Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Consecrated To God's Plan | Grant Dufresne | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Date: October 28, 2019
Speaker: Grant Dufresne

Overview

In this episode, Grant Dufresne delivers a heartfelt and passionate message about the necessity of consecration—committing oneself wholly to God’s specific plan for one’s life. He emphasizes that every believer, regardless of age or experience, is called and needed by God to fulfill a unique mission. Through personal stories and Scripture, Grant explores the importance of daily recommitment, letting go of the "old man," resisting distractions, and walking in the Spirit. The episode is filled with encouragement, practical advice, and urgency, aiming to inspire listeners to take their divine calling seriously and to honor Christ’s sacrifice through committed living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Our Purpose in Christ

(00:08–02:06)

• Grant opens by establishing that, as new creations in Christ, believers now have purpose, destiny, and a calling in the body of Christ.
  • “We have a new life, we have a new future, we have a new purpose.” (00:14)
• Emphasizes that before salvation, there was no purpose or role in the body; now, everyone is needed for God’s mission.
  • “God needs us. There’s a world out there that he needs us to reach.” (01:24)
• Warns against selfishness—only receiving healing or provision for ourselves and not sharing with others who are in need.

2. The Struggle of Consecration and Commitment

(02:06–03:39)

• Many struggle because they haven’t fully let go of old paths or habits.
  • “It’s hard for people when they don’t fully commit their life to the plan of God. That’s where they struggle.” (02:12)
• Grant calls for decisive action: whatever needs to be cut off, do it for the sake of walking in newness.

3. Personal Testimony of Consecration

(03:46–08:28)

• Grant shares a personal experience following his father’s passing. In the midst of grief and confusion, he chose to move forward in ministry instead of withdrawing.
  • “A lot of thoughts were in my head…sometimes when there’s a lot of thoughts, a lot of pressure, you can [get stuck]. But you have to make the decision. I’m just going to do what God said.” (05:51)
• He outlines a principle: Even when you don’t see the whole path, take the one step you know is right.
  • “If you just know that one step is the right thing, but you have no clue what it’s gonna do...as long as you know that God is—that’s the right direction, do it.” (06:49)

4. The Power of Small Steps & Daily Consecration

(08:28–14:42)

• Doing the right, faith-filled thing—no matter how small—is enough for God to guide you further.
• Stresses the need for verbal consecration and continual recommitment.
  • “When’s the last time you just said, Lord, I put all this aside...I’m committing my life to you. And that’s all he needs. He just needs your cooperation.” (13:27–13:52)
• God works with willing, not perfect, people who are open to change.

5. Jesus: Our Ultimate Example of Consecration

(14:43–19:10)

• Reads and reflects on Luke 22:42—Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane.
  • “Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.” (15:33)
• Describes the immense pressure Christ faced, but how he still chose God’s plan.
• Relates a vivid personal moment of recommitment, experiencing God’s tangible presence and strength.
  • “I fell on the ground naked in my shower…If you commit your life, he will meet you there. It don’t matter.” (17:43–18:06)

6. Honoring the Sacrifice of Christ

(19:10–21:53)

• Grant challenges listeners not to take Jesus’s suffering and victory lightly.
  • “Don’t take the plan of God lightly. Jesus did that for you. He’s giving you a new life.” (19:46)
• To live self-centeredly is to disregard the cost Christ paid.
  • “Don’t dishonor it by living any old way you want. That's like spitting in Jesus' face.” (22:25)

7. Be Aggressive about God’s Plan

(23:30–26:22)

• Believers must be bold and proactive to stay on track—don't allow the enemy's strategies to pull you off course.
  • “Be aggressive about it, because things are going to be aggressive to try and steal the plan from you.” (23:30)
• If you know something tempts you, refuse even the smallest compromise.

