Do you make a distinction between faith and belief? Belief is a basis for faith, but faith is greater. Belief is an expression of mental assent to certain precepts. Faith is living a life as if these were true. Acknowledging the truth of the gospel message is a matter of belief and you commonly associate this with a salvation experience. That is the beginning rather than the end of a life of faith. I continue my work in you by transforming your life so that every aspect of it expresses the reality of what you believe. Abraham believed and I reckoned it unto him as righteousness. I do the same for you. Let your belief grow into faith. 

Can you be gracious and accepting of believers who belong to a church other than yours? What about those who used to belong to your church and have departed? Do you find this to be more difficult? Yet leaving your church does not mean they have left my Body. If you see a departure from your church as treason or betrayal then you have not learned to hold your denominational affiliation with a loose grip. If you have then you know that such attachments may not be permanent. Everyone has their own path to walk and seasons in their life. View this process graciously from the perspective of the whole Body of Christ. 

[leaving town for a few days]

Do you like to get your own way? Who doesn’t? yet if children get their own way all the time they are said to be spoiled. Adults are better at managing external appearances and the term is not so often applied to them, but the same principles apply. Spoiled children become selfish adults. When you don’t get your own way, you may feel frustrated, denied, and rejected. These are things you do not welcome, but they are precisely what you need to grow into maturity. Trials are an inevitable part of life. My word teaches you to welcome them as friends. It is easier to do so if you know you need them to grow.

You know how to present the gospel message. This is called evangelism and it is the duty of every believer according to the Great Commission. Yet this refers to disciples rather than converts. This implies more than just salvation. How do you make disciples out of converts? Conventional instruction is the generally accepted method, but is this sufficient and is it the only way? Do you see yourself as a pilgrim, on a spiritual journey of growth and transformation? If this works for you it will work for others too. He who is wise wins souls, and also finds a way to invite them to begin their continuing journey.