Testimony Pt.2 

On May 1, 2016- it was either my second or third visit at the WORLD CHANGERS CHURCH INTERNATIONAL'S fellowship church located in Brooklyn, NY. I arrived towards the end of corporate prayer and silently walked to what now became my permanent seating location (third row) to pray. 

The encouragement at the start of service was from the book of ISAIAH 40:29 KJV:

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength"

At this point in time I hit rockbottom. I was mentally, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually broken. Everything that I thought would bring me life was killing me slowly. I was in desperate need for revival because I was not getting anywhere on my own. Therefore, I started to seek JESUS CHRIST to establish my intimate relationship with HIM. Shortly after, I've noticed significant change when I committed to a time period of fasting- dedicating time to reading my Bible, meditating on scriptures, refraining from television and certain secular music, detaching from social media, and putting myself in the environments conducive to renewing my mind, body and spirit. I was empowered to see that my life of trying to play GOD was gracefully transforming for better when I decided to let go and let GOD take control.

Initially, I placed material possessions and personal successes before GOD, believing that I had control of what brought me peace and joy. Operating out of self-righteousness only left me inadequate. To be honest with you, I masked my insecurities with possessions- by dressing in name brand clothing and making sure I stayed current with the latest Jordan's. I lived life this way only because I was lost and didn't know my true identity. I wanted to fit in with the crowd and be a "somebody". I was unaware that I was GOD'S masterpiece (EPHESIANS 2:10). That I was fearfully and wonderfully made for GOD'S specific purpose. So my focus was to dress "fly" to fit in so that people would assume that I had money. Truth be told, I was broke and the little money I had was spent on material items to impress others. I pretended for years and it was all for social validation. What was I thinking ? I literally thought that being accepted by others- who were struggling just like me, would validate me for who I'am. Straight foolishness. This was the type of mess that caused me to live in fear. Big difference now, I no longer dress to impress anyone after finding my true identity in CHRIST. The one and only authorizer. 

On the flipside, I believe that dressing to impress others was also practice for my creative fashion style that I now possess today. I mean I didn't have much clothes, therefore I rotated the few pair of jeans and shirts to coordinate multiple outfits. Humbly my style today reflects who I am- the righteousness of GOD: visionary, leader, athleticism. 

Moreover, Pastor Creflo Dollar who is the senior pastor of WCCI preached a phenomenal sermon that Sunday - Trust: Empowered by REST. He lead with JAMES 4:14-15 KJV:

"14 You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. 15 You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that."

*Since our life is a vapor (short) , we need GOD to guide us more than ever before.

Then Pastor Dollar went on and said a couple of profound things that stood out to me: 

"When man tries to improve himself we read self help books, go to self help seminars" 

"you cannot produce GOD kind of results if GOD is not working !" 

After hearing Pastor Dollar say that, it felt as if I was at one of those church services where the pastor is preaching and he is speaking directly to me. As if someone told him everything that I was experiencing. I'll admit that I'am guilty of thinking self help books was going to provide the answers, peace and joy only that GOD can supply. I even downloaded the SelfHelpCls app on my iPhone thinking I had the missing piece to my life. Don't get me wrong, I've learned a few things from the few books I read, but knowledge doesn't amount to wisdom which is only provided in CHRIST.

PROVERBS 4:6,7,10,11 KJV:

"6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principle; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

"10 Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths."

Before building my relationship with CHRIST, I thought knowledge was supreme. The main reason why I thought I could buy peace and joy and be able to control the peace in my life by reading self help books. How foolish of me for believing the things I'd seen on television, movies, and heard in certain genre of music was the truth to life. Bottom line, CHRIST is the answer for everything (JOHN 8:32). 

News:

That Sunday I was lead by the spirit and I joined WCCI Brooklyn. I'am honored to say that I'am an official WCCI member. I found my beautiful church home and if you haven't found a home (church) yet, our doors are wide open to welcome you. So come visit and/or join my loving family.

GOD Bless,

Julius