Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Developing Your Faith, Part Two | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus The Healer Broadcast
Date: April 22, 2019
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the process of developing one’s faith, drawing from biblical examples and personal stories to illustrate how God stretches believers for their benefit. The main theme focuses on how God is not interested in doing what is easiest for us, but rather what is best for the development and maturity of our faith—so that our faith resembles that of Jesus. The episode centers particularly on faith for healing and finances, teaching that faith requires active obedience and a willingness to think higher and act beyond comfort zones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Purpose of Five-Fold Ministry and Developing Faith

• God gives believers the five-fold ministry (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) to help mature their lives and faith until they resemble Jesus. (00:17)
• Faith must be developed in every area of life—what works for your finances must also be developed for your physical needs, and vice versa. (01:37)

Jesus as the Faith Example

• Jesus frequently put a demand on the faith of those around Him, not to make things easy, but to cause faith to grow.
  • Example: Jesus feeding the multitude by asking the disciples what food they had, prompting them to look beyond their limited resources. (03:28)
  • "When he looked the right direction and blessed what he had, what wasn't enough became more than enough." (Nancy Dufresne, 05:07)
• Miracle moments require a shift in focus—looking up to heaven rather than to human limitation. (04:54)

Faith and Obedience in Miracles

• In many healing miracles, faith was activated by obedience to Jesus’ instructions, not just by passive belief.

  • Blind man & Pool of Siloam: Jesus told the man to go and wash—it wasn't the easiest instruction, but it got his faith in motion. (08:09)
  • Ten Lepers: "As they went, they were healed." Their obedience activated their miracle. (11:00)
  • Man with the withered hand & Lame man: Each was given a command that required participation—"stretch forth your hand", "rise up and walk." (12:55)

• Key Insight: God puts a demand on faith, not to trip people up, but so faith can grow robust and produce results.

  • "Obedience is required for you to have strong faith. People who don't obey don't have strong faith because God gives you something to obey—not to trip people up, but to get their faith going." (Nancy Dufresne, 10:48)

The Rich Young Ruler: Faith in the Right Place

• The story illustrates misplaced faith; the man trusted in his wealth instead of following Jesus.

  • "The one thing he was missing was not that he wouldn't obey in getting rid of his money... he didn't have anyone to follow." (Nancy Dufresne, 15:08)

  • Quote

    "Jesus was giving him something to obey to get his faith going. Because see, his faith was in his money. And Jesus was trying to get his faith off his money." (Nancy Dufresne, 15:37)

• The opportunity for greater faith requires action—many refuse to act and miss out on growth. (17:34)

Personal Testimony: Faith for Healing Ministry

• Story of a minister who, after a crippling accident, chose to believe for his own healing rather than someone else’s faith—resulting in not just healing, but a healing ministry.
  • "Now see, now it's not just about him getting healed. Now it's about him helping get others healed." (18:51)

Faith for Finances—Replacing Lack Mentality

• Many people struggle financially because of a lack or "cheap" mentality, rooted in upbringing and repeated phrases like "we can’t afford that." (22:20)

• Faith must be intentionally stretched in the area of finances, just as in healing or any other subject.

• Waiting for things to be easy (like being given something rather than believing for it) results in undeveloped faith.

  • “I'm not going to pray that God would give it to you. If that's not best for your faith, that may be easiest for you, but not best for your faith.” (Nancy Dufresne, 25:58)

• Practical Steps to Activate Faith:

  • Look at homes or cars even if you don’t have the money—it starts faith in motion. (28:39)
  • Stop waiting for bargains or sales out of a poverty mentality.

• Key Insight:

  "He's going to do what's best for your faith and not what's cheapest for your wallet." (Nancy Dufresne, 30:09)

• Memorable Example:
  Story of Brother Hagin, who was tempted to give up his new car during a financial crunch. Jesus appears and says:

  • "Do you know what kind of car I want you to have?... I want you to have the kind of car you want." (Nancy Dufresne recounting, 34:02)

• The lesson: God uses seemingly unimportant issues to train us in faith and break off small-minded thinking.

Breaking the Choke Point—Faith Must Be Stretched

• Even great ministers like the one with a $30 million jet must stretch to new levels; God asked him to believe for a $54 million jet to find his new "choke point."

  • "If it took $54 million to find his choke point and yours is only at $500, who are you to say that someone has to choke at your level?" (Nancy Dufresne, 40:10)

• God is always leading us to a higher place, never leaving us stagnant.

  • "God is going to do what's best for your faith, not what's easiest for you." (Nancy Dufresne, 42:48)

Living the Faith Life—The Higher Life

• The faith life is described as the best life—the one that grows, reaches, and looks like Jesus’ life.
• Salvation is meant to bring believers into all that God offers, leaving limitation behind for a life of faith, provision, and enjoyment.

  • "We did not get saved so our life could look like it used to. We got saved so we could come into all that God offers us. He offers us higher thoughts." (Nancy Dufresne, 44:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When he looked the right direction and blessed what he had, what wasn't enough became more than enough.” — Nancy Dufresne (05:07)
• "Obedience is required for you to have strong faith." — Nancy Dufresne (10:48)
• "If you’re only looking for the easiest, you’ll never grow. But if you’re looking for the best that your faith should have to do, it’ll grow." — Nancy Dufresne (08:59)
• "God will put a demand on your money just to develop your faith." — Nancy Dufresne (32:28)
• "Do you know what kind of car I want you to have? ... I want you to have the kind of car you want." — (recounted by Nancy Dufresne, 34:02)
• "He's going to do what's best for your faith and not what's cheapest for your wallet." — Nancy Dufresne (30:09)
• "God is not ... going to do what's cheapest. No, He's going to do what's best for your faith." — Nancy Dufresne (40:29)
• "We did not get saved so our life could look like it used to. We got saved so we could come into all that God offers us." — Nancy Dufresne (44:36)

Suggested Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction & Foundation: 00:17–02:30
• Faith in Action (Healing stories): 03:28–13:20
• Faith and Obedience: 08:09–14:30
• Rich Young Ruler & the Object of Faith: 15:08–17:34
• Testimony: Faith for Healing Ministry: 18:51–21:31
• Faith for Finances: 22:20–31:00
• Breaking Lack Mentality: 30:09–36:00
• Stretching Your Faith: 36:00–43:00
• Living the Higher Faith Life: 44:00–end

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne challenges believers to step beyond comfort and develop faith that looks like Jesus’ faith, especially in the areas of healing and finances. Obedience, action, and renewing our mindset away from limitation and lack are emphasized as keys to growing strong, robust faith. Rather than seek what is easiest, followers are encouraged to embrace what is best for their faith—believing God for more, thinking higher, and breaking boundaries of small thinking.