Dufresne Ministries Podcast: "Don’t Devalue Your Place"

Speaker: Debra Simons
Event: Ladies Conference 2022, Murrieta, CA
Date: October 5, 2022

Episode Overview

This episode, delivered by Pastor Debra Simons, centers on the importance of recognizing, valuing, and honoring the unique place and assignment that God gives to each individual within the church and ministry. Drawing from biblical examples and personal experience, Simons discusses the dangers of becoming complacent, critical, or disconnected from one's calling, as well as the ripple effect that devaluing your place can have on yourself and others. The message is a challenge to remain engaged, excited, and honorable, regardless of how long you’ve served or what your role is in the body of Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Danger of Not Valuing Your Place

• [00:08–03:15]
  • Simons introduces the central theme: functioning in your God-given role doesn’t mean you automatically honor it.
  • Just showing up isn’t enough—true regard for an assignment must be intentional and continually stirred up.
  • Quote: “No amount of miracles…is gonna automatically help you keep that regard. You have to do something, you have to determine it.” — Debra Simons [02:40]

2. Biblical Examples: Gehazi & The Cost of Disregard

• [05:20–16:00]
  • She discusses Gehazi (2 Kings 4–5), Elisha’s servant, who witnessed miracles yet allowed greed and criticism to pull him away from his calling.
  • Gehazi saw the dead raised and miracles performed, but still underestimated his position and took matters into his own hands.
  • Quote: “The first part of dishonoring what you do is you start criticizing who you’re doing it with.” — Debra Simons [11:05]
  • Consequence: Gehazi’s leprosy didn’t just affect him but also his descendants ([15:50]).

3. The Root: Thoughts, Attitudes, and Meditation

• [20:00–22:20]
  • Actions start with meditated thoughts. Wrong attitudes breed wrong actions.
  • The enemy’s subtle strategy: get you to think “I could do it a better way,” or to dismiss God’s direction/authority.
  • Practical application: Recognize thoughts that veer you off course.

4. Serving in the Local Church: Value in Every Role

• [23:00–27:00]
  • Everyone in the local church has a vital role—serving, giving, witnessing.
  • Simons shares her own reframing: Instead of stressing about the bigness of God’s assignment, thank Him for giving something bigger than you can do alone, so He gets all the glory.

5. Critical Spirits & the Narrative of Opinion

• [28:50–36:20]
  • Numbers 12: Miriam and Aaron criticize Moses, not because of his actions, but because of challenging God’s established order and leadership.
  • God didn’t address the grounds for their criticism but addressed their lack of fear in speaking against His chosen leader.
  • Quote: “The fact that you’re used doesn’t give you the right to devalue the order God puts in your life.” — Debra Simons [31:30]

6. Signs of Disconnect & Staying Refreshed

• [37:00–44:00]
  • Warning signs: diminished excitement, loss of excellence, avoiding worship.
  • Staying “full” is essential; when ministry becomes “hard,” it’s time to refill spiritually.
  • Quote: “You can stay excited if you determine to be excited.” — Debra Simons [41:25]

7. The Impact of Criticism and Disengagement

• [45:00–51:15]
  • Disengagement isn’t invisible; everyone can sense when energy or excellence is slipping.
  • Babies in Christ are watching; your reactions set a tone for the congregation.
  • Simons offers a personal story about staff members critical of their pastor’s vision, and a prophetic warning about being replaced if you disengage.

8. No Neutral Ground: The Risk of Walking Away

• [51:30–55:00]
  • You can’t be neutral; leaving your place in God’s assignment is never for your benefit or those around you.
  • Quote: “If you walk away, He’s still gonna love you, but it’s not gonna be good for you, and it’s not gonna be good for the people around you.” — Debra Simons [54:15]

9. Guarding Thought Life, Staying in Love, Remaining Determined

• [57:00–65:00]
  • It starts with small steps—disappointment or offense unchecked leads to bigger detours.
  • The necessity of guarding thoughts, keeping your “love walk” strong, and making a decision to remain interested and faithful.
  • Value is shown by not allowing yourself to disconnect, even when things get hard or routine.

10. Momentum Reveals Commitment

• [65:00–67:15]
  • As ministry accelerates, those lagging are revealed.
  • Quote: “When acceleration starts and everyone picks up the pace, if you don’t pick up the pace…it’s obvious you’re behind.” — Debra Simons [66:20]

11. Impartation/Prayer for Ministry Helps

• [67:15–69:00]
  • Simons lays hands and prays for those serving in helps ministry, asking for inner strengthening and renewed joy/excellence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No amount of miracles, no amount of success that you see is gonna automatically help you keep that regard. You have to do something, you have to determine it.” — Debra Simons [02:40]
• “The first part of dishonoring what you do is you start criticizing who you’re doing it with.” — Debra Simons [11:05]
• “Just because you’re functioning in something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re giving it the proper regard and the proper honor.” — Debra Simons [22:40]
• “You can stay excited if you determine to be excited. It can be done. Don’t let people think that it can’t.” — Debra Simons [41:25]
• “You don’t just wake up one day and are deceived. You have leaned on the arm of flesh too long, and then you become deceived.” — Debra Simons [55:00]
• “If you walk away, He’s still gonna love you, but it’s not gonna be good for you, and it’s not gonna be good for the people around you.” — Debra Simons [54:15]
• “Don’t leave your place. Decide to stay interested in what God has for you…because we are picking up momentum.” — Debra Simons [65:35]
• “We are redeemed from having opinions, because if you have the authority, it’s not an opinion, it’s a decision you make…in the body [of Christ] you’re not free like an American.” — Nancy Dufresne [66:10]
• “Judge yourself. It’s easier to judge ourselves than to get the penalty of not judging ourselves.” — Nancy Dufresne [67:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:08] – Opening & Main Theme Set-Up
• [05:20] – Gehazi’s Example: Proximity Isn’t Enough
• [16:33] – Meditating Wrong Thoughts Leads to Action
• [23:00] – Serving in Your Local Church: Bigness of Assignment
• [31:30] – Miriam & Aaron vs. Moses: The Sin of Criticizing Authority
• [41:25] – Staying Excited: 40 Years in Ministry
• [45:00] – Personal Anecdote: Church Staff & Prophetic Warning
• [51:30] – No Neutral Ground: Why Disengagement Hurts
• [65:16] – Honor and Opinions: Nancy Dufresne’s Thoughts
• [67:54] – Judging Yourself: Group Prayer & Response

Conclusion & Spiritual Application

Debra Simons’ message is a heartfelt exhortation to value, honor, and remain fiercely loyal to the place and purpose God has given each believer. Whether visible in leadership or behind the scenes in service, every assignment matters and must be continually esteemed—not out of routine, but with fresh gratitude and engagement. The episode closes with impartation and a corporate call to self-examination, emphasizing that remaining in place—with the right heart and attitude—is key to individual and corporate blessing.