Podcast Summary: Following The Plan Of God, Part Two | Noel Ramos | Prayer Conference 2019 | World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA

Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Date: April 25, 2019
Guest Minister: Pastor Noel Ramos
Host: Dufresne Ministries (including Pastor Nancy Dufresne)

Overview

This episode features Pastor Noel Ramos teaching on the importance of discerning and following God's unique plan for each believer's life. Drawing from personal testimony, scripture, and practical experience, Pastor Ramos emphasizes the necessity of prayer, the renewal of the mind, the development of character, and absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit. The central message is that true fulfillment, provision, and joy—and even longevity—are connected to diligently seeking and following God's plan, rather than personal ambition or comfort.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Yielding to the Holy Spirit and Prayer

• The Holy Spirit as Our Helper: Pastor Ramos opens by stressing that prayer is an act of yielding to the Holy Spirit, who is our ever-present helper (01:40).
  • Quote: "Let's yield to our greatest help, the Holy Spirit that abides in us forever. One way is prayer." (01:10)
• Praying for Utterance and Revelation: Ramos prays for the "spirit of wisdom and revelation" and openness to God's purposes (02:30).

The Vacancy in God’s Plan

• A Prophetic Impression: Pastor Ramos shares a word received in prayer—that there is a "vacancy" in God's will due to believers not pursuing or valuing His plan (07:10).
  • Quote: "I heard in my spirit: a lot of vacancy of my will. Not too many are striving for my will." (07:25)

Jesus as the Example of Obedience

• Christ’s Obedience as Our Pattern: Drawing from Philippians 2, Ramos recounts how Jesus’ obedience unto death was the model for believers (09:00-12:00).
  • Quote: “God raised him up from the dead. The pattern as Christians is patterned on the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever God did to him, he did the same way to us in the eyes of the Father.” (14:35)
• Consequence and Reward: The plan is not only for this life but carries eternal reward; obedience leads to promotion and inheriting what Christ has (12:10, 15:50).

Character, Hardship, and Dependence

• Character and Responsibility: Pastor Ramos honestly shares about his own character struggles, upbringing, and reliance on others before learning to stand in faith and responsibility (20:12-24:00).
  • Quote: “I always leaned on somebody. That’s a bad character. Stand up, spirit of faith. Go after the problem.” (44:18)
• Hardship as Teacher: He testifies that hardship often results from ignorance or self-dependence, but God uses even these seasons for growth if we stay yielded (24:00-27:00).

The Role of Prayer: Praying Out the Plan

• Skillful, Consistent Prayer: Ramos urges meditating on the Word and praying in the Spirit as means to receive the plan and keep pressing toward it, referencing key Pauline prayers (Ephesians 1, Colossians 1, Philippians 1) (28:40–41:00, 60:00–62:30).
• Joy is Integral: Joy must flow with prayer; Paul’s letters show he prayed with joy even while in need or opposition (81:45–84:00).

Avoiding Disqualification and Distraction

• Lessons from Judas and Barnabas: Discusses biblical examples of men who missed or forfeited their part in God’s plan due to character or independent ambition (52:40–55:00).
  • Quote: “Judas... had an apostle call, an apostle anointing, but his character disqualified him.” (53:15)
• Revelation vs. Ambition: Warns to operate from revelation, not ambition: “Make sure it’s revelation, not ambition. If I didn’t reveal it to you, just stay with what you know.” (56:08)
• Practical Illustration: Personal anecdote about "walking on the water" when lacking provision—a decision to trust, not shrink back, prompted a breakthrough (46:00–50:00).

The Mind, Carnality, and Spiritual Wisdom

• Carnality Hinders Revelation: Unrenewed minds and carnal living prevent believers from accessing God’s “higher wisdom” and full plan (68:10–72:00).
  • Quote: “There’s a higher flow of wisdom… but Paul said, I cannot [give it]... because of your carnality.” (71:05)
• Spiritual Wisdom is Imparted: The mysteries of God’s plan come by impartation through prayer, teaching, and revelation—not human wisdom (74:30–77:00).

