Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Dufresne Ministries Podcast, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her foundational teaching on “Knowing Him” as part of the Holy Ghost Meetings 2020 at World Harvest Church in Murrieta, CA. Picking up from the previous session, Pastor Nancy centers the message on the believer’s priceless spiritual birthright: the opportunity not just to know about God or spiritual principles, but to know God personally—by the Spirit, not by the flesh. The episode underscores the importance of presence, stillness, reverence, and fellowship with God, distinguishing these from mere mental or emotional forms of spirituality. Through scripture, stories, and practical application, Pastor Nancy encourages listeners to prioritize spiritual fellowship over busyness or mere knowledge, to develop a deeper intimacy with God, and to find rest and refreshment in His tangible presence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knowing Him: Birthright and Priority

• Pastor Nancy reflects on Kenneth Copeland’s statement (00:55): “I was born to know Him. I was born to be like Him.”
• She stresses that knowing God is our spiritual birthright, not something to trade away for superficial or carnal pursuits.
• Emphasis is placed on not just knowing scriptures or principles about God, but actually knowing Him through the Word and the Spirit (02:41).

2. Spiritual vs. Fleshly Knowledge

• Warns against trying to know Jesus “after the flesh” (painting, location, physical traits) rather than by the Spirit (05:23).
• Quotes Dad Hagin: “It’s many times a mistake... to try to capture Him after the flesh... It’s by the Spirit we know Him, not after the flesh.” (06:10)
• Applies this not just to knowing Jesus, but also to relating to other believers by the Spirit rather than by fleshly distinctions, such as gender in ministry (07:40).

3. Being Led by the Anointing

• Explains that neither men nor women should be valued for ministry unless anointed: “I believe in anointed ones… Without the anointing, no yolks get destroyed.” (08:15)

4. Principles vs. Presence

• Principles and steps of faith are important, but they are not the destination—knowing God Himself is our focus (11:32).
• “Principles point us to Him… but principles are not Him.” (12:01)
• The heart must seek God’s face and presence, not just His principles (Psalm 27 referenced at 12:45).

5. Learning Through Presence, Not Performance

• Shares personal testimonies of overcoming spiritual attacks, not by works or repeated confessions, but by simply being in God’s presence (14:33).
• “If I just got in His presence, there was a protection… from the assault on me while I was learning.” (16:08)
• Recounts Dad Hagin’s teaching on sitting quietly and being “occupied with His presence” (18:00). This brings tangible glory and lasting spiritual impact.

6. Cultivating Reverence and Stillness

• Sitting in silent reverence is a lost discipline but an act of honor to God (Psalm 65:1, Habakkuk 2:20, Isaiah 40—23:45 to 30:00).
• Shares practicals: In the presence of royalty, silence is expected—how much more with God? (25:06)

7. Listening Before Speaking

• Encourages believers to let God speak before they speak (Isaiah 40, Psalm 46, Acts 3), especially in times of trouble (30:45).
• Fresh direction comes daily from listening—not just repeating yesterday’s instructions (35:10).

8. Refreshment and Restoration in His Presence

• Repentance is met with refreshing and restoration in God's presence (Acts 3:19, 43:40).
• “When we miss it, our help is in the presence of the Lord… When we recognize we missed it and repent, He fortifies us back through His presence…” (43:40)

9. The Easy Flow of Faith With Fellowship

• True faith is not a struggle when it comes from knowing God (Dr. Sumrall’s story: Faith that easily “jumps” is borne from knowing the one who calls) (47:00).
• “Faith that is the strongest is the faith that flows from a heart that is in fellowship and in communion with the Father.” (47:56)

10. Practical Application and Congregational Instruction

• Reminds pastors and congregations to intentionally make space for presence and worship, not just sermons or confessions (52:20).
• Personal story: Obedience led to financial sacrifice—peace came not from arguing with the enemy, but from entering God’s presence (50:15).

11. Maintaining Balance: Word and Presence

• Balance Word and prayer/fellowship. “Never pray more than you study or feed on the Word or you’re going to get out of balance.” (56:05)

12. Invitation to Practice

• The service transitions to a corporate invitation to worship, be still, or sit silently—whatever the Spirit leads (56:40).
• Emphasis on practical participation: “Whatever seems right in your own hearts, we take this time in your presence.” (58:40)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Birthright:
  • "I'm not going to sell my birthright off for the natural that ends up leaving me weeping like Esau wept over what he made that exchange for." – Nancy Dufresne (01:19)
• On the Dangers of Carnal Knowledge:
  • "It's by the Spirit we know him, not after the flesh." – Nancy Dufresne quoting Dad Hagin (06:12)
• On the True Focus:
  • "Principles are not Him… He's our focus; the principles point us to Him." (11:45)
• On The Superiority of God’s Presence:
  • "A sermon will never bring to you what just sitting in the presence of God will do. And just sitting in the presence of God will not renew your mind that a sermon does. They all have their role." (20:32)
• On Corporate Worship:
  • "When we’re together with everyone entering in and being wholehearted… people who don’t have that knowledge or understanding can receive help just because of you." (51:20)
• On Faith and Fellowship:
  • "Faith that is strongest is the faith that flows from a heart that is in fellowship and in communion with the Father." (47:56)
• On Stillness and Authority:
  • "Be still and know that I am God." (30:25)
• On The Lost Art of Waiting:
  • "He referred to the lost art of waiting… an art that needs to be revived in the church." (89:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:55 | Pastor Nancy recounts Kenneth Copeland’s message on birthright of knowing God | | 06:10 | Teaching: Knowing Christ by the Spirit, not by flesh | | 08:15 | “I believe in anointed ones”—anointing vs. gender in ministry | | 14:33 | Personal Testimony: Breakthrough came through presence, not confession | | 18:00 | Dad Hagin on the power of sitting in God’s presence | | 25:06 | Practicing reverence: learning from silence before royalty (Psalm 65) | | 30:45 | Scriptural insight: Hearing God before we speak (Isaiah 40, Ps. 46) | | 43:40 | How presence restores after sin or mistakes (Acts 3:19) | | 47:00 | Dr. Sumrall analogy: Knowing and trusting God enables easy faith | | 50:15 | Testimony: Answer to spiritual harassment found in presence | | 56:05 | Balancing Word and prayer in spiritual life | | 58:40 | Corporate invitation: Practical ways to enter God’s presence | | 89:10 | Reviving the lost art of waiting before the Lord (Dad Hagin) |

Final Reflections and Tone

Throughout, Pastor Nancy maintains a warm, encouraging, and instructive tone. She frequently shares personal history, quotes revered ministers (Kenneth Copeland, Dad Hagin, Dr. Sumrall), and balances scripture with practical application. The message is rich with spiritual insight but highly accessible—intended to move hearers from spiritual busyness, mental faith, and carnal approaches, into genuine, soul-refreshing communion with God.

Takeaways

• The ultimate privilege and calling of the believer is to know God personally by the Spirit.
• True faith, peace, and spiritual effectiveness flow from ongoing fellowship and presence, not just principles or works.
• Stillness, reverence, and waiting are irreplaceable spiritual disciplines.
• The balance of Word and presence, corporate and personal worship, is crucial for a vibrant spiritual life.
• Times of refreshing come in His presence; answer and strength flow from time spent truly knowing Him.

For those who missed the episode: This message is an invitation to make space in your life for God's tangible presence, trusting that in seeking Him, you’ll find both refreshment and power for every part of the journey.