Podcast Summary: Faith That Conquers

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Faith That Conquers | Stephen & Morgan Dufresne | 3.31.2020
Date: April 1, 2020
Host/Speakers: Stephen and Morgan Dufresne

Overview

In this impactful episode, Stephen and Morgan Dufresne dive deeply into the topic of faith that overcomes challenges, using the biblical story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) as their central narrative. They encourage listeners to confront obstacles—be they financial, physical, or emotional—with active, vocal faith rooted in God's Word. Their tone is encouraging, direct, and practical, blending personal testimony, biblical exegesis, and step-by-step faith application.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Faith Approach to Provision and Lack

• Scripture Basis: Psalm 34 – “O taste and see that the Lord our God is good...” (00:45)
• Main Point: God’s promises regarding provision require both trust and action from believers—particularly through tithes, offerings, and spoken agreement with God’s Word.
• Insights:
  • “Money is a poor god. It makes us to be slaves to the job...But when we worship Him with our offering, when we worship Him with our tithe, then God can take care of every need that we have.” (Morgan Dufresne, 04:00)
  • Giving is not just a financial act—it's an act of worship and faith, directly releasing God’s supply into one’s life.

2. David and Goliath: Facing Giants with Faith

• Scripture Basis: 1 Samuel 17
• Parallel Drawn: Goliath represents fear and opposition; David represents the faith-filled believer.
• Insights:
  • The first words, actions, and responses when confronted by fear/opposition determine whether faith or defeat prevails (08:00-12:00).
  • “Victory is in you, even though it looks like defeat is around you.” (Morgan, 10:00)
  • Modern “Goliaths”: Needs, physical symptoms, mental pressure, financial lack, family disturbances.

3. Faith Runs Toward, Not Away from, Opposition

• Faith doesn’t avoid challenges; it actively confronts them.
• “Faith doesn’t shy away from… doesn’t take a step back… Faith runs towards opposition. Faith takes on fear.” (Morgan, 13:00)
• David wasn’t unique in seeing or hearing Goliath’s threats, but his faith-based response set him apart and changed outcomes (12:30-14:15).

4. Dealing with Fear and Threats

• Goliath’s power was in threats, not actions—likened to overwhelming circumstances in life that seem bigger than they truly are.
• The enemy’s goal is to cause your heart/faith to fail by intimidating you mentally and emotionally (17:30-20:00).
• “The threat was always there...What was it? It wasn’t even time for it to be paid. But the threat was always there.” (Morgan, 18:30)

5. Faith in Families and Relationships

• Mutual support is crucial when standing in faith: “There’s times we’ve said to each other, ‘You have faith for that, I don’t understand, and I’m not there.’” (Morgan, 24:15)
• Even if one family member is stronger in faith for an issue, the unity and agreement of others adds strength (23:35-25:04).

6. Faith Responds—Not Ignores—Circumstances

• Faith acknowledges problems honestly, but brings God’s Word and authority directly against them—never in denial, never pretending the problem isn’t real.
• “Faith does not act like what's coming against it is not real.” (Morgan, 27:25)

7. Four Steps David Took (Four Steps of Faith Living)

Morgan outlines key actions drawn from David’s approach to Goliath:

• Rehearse God’s Faithfulness: Recall and vocalize past victories to boost faith for present challenges. (28:32-31:36)
  • “Rehearsing God's faithfulness does two things. It keeps you humble...and it keeps your focus right when you say that.” (Morgan, 30:30)
• Lay Aside the Unimportant: David removed Saul’s armor, symbolic of setting aside distractions and natural methods, and prioritizing spiritual preparation. (31:36-33:40)
• Answer Threats Directly: Face fears and threats by speaking God’s truth to them in specific terms. (33:40-38:00)
  • “You gotta tell the devil, ‘You’re coming at me with needs, with what looks like lack, but I come to you in the name of the Lord!’” (Morgan, 35:00)
• Run At It With Your Confession: Move forward declaring God’s outcome, not just repeating empty words, but speaking with revelation and expectation. (38:00-42:00)
  • “I don’t believe it was the stone that killed the giant. It was David’s confession.” (Morgan, 39:20)

8. The Power Behind the Word

• The written Word (Bible) holds power when understood and spoken with faith, not just by rote or tradition.
• “This book is not just pages. It's the words that hold the power.” (Morgan, 41:26)
• Analogy: Knowing your rights (spiritually) is like knowing the law; you must be fluent in God’s Word to employ it effectively when challenged. (41:58-42:41)

9. Authentic Faith vs. Empty Confession

• Warning against "parroted" faith—repeating phrases without genuine belief or revelation (42:41-45:56).
• Reflection Prompt: After confessing, are you at peace and expecting change, or still anxious and “hiding” like in a game? Faith stands confidently.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith’s Position:
  “Are you confessing the word of God and you go, I demand, I am expecting...David was demanding that that giant be killed...There was no plan B.” — Morgan Dufresne, (43:10)
• On Facing Fear:
  “Just because your faith can't reach for something that maybe your spouse can, you can still be in agreement with them.” — Morgan Dufresne, (24:28)
• On God’s Faithfulness:
  “Whatever you...going on in your life, God is good.” — Stephen Dufresne, (31:16)
• On Action and Victory:
  “David still had to do something about that. You still have to do something about what you're facing.” — Morgan Dufresne, (27:09)
• On Authority:
  “This is your authority that we read in Psalms, your authority to stand on the word of God.” — Morgan Dufresne, (46:00)
• On Lived Example:
  “There were times you feel like you were eking up...with every ounce of faith you had, you were using to withstand the thoughts of the enemy.” — Morgan Dufresne, (18:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tithes and Offerings—Faith in Provision: 00:00 – 07:00
• David and Goliath, Introduction to Faith Under Pressure: 07:00 – 13:00
• Faith Faces, Not Avoids, Opposition: 13:00 – 17:00
• Real-world Application: Dealing With Financial Threats and Family Fears: 17:00 – 23:00
• Faith in Family Dynamics, Mutual Support: 23:00 – 25:04
• The Four Steps of Faith (from David’s Example): 28:30 – 42:00
  • Rehearse God’s Faithfulness: 28:32
  • Lay Aside Unimportant Things: 31:36
  • Answer Threats Directly: 33:40
  • Run At It With Confession: 38:00
• Closing Reflection on Power of the Word and True Faith: 42:00 – 46:00

Final Thoughts

Stephen and Morgan Dufresne passionately remind listeners that conquering faith isn’t passive or theoretical—it’s practical, vocal, and always active. Facing “giants” takes more than wishful thinking. It requires remembering what God has done, laying distractions aside, confronting each threat in the authority of Jesus, and running forward with bold, Spirit-fueled confession.

Their honest anecdotes and stepwise breakdown offer encouragement and clear actions steps for anyone desiring to see genuine faith at work in daily life.