Podcast Summary: Faith and Joy, Part One | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus The Healer Broadcast

Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Date: April 22, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne passionately explores the vital connection between faith, joy, and peace, teaching that true faith always manifests as joy and peace in the life of a believer. Drawing from Romans 15:13 and her personal experiences, she emphasizes that cultivating joy and peace is indispensable for an effective faith walk, especially in challenging times. Joy is not only a feeling, but a powerful force and an intentional choice integral to a consistent faith life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith: The Currency of Heaven

• Romans 15:13 as a Foundation
  • Faith is "how we conduct business with God" (00:20).
  • It is the currency used to receive anything needed from heaven.
• Faith, Joy, and Peace Are Inseparable
  • “When you're in faith, there's evidence. And the evidence that you're in faith is you're full of joy and peace.” (02:22)

2. Joy and Peace as Evidence of Faith

• Joy and peace are the “fruits of the spirit already resident in you” (04:01).
• Just as a tomato plant requires cultivation, so do the fruits of joy and peace.
  • “If people aren’t enjoying peace, it’s because they’re not cultivating it.” (04:28)
• The absence of joy or peace often signals a lapse in faith:
  • “If you say I'm in faith but you're not joyful, then you're not in Bible faith.” (02:33)

3. Worry, Fear, and Their Opposites

• Worry is described as "nothing but a symptom of fear" (06:18).
• To combat fear and worry:
  • “You have total authority over it. So take your faith and talk to that.” (07:31)
  • “When you're in faith, joy and peace will flow...” (09:09)
• Physical symptoms (like a racing heart) do not disqualify your stand of faith.
  • “You are a spirit that lives in a body... In the midst of all those feelings of fear, talk to it.” (07:55)

4. Skillfulness with Faith, Joy, and Peace

• Just as professionals practice their craft, believers must “practice joy and peace to become skillful” (13:34).
  • Pastor Nancy shares her personal story of preparing for the loss of her husband by “practicing peace” two years in advance (15:02).
  • “When you practice peace, you’re practicing staying in faith. When you practice joy, you’re practicing staying in faith.” (17:37)
• Success in faith is directly linked to consistency in cultivating joy and peace.

5. Joy as a Force and a Weapon

• Joy is not merely a happy feeling, but a “force” and a “weapon” available to Christians (22:11).
  • “Joy is a force. Joy is a weapon that when fear comes... you use it as a weapon.” (22:20)
• Cultivating a “lifestyle of rejoicing” creates a spiritual barrier against trouble.

6. Last Days Revival & The Need for Skillfulness

• Pastor Nancy references prophecies about upcoming revivals where “all of the previous revivals” and “nine gifts of the Spirit” will operate at unprecedented levels (20:35).
• Increased opposition will require even greater skillfulness in faith, joy, and peace (25:01).

7. Choosing a Joyful Lifestyle

• Joy must govern daily life, not just worship services or church gatherings (25:27).
• “It’s not enough to attend church... It’s got to govern your lifestyle.” (26:00)
• Being “consistently joyful” is a decision and integral to being a faith person:
  • “Joy is not an emotion. It’s a decision. It’s choice. It is a force and a flow of faith life.” (27:12)

8. Practical Expressions of Joy

• Joy can be expressed in many ways:
  • “A lighted up countenance instead of all sad, all moody, all grumpy, all grouchy.” (29:12)
  • “Laughter… singing… doing a little jig… all of these are simply expressions of faith, expressions of joy.” (29:27)
• Faith people are recognizable by their consistent, joyful presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Relationship of Faith, Joy, and Peace:

  “The greater the faith level, the greater the joy and peace level.” (02:57)

• On Worry and Faith:

  “If you are in worry, you are not in faith. Or, let’s say this, you’re letting something else flow rather than your faith.” (05:41)

• On Practicing Peace Amid Loss:

  “The Holy Ghost prepared me... all I want you doing is practicing peace. I knew what that meant—that meant kicking out every thought that did not lead to peace.” (15:07)

• On Joy as a Weapon:

  “Joy is not simply having a happy moment. Joy is a force. Joy is a weapon that when fear comes... you use it as a weapon.” (22:01)

• On Consistency in Faith and Joy:

  “Faith will make you consistent. Circumstances around you are not consistent, but faith makes you consistent. So I’m talking about consistent joy.” (28:03)

• On the Choices We Make:

  “Don’t tell me you can’t be something every day, because you are something every day. And God authorizes you to choose.” (25:48)

Important Timestamps

• 00:16 – 02:57: Faith as the currency of heaven; faith, joy, and peace as partners
• 02:57 – 05:42: Measuring faith by levels of joy and peace
• 05:42 – 09:09: Worry as fear and its effect on faith; authority over fear
• 13:34 – 19:00: Practicing skillfulness with faith, joy, and peace; personal testimony on practicing peace
• 20:35 – 22:20: The coming revival, skillful faith, and increasing joy/peace as preparation
• 22:20 – 26:00: Joy as a force and its role in keeping the enemy out
• 26:01 – 29:27: Daily lifestyle of joy; practical ways to express joy and maintain consistency as a faith person

Final Thoughts

Pastor Nancy Dufresne’s message is clear: faith cannot truly operate without joy and peace. Joy is more than a fleeting emotion—it is a decisive act, a spiritual force, and a sign of genuine faith. Believers are encouraged to consciously choose joy, practice it daily, and allow it to shape both their personal and communal lives, especially in preparation for the challenges and opportunities of the days ahead.