“But without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Heb. 11:6a NKJ).
What is faith? It is a combination of several things:
TRUST: Faith enables us to approach the Lord in trust. It causes us to say by our actions: “Lord, I trust You. Your Word says You can be trusted and I believe it.” Faith in God is trust in God.
CONFIDENCE: Faith enables us to approach the Lord with confidence. Our confidence is not in the abilities, cleverness or ingenuity of man – but of God. Faith is confidence that God will keep His promises.
ASSURANCE: Assurance tells us that God is everything His Word says He is. It tells us that He is intervening on our behalf and for our deliverance. Faith is assurance.
COURAGE: Faith is the courage needed to approach God with a long list of needs and know He hears our prayers and answers them for His glory and honor. It is the courage to look to the Lord in any time of need and not allow our circumstances to intimidate us or dictate to us.
ACTION: Faith has a passive side. It can be received as a gift from God. It also has an active side. Faith prompts action. Hebrews 11:33 tells us that faith subdued, faith worked, faith obtained, and faith even stopped the mouth of lions.
One scholar has stated: “Faith’s inner conviction about God is always translated into action and results in a lifestyle through which the reality of faith is expressed.”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.