Post by Admin on Aug 23, 2014 18:23:44 GMT -6
David Barberis' Personal Testimony
I was born and raised in a Catholic family and was completely involved in the church as an altar boy in Cuba, a communist country where religion was frowned upon, I was so dedicated that in the 5thgrade I even invited a friend Luis Rojas to join me at church even though we were laughed at and ridiculed. I was raised with the teachings of Jesus Christ wanting to grow up to be a Priest as was my favorite Priest growing up, Father Estrada. Unfortunately, I was only a Christian by name and my life was not what it should have been as we are told in Romans12:1&2.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
When we left Cuba in 1967 and came to the United States my desire to continue in the church slowly dissipated and then that desire was replace by my wanting to study, play baseball and earn money as that was the only way we were supposed to have a bright future in this materialistic world, I completely strayed from the church, and from God. I had no desire to even think or dream about serving God in my life. My mother was always insisting that I had a calling to the ministry, but I would often tell her that she was wrong that and that I was in total control of my life, and bragged about my father telling one of his favorite brothers at Angelus Temple (Brother Sanchez) that I was not a hypocrite so why would I attend church or even think about the ministry.
For over 40 years all my plans and dreams were in direct contrast to the plans that God has for my life, even after accepting Jesus as my Savior in 1983. After my baptism also in 1983 I continued on my worldly ways stumbling along looking for happiness, a happiness that led me to lose my marriage to a wonderful woman in 1996 because of adultery. An act of adultery totally covered in sin which continued and by marrying the person trying to cover the sin thus compounding the situation.
As Malachi 2:14-16 tells us; Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lordhas been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the LordGod of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,” says the Lordof hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
And sure enough on August 9, 2013 (luckily I did not physically injure the person, as a woman should never be physically abused) in violence the marriage did end, and because of the actions that I took in reaction to some very hurtful comments, I in total shame of having my children witnessing the way in which I reacted committed suicide that night by hanging myself at the Collin County Detention Facility in their infirmary.
I specifically say committed suicide because I have proof that the Lord has plans for us and He is in total control of our circumstances. Yes, I succeeded in the flesh but He had other plans and He has not only called me to the ministry but by the blood Jesus shed on the Cross and His Resurrection I have been redeemed.
God miraculously saved my life, He walked me up a very steep mountain, He had His hand on my left shoulder as He walked me up the mountain. The ground was covered with the softest greenest grass, to the left the most beautiful garden, and to the right a tall fence made out of precious stones, the top layer being topaz. Now the light that was shining was not the usual sunlight but a very bright light comparable to those lights at sporting events. As we neared the top of the mountain there were many voices praising the name of Jesus in different languages, when we arrived at the top there was a very large Pearl blocking the entrance into part of the mountain, He then stepped in front of me touched the pearl and it opened revealing the most beautiful gold filled street, buildings, and street, He then asked me if I was ready to go in, but before I could respond He showed me a picture of my son Brian with Fran Davis which used to hang above my desk, when I saw the picture I told Him “not now,” and immediately He closed the pearl and started walking me back down the mountain.
On the way down I could see some police officers pounding on my chest trying to revive which account for the pain I felt for about 2 weeks, I heard one of them telling someone “take a picture of his neck he is not breathing.” Next thing I knew I woke up strapped onto a bed in a different room. God had given me a second chance to live for HIM and I then realized that our real LIFE begins after our death. Now then I understand fully the meaning of what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3 were Jesus answered him by telling him “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againhe cannot see the kingdom of God.” Whether I am going to be spending eternity in Heavenor in Hellmy worldly plans and dreams came to an end that August night in 2013. God totally changed my life and I have decided to serve God, at any cost.
During my incarceration not only did God speak to me but He showed His presence in my life by some miraculous events that took place, my being able to minister to troubled men and leading them to find Jesus as their Savior was no coincidence, no He had His hands all over it. Not only has the Holy Spirit convicted me, but my hunger and thirst to know more about the Word of God grows more each day. So, in response to His calling I have started the Rayed Redemption Ministry for His glory.
In October 2013 I received a call from God to fulfill His Great Commission, as it says in Matthew 28: 18, 19 & 20 - "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. During that same month God put me in a position to start ministering to some men who actually were facing situations which are so difficult, situations that in my wildest dreams could I had ever imagined.
On February 12, 2014 God spoke to me and gave me a vision to start Rayed Redemption Ministry. And for His glory that labor of love has started.
Since that October day when God called on me and to this day, I can see how God is so amazing and how already He has done miraculous things in my life. How He continuously pours out his faithful love and blessings day after day and how He has put on me this burning desire, a call to reach out to lost souls and claim them for His kingdom.
My daily prayer to Him many thanks for I am not yet the man He wants me to be, but I thank Him everyday that I am not the same man I used to be.
Return to Rayed Redemption