversary? We do it with wisdom and sobriety by feeding our spirits daily with the Word of God and keeping in close fellowship with brothers and sisters who will not flatter us, but will love us enough to speak and display God's love to us—whether or not it makes us feel good.

Just like predators in the animal world, Satan employs the same tactics and preys on those who will give the least resistance: the aged, the very young and the feeble. When these easy targets are left alone, they make themselves more desirable to the enemy than they already were.

Thankfully, those who are in Christ, are granted all the wisdom, strength and support we need so our adversary, the devil, cannot prevail. The question is: will we desire God's best for us, or try to live our lives in accordance with what makes us feel most comfortable...at the time?

"But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

~ Hebrews 3:13-14

(I'm the little girl on the far right.)

Thinking back on my life, I've often wondered why God ever took notice of me. There I was, the youngest of three children to first generation, Korean-Buddhist, immigrant parents, sharing a 3-bedroom, 1-bath townhouse with nine other people (my parents, my older brother and sister, my paternal grandmother, my paternal uncle, his wife and two kids). And out of all these people, in a little and impoverished neighborhood, there I was. Nothing special. Just one, in the midst of many. So, why did God, almighty, awesome, wonderful, magnificent God, take notice of me?

That blows my mind away! God chose me before I had time to either do anything good or bad. I find so much comfort and peace knowing that God’s love and gift of salvation is not dependent on me. The Bible says that He chose me because it pleased Him to reveal and share His glorious self with me (1 Corinthians 1:21).

I still remember the awe-inspiring time I first heard the Gospel. I was quiet and contemplative as I pondered the love of God, fully demonstrated in Christ Jesus the Lord. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, left Heaven, came to earth, lived a lowly and holy life, brutally suffered and died for me. And I didn't even know Him!

Why would someone I didn't even know, die for me? And such a horrifying and humiliating death! I knew I’d broken God’s law and deserved His wrath and eternal damnation in Hell. I also knew what I just heard, was a love, not of this world. I wanted nothing more than to show Him how grateful I was for all He'd already done for me while I was completely ignorant of and in enmity with Him.

It was then, that 13 years of brutal and unmentionable beatings and persecution began. What was my response? Terror, at first. Then peace. How did this peace come? From God's powerful word, living and active in me (Hebrews 4:12). When I was a bit older and could read the Bible for myself, the Holy Spirit led me to Matthew 10:34-39 and Psalm 27:1-3, 10-14.

I waited for the LORD to deliver me from this merciless torment. And after 13 years, just as suddenly as it started, it also ended. Sometimes I wonder if that's what the Israelites must have felt when they were terrified to see that they were walled in by the enemy behind them and the Red Sea before them. Then suddenly, God parted the Red Sea and they traveled safely to the other side. And just as suddenly, their enemies were no more. The Lord still does that for us today, but often we miss the Red Sea partings because our eyes are not fixed on Christ, but on our circumstances. I have a magnet on my fridge that says, "God didn't promise a pleasant passage. But He did promise a safe landing." If the Israelites continued to look at the enemy behind them, they would’ve missed the miracle God was working before them.

Today, I am reconciled to my parents, though they are still not saved. Which is why I continue to preach and live the Gospel before them, and before the sight of my awesome God and Father, as often as my Lord makes me able.

As you celebrate the First Coming of Christ the Lord this year, let not the activities drown out the majestic purpose of God coming as man, so that all who repent and trust in Jesus, may come before God...without being utterly destroyed.