Podcast Summary: "In Your Place" – Joel Siegel

Dufresne Ministries Podcast | Holy Ghost Meetings 2022 | Thursday AM
Date: January 20, 2022
Host/Speaker: Joel Siegel
Key Theme: The crucial spiritual principle of staying “in your place”—faithfully remaining and connecting where God sets you, and the blessings and fruitfulness that follow.

Episode Overview

In this message, Joel Siegel explores a spiritual principle that often appears deceptively “natural”: the power and importance of staying in the place God has assigned you. Through biblical examples and personal testimonies, he illustrates how remaining rightly connected—to one’s church, to spiritual leaders, and to God’s plan—unlocks blessing, growth, and supernatural protection. Siegel’s three main points center on discerning your place in the body of Christ, recognizing others’ places, and bringing your supply to where you’re set.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Spiritual Significance in “Natural” Things

• Many deeply spiritual matters seem outwardly natural.
• Remaining faithful where God places you is not only “natural” (involving daily choice and discipline), but spiritually vital.
• Notable Quote:

  “Some things, you know, spiritual things we love… but there’s some spiritual things that don’t look a lot like spiritual things. They actually look a whole lot like natural things. And that’s a problem because people think that they’re not as significant or not as important.” (01:18)

2. Blessing is Tied to Staying Put

• Siegel notes that his own blessings and advancements are directly connected to “staying in the place that God has put us” and passing up “opportunities to exit the right place.”
• Many struggle in ministry or life because they take “exits” off God’s plan or neglect essential connections.
• Notable Quote:

  “We’ve managed to stay where he’s put us. And in doing so, we have passed up the many opportunities to exit the right place.” (03:13)

3. Biblical Examples of Staying and Exiting

a. Joshua Remained in God's Presence

• (Exodus 33; 08:00–11:00)
• Joshua, rather than seeking recognition, lingered in God’s presence—and later led Israel into their promised inheritance.

b. Ruth Refused to Leave Naomi

• (Ruth 1; 12:07–16:37)
• Ruth “clave” to Naomi, resisting “orpportunities” to exit, and became part of Christ’s lineage.
• Memorable Moment:

  “It’s not the Book of Orpah, it’s the book of Ruth. Why? She stayed where she was supposed to stay.” (16:05)

c. Saul and His Band of Men

• (1 Samuel 10:26; 17:34–21:30)
• God touches hearts to gather around leaders, but not all respond.
• It’s “amazing how few respond to the touch of God” to connect and help those God has called.

d. David’s Cave Crew

• (1 Samuel 22; 24:06–27:55)
• David, chased out to a cave, attracts “everyone…in distress, in debt, and discontented.” These become his mighty men—transformed because of proximity and connection.

e. Elisha’s Loyalty to Elijah

• (2 Kings 2; 30:30–36:30)
• Elisha “bought the ticket” and refused to leave Elijah’s side, even when urged—his steadfastness led to the double portion.
• “You get ready by staying.” (33:50)
• Sons of the prophets, though aware of Elijah’s impending departure, missed the mantle—they went “mental” and missed the “mantle” because they didn’t stay.

f. New Testament Examples—John 6:66

• (John 6; 42:30–47:00)
• Jesus’ hard teachings caused many disciples to leave, but the twelve stayed (“Where else would we go?”).
• God looks for loyalty, not just ability.

g. Negative Examples

• Lot (didn’t stay with Abraham), the Rich Young Ruler (walked away), Barnabas (departed from Paul)—missed destinies by not staying connected.

4. Discerning the Lord’s Body (1 Corinthians 11–12)

• Misfortune, weakness, even premature death are linked to failing to “discern the Lord’s body”—not recognizing one’s place, others’ place, and responsibilities in the church.
• Key Scripture: 1 Cor. 11:29–30—Many are “weak, sickly… [and] sleep” because they do not discern the body.

Three Points on Discerning the Body (75:50)

1. Not recognizing your own place in the body.
2. Not recognizing the place of others.
3. Not bringing your supply to your place.

   “Those things right there…this is the reason why folk don’t make it.” (78:09)

5. Practical Application: How to Find and Stay “In Your Place”

• Everyone has a God-ordained place (church, spiritual connections).
• Connection is more than “attending”—it’s a heart investment (serving, sowing, honoring leadership).
• “Attending blessed me. Being connected propelled me.” (92:33)
• Example: God led Siegel to Pastor Nancy and Dr. Dufresne, which “propelled” his ministry.

Principle of First Things

• “Look after their things first, before my things.” (98:30)
• Siegel gives testimony of sowing into his leaders and God miraculously rescuing his finances and property.
• Memorable Testimony:

  “Pastor Nancy’s preaching away, and she just stops and says, ‘I don’t know who you are, but you listen to me. You will not lose your house.’ ... That was the anchor for our soul.” (106:15)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Staying Where you’re Placed:

  “You don’t want to take every opportunity.” (16:30)

• On Connection to Leaders:

  “Anytime their name comes up … I love, I just love, I love, I love, I love Pastor. I still call him pastor because that voice was a pastoral voice and a connection in my life. And that doesn’t go away. It just doesn’t go away, if … you let God develop something there, precious.” (21:31)

• On God Touching Hearts for Connection:

  “It can be amazing how few respond to the touch of God.” (23:40)

• On Loyalty Over Ability:

  “When God called the twelve, you know what he looked for? He didn’t look for ability. He looked for loyalty.” (46:30)

• On Discerning the Lord’s Body:

  “Not recognizing your place, not recognizing the place of others, not bringing your supply—this is the reason why some get off … and end up on the spiritual junk heap.” (78:23)

• On Connection and Promotion:

  “Attending blessed me. Being connected propelled me.” (92:33)

• On Supernatural Provision Through Connection:

  “That word, that doesn’t come where you’re not connected. And that was the anchor for our soul that we needed.” (106:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spiritual things as natural things — 01:18
• Main theme introduced: staying in your place — 03:13
• Joshua remains in God's presence — 08:00–11:00
• Ruth's loyalty; ‘not the book of Orpah’ — 12:07–16:37
• Saul and the hearts touched to connect — 17:34–21:30
• David’s mighty men—transformation through connection — 24:06–27:55
• Elisha’s relentless following of Elijah — 30:30–36:30
• Sons of the prophets: mental vs mantle — 33:50–36:00
• John 6:66—outpouring/disloyalty and the twelve’s response — 42:30–47:00
• Negative examples—Lot, Rich Young Ruler, Barnabas — 49:17–51:50
• Failing to discern the Lord’s body — 75:50–78:30
• Three main points: place, others’ place, supply — 78:07–80:00
• Testimony: connecting to Pastor Nancy/Dr. Dufresne — 90:00–92:45
• First things, sowing into leaders — 98:30–100:30
• Prophetic word concerning house rescue — 106:15–107:00

Conclusion

Joel Siegel’s message is a passionate exhortation to discover, honor, and remain in your God-ordained place—whether that’s a church, a ministry, or a relationship—with faithfulness and discernment. The examples, personal stories, and clear biblical principles make the case: those who stay get propelled from blessing to breakthrough, while those who take “orpportunities” to exit often disappear from the story. The prophetic, practical takeaway is clear:

“Instead of just being blessed, you’ll be propelled.” (110:10)