Episode Overview
Title: Biblical Courage, Part Three
Speaker: Morgan Dufresne
Location: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Date: September 16, 2020
This powerful message focuses on defining, developing, and applying biblical courage—courage that is rooted in God’s word and presence, as contrasted with natural or human courage. Morgan Dufresne teaches how believers can transcend their natural limitations and live victoriously by relying on God’s promises, His steadfast character, and intimate fellowship through worship. She draws on practical biblical examples, including Joshua, Caleb, David, Abraham, and highlights how true courage is anchored in God’s unchanging nature.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Difference Between Natural and Biblical Courage
- Natural courage is dependent on human strength, emotions, or circumstances.
- Biblical courage comes from the spirit, founded on God’s promises, and sustained by our relationship with Him.
- “You don’t have to face [the natural world] with natural courage. You don’t have to face it with natural understanding.” (01:04)
Notable Quote:
“Biblical courage is the only thing to help you get past the natural man... You are just as much a supernatural being, if not more so, than you are a natural being.”
(01:26, Morgan Dufresne)
2. The Greatest Miracle: Salvation
- The miracle of salvation surpasses any other need or trial.
- Every subsequent miracle is “lesser than” what was accomplished in our salvation.
- When facing challenges, believers should recall that they already possess the greatest miracle—salvation and the new birth.
Notable Quote:
“The day you said, ‘Jesus, I make you my savior’… that is the greatest miracle you’ll ever experience. Every miracle you need today is a lesser than miracle than the miracle you’ve already experienced.”
(02:56, Morgan Dufresne)
3. The Devil and the Battleground of the Mind
- The enemy aims for believers’ minds since controlling the mind influences the whole life.
- The miracle of salvation happened in the spirit, not the mind.
- Living out of the spirit, not merely the mind, is essential for biblical courage and victory.
Notable Quote:
“If [the devil] can have your mind, he can have your life… That’s why the greatest miracle, it didn’t come to our mind, it came to our spirit man.”
(04:14, Morgan Dufresne)
4. The Example of Joshua’s Courage (Joshua 1)
- God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, promising His unchanging presence as with Moses (Joshua 1:5-7).
- The prerequisite: Do not waver; do not be led by feelings or circumstances.
- Courage comes through knowing and meditating on God’s word.
Timestamped Segment:
- [08:12–13:42]: Morgan unpacks Joshua 1, urging listeners to anchor courage in what God says rather than in past experiences or what is seen and felt.
Notable Quote:
“Seeing is not believing. If seeing was believing, all 12 [spies] would have come back and said, ‘We can take it.’”
(10:48, Morgan Dufresne)
5. Relationship Through Words – Trust is Built by Communication
- Morgan shares a personal testimony of courtship with her husband, emphasizing that trust and commitment can be founded without physical presence—just through words.
- The relationship with God is the same: it’s built on knowing His words, His promises.
Notable Quote:
“If you don’t know His words, how are you going to walk with Him? If you don’t know what He said about you, how can you be committed?”
(15:45, Morgan Dufresne)
6. Biblical Examples of Courage: David vs. Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
- David’s courage is contrasted with the natural courage of the Israelite army and the ten unfaithful spies.
- David’s courage was rooted in past faithfulness of God and his ongoing relationship (worship) with Him.
- David did not need natural armor or validation but relied on what had already proven effective by God.
Timestamped Segment:
- [21:52–26:40]: Morgan breaks down David’s approach to Goliath, and why “If you’re always looking for something new from God, you’ll miss what you already have.”
Notable Quotes:
“David was a man of worship. That’s why we have all the Psalms… If you’re going to have biblical courage, you’ve got to have times of worshiping God.”
(27:46, Morgan Dufresne)
“Motivation is only for a moment. Biblical courage is for a lifetime.”
(31:28, Morgan Dufresne)
7. Staying on the Offense in Faith
- Biblical courage is proactive, not reactive. It “sets you on the offense, not on the defense.”
- True courage does not wait for others to act or for circumstances to change.
- “Biblical courage doesn’t need another man… It doesn’t need somebody to come and say, ‘God has wonderful things for you.’ Biblical courage says: I need to hear from God for myself.”
(34:33, Morgan Dufresne)
8. God’s Unchanging Character (Numbers 23, 1 Samuel 15, 2 Timothy 2)
- God is not like a human—He never lies or changes His mind.
- No curse or opposition can override His blessing.
- God’s reliability is a key foundation of biblical courage.
Timestamped Segments:
- [39:13–43:42]: Morgan recounts Balaam blessing Israel and explains Numbers 23:19.
- [45:11–47:23]: Comparison to 1 Samuel 15:29 and 2 Timothy 2:13—God’s covenant faithfulness.
Notable Quote:
“God is not a man that he should lie… What God has blessed, no man can curse.”
(41:20, Morgan Dufresne)
9. Encouragement, Declaration, and Walking in Blessing
- Believers must not look for “something new”—God’s promises remain fresh and sure.
- The enemy recognizes God’s blessing on the believer and tries to sow doubt.
- Speak and declare what God has already said over your life.
Notable Quote:
“The enemy sees the blessing on your life. He knows more of the blessing on your life than you do… When I’m faced with opposition… Devil, you were there the day the greatest miracle took place. You saw me get washed white as snow…”
(44:08, Morgan Dufresne)
Key Takeaways / Three Pillars of Biblical Courage
1. Biblical Courage Comes from Knowing God’s Word
- Courage is fed by time in the Scriptures and meditating on God’s promises.
- “If you want His courage, you need to have His words.” (16:01)
2. Biblical Courage Flourishes with Worship and Intimacy
- Spending time in worship keeps the spirit strong and quick to respond with faith.
- “You’ve got to have times of worshipping God… Giving glory unto God.” (28:32)
3. Biblical Courage Rests on God’s Unchanging Nature
- God’s promises never change, regardless of circumstances or feelings.
- “Biblical courage is from understanding that God will never change His mind about me.” (48:02)
Memorable/Motivational Moments
-
Biblical Believing: “God believes before He sees. Biblical believing is not believing something that’s already happened. Biblical believing is believing before it’s happened.”
(29:30, Morgan Dufresne) -
On God’s Mercy: “The new mercies you woke up to this morning are still new… It’s just saying, everyday they’re new.”
(32:43, Morgan Dufresne) -
When Facing Trials: “If you can’t speak what you know about your life today, it’s going to be real tough to walk out your future in God.”
(47:44, Morgan Dufresne) -
On Walking on Water: “He didn’t change His mind when He said, ‘Peter, come.’ He didn’t change His mind about Peter… If you’ll just stay with Me, all things are possible.”
(51:02, Morgan Dufresne)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:04 – What is Biblical Courage?
- 08:12 – God’s Promise to Joshua
- 15:45 – Building Relationship with Words
- 21:52 – David Faces Goliath
- 27:46 – Courage Through Worship
- 31:28 – Motivation vs. Biblical Courage
- 34:33 – Offense not Defense
- 39:13 – God is Not a Man: Numbers 23
- 41:20 – What God Has Blessed, No Man Can Curse
- 45:11 – God’s Faithfulness: 1 Samuel 15 & 2 Timothy 2
- 48:02 – God Never Changes His Mind
Conclusion
Morgan Dufresne’s teaching challenges and equips listeners to abandon the ups and downs of human courage and develop a life of biblical courage—anchored in God’s Word, sustained by worship, and unmoved by circumstance because of God’s steadfast character. Listeners are encouraged not only to receive these truths, but also to step out in faith, speak God’s blessing, and live offensively in the spirit of courage Christ has provided.