Podcast Summary: Following God's Leadings | Morgan Dufresne | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA

Dufresne Ministries Podcast – October 29, 2019

Episode Overview

In this episode, Morgan Dufresne shares a message at World Harvest Church focusing on the theme of discerning and following God’s leadings rather than simply making decisions based on human reasoning or emotion. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s divine assignment, serving in the Body of Christ with humility, and distinguishing between decisions made in the “head” versus genuine “leadings” from the Holy Spirit. Throughout, Morgan draws from John 3 and personal experiences to illustrate how true joy and satisfaction come from embracing what God has granted to each individual—not from trying to take or manufacture one’s own path.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scriptural Foundation: John 3 and Our Role as Announcers of the Savior

• [02:00] Morgan begins by reading John 3:22-36, highlighting the parallel baptisms of Jesus and John, and noting the abundance of water as symbolic of the abundance of the Spirit.
• Key Insight: “It wasn’t about who was doing the baptizing. It’s about the abundance of the Spirit.”
• She relates John’s joy as the forerunner for Christ to our own calling:

  “Nothing will bring you greater joy and pleasure than to announce your Savior... You announce him by what you receive from heaven, by what you walk in...” (06:15)

2. God as Our Source and Role Assignment in the Body

• [08:30] Emphasizes John’s humility: “A man can receive nothing, he can claim nothing, he can take nothing unto himself, nothing, except as it has been granted to him from heaven.”

• Each believer has a unique part, and joy comes from “doing what you were called to do in the Body of Christ.”

• All parts—whether welcoming at the door or preaching—are vital and uniquely given.

  “If you see a task given to you by God as beneath you, you have failed.” (16:10)

3. Measuring Success Spiritually, Not Naturally

• [23:00] Urges listeners not to measure spiritual progress by natural, earthly markers (money, status, etc.).

• Key concept: Increase on the inside precedes increase on the outside.

  “Don’t measure the natural as to whether or not you’re increasing in Christ. If you’re increasing on the inside, the outside is going to show up.” (24:44)

• Attempts to “take something unto yourself that God didn’t author” always lead to loss; only what is “authored by heaven” brings lasting satisfaction.

4. Joy and Pleasure: Submission, Service, and Divine Assignment

• [32:00] True satisfaction in life and marriage comes from submission and serving, not self-will or “winning” arguments:

  “God was only ever satisfied when he gave. Giving will only ever bring you true pleasure and satisfaction.” (33:21)

• Acts of service and giving, even when feelings don’t align, are “authored by God” and bring lasting change and joy.

5. Leadings vs. Decisions: Head vs. Heart

• [37:00] Strong distinction:

  “You can decide, or you can be led. One is of the heart, and one is of the head.” (39:16)

• Warns that many Christians call decisions “leadings”—but decisions can easily be born of intellect, emotions, or desires.
• The Holy Spirit leads from the heart; emphasize aligning decisions with God’s Spirit, not human logic.

6. Practical Examples and Personal Experiences

• [44:00] Morgan shares about moving into a new home:

  • In the Spirit, there was joy, even when the flesh faced pressure.
  • Every time things were difficult, it was because she returned to “her head” rather than staying in the Spirit and the leading.

• Biblical example: Children of Israel stayed in the wilderness by their decision (“giants are too big”)—Joshua and Caleb entered by leading.

7. Our Uniqueness and Interdependence in the Body of Christ

• [50:00] Each believer is a “somebody,” not an “anybody”:

  “When you see yourself in Christ, you realize ‘I’m somebody. Not in a prideful way—I got a job to do.’” (53:10)

• The importance of embracing your assignment:
  • Others depend on you taking your place.
  • Don’t compare your role (talents) to others, but be faithful with what heaven has granted you.

8. Practical Steps for Receiving Leadings

• [58:30]

  • Renew your mind with the Word (as God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8).
  • Pray in the Spirit—not from a place of worry, but in worship and thanksgiving.
  • If struggling to discern God’s leading, take a break from thinking and worry, focus on spiritual disciplines, and return to the issue with a clear heart.

  “Every decision that you think you have to make leads to worry. Every leading that you receive from God leads to joy.” (60:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It wasn’t about who was doing the baptizing. It’s about the abundance of the Spirit." (02:40)
• "He must increase, but I must decrease." (08:45 – quoting John the Baptist)
• "If you see a task given to you by God as beneath you, you have failed." (16:10)
• "Don’t measure the natural as to whether or not you’re increasing in Christ. If you’re increasing on the inside, the outside is going to show up." (24:44)
• "Giving will only ever bring you true pleasure and satisfaction. Serving will only ever bring you true joy, true satisfaction, true pleasure." (33:40)
• "You can decide or you can be led. One is of the heart and one is of the head." (39:16)
• "When God picks someone, it’s not just anyone who can fulfill it... I need to be the somebody that my husband needs me to be." (53:30, about marriage and individual calling)
• "Decisions lead to worry. That’s all it is... But every leading leads to joy." (60:20)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------| | 02:00 | Introduction via John 3, symbolism of abundance | | 06:15 | Our calling to announce the Savior | | 08:30 | Humility and “receiving” one’s role | | 16:10 | On serving and humility in the Body | | 23:00 | Measuring spiritual progress | | 32:00 | True joy and marriage examples | | 37:00 | Leadings vs. decisions | | 44:00 | Personal story: being led in buying a home | | 50:00 | Every believer’s unique “somebody” assignment | | 58:30 | Steps for discerning God’s leading | | 60:20 | Summary: Decisions lead to worry, leadings to joy |

Tone and Final Encouragements

Morgan’s teaching is earnest, encouraging, and filled with practical wisdom. Her approach is pastoral, honest, and candid, blending scripture, personal story, and direct application for listeners. The episode closes with her urging the church to “switch our mindset” and embrace the freedom of being led rather than pressing to decide, thereby casting cares onto God and living in Spirit-led joy.

Key Takeaway

“Let’s switch our mindset. I need to follow leadings, not make decisions. Takes all the pressure off of you and puts it all on the Holy Ghost. You’re free from making decisions. You’re so free from making decisions. Yeah, you’re free to be led. You’re free.” (61:10)