Podcast Summary: "Great & Mighty Things, Part Two" | Nancy Dufresne

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host & Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne
Date: October 10, 2019
Theme: The Power of Worship: Unlocking Great and Mighty Things from God

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues exploring the theme of worship as a key to experiencing "great and mighty things" from God. Building on God’s statement to Norval Hayes, she explains that worship is not just a formality but a vital spiritual act that positions believers to experience miracles, breakthroughs, and provision in every area of life. Through scriptural examples and personal insights, Nancy emphasizes that our way of thinking, speaking, and responding to God—especially in worship—directly impacts what we receive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God’s Invitation: Worship and Unlocking Miracles

• Foundation: God said to Norval Hayes, "If you will teach my children to worship me more, I will do great and mighty things for them." (00:16)
• Main Point: God is eager to move in our lives, but our response—particularly in worship—either limits or releases His mighty works.

Notable Quote:

“God wants to do great and mighty things for us, but we are the only one that limits Him.”
— Nancy Dufresne (01:11)

2. The Limiting Power of Mindsets

• Scripture Reference: Psalm 78:41 – The Israelites limited God due to "slave mentality" and failing to remember past miracles (03:22).
• Application: Believers today often think and worship out of past lack or struggle, which constrains their expectation and reception.

Notable Quote:

“They were comfortable with that level. When God offers you great and mighty things, it’s a level you’ve never lived in before.”
— Nancy Dufresne (05:34)

3. Remembering Past Victories Builds Faith

• Key Point: The greatest miracle—salvation—has already been received by every believer. This should strengthen faith for present and future needs. (07:10)

Notable Quote:

“Don’t tell me you can’t believe for something great. You’ve already believed for the greatest thing.”
— Nancy Dufresne (08:00)

4. The Role of Words and Worship

• Scripture Reference: Psalm 81:10 (Amplified) – “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (10:42)
• Interpretation: Our words, especially in worship, are vehicles through which God fills our lives with His blessings.

Notable Quote:

“We don’t get in life according to what God says. We get in life according to what we say.”
— Nancy Dufresne (12:36)

5. Obedience and Worship Go Hand in Hand

• Key Truth: Worship without obedience is ineffective. Aligning our actions with God’s Word is essential for worship to bring the anointing and power. (14:52)
• Scripture Reference: Psalm 81:13-14 – God’s yearning for His people to listen and walk in His ways, resulting in swift victory over enemies.

Notable Quote:

“Worship without obedience doesn’t work. We have to be a doer of the Word.”
— Nancy Dufresne (15:41)

6. Breaking Free from Limitation: Think, Speak, and Worship Big

• Application: God often puts a sense of "something more" in the hearts of believers to prepare them for divine increase (17:55).
  • Worship brings us into agreement with God’s largeness and moves us beyond generational limitations.

Notable Quote:

“We can’t fellowship with greatness and remain small. Worship keeps us mindful of the unlimitedness of God.”
— Nancy Dufresne (20:00)

7. Worship as an Act of Faith

• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:1 – Faith operates in the unseen; worship is a faith act that stirs and moves faith into action (21:23).
• Warning: Having “dead faith” (faith that exists but doesn’t move) is dangerous. Worship keeps faith alive and active.

Notable Quote:

“To worship God is to keep our faith moving. Amen. It keeps us from falling into this thing of having dead faith.”
— Nancy Dufresne (22:10)

8. Correct Approach When Facing Need: Put Worship First

• Biblical Example:
  • Jairus: Approached Jesus in worship before asking for his daughter’s healing, resulting in a miracle (23:28).
  • Syrophoenician Woman: Initially approached Jesus with flattery and covenant language she didn’t own, receiving no answer. Only when she shifted to an attitude of worship did Jesus respond and deliver her daughter (24:28).

Memorable Segments:

“God doesn’t respond just because we have a need. God responds to faith.”
— Nancy Dufresne (25:32)

“Your answer for your need is relying on your worship. The first time a need shows up, don’t start worrying… Wrong approach.”
— Nancy Dufresne (26:23)

9. Personal Testimony: Coping Through Worship

• Testimony: After the loss of her husband, Nancy spent weeks in worship, which steadied her attention on God rather than on grief or needs (27:07).
• Encouragement: Place your focus on God through worship when faced with any need or challenge.

10. Practical Application and Group Worship

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to stand, lift their hands, and worship God, placing Him at the center and not their need (28:00).
• Declaration: Through communal worship, everyone joins in affirming God’s greatness and faithfulness, expecting “great and mighty things” (29:05).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “God wants to do great and mighty things for us, but we are the only one that limits Him. Amen.”
  (01:11 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “They limited Him, it says in verse 42. Because they remembered not His hand. They’d already forgotten what He did. Don’t forget you’ve already believed for the greatest thing.”
  (08:38 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. One way to open our mouth wide is open it wide in worship.”
  (11:08 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “We don’t get in life according to what God says. We get in life according to what we say.”
  (12:36 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “Worship without obedience doesn’t work. We have to walk in his ways. We have to be a doer of the Word or else the worship will not be able to produce in our lives.”
  (15:41 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “Faith is for the unseen. If it hasn’t shown up, that’s why my faith is so valuable. It’s not a sign my faith isn’t working. It’s a sign my faith is called for. Amen.”
  (21:37 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “To worship God is to keep our faith moving. Amen. It keeps us from falling into this thing of having dead faith.”
  (22:10 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “God doesn’t respond just because we have a need. God responds to faith.”
  (25:32 – Nancy Dufresne)

• “Your answer for your need is relying on your worship. The first time a need shows up, don’t start worrying… Wrong approach.”
  (26:23 – Nancy Dufresne)

Key Timestamps

• 00:16 – God’s offer: “If you will teach my children to worship me…”
• 03:22 – Limitations rooted in mindset and past experiences
• 08:00 – The miracle of salvation as the foundation for faith
• 10:42 – Psalm 81:10: “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.”
• 12:36 – Power of our words in worship
• 14:52 – Worship’s effectiveness tied to obedience
• 21:23 – Worship as the movement of faith
• 23:28 – Jairus’ story: Worship first in crisis
• 24:28 – Syrophoenician woman: Connecting worship to answered prayer
• 27:07 – Nancy’s personal testimony of worship through loss
• 28:00 – Collective act of worship and encouragement to listeners

Final Encouragement

Pastor Nancy closes by inviting listeners to engage in worship—right in their homes—reminding them that when we worship, giving God attention over our needs, He is moved to do “great and mighty things” for us.

“If we will worship Him in the point of a need, He will do great and mighty things for us.”
(29:10 – Nancy Dufresne)

This summary is designed to capture the impactful teachings, scriptural foundation, and practical application shared in the episode, ensuring listeners walk away empowered to connect with God in a deeper way through worship.