Branded For Christ
By 
New Desire had a women’s conference at New Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Hodges, AL this past weekend. Their theme for the weekend was “Branded for Christ.” They were coming from Galatians 6:17 which says, “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Brenda taught us how that when we are saved by grace through faith, that we then bear the marks of Jesus Christ. She gave an illustration about going to the cattle barn and picking out the right, healthy cattle and what a farmer looks for when he’s searching through the cattle. Here are some of the qualities he looks for:
1. Productivity/longevity
2. Their ability to reproduce
3. Nutrition
4. Healthy
5. Whether or not they are thriving or just surviving
6. Performance-turning forage into muscle requires high capacity to turn into meat
When I heard her start teaching all of this, I immediately started jotting down how I could turn all of this into Biblical principles. The questions I started asking myself were the following:
1. Am I being productive for Christ?
2. Am I a part of the reproductive cycle for Christ? Am I able to witness and produce new Christians?
3. Am I nurturing my mind and soul with the Word of God?
4. Am I a healthy Christian? Do I put in all good and no bad?
5. Am I thriving (excited about the Lord and doing all I can do) or do I just do enough to get by or survive?
6. Is my performance what it should be to turn my muscle (knowledge) into meat for the Master’s use?
All of these questions ran through my head. I had to do some major examining! It wasn’t pleasant to answer all these questions and check myself out! The Great Physician had to give me some orders on how to make myself healthier, more nutritious, more productive, etc.
We were also taught that the Brahmas hold water in a pouch on their necks as a reservoir. I kept thinking, “Man, this is the way we Christians do. We only go to the water of life once per week. That’s when we enter the doors of the church and we want to drink from the pastor’s long, hard study time and store up for the whole week. We nurture off of what God has given him and think that’s enough to last us.” Well that is SO WRONG! By mid-week we are thirsting to death. That water doesn’t last without replenishing it in the Word daily. We should not depend on someone else to water us; we should be willing to go to the well ourselves on a daily basis to fill our souls with the Living Water….Our Lord JESUS CHRIST!
Let me know what you think about this. God has really burned a desire in my heart to fill my pail each day until it just over flows with His love, mercy, grace, comfort, guidance, etc.
In Christ,
Brooke
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Miss Brooke: It is so refreshing to see someone in ministry that is truly in it to minister and not just for performance reasons.
I hear you say, “We Just Love Jesus.” I have had to ask myself what do you mean by that. I have observed how intensive your ministry is by experiencing for myself how you look at the whole person and our needs as you minister. You don’t just stand there and entertain us with your talents, but you take it to the next “levels” by feeding us something substantial from the word of God. Then, you give us little reminders so we dont just walk away with nothing to help us recall. Not only that, but you provide us with Bible study books that help us dig deeper, or even use as a tool to minister to others.
Almost without fail, I hear of people’s lives being changed as a result of the ministry of New Desire. I believe that is what ministry is all about. Thank you New Desire for taking it to the next “levels”.
Please don’t get discouraged by the world’s opinion of what you do or how you do, you are effective in sharing the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as evidenced by the many salvations and growth I see through ND ministry. Just keep on loving Jesus.
Reply to Janice
Reply to Janice
Brooke,
You are so right on sister. Our reservoir should be filled with the scripture we have memorized (stored up for future use), as well as what we have been studying (drinking) daily from God’s Word. Jesus said, “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) No man – no matter how good a preacher he is can fill our reservoir – only Jesus can! If we want to be filled we have to go to Jesus ourselves everyday. Then when we assemble together on Sunday our reservoir is overflowing and we can minister to and encourage those in need.
We are also able to draw from our reservoir when attacked by the enemy. Scripture is what Jesus used to defeat satan when He was tempted in the wilderness and it is our only hope of victory when we are tempted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. . . Jesus is righteousness and if we thirst for Him we can be assured of being filled.
Thanks for challenging me with those questions, I too want to be a productive, reproducing, healthy, thriving cow in Jesus’ barn. (Never thought I would want to be a cow-lol). Love ya girl,
Tammy
Reply to Tammy Loveless
The conference this weekend & the service on Sunday were truly AWESOME. I always love to hear New Desire because you are always so spiritually uplifting. Too many groups today focus on figures (money) instead of living by faith and on popularity instead of praise! I am thankful that New Desire is not willing to compromise for the sake of the world. You guys are a unique ministry that delivers great professional quality music as well as meat of the Word of God in every service. I appreciate all you do in teaching and singing to minister to everyone you come in contact with. Keep standing true to God in spite of the world’s pressures! I love you all!
Angie
Reply to Angie
Brooke,
You are so right. We all take in teaching but never use it daily to be productive in God. It is wonderful the way New Desire ties teaching into your music to get Gods message across to us. Songs seem to stick in peoples mind and the reinforcement from the teaching and preaching yall do really drives it home. Ministries like yall are greatly needed. Thanks for all yall do.
Love Tammy
Reply to Tammy Turner
Reply to ANN
Ann,
I thank God that you were able to hear His voice this weekend and heed to it. He can make such a difference in all that we do in our lives as long as we listen for His direction and allow Him to direct our every step. Just continue to study, listen, and watch for Him to make changes in your life, marriage, kids, home, etc. He will make you what He wants you to be if you allow Him to do so. So many times we want to put our hands on things & we then get in His way! Hang in there. It seems that things are looking up for you.
In Christ,
Brooke
Reply to Brooke Cason
Reply to Amy Marquiss
Amy,
I pray that God will direct your path about full-time photography. Just make sure it’s God’s will and not yours. Have WORD to stand on and then you can hold Him to His word….like Dan preached Sunday morning. I’m so glad that you got something out of this weekend.
In Christ,
Brooke
Reply to Brooke Cason