Faith Stands Its Ground | Debra Simons | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA

Dufresne Ministries Podcast | May 4, 2019

Episode Overview

In this rich and passionate message, guest minister Debra Simons delivers a stirring sermon on the unshakable nature of faith—how it requires action, determination, and the refusal to back down in the face of challenge. Sharing both personal testimonies and scriptural teaching, Simons encourages believers to “stand their ground,” especially when circumstances seem contrary to what God has promised. Drawing on the story of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4), she illustrates a living, acting faith and urges the congregation to cultivate steadfastness, tenacity, and an expectation of God’s restoration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Spiritual Connections (00:17–03:33)

• Debra opens by honoring Dr. Dufresne and Pastor Nancy, expressing gratitude for their correction and encouragement:
  • “People that God puts in your life...when they ministered, we received correction.” (00:41)
• She underscores the value of esteeming spiritual mentors and the unique calling of the ministry in Murrieta.
• Testimony of church renovations: Simons tells how faith and action have been intertwined through practical projects—remodeling the church sparked by the involvement and passion of a returning Bible school graduate.
• Principle: “Faith is a fact, but faith is an act.” (04:13)

2. Faith as Action: More Than Confession (05:12–10:06)

• Simons highlights that faith is not passive; it’s visible through action, giving, worship, and standing on the Word.
  • “Sometimes an act of faith is confession...But it doesn’t end there.” (09:52)
• Reference to Dr. Sumrall's teaching: Faith is laid out in Hebrews 11—the “Hall of Faith”—where examples all involve stepping out.

3. Reacting to the Anointing (07:19–14:36)

• Teaching from 2 Kings 4 on the Shunammite woman’s response to the prophet Elisha—the anointing provokes giving and bold activity.
  • “The anointing will not leave you inactive.” (09:08)
• Personal Correction: Shares a story of being corrected by Pastor Nancy about offerings, illustrating humility and receptivity.
  • “We do have enough to give to every good work.” (13:20, Pastor Nancy’s correction)
  • Emphasizes humility: “You just take the correction, make the adjustment and move on.” (13:03)

4. Standing Your Ground: The Shunammite’s Example (16:09–24:38)

• Simons dwells on the Shunammite’s steadfastness after her child dies:
  • “She doesn’t lay down and have a pity party...this woman knows how to stand her ground.” (17:12)
  • She speaks faith (“all is well”) rather than broadcasting defeat.
  • “What matters is what God said.” (20:18)
• Ties to personal church experience: Negotiating for land, facing financial challenges—choosing to stand on God’s promise rather than circumstances.
• “God and God alone. And I appreciate that about God... He made the impossible possible.” (23:40)

5. The Tenacity of Faith and The Call for Determination (24:38–34:21)

• Faith is described as resilient, refusing to take “no” for an answer:
  • “She grabbed hold. That’s what standing your ground does. It just grabs hold and it just refuses to accept circumstances contrary to...the Word of God.” (25:46)
• Faith isn’t for the weak-willed; it’s for “those who have no quitting sense.”
• Warns younger believers of succumbing to compromise or spiritual apathy.
  • “There isn’t anything to forfeit your birthright out there. Nothing at all. There ain’t nothing but heartache and death and disease and lack.” (27:22)

6. The Power of Hunger for God (28:04–30:33)

• Uses the analogy of hunger at the dinner table to urge spiritual hunger:
  • “You better get hungry if you’re gonna move on with God.” (28:09)
• Compares the fleeting, destructive highs of the world with the richness of experiencing God and His provision:
  • “Intimacy in God surpasses anything that the world and flesh can offer.” (29:12)

7. Using Your Spiritual Authority (30:49–31:40)

• Encourages believers to “pick up your weapon” when attacked spiritually, just as they would physically:
  • “Why, when the enemy comes in and tries to steal your future, you don't pick up your weapon against him and annihilate him?” (31:02)

8. Lessons for the Next Generation (31:30–33:43)

• Laments that many young believers are “unskillful and emotional” and must learn to resist temptation, stand their ground, and not be led by their feelings.
• Emphasizes humility and repentance when you’ve made mistakes—don’t quit, just get up and keep going.