Impartation, Correction, and Being Led

• Impartation to Ministers and Congregation: Spontaneous ministry time where Pastor Nancy and Pastor Ramos pray over ministers and congregation for impartation (“refreshing, strength, finances, clarity, accuracy”) (89:46–93:59).
  • Pastor Nancy: “He imparts so that the end can be reached, not just reaching the end of life, but the fulfillment of what belongs to us.” (94:25)
• Staying in the Plan: Pastor Nancy urges listeners to streamline their lives, removing what doesn’t assist the plan (92:25–92:50).
  • Quote: “Anything that will not assist me in the plan, you’re excused. Not just people, but interests, hobbies, pastimes... nothing is safe and secure outside the plan.” (96:58–98:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Plan of God:
  • “Long life is connected to my plan. A good life is connected to His plan.” (57:25)
  • “Outside the plan of God, I have no plan. I know already I'm going to fail.” (50:00)
• Personal Testimony:
  • “I almost quit the plan of God because of pressure… That is not good. Following the plan of God, you can't sleep at night worrying about the supply He already provided to fulfill that plan.” (43:01)
• On Mind Renewal:
  • “You cannot have darkness… Not doing the plan of God is unrighteousness in the eyes of God.” (62:20)
  • “If your mind is thoroughly renewed by the word of God, then acting upon it will bring marvelous result… The power of God shall be manifested.” (72:22)
• Pastor Nancy on Focus:
  • “The devil does not want you in God’s best… Go to fight for the plan. Meaning you keep everything in your life off that plan.” (95:45)
  • “Nothing is safe and secure outside the plan; it’s the plan that secures everything.” (97:05)
  • “If it won’t assist you in the plan, you’re excused. If it’s people, if it’s jobs, opportunities, they’re welcome if they help the plan.” (98:00)

Important Timestamps

• Yield to the Holy Spirit & Prayer Introduction: 00:00 - 03:00
• Vacancy in the Will of God: 07:10 - 10:00
• Jesus’ Model of Obedience: 09:00 - 15:50
• Testimonies of Hardship & Depending on God: 20:12 - 27:00
• Keys to Knowing & Praying Out the Plan: 28:40 - 41:00
• Pauline Prayers and Their Purpose: 60:00 - 62:30
• Judas, Barnabas—Losing Place in the Plan: 52:40 - 55:00
• On Carnality & Receiving Spiritual Wisdom: 68:10 - 72:00
• Ministry Time / Impartation: 89:46 - 94:00
• Pastor Nancy: Security Is Only in the Plan: 96:58 - 98:10

Tone and Language

The episode is candid, passionate, practical, and filled with urgency without condemnation. Both ministers use personal stories, humor (“intense fellowship” in marriage), and direct references to both scripture and spiritual experiences. The tone is inviting, fatherly yet challenging—encouraging listeners to pursue God’s best and warning of the cost of complacency or carnality.

Takeaways for the Listener

• God has a specific plan for every believer, not just ministers.
• The plan is revealed and unfolded through scripture, worship, consistent prayer—especially praying in the Spirit—and mind renewal.
• Character, humility, and teachability are vital for staying in the plan.
• Don’t measure success by comfort or visible provision; faith and obedience precede manifestation.
• Impartation and association matter: surround yourself with people of faith and receive from those God assigns to you.
• Be willing to lay aside not only sin but also "good" things that don't assist the plan.
• Joy is both a sign and a strength in fulfilling the plan.

Final Encouragements

• “Choose life. But life is connected to His plan.” (57:25)
• “As much as God's plan is honorable, the devil hates it to the degree God loves it. Go to fight for the plan.” (95:45)
• “Nothing is safe and secure outside the plan; it's the plan that secures everything.” (97:05)

For more teaching and resources from Dufresne Ministries, visit dufresneministries.org.