A STORY OF GOD'S MERCY
& HIS PATIENCE...
Born & raised in Compton, California (August, 1989), life didn't begin so easy for me. I was surrounded by gangs, drugs, sex & violence my entire life - not knowing the relevancy of my being, I dabbled in all of it.
I got Saved in my early teens. Not knowing the importance of being Saved, I inevitably backslid (went back into a life of sin). In the year 2008, I was still living in poverty. Because I didn't know God to be my Jehovah-Jireh (my provider), I began to "do me" - attempting to make things happen on my own. I was a musician
(alias: Too Much On The Beat)... rapping, singing & producing songs
that glorified sin - the very thing that my God hates.
I got Saved in my early teens. Not knowing the importance of being Saved, I inevitably backslid (went back into a life of sin). In the year 2008, I was still living in poverty. Because I didn't know God to be my Jehovah-Jireh (my provider), I began to "do me" - attempting to make things happen on my own. I was a musician
(alias: Too Much On The Beat)... rapping, singing & producing songs
that glorified sin - the very thing that my God hates.
In 2009, I produced a song for music group The Vixenz called "I Need That" (later remixed by rap artist Snoop Dogg & aired on Power 106). The song ushered in the "Jerk Movement" - beginning in Los Angeles, California, then spreading to neighboring states & eventually the East Coast. In my mind, I was on top of the world, unaware that I was wretched, miserable, poor, blind & naked (Revelation 3:17).
The picture below this paragraph was taken the very day I almost lost my life. After a night out with friends (drinking alcohol accompanied by foolishness), I decided to stand inside the car (hanging out of the car with the door still open). The driver pulls off & begins to speed down the street, that's when I fell off the car - scraping my entire face, arms & legs... busting my skull in 2 places & fracturing my collar bone & index finger.
I should have died in my sins, but my God was merciful!
I should have died in my sins, but my God was merciful!
Near-death STILL wasn't enough to cause me to forsake sin & before I was done healing, I was back composing secular music, smoking weed, abusing drugs & drinking alcohol. I was a slave to sin (John 8:34).
One night, during a deep conversation with my sister, Vixen Monai (click here to read her Testimony), the Lord had removed the scales from my eyes - revealing that I was heading down a path already marked for destruction. I had quit doing music many times in the past, but I felt the Lord telling me "This is your LAST chance".
My career ended that night.
I went on a 2-year hiatus, chasing after the lusts of the flesh (decided to "do me"). Within this 2 year span, I tried to define my being with success - pursuing a career in acting, dancing, singing, modeling, marketing & advertisement, club promoting, graphic design, phone application development & a few other job titles.
Trying to "find yourself" outside the will of God is impossible, but that's a lesson I learned later in life.
In 2011, I hit rock-bottom (again), but I STILL didn't acknowledge God in my ways (Proverbs 3:6). To help pay rent,
I began a career in Photography (alias: Pierre Gerard aka Pierre G Visions).
My career ended that night.
I went on a 2-year hiatus, chasing after the lusts of the flesh (decided to "do me"). Within this 2 year span, I tried to define my being with success - pursuing a career in acting, dancing, singing, modeling, marketing & advertisement, club promoting, graphic design, phone application development & a few other job titles.
Trying to "find yourself" outside the will of God is impossible, but that's a lesson I learned later in life.
In 2011, I hit rock-bottom (again), but I STILL didn't acknowledge God in my ways (Proverbs 3:6). To help pay rent,
I began a career in Photography (alias: Pierre Gerard aka Pierre G Visions).
Although this career began as "innocent", I later allowed myself to be used by devil. I took sensual photographs of women, promoting & causing men to lust (Matthew 5:28). I photographed many celebrities & a reputation was made, but it was all vanity (Mark 8:36).
I met a guy who, rather persuasively, inducted me into the "party life". 4 nights a week, I was partying in some of Hollywood & Long Beach's "hottest" Hip-Hop & Techno clubs... for FREE!
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Romans 13:13 - "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness...". The Bible describes this sort of reveling as "orgies", which is exactly what nightclubs have become - sex with clothes on. "Dance" originated as a form of worshiping God, & in no way, form or fashion was I pleasing the Lord by
gratifying my own flesh (1 Peter 1:16).
I was engulfed by sin! It took for EVERYTHING to come crashing down on me before I realized how much I needed God's help. I recall 2 days where I literally cried out to God, saying "Lord, why am I here?" ......... *No answer* ......... I had this blameful attitude that if God will just tell me why He create me, I would straighten up
(not the best attitude to have toward God). The very week I completely surrendered to His will, He revealed to me the calling on my life - that I was predestined to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wasn't waiting on God,
He was waiting on me!
I rededicated my life back to Christ in February, 2012, & have been enjoying my walk with Him more & more each day. I used to hear about the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) & now I have it! I now preach the Gospel (in June, 2013, I will be ordained a Minister at my church, "Greater Shiloh Church Of God In Christ"!), sing in the Praise Team & Choir, dance as a member of the Greater Shiloh "Alpha & Omega" Mime Team, & oversee the Homeless Ministry at my church - all to the glory of God!
God is still allowing me to fulfill all of my dreams - not for self-gratification, but I'm using my talents to glorify His name. So be on the lookout for Christian Rap artist named "Just Pierre", & many other avenues
in which the Lord leads me!
gratifying my own flesh (1 Peter 1:16).
I was engulfed by sin! It took for EVERYTHING to come crashing down on me before I realized how much I needed God's help. I recall 2 days where I literally cried out to God, saying "Lord, why am I here?" ......... *No answer* ......... I had this blameful attitude that if God will just tell me why He create me, I would straighten up
(not the best attitude to have toward God). The very week I completely surrendered to His will, He revealed to me the calling on my life - that I was predestined to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wasn't waiting on God,
He was waiting on me!
I rededicated my life back to Christ in February, 2012, & have been enjoying my walk with Him more & more each day. I used to hear about the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) & now I have it! I now preach the Gospel (in June, 2013, I will be ordained a Minister at my church, "Greater Shiloh Church Of God In Christ"!), sing in the Praise Team & Choir, dance as a member of the Greater Shiloh "Alpha & Omega" Mime Team, & oversee the Homeless Ministry at my church - all to the glory of God!
God is still allowing me to fulfill all of my dreams - not for self-gratification, but I'm using my talents to glorify His name. So be on the lookout for Christian Rap artist named "Just Pierre", & many other avenues
in which the Lord leads me!
A lot of pain & anguish could have been avoided in my life had I given it to Christ much sooner. My God waited 22 LONG years for me, & to show my gratitude, I will live out the rest of my days serving Him.
Forever grateful.
Forever grateful.