9. The Practice and Power of Confession (34:35–36:10)

• Advocates for bold, even unconventional gestures (“prophetic gestures”) to reinforce the resolve to stand—standing on one’s Bible, literal or figurative acts of faith.
  • “We used to do things like, you know, stand on our Bible, you know, as a declaration, 'God, I'm not getting off of your word.'” (34:51)

10. Restoration and Spiritual Harvest (37:40–39:01)

• Testimony: Speaking to seeds sown in ministry, Simons declares it’s time to “call in” the harvest.
  • “We planted plenty of seeds in the ground. And as soon as you start watering those seeds, they spring up.” (38:09)
• Faith for restoration: “If you stand your ground, you can reverse it.” (37:49)

11. Standing, Joy, and Spiritual Maturity (39:04–42:08)

• Teaching from Ephesians 6: “Having done all, stand.” Standing means remaining in joy and faith, not slipping into worry, sadness, or offense.
  • “The only way you know you’re standing is when you get yourself into joy... Joy is of the spirit, it’s not of the flesh.” (41:09)
• Faith is of the heart; your spirit-man, not emotions or thoughts, is the real you.

12. Leadership, Loss, and Endurance in Ministry (42:08–47:23)

• Shares personal stories of setbacks—family members leaving church, the sting of disappointment—but insists on refusing shame and taking emotional responsibility.
  • “You want people to come along...but I didn’t fail because they didn’t take their tools.” (43:26)
• Turns battle scars into badges—the ultimate victory is not quitting.

13. Making Determinations and Confronting Unbelief (47:23–52:59)

• Powerful call to make a decision to change any area of lack or spiritual defeat.
  • “Everything in God starts with a decision. You decide you’re not going to be broke anymore...” (47:23)
• Addresses hidden unbelief—even when acting right, unbelief can delay the results.
  • “You can believe me to give, but you have a difficult time really believing me to receive.” (48:53, God to Simons)

14. Authenticity, Repentance, and Learning From Mistakes (52:47–56:59)

• Emphasizes ownership of errors and God’s willingness to restore us when we repent.
• Testimony about moving into a beautiful home out of God’s will, dealing with the consequences, and then experiencing God’s mercy after repentance:
  • “I made the mistake, but God bailed me out. Why? Because I owned it. And then I said, help me.” (56:16)
• Final exhortation: Never desire what God hasn’t given—His plans are always better.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Faith is a fact, but faith is an act.” (04:13)
• “The anointing will not leave you inactive.” (09:08)
• On taking correction: “You just take the correction, make the adjustment, and move on.” (13:03)
• On standing your ground:
  “She doesn’t lay down and have a pity party...this woman knows how to stand her ground.” (17:12)
  “If you know how to stand your ground, then you just get better...get more skillful at it.” (33:38)
• On spiritual hunger: “You better get hungry if you’re gonna move on with God.” (28:09)
• On weaponizing faith: “Why, when the enemy comes in and tries to steal your future, you don't pick up your weapon against him and annihilate him?” (31:02)
• On making a decision:
  “Everything in God starts with a decision.” (47:23)
  “The word is true and my life is incorrect.” (49:40)
• On repentance and restoration:
  “Don’t ever be so prideful that you can’t own up something you’ve done and then just say, help me.” (56:23)
• On God’s best:
  "What He's got for you is so much better." (56:52)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Valuing Correction, Spiritual Mentors: 00:17–03:33
• Faith in Action & Remodeling Testimony: 03:33–05:12
• Acts of Faith, Hebrews 11 Reference: 05:12–06:54
• Shunammite Woman’s Story Begins: 06:54–10:12
• Offering/CORRECTION Testimony: 12:08–14:36
• Stand Your Ground, Shunammite’s Example: 16:09–24:38
• Standing in the Face of Adversity: 23:38–24:38
• Generational Challenge/Spiritual Hunger: 27:04–30:33
• Authority Over the Enemy: 30:49–31:53
• Young People & Spiritual Resolve: 31:30–33:43
• Practicing Confession/Prophetic Gestures: 34:35–36:10
• Seeds, Harvest, Restoration: 37:40–39:01
• Ephesians 6: Stand in Joy: 39:04–41:09
• Ministry Setbacks & Endurance: 42:08–47:23
• Deciding to Change/Unbelief Addressed: 47:23–52:59
• Repentance Testimony/Making Things Right: 52:47–56:59

Conclusion & Final Exhortation

Debra Simons concludes with a heartfelt appeal: own your mistakes, make quality decisions, and commit to standing your ground in faith—no matter the cost. God is a restorer, a provider, and His plans always surpass anything we could achieve through our own striving. The message is both a call to maturity and a passionate reminder that faith persists until it receives.

For more teachings and resources, visit dufresneministries.org.