Be An Encourager!

5.7.15
I hope everyone had a great Sunday!!  Sunday is always one of my favorite days of the week because it's the time I get to spend fellowship with my Christian brothers and sisters, which is so important!

Why is it important though? It's important because our Christian friends are the ones who are supposed to be building you up, helping you, teaching you, correcting you, and most importantly encouraging you!

Encouragement..... we all need encouraging, right?

What is the opposite of encouragement? Don't think to hard (;
I know! Discouragement! It is so, so, so easy to become discouraged!

Think back to the last time you became discouraged, how did you react?
It happens to me all the time! I will be trying so hard to do something and when the first thing goes wrong I become discouraged. Before I put my faith, my hope, and my trust in God I would usually quit after the first sign of becoming sad. BUT then I figured out, if I just let God do this then everything will be fine! Discouragement is of the devil! He is always looking for ways to get you down. So here's what you do, when the first sign of discouragement comes along just stop and pray! Tell the devil to go away!! Demand him to leave; you have the power to do so! Its that easy if you believe.

In life I have found encouraging people and then some people who discourage, those are the ones always saying what's wrong and nagging about something, just trying to get you upset. Friends, its not supposed to be that way!! If we discourage fellow Christians then what good are we doing for God? Followers of Jesus live a life that isn't easy, and its not meant to be easy! It is so rewarding though, so don't give up!

Question 1: How does it make you feel to be encouraged?
Question 2: How does it make you feel to be discouraged? Take it a little deeper: How does it feel to be discouraged when you are already having a bad day?

It doesn't feel good to be having a bad day and someone who you don't know or you do know to come and say something rude or discouraging does it? That is why its so important to always encourage one another, whether we know them or not.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11

So why is it so important to encourage people? Simply because it's what we are supposed to do! If we don't encourage one another life will become sad and feel pointless. Being a follower of Jesus means that encouragement is necessary. If it wasn't for the encouragement that God has gave me through others I wouldn't be writing this right now. As Christians we all should have one goal and that is saving others through Christ, which can be difficult. That's when we step in and tell people not to give up and to have hope just like Jesus did. He was always telling people do not be afraid, peace be with you, etc. So if we are to live as Christ did then shouldn't we encourage everybody?

I know it can be hard because I fail at this all the time, but through God we can ask for forgiveness and for help! It all comes down to one thing, and that is love! Encouraging someone shows them love Gods love!

Think into your life for a moment, when was the last time you encouraged somebody or was simply nice to someone? If you can't think of anything then ask God to help you start showing his love to everyone, the stranger in the store, or the waitress at the restaurant, encourage them to keep up the good work, even if it isn't good. We have no idea what kind of day others may be having, and it only takes one hurtful action to cause them to become depressed or even harm themselves! As Christians this is our job, it is as important as them all! We must encourage!!

If you are awesome at this then that is great!! I am so happy for you because it can be very hard for others! Don't stop the good work though! You can never do enough encouraging! Pray and ask God to help you show someone how to encourage others through your walk.

God loves you so much! Show him love back and start living a life for him! Start encouraging others to come to church and to keep up the good work. It's the simple things that mean the most, I believe we all can relate to that.

Tomorrow is a new day, lets start it with encouraging words to others!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are encouraged

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

Sweet happy kids in El Salvador!
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Jesus Christ, so that you may glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind an voice. Romans 15:5-6

Don't Be Selfish

6.4.15

I hope everyone is having a great week!! It has been beautiful weather here in Alabama! I have spent the week spending time with loved ones and just trying to be the best I can be. It's so important to remember that there is always room to grow with Christ, no matter how old you are or how much you know.

Have you ever found yourself being selfish?

Definition: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well being without regard for others.

Being selfish could mean that you put yourself in front of others, you get the best of things while not being concerned what your family has or others, getting upset and causing broken relationships because something didn't go your way, not worrying about those who have nothing, even being selfish with your time, or people, doing works for God but really its only for yourself to shine

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. James 3:13-16

Friends, scripture says that where envy and selfishness is that there is disorder. Do you have disorder and chaos in your life? If so, it is probably because you are living a selfish life.

I know I can struggle with being selfish. It used to be bad but when I became a true follower of Christ he showed me what was really important in life. You see God didn't send His only Son to give us everything we want and to make us happy! He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we may be free to live for Him, not for ourselves!
For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20
You see if being a true follower of Christ means we must give Him everything, and we can't do that if we are being selfish.

Now this don't mean you won't fail. We are not perfect. Just last night I found myself almost being selfish of Shane. I tend to want no one else to have him! God told me to stop being selfish that what He is doing is for me, and that is what is most important.

Think of someone that is selfless. Many people come to my mind but the two that stand out the most is my mom, and Jeremiah Swaray. My mom because she is always puts others before herself! My whole life I watched her do it. Before she did anything for herself she always made sure my brother, dad and I had the nicest things. Even for those she doesn't know. Just last year when we went to El Salvador and instead of using her hardworking money for herself, she used it to get those orphans and our family there that she had never met shoes, clothes, and even small toys. It is called love, and it is what we were called to do!
Jeremiah is a missionary from Africa who takes care of his wife, his 3 kids, and around 40 orphans. My dad, brother, and friend Pete, met Jeremiah on a mission trip in Sierra Leone, Africa, it was there that Jeremiah practically saved their lives. Jeremiah had the opportunity to come to America in October of 2014, while he was here he showed us what it meant to be a true follower of Christ. While he was packing to leave, instead of packing his entire luggage for himself he stuffed it full of shoes and clothes for his family and the orphans! This showed that he truly loved them! How selfless. How many of you would take in 40 orphans and not know where your next meal would come from?
None of this was to boost them; it was to show that what they are doing is what God told them and us to do!

