4 Oct, 2007

A look at Godlessness

Do you love God or pleasure more?

Diddy's Decadent Lifestyle

It's no secret Diddy has a soft spot for the finer things, but is he enjoying a lifestyle so extravagant even Caligula would tip his toga in admiration? A woman who claims to have spent some quality time with the mogul is yapping to the London Sunday Mirror about the many, many minions his high-maintenance ways apparently require.

"Sean's life has to be seen to be believed. He calls himself The King -- and even Prince Charles cannot be any more demanding than he is," alleges one Nai Bacha, who tells the paper she had a "torrid 10-month affair" with the so-called potentate. "He has a cast of thousands to ensure his life is perfect. They hang on his every need ..."

And just what are some of Diddy's needs, besides the personal umbrella holder that was once in his employ? It turns out his given name -- Sean Combs -- may be more than apt given the care he takes with his coiffure.

The chatty Bacha marvels that he travels with a personal barber: "That's the only man on the planet who can trim his hair or give him a shave. Sean never shaves himself."

Then there's his wardrobe, which is as extensive as you'd expect from a guy with his own fashion line.

"Sean is always immaculately dressed and that takes military precision," she yammers to the paper. "He has one guy in charge of his wardrobe, another who's responsible for putting different outfits together. When he came to London he had wardrobes filled with suits. There were about 80 from the biggest designers in the world -- but only in black or white. The cheapest cost about $4,000."

Other staffers on hand are said to include: a personal mixologist with the cushiest gig ever ("There was someone whose sole job for the day was to mix Sean's favorite cocktail -- Patron Silver tequila with ice. He wasn't allowed to make drinks for anyone else"); DJ ("Sean also has someone whose only job is to play his own records wherever he goes. I never heard him listening to anyone else's music"); and bling security ("He has about four security guards for the jewels alone").

But Bacha says Diddy also likes to spread the wealth around. He supposedly showered her with "diamonds and designer clothes" when they were dating and sometimes dropped up to $200,000 on a single night out by buying "the most expensive champagne and tequila for the whole club -- he's extremely generous."

photo & story courtesy msn.com, 10/3/07

2 Timothy 3:1-4

Godlessness in the Last Days

3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (ESV)

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about godlessness in the last days?

The "last days" that Paul wrote about refer to the days after the resurrection of Jesus and will continue until Christ's second coming. This means that not only are we living in the "last days" now, but every day that passes in 2007 brings us closer to the return of Christ.

Paul says that "people will be lovers of self...of pleasure rather than lovers of God".

It's pretty obvious that superstar Diddy is pretty messed up. When you consider his perspective on material possessions, women, sex, and his self given title "The King", there's no doubt that he loves himself and godless pleasure rather than God.

But before we get real righteous by bashing Diddy, we need to take a look at ourselves.

We claim to be followers of Jesus. But what do we seek more often, pleasure or God?

Worldly pleasures are easily obtainable, while God is uncontainable. The pleasures available in this life seem to benefit us now, while the benefits of loving God are often in the future.

Loving God rather than loving pleasure means we must let go of our pride, selfish desires, and accomplishments. Loving God with all of our heart, strength and mind requires complete surrender to God in every part of our lives.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Honestly answer these questions to yourself and to God: On a daily basis, are you choosing to love pleasure or to love God? Is there anything you love more than God?
  • Are you guilty of anything on Paul's list in today's scripture? Let God forgive you. He loves you.
  • Rather than giving in to culture's pressures, stand up against secular perspectives by abiding in Jesus every day. Keep a written journal to track your spiritual growth.
  • Pray right now for Jesus to point out to you the changes that are needed in your life for you to love God with "all of your heart, strength and mind". Ask Jesus to give you the courage to stand up for God's Truth in our culture every day. Thank Jesus for His love for you which is beyond human understanding.

How can you connect today's story and God's Story scripture and your story to others?

  • Pray for Sean 'Diddy' Combs to encounter Jesus. Pray that someone who knows Jesus will have the opportunity to learn his story and share their story of faith and God's Story with him.
  • The topic of loving pleasure rather than God is illustrated every day in our culture and especially in the media. Look for those conversational moments with others when you can be real about your own struggles in this area. This would be a great way to share part of your story.
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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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