8. Practical Steps to Stay in God’s Plan

(27:12–39:31)

• It's not a sacrifice to give up the flesh; true joy is found in committing to God's ways.
  • Psalms 37:4—“Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (28:48)
• Daily, repeated recommitment equips you to face future challenges and opportunities to compromise.
  • “One day something’s going to challenge that commitment. And is your commitment going to be strong enough?” (29:39)
• “The plan of God is doing the right thing when the wrong things have—the opportunity comes to do the wrong things.” (30:59)

9. The Race and the Great Cloud of Witnesses

(32:21–39:01)

• Hebrews 12:1—Lay aside every weight and sin; unnecessary distractions only trip and delay your race.
  • “It’s just going to trip us up. It’s just going to entangle your feet and delay your race.” (32:44)
• Focus on the eternal, not the temporal—natural achievements have no currency in heaven.
  • “Money is a tool. It’s just a tool. Don’t get tripped up over it. It’s useless in the presence of God.” (34:33)
• You have a spiritual family and “a cloud of witnesses” cheering you on in your spiritual race.
  • “You have a whole family in heaven. You don’t even know yet. We’re in the family of God.” (35:19)

10. Walking in the Spirit—Your Key Advantage

(40:38–44:47)

• Galatians 5:16—Walking in the Spirit is the answer to overcoming the flesh.
  • “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. There’s your answer for that. Well, I’m struggling. That temptation’s coming hard. I don’t know how to get through it. Your answer is get in the Spirit.” (41:19–41:47)
• The Spirit strengthens where self-effort fails, giving acceleration into God’s plan.
  • “We need the help of the Spirit. We need the power of God in our life.” (42:08)
• Past failures are powerless in God's presence; don't let past mistakes distract or discourage.

11. Hearing God’s Guidance Personally

(45:54–47:06)

• God speaks about your calling not just through others but directly, during personal prayer, daily life, Bible reading.
  • “He wants to talk to you at home. He wants to talk to you on the drive to work about your future. His word is him talking to us directly.” (45:54)
• Remove distractions to be available for his guidance—God is eagerly waiting to reveal his plan.

12. Encouragement and God’s Faithfulness to Reward

(47:26–49:11)

• Consecration is a daily process.
• God is a rewarder of those who consistently seek and honor him—faithfulness brings blessing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God needs us. There’s a world out there that he needs us to reach.” (01:24)
• “It’s hard for people when they don’t fully commit their life to the plan of God. That’s where they struggle.” (02:12)
• “If you continue to think about it, you will talk yourself out of it. But I promise you he will meet you there, and it will become clearer.” (06:40)
• “Don’t take the plan of God lightly. Jesus did that for you. He’s giving you a new life.” (19:46)
• “Don't dishonor it by living any old way you want. That's like spitting in Jesus' face.” (22:25)
• “Be aggressive about it, because things are going to be aggressive to try and steal the plan from you.” (23:30)
• “The plan of God is doing the right thing when the wrong things have—the opportunity comes to do the wrong things.” (30:59)
• “He wants to talk to you at home...His word is him talking to us directly.” (45:54)
• “He’s a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” (48:08)

Key Timestamps

• 00:08–02:06: New life, new purpose in Christ; call to look outward.
• 02:06–03:39: The need for full consecration; letting go of the “old man.”
• 04:50–08:28: Personal story from the week of Grant’s father’s passing; acting in faith despite feelings.
• 09:03–10:13: Consecrating to God's plan amid uncertainty.
• 14:43–19:10: Jesus’s Gethsemane prayer; Grant’s parallel experience.
• 23:30–26:22: Practical strategies—be bold and refuse even small temptations.
• 27:12–29:31: Joy in commitment; Psalm 37:4 and lasting fulfillment.
• 32:21–39:31: The race of faith; “cloud of witnesses” cheering us on; avoiding distractions.
• 41:19–44:47: Walking in the Spirit overcomes the flesh; moving past your past with God’s help.
• 45:54–47:06: Hearing God speak; daily openness to his voice.
• 48:08–49:11: God rewards faithfulness; you are never alone.

Final Encouragement

Grant concludes by assuring listeners that God has a plan for everyone—regardless of age or experience—and that the key to fulfillment, victory, and reward is daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, consecration to his will. He urges listeners to treasure the privilege and weight of God’s calling, honoring it in everyday decisions, empowered by the Holy Spirit and cheered on by the great cloud of witnesses.