Movie Monday: Space Jam

Michael Jordan did it all on the basketball court while winning NBA Championships and MVPs, but he also proved he could hang on the big screen by starring in his Blockbuster hit, Space Jam. I still enjoy watching this movie, including Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, and Wayne Knight. I love how it goes back and forth between animation and live-action, and it’s filled with good one-liners. The movie’s plot centers around Michael Jordan having to save the Looney Tunes by taking on alien cartoons in a basketball game. These aliens from Moron Mountain were initially tiny little creatures until they stole the basketball abilities of NBA stars, turning them into the Monstars. This creates an epic matchup between the Monstars and the Jordan-led Looney Tunes. Meanwhile, the NBA stars Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley, Muggsy Bogues, Patrick Ewing, and Shawn Bradley no longer have the power to dunk, the coordination to shoot, or the speed to run. With their high level of basketball talent being removed, they're lost, confused, and frustrated. This causes them to stop playing as they try to figure out what's happening to them. When I watch Charles Barkley mope around, unable to even play in a pickup basketball game, while the other NBA players search for answers, I’m reminded of an interesting parallel to our lives. Sadly, many people walk around with something even more important than basketball skills stolen from them. The world, Satan, tough circumstances, and evil people are out to steal our joy, peace, hope, and faith. We often allow the lies of the enemy, unfortunate situations, and spiritual attacks to rob us of our joy and peace. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 (ESV), “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” So, are we experiencing abundant life with Jesus and tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit within us? Are we living in a way with evidence of fruit in our lives? Or are we walking around powerless and wondering where our joy, peace, and hope are? True hope, joy, and peace are found in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to let the pull of the enemy or the unfortunate circumstances of life steal our joy and peace, but rather, we must walk by the Spirit and yield to the Spirit, so we continue to experience both. In Galatians 5:16 (AMP), Paul writes, “But I say, walk habitually in the Spirit , and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature .” Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love , joy, peace, patience , kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Today, let’s be encouraged to walk by the Spirit and rely on the power of Christ within us so we can go from feeling lost, confused, and frustrated to joyful, peaceful, and hopeful. As we acknowledge that we're up against a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, let's respond accordingly with the action found in Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV): “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I only desire lasting peace and joy in You. I pray You’ll help me not allow anyone or anything to steal them from me. I pray I would walk by the Spirit and yield to the Spirit as I also trust in the power of Christ within me. Help me put on the right armor each day to fight my spiritual battles. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS: 1. In what ways has your joy or peace been stolen recently? 2. Why is it so important for us to understand the spiritual battles we are up against and prepare by putting on our armor every day?