Now that you have heard of two selfless people I know and have thought of some that you know it's time to examine your own life. Where in your life are you being selfish? I know I can find some places that I am, so I know that you can too! The first step is to admit it to yourself and then ask God to forgive you. He will always forgive you as long as you ask! Now that you are forgiven start living a life of selflessness. At the end of each day examine where you might have been and fix it! Ask yourself what you have done for someone else today? Then ask what have you done for someone outside your family? God will help you if you ask!

Now that you want to live a selfless life, start living in love! We cannot love if we are being selfish, and that is Gods biggest command.
"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." James 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 13 also tells us that love is not selfish! Love kills selfishness. If we live in love then we will kill two birds with one stone! It's time to start living a life for Christ! I know you can do it! Lets do it together!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are blessed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

My mom and I on my wedding day making me pretty

An orphan in Africa that lives with Jeremiah 

We Are ALL Missionaries

6.1.15

It's hard to believe it's already June. It seems like just yesterday it was Christmas! Which is 207 days away for all you parents out there! It's also hard to believe that I haven't been to El Salvador since October! If only it was cheap to fly and I would be there all the time.

I want to tell you a little bit about why my blog URL is fight for every soul. In February 2014 Shane and I had the opportunity to go to El Salvador. Which is located in Central America. Going on a mission trip out of country wasn't something I had thought about as a child but when I was given the opportunity I couldn't pass it up. This trip changed my life forever! It changed my way of thinking and my relationship with God. That week I began to grow closer to God and He told me exactly why HE put me on this earth! It wasn't to be a friend, a daughter, a sister, or a future mom. He told me that all of those things come with the package, but the real reason that he put me here was to help the helpless. To be a voice of those who have none! I had no idea what I was doing; I just knew that God had a plan! We only got to spend one day at the orphanage and that one day was all it took. Seeing those children in their dirty clothes, broken shoes, and hungry bellies killed me. I could only think about what they would give just to have a bowl of that ice cream I had in my freezer. The whole time they did nothing but laugh and love on all of us. Most all of them were so happy! The orphanage is run by a Christian organization so since we knew they were getting to hear the word all we did was play and love on them. As we left the orphanage I was broken, earlier in the week I told God to break my heart for what breaks His and boy did He! Just a warning: don't ask unless you really want to know. God's heart breaks for the orphans. All I could think about is who is going to take care of all the orphans out there, feed them, and love them? Then God answered me saying that He is. He said I will take care of them with your help. I tell you this because now God has took it further and has told me to help everyone, to "fight for every soul." As of now I am not sure what I am going to do, but things are starting to move into place!

It is so important as Christians to fight for every soul. It's our job to! Maybe you're thinking, "well God didn't call me to be a missionary," or "I don't want to be a missionary." I firmly believe God called ALL of us to be missionaries.

The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshipped, by some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:11-20

Being a missionary doesn't mean that you have to go to a different country or out of state. Being a missionary means that you simply tell people about Jesus and most importantly show them God's love. When we step out of our home the world becomes a mission field. School, the mall, work, restaurants, even church, is a mission field. In Romans 10 it says, "how can they believe without hearing about Him." We were put on this Earth to tell the world about God and share His love!! If we don't who will?? We can change the world. If every "Christian" showed everyone Gods love do you know what could happen? There would be peace.

Maybe you are like me and your life was changed when you stepped out of your comfort zone and shared Gods love and his word. Don't quit! Don't give up! I know it is hard. I know it feels like its just you against the world, but its not! You have God behind you. It may feel like you aren't doing anything to change the world but I promise you that you are! Don't become comfortable though, keep expanding and grow with God! Don't forget what is important to you!

Maybe you don't know where to start. You know that you need to be out sharing Gods word and His love, but something is holding you back. If it is fear, abolish it! God is much stronger than fear and once you let go He WILL catch you! If you just don't know how to be a missionary, it's easier than it seems. All you have to do is love everyone, grow relationships with people, and show them how great our God is and how he has changed your life!! It is so simple!! I've been there and once I opened up my heart to allow God to show me what to do, it became so much easier. Don't wait like I did, it doesn't matter how old you are, you have the same power as Jesus does!

Don't forget that every soul matters to God. EVERY soul! Even ISIS and the ones who hate God so much!! Get out there and try it today! I know you can do it because you can do all things through God!! Knowing Gods word is useless if we don't apply to our daily lives. We pick up our cross daily and follow Him!

The path may be hard, but the reward is great! Don't let the devil stop you!! You can do it!!! Fight for every soul, someone fought for yours!

I love you all and would love to hear from you! If you have a testimony you would life to share feel free to send it to me!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are a missionary

His daughter,
       Starla Conroy

El Salvador Orphanage, October 2014