Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Delighting In God’s Commands/Word For 2023 | Nancy Dufresne | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Date: January 30, 2023

Main Theme:
Pastor Nancy Dufresne teaches on the vital spiritual principle of "delighting greatly in God's commands," primarily drawing from Psalm 112 and related passages. She challenges the congregation to move from mere obedience or compliance with God’s word and instructions, into a lifestyle characterized by joy, praise, and eagerness in fulfilling God's directives. The episode also includes her prophetic word for the church for 2023: A Year of Flourishing Faith, with practical instructions and testimonies to stir faith and joy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hidden Power of a Praising, Honoring, and Delighted Life

Based on Psalm 112:1

• Three Foundational Qualities for Blessing:

  • Praise as a lifestyle: Outflow of faith and a safeguard against worry and fear.

    "Praise is an outflow of the faith that's in someone's heart, so we can know whether or not we're in faith by measuring how praise is flowing. Because a man of faith, you cannot separate him from his praises." (07:15)

  • Honor (Fear) of the Lord: Giving God’s commands and Word priority, honoring what He honors.
  • Delighting greatly in God’s commands: Not just obeying, but doing so eagerly and joyfully.

    "Delighting greatly is not an emotion. It is not a feeling. It is a choice…" (14:30)

• Blessings follow the man of verse one:

  • Blessings on children ("seed"), wealth and riches, light in darkness (revelation), stability, fearlessness, and generosity.

• Practical Application:

  • One cannot claim the blessings of Psalm 112 (wealth, stability, influence) without living out verse 1.
  • Complaining, fear, and worry are incompatible with praise and delight.

2. Delighting in God’s Commands—What it Means and How to Practice It

• Delight is a Choice:

  • Pastor Nancy distinguishes between mere obedience and delighting in obedience.
  • The degree of delight directly affects the measure of blessing and fulfilled desire.

    "Dad Hagin used to say, it’s when you get thrilled with the Word that it works for you. Being thrilled is a choice." (15:00)

• Delight Is Measured by Expression:

  • Outward expression of delight matters (not just silent, inward enjoyment).

    "That inward silent enjoyment don't work… Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth…" (49:20)

• Complaining Is Dangerous:

  • Complaints open the door to destruction, referencing 1 Corinthians 10:10 and the dangers of murmuring seen in Israel’s history.

    "Once we complain, we take down the barriers of protection. Our complaining breaks down protection, the protection of God." (1:02:40)

• Examples & Personal Testimonies:

  • Relates a story about blessing her son with Disneyland and learning the lesson about the measure of delight.

    "The degree of delight shows me what I'm going to do for you in the future. Our degree of delight shows God what he can do for us." (46:55)

3. Living on the "Delight Side" in All Things—Practical Exercises

• Daily Assignment:

  • Work on staying delighted every day, deliberately choosing gratitude and joy in every area—work, marriage, possessions.

    "Work on yourself at staying delighted every day. Make that your assignment." (40:50)

  • Action: Thank God for your current reality, even if it’s not your preference.

• Delight versus Perfection:

  • Don’t wait for perfect circumstances or perfect people to choose delight.

    "Don't wait for perfection before you choose to be delighted. Because you'll never reach delight if you're waiting for perfection out of people." (44:25)

• Dealing with Pressure and Preparation:

  • Be as delighted in the preparation and process (e.g., packing for a trip, sermon preparation) as the "party" or finished product.
  • Complaining about steps in God’s plan can lead to missing out on callings and blessings.

• Generosity and Right Living:

  • Knowing God as the provider leads to generosity—knowing "where it comes from."
  • Seek to be easy to live with, easy to work with; delight produces harmony and God's favor.

4. Specific Prophetic Direction for 2023: "A Year of Flourishing Faith" (1:10:12)

• Interpretation and Application:

  • This is not merely a confession, but a directive requiring action.
  • Steps to flourishing faith:
    1. Feed your faith with God’s Word.
    2. Release your faith (through words and corresponding actions).
    3. Practice being a good receiver (don’t resist blessings or feel undeserving).
    4. Hold fast to what God gives—don’t let go through fear or complaint.
  • Complaint is a step outside of faith.

• Notable Quote:

  "If we’re not flourishing in faith, we’ll flourish in fear, or in complaining. But if we make sure that we’re flourishing in faith... we’re living on the delighted side." (1:12:55)

5. Miracles, Testimonies, and the Corporate Faith Assignment

• Testimonies of Faith and Favor:

  • Example: Divine appointments and favor regarding the renovation of the ministry's "castle." Persistence and delight in God’s plan brought the right people at the right time.
  • "God said to me last night, he says, have I ever asked you to pay for anything? I said, nothing, nothing. Just believe for it. Just believe for it." (1:23:25)

• Corporate Faith Assignment:

  • Pastor Nancy invites the congregation to join their faith with her for advancement (property, projects)—stressing shared blessing.

    "When I advance, you advance." (1:30:30)

6. Supernatural Healing & Faith Exercise (Closing Ministry Time)

Several Words of Knowledge for Healing

• Healings called out for: neck, female organs, throats, shoulders, vertebrae, and backs.
• Instruction: Receive by faith and verbally declare, “I receive that, Father!” (1:31:57 and following)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting and Legacy:

  "Never treat your children and the responsibilities of home as an intrusion into your dream. Because any dream misses its mark when the home is neglected." (04:10)

• On Delighting in Commandments:

  “He delights greatly in God’s commandments. Not just of the Word, but what he’s commanded of your life… If God tells you, don’t hang out with that person anymore. That’s a command.” (29:10)

• On Complaining:

  "People complain to get attention, but it's the wrong kind of attention you're getting because the devil shows up for complainers." (1:04:58)

• On Living Joyfully:

  "Don't be hard to be around. Get on the delight side. Amen. Hallelujah." (1:07:10)

• On Choosing Delight When God Directs:

  “Just as soon as God says something, say, 'I’m delighted to! Thank you. I’m eager, I’m eager, I’m eager to do it.' Start talking before fear starts pushing.” (1:41:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:45 | Opening, honoring God, story about unseen greatness especially in parenting.
• 06:46–28:00 | Psalm 112:1 unpacked—praise, honor, and delighting in God’s commands.
• 28:01–39:50 | The connection between delighting in God's instruction and prosperity/blessing.
• 39:51–51:00 | Practicing daily delight, real-life examples, and the connection of delight to desires being met (ref: Psalm 37).
• 51:01–1:09:30 | Dangers of complaining, maintaining delight, and staying skillful in praise through challenges.
• 1:09:31–1:16:15 | Word for 2023: A Year of Flourishing Faith, faith principles for the year, assignment to practice delight.
• 1:16:16–1:30:30 | Testimony of the ministry’s building project, favor, and concrete invitations to corporately believe God for increase.
• 1:30:31–end | Ministry time: specific words of knowledge for healing, closing prayer, reminder to delight in God’s call and assignment, evangelism encouragement.

Homework/Takeaways for the Listener

• Practice daily, verbal, and visible delight in what God has given and commanded you.
• Let delight infuse your reading of the Word, relationships, work, and all acts of obedience.
• Stay far from a complaining spirit—recognize it as spiritually dangerous.
• Feed, speak, and act on your faith—especially in this year of 'flourishing faith'.
• Join your faith with others for corporate advancement, and be open to receive and testify.

“Faith is always delighted. If it’s not fun, it’s not faith.” – Nancy Dufresne (1:37:35)