Distractions in the Skies

June 20, 2023 Gracie

Distractions In The Skies – Do You Believe in UFOs?

If you’ve watched the news lately, then you’ve probably heard that UFOs (commonly known as Unidentified Flying Objects) are back in the headlines again.

There’s another name for them too – UAP, which stands for Unexplained Anomalous Phenomenon.

No matter what you call them, this fascination with mysterious UFO/UAP sightings has reached a fever pitch lately.

Several television shows, YouTube videos, and more are dedicated to the hunt for extraterrestrials – all of which encourage viewers to believe the idea that “aliens are among us.”

So, do you believe?

While you’re pondering, let’s take a look at how popular that question is.

One sample on a popular search engine produced over 225,000 results for the query, “Do UFOs exist?”

Granted, there are some very compelling accounts from people claiming to have seen UFOs overhead, and now viral reports of a recent sighting in a family’s backyard.

Fascinating indeed, but as Christians, here’s where we need to pause.

Distractions to our Faith

Don’t we have enough distractions to our faith?

I’m not here to prove or disprove the existence of UFOs. I’m not an expert on those things.

However, my objective here is to issue a sincere warning instead.

Let’s start with Scripture.

Check out this verse from Ephesians where Paul instructs them to put on the full armor of God to protect them from spiritual warfare.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11, (NASB).¹

Whether we’re talking about the mid-50’s AD, or our current day in 2023, nothing has changed. The Evil One has not gone away.

As believers, we’re to be ready for spiritual warfare, and this includes the battle for our minds and hearts.

UFOs and UAP Distractions in the Skies

UFOs and UAPs – are they simply aberrations, or real sightings?

Whatever they are – the bottom line is that they are not of God.

It’s heartbreaking that so many people will easily reject the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (actual historical facts), and yet without question, believe in aliens coming here from outer space.

I remember some research I did awhile back which indicated that when Christians are raptured, a world in chaos will try to explain this “taking away” of millions of believers.

Considering what we know about space and life and the world as the Bible portrays it, we already have an explanation for so-called alien activity on Earth. Reports of “close encounters” describe the ethereal, transient, deceptive, and malevolent. Accounts also record that encounters with supposed aliens can be stopped by a real, authentic call to Jesus. Everything points to the activity of demons, not extraterrestrials. In fact, it is plausible that the “powerful delusion” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:11will involve an alien-abduction theory to explain away the rapture. – Got Questions.org.²

We must be discerning as we hear news reports about more signs and wonders that are sure to come in the years ahead.

As intriguing as these phenomena are, they are also demonic distractions to our spiritual walk.

We were forewarned about this in Scripture.

However, despite the dark times up ahead for us as Christians, there is Good News.

No – it’s great news!

Our redemption draws near.

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²Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “How would it impact the Christian faith if it was discovered that aliens exist? n.d., para. 6. Web. Accessed June 19, 2023. Demonic in origin

Our Exceptional God

Christian Voices Needed

March 22, 2022 Gracie

Immediate Openings: Christian Voices Needed

Is there any doubt that the world is on a downward spiral?

Crime rates are skyrocketing and traditional family values are mocked just about everywhere.

Family Values

And, as crazy as this sounds, even some of our churches across the country are bowing to the god of secular humanism.

These are just a few of the disturbing signs of the times.

There are so many examples of our nation’s descent into apostasy, trying to make a numbered list would be impossible.

Come Lord Jesus!

Until that blessed day when Christians are raptured, it might be tempting to hole up in our homes to avoid the chaos outside.

But we can’t.

Not only are we to respectfully engage this fallen culture (of which we are a part of), but also to point them to Christ.

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16, (NASB).¹

To clarify, our enduring faith, no matter what, is a reflection of His Goodness and Glory.

In a sense, we are like beacons in a very dark place pointing a lost world to Him.

We can’t be warriors for Christ by silently hiding out in our homes all the time.

That is to say, we must get involved.

Be the salt and light.

Christian voices needed now!

Christian voices needed

Be sure to run for city government, become involved in your school system, witness to the community, have a vacation Bible school for the children of the area, bring them in and let us together witness to our faith in the midst of this culture. – Dr. Edwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus²

Heated Spiritual Battle

Have you noticed that there are no winners in political debates? There’s no respectful exchange of ideas anymore.

Each “side” has their pundits and, no matter what, will criticize the opponent.

Even so, we must continue to vote for Godly values and show a dying world their need for Christ.

We can get bogged down in who is right, we can get arguing in the political arena, we can do all sorts of things. But remember, this is a bigger war that we’re talking about and God hasn’t come to take sides. He’s come to take over. He says listen the battle is mine. I’m calling my people to it. I expect them to be fighting the cause of sin and to be, above all, winning souls for Christ. Because, when you win souls for Christ, they stop having abortions. When you win souls for Christ, they get into government and make good rules. When you win souls for Christ, they stop killing each other. When you win souls for Christ, they have the power to overcome their drug habit, so let’s be careful not at all to put down involvement. – Jill Briscoe, Author and Bible teacher. ³

Given these points, we can’t afford to be couch potatoes.

Instead, pray for opportunities.

God will answer.

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²Edwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus Moody Church, quotation courtesy of Cross Radio Network. From “When The State Becomes God”, [Podcast]. Accessed 17 March, 2022. Web. Retrieved from https://www.thecrossradio.com/show/running-to-win-erwin-lutzer/38690/

³Jill Briscoe quotation courtesy of TellingTheTruth.org. From “Deborah – How To Fight Your Battles.” Podcast, [20:31-21:32]. n.d., Web. Accessed March 16, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.tellingthetruth.org/listen/message?mid=96bce48d-2b10-4bcb-8553-82c848aa23d6

Our Exceptional God