Podcast Summary: "How To Receive A Miracle, Part Three"

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host: Nancy Dufresne
Episode Title: How To Receive A Miracle, Part Three | Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: October 14, 2021

Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her series on "How to Receive a Miracle," diving deeper into the believer’s role in cooperating with God for the miraculous. Using biblical examples—particularly the miracle at Cana and Peter walking on water—Nancy emphasizes the necessity of active obedience, the importance of following God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, and dispels common misconceptions about miracles being solely God's responsibility. The tone is instructional, encouraging, and rooted deeply in scripture, aiming to equip listeners to become "doers of the Word" for tangible results in their lives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Our Part in Receiving Miracles (00:55–06:15)

• Miracles are not solely up to God; believers have a role in receiving them.
• "We need to know how to cooperate with God regarding miracles, because someday you're going to need one. ... There are very definite steps that we can take." (01:51–02:10)
• God’s power is always available but looks for the believer’s cooperation and obedience.
• The foundational scripture is John 2:1–11 (the miracle at Cana).

2. Biblical Pattern: Obedience Precedes Miracles (06:15–11:20)

• In the miracle of turning water into wine, Jesus gave specific instructions: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." (07:25)
• God always involves people in the process of miracles. Examples from Jesus’ ministry:
  • “Take up your bed and walk”
  • “Stretch forth your hand”
  • “Go wash in the pool of Siloam”
• Miracles require an act of obedience, which opens the door for God’s power.
• "When we obey, it opens the door for his power. If we don't obey, the door is closed to his power." (09:28)

3. Faith Is Invitation and Movement (08:50–11:58)

• God is a "perfect gentleman"—He only works by invitation; obedience is that invitation.
• "The devil will force, he will make, he will drive. But not God. God works by invitation." (09:38)
• Start with what you know to do; continue to seek God’s further direction if nothing changes.

4. Miracles Can Be a Process (11:58–17:24)

• Not every miracle is instantaneous; many unfold step by step.
• Example: Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22–33)
  • Peter needed a specific word, “Come,” from Jesus before stepping out.
  • Miracles may require continual obedience; stopping can mean losing the miracle.
  • "He received a miracle. But he lost a miracle. ... Miracles are played out many times in a process." (15:32–15:56)
• Progress, not just completion, can be miraculous (improvement in health, finances, etc.).

5. Faith Requires Action and Persistence (17:24–21:40)

• Obtain the general will of God from the Bible, but specifics from the Holy Spirit.
• Act on what you know—faith is not passive.
• "Faith is an act. Faith obeys something. Faith makes movement." (20:47)
• Dr. Lester Sumrall quote: "When I need something, I start doing something." (20:56)
• God can't "steer a parked car," highlighting the need for action (21:26).

6. Obedience Despite Inconvenience or Logic (21:40–29:00)

• Miracles often require actions that do not make sense to the natural mind and may be inconvenient.
• Example from Cana: filling pots with water to get wine was tedious and illogical.
• "Don't try to figure [it] out. ... Whether it makes sense or not. He will tell you to do things that won't make sense because he's bypassing natural processes." (22:46)
• God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (23:42).

7. Case Study: The Widow at Zarephath and Elijah (29:00–36:15)

• 1 Kings 17:8–16: Obedience, even when it defies reason or seems inconvenient, opens the door for continuing supply and miracles (the bottomless jar of meal and oil).
• “Let me tell you what's not convenient. Not getting your miracle. That’s not convenient.” (35:54)

8. Hearing and Following God’s Direction (36:15–41:55)

• The Holy Spirit is always working to guide you, even if the leading is subtle.
• “Sometimes people just don’t like what they know. ... If I could say this, turn a deaf ear to it and act like they don’t know what to do.” (39:39)
• The instruction to act may come quietly as a sense, not a dramatic revelation.
• “Ignore the head. ... Just keep doing it.” (38:56)

9. ‘Whatsoever He Saith’ – Obeying God Over Others (41:55–44:59)

• Success lies in obedience to God’s instruction, not to others’ opinions, financial circumstances, or logic.
• God may use others (like a pastor), but recognition of God’s voice is key.
• “Don’t jump out ahead of God and try to make something happen. ... Just do it exactly the way he says it.” (43:31)

10. Summary and Encouragement (44:59–End)

• General instructions come from the Word; specifics from the Holy Spirit.
• “Become skillful in the Word. It'll bless your life.” (46:08)
• Next episode will focus on recognizing the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Miracles and Obedience:
  “When we obey, it opens the door for his power. If we don't obey, the door is closed to his power.” — Nancy Dufresne (09:28)

• On God's Invitation:
  “God is a perfect gentleman. He will not work uninvited. The devil will. ... God works by invitation. Our faith is us inviting Him.” — Nancy Dufresne (09:38)

• On Action and Faith:
  "Faith is an act. Faith obeys something. Faith makes movement." — Nancy Dufresne (20:47)

• On Moving Forward:
  "God can't steer a parked car. ... For that car to be steered and directed down a certain lane, that car has to be moving. It's the same thing with you.” — Nancy Dufresne (21:26)

• On the Illogic of Obedience:
  "He will tell you to do things that won't make sense because he's bypassing natural processes." — Nancy Dufresne (22:46)

• On Divine Instruction:
  "Success does not live with what other people say. Success lives with what he says." — Nancy Dufresne (42:40)

Important Timestamps

• 00:55 — Introduction to the theme of cooperation in receiving miracles
• 06:15 — The role of obedience in Jesus’ first miracle
• 11:58 — The process-driven nature of miracles (Peter walking on water)
• 17:24 — Practical steps: acting in faith
• 20:47 — The necessity of movement and action for miracles
• 29:00 — The widow and Elijah: obedience in famine
• 36:15 — The Holy Spirit’s quiet leading and acting beyond our logic
• 41:55 — The importance of obeying God above others’ opinions
• 46:08 — Encouragement to become skillful in God’s Word

Key Takeaways

• Miracles are not just God’s responsibility; obedience is the believer’s essential role.
• Faith is inseparable from action—movement allows God’s direction.
• Miracles may unfold over time; continuing in obedience is critical.
• God’s instructions often defy logic or convenience.
• The Holy Spirit provides specific guidance for individual decisions not addressed directly in scripture.
• Success comes from obeying what God says, not what others say or what "makes sense."
• Every believer is encouraged to become skillful and consistent in practicing the Word.