Episode Overview

Title: Hold Fast To Your Victory
Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne
Location: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Date: July 15, 2020

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne delivers an empowering message on the critical topic of maintaining and upholding victories received by faith. Drawing from both scriptural teaching and personal/multi-generational anecdotes, she calls listeners to a mature, active, and excellent faith—a faith that not only lays hold of God’s promises but upholds and maintains them steadfastly against decline, loss, or attack.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Upholding Versus Obtaining: The Ongoing Work of Faith

• (00:30–06:00)

• Nancy begins by referencing Hebrews 1:1-3, emphasizing that Jesus "upholds all things by the word of his power."

• The point: Faith doesn’t stop at acquiring blessings; faith’s maturity is revealed in upholding and maintaining those blessings.

• Quote:

  “We must uphold the boldness of our faith, the activity of our faith…don’t just wait until you begin losing something before you pay attention to it.” (02:10)

• She illustrates with pastoral experience—many only seek help when problems are at crisis point, but faith should act at the "first bend" toward loss.

2. Faith as a Maintainer: Practical and Spiritual Excellence

• (06:00–18:00)

• Shares a personal lesson:

  “I said, ‘God, I like the starting up, but I don’t like the maintaining.’ And He said, ‘Then you don’t like faith, because faith is a maintainer.’” (07:10)

• Faith is as much about maintaining your home, car, and relationships, as it is about acquiring them.

• Practical analogy: Taking care of your home or car in the natural world is a reflection of your spiritual maturity and capacity for stewardship.

• She links natural excellence to spiritual increase, debunking the myth that “if I had more, I would be excellent.”

3. Excellence and Capacity for Increase

• (18:00–25:00)
• instructs: “Put excellence in place first and more will come, because excellence draws increase.” (20:40)
• She shares the story of children wanting more things but not taking care of their existing possessions and asks, “If you can’t take care of what you have, why would I give you more?”
• Extends this to spiritual gifts, suggesting that God operates the same way—He looks for those who maintain what they’ve received.

4. Faith Lessons from Fred Price and Stewardship Stories

• (25:00–29:30)
• Recounts Fred Price’s ministry facing a shortage—God withheld more resources until they properly stewarded existing equipment.
• Quote:

  “Until you uphold that which you already have, why would I give you more?” (28:55)

5. Upholding Unseen Blessings: Integrity in Character

• (29:30–32:00)
• Encourages listeners not just to maintain natural things but also qualities like patience and peace—especially in crisis times like COVID-19.

6. Homework: Restore Areas of Diminishing Victory

• (32:00–33:00)
• Quote:

  “Go home, make a list of what has been diminishing. Make a list of what might be slipping and get your faith back on it.” (32:40)

7. The Queen of Sheba and the Power of Excellence

• (33:00–37:30)
• Shares how the Queen of Sheba, used to the finest things, was left breathless by the excellence of Solomon.
• Excellence “shows the wisdom of faith,” and it’s about being an example worth following.

8. Holding Fast: The Long-term Posture of Mature Faith

• (37:30–41:00)
• Discusses “hold fast” from 1 Thessalonians 5:21—“hold with a firm grip that which is good.”
• Memorable illustration:

  “The devil’s like the dog that always wants the toy that’s moving—in your life, whatever’s moving, he wants…so hold hard.” (39:00)

9. Mastering Your Confession: The Key to Upholding Victory

• (41:00–51:00)
• Draws from Kenneth Hagin’s experience:

  “In my heart, I believe I’m healed, but with my mouth I’ve been talking what I feel… I started mastering my confession.” (44:00)

• The principle: Guard against “two confessions” (one of faith, one of doubt or natural feeling).
• Faithful confession isn’t just for God or others, but also to yourself. Watch your thought life and avoid double-mindedness.

10. Joyful Endurance and the Difference Between Baby and Mature Faith

• (51:00–57:00)
• Faith that holds is accompanied by rejoicing—true “holding fast” is not anxious, but confident and joyful.
• Quote:

  “Baby faith can receive, but mature faith holds on.” (56:10)

11. Upholding Is a Lifestyle: Not a Crisis Action

• (57:00–62:00)

• “This holding fast until He comes is our job, not just in emergencies, but as a lifestyle.” (59:45)

• Focus not just on what is already manifested in your life, but “hold fast even to what’s already been bought and paid for by Christ,” even if it’s not yet visible.

12. Faith’s Warehouse: Everything Already Provided

• (62:00–65:30)
• Powerful analogy:

  “It’s like Costco—everything you could need is already yours, bought and paid for. With your faith, you bring it from the warehouse (spirit realm) into your house (manifested life).” (63:15)

13. Faith in Crisis: Lessons from 2015 and COVID-19

• (65:30–69:00)
• Nancy shares her experience after her husband’s passing—learning God is the source, not circumstances.
• Quote:

  “This year is showing you: what are you resting on? What are you holding fast to?” (68:00)

14. The Privilege and Joy of Faith’s Perseverance

• (69:00–End)
• Reiterates: “A lifestyle of holding fast is your privilege, not a hardship.”
• “Go home and make a list—what’s diminished? Get your faith under it and hold fast, because it’s not money that props up your business; it’s faith.” (70:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Faith is a maintainer.” (07:10, Nancy Dufresne)
• “Put excellence in place first and more will come, because excellence draws increase.” (20:40)
• “Faith is not just for getting the new thing you need. Your faith is also for upholding what God has already blessed us with. Amen.” (29:10)
• “The devil’s like the dog that always wants the toy that’s moving…hold hard to what is good.” (39:00)
• “One confession, not two. And it is so easy to slip into two.” (45:30)
• “If we’re not rejoicing, we’re not holding fast, no matter what we’re saying.” (55:40)
• “You already have the new house. Maybe it’s not manifested, but it’s already been assigned and given and bought and paid for by your Savior.” (64:35)
• “This year is showing you: what are you resting on? What are you holding fast to?” (68:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro, Hebrews 1:1-3, definition of upholding – 00:00–05:00
• Faith as a maintainer (practical examples & God’s correction) – 06:00–12:00
• Excellence breeds increase, children/parents analogy – 18:00–22:00
• Fred Price story: excellence in stewardship – 25:00–28:55
• Upholding spiritual things (patience, peace) in crisis – 29:00–32:30
• Queen of Sheba, excellence in Solomon’s house – 33:00–37:30
• Hold fast—1 Thessalonians 5, 'two confessions', Hagin story – 41:00–51:00
• Joy in the holding, not just the manifestation – 51:00–56:10
• The lifestyle of upholding, not just crisis response – 57:00–62:00
• Costco Faith Warehouse analogy – 62:00–65:30
• Faith during COVID-19; 2015 testimony – 65:30–69:00
• Final exhortation and prayer – 69:00–End

Closing Exhortation (Paraphrased)

“A lifestyle of holding fast is your privilege, not a hardship. Go home, make a list of what’s been diminishing, and get your faith under it. Nothing in your life needs to be lost.” (70:45)

For more, visit DufresneMinistries.org