Podcast Summary: "Looking Unto Jesus" | Nancy Dufresne | Holy Ghost Meetings 2020 | World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA

Date: January 8, 2020
Host: Dufresne Ministries
Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Length: Approx. 1 hr 52 min

Overview

In this message, Nancy Dufresne speaks to the congregation about the foundational Christian practice of "looking unto Jesus," focusing on the importance of maintaining a deep, conscious awareness of God. Drawing from Hebrews 12 and various biblical examples, she challenges believers to live by prioritizing continual fellowship with God above ministry activities, life responsibilities, and distractions. The message is rich with practical illustrations, memorable stories, and prophetic encouragement, particularly for ministers and those living in today’s "revival era."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Imperative of Focusing on God, Not Just His Work

• Nancy stresses that, although fulfilling God’s plan is important, it must not become the main focus; our eyes must remain on Him (05:00–06:17).
  • Quote: “We can't make the plan the focus. He's the focus. The plan is the way we serve the One we're focused on.” (04:53, Nancy Dufresne)
• Using marriage as an analogy, she warns of losing intimacy in the busyness of "doing life" (07:09–07:44).
  • Quote: “After they get married, they get so busy with the doing of marriage that they forget one another…” (07:09, Nancy Dufresne)

2. The Joy of Obedience and the Enemy’s Tactics

• Nancy shares personal stories of obeying God and how the enemy seeks to trouble believers after obedience, attempting to drain joy by planting regret or fear (08:20–09:17).
  • Quote: “The devil tries to rob us of the joy of obeying our Father. Because obeying our Father is pure joy and not hardship and not struggle.” (09:02, Ed Dufresne)
• She illustrates this with the baptism and trial of Jesus, emphasizing that pleasing God is opposed by the enemy (09:23–10:49).
• God told Nancy: “If you would get in my presence and stay there, you wouldn’t even have to listen to that [the harassment].” (14:39)

3. Living with a Deep Consciousness of God

• “Looking unto Jesus” is explained as a mindset and lifestyle—consciously turning thoughts and attention to God throughout the day (15:48–16:15).
  • Example: Paul and Silas in prison focused on worship, not their circumstances, allowing spiritual victory before natural deliverance (16:15–17:15).
  • Quote: “You decide the exit. You don’t let circumstances pave your exit.” (17:15, Ed Dufresne)

4. Relief vs. Victory: Not Settling for Less Than God's Best

• Nancy contrasts “relief” (escaping trouble) with “victory” (complete overcoming, including the blessing of others and fulfillment of the larger plan), urging believers not to settle for mere relief (17:51–19:18).
  • Quote: “God is not offering us relief. He’s offering us victory.” (17:51. Ed Dufresne)
• She uses biblical examples (Paul’s imprisonment, Silas) to stress the value of holding out for God’s total solution (20:13–21:25).

5. The Role of God’s Presence in Compassion and Ministry

• Intimacy with God develops compassion, love, and genuine care for people—essential qualities for effective ministry (22:23–23:21).
  • “Too many times, people love ministry, but not people…” (23:02, Ed Dufresne)
• A warning is given for the coming revival: The church must embrace people from all backgrounds with the love that comes only from the Father’s presence (25:15–26:42).

6. Looking Away from Distractions to Jesus

• Drawing from Hebrews 12, Nancy highlights how faith heroes point to the ultimate example—Jesus, who “ran in perfection.” (30:11–31:06)
  • Quote: “It didn’t say think of Moses…it said just think of Him [Jesus].” (30:49–30:54)
• Explains how wrong thinking leads to weariness, exhaustion, and loss of heart, emphasizing the importance of keeping mental focus on Jesus to avoid spiritual burnout (34:50–38:07).
• The necessity of discipline in setting one’s mind on spiritual things, not letting circumstances dictate attention. “Set your mind like concrete” (49:12–51:25).

7. Practical Examples and Illustrations

• Elisha and his servant: Faith focuses on the unseen, not the visible threat (52:09–58:49).
  • “When our eyes are set on things above, we’re no longer troubled by what we see in the natural.” (58:19, Nancy Dufresne)
• Personal illustration with her dogs: Remaining "set" and not easily distracted is necessary to receive from God (60:00–62:45).
  • “You don’t get your provision till you learn to stay.” (62:05, Nancy Dufresne)

8. Maintaining Peace by Controlling Focus

• Isaiah 26:3: Peace is the result of a mind stayed on God; lack of peace is an “attention problem, a distraction problem” (59:22–59:53).
• “A worried mind is an unskillful mind…You can turn your attention to him today and become very skillful at that today.” (86:19–86:46, Nancy Dufresne)

9. Looking Unto Jesus in Ministry and Revival

• Gathering: Ministers are called forward for prophetic blessing and impartation for “all that God has for you to be fulfilled” (94:49–104:49).
• Prophetic word (Pastor Noel): There will be an increase of the "spirit of seeing and knowing" in this era (90:49–94:05).

10. Closing Personal Lessons and Encouragement

• Nancy shares that even in times of stress or frustration, choosing to focus on God is a daily decision. “Every thought is a choice.” (89:37)
  • Quote: “God said, ‘You can think about that if you want to, but you’re going to have to give up fellowship with me to do that.’” (89:40, Nancy Dufresne)
• The more you’re with the Father, the more like Him you become (90:22).
• Letting go of anxiety and the unknown—do what you know, and God will give more insight (85:17–85:58).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On attention: “Our faith is our attention. Is our [faith] attached to our attention? ... So many people are struggling with their faith when their attention is on the wrong thing. That’s why you have a problem with your faith.” (44:40, Ed Dufresne)
• On complaining: “Faith people have no complaint in their mouth…Never complain, never explain…Some people need to change their policies.” (45:38–46:46)
• On hardship: “Ministry is not hard. Ignorance is what’s hard.” (34:50–34:52, Nancy Dufresne)
• On distraction: “The number one thing that stops ministers from fulfilling what they’re born for is distraction. Not of wrong things or evil things, but just distraction.” (39:19–39:54, Pastor Happy Caldwell/Paraphrased)
• On victory: “Victory does not begin with knowing what to do. Victory begins with where you’re looking.” (63:43–63:58, Nancy Dufresne)

Important Timestamps for Segments

• Opening prayer and setting the theme – 00:10–03:11
• Making God the focus over “the plan” – 04:48–06:17
• Obedience, joy, and the enemy’s harassment – 08:18–10:49
• Personal example: God’s presence dispels harassment – 14:39–15:58
• Paul & Silas: Worship brings victory, not just relief – 16:15–19:18
• Quality of ministry flows from God’s presence – 22:23–26:42
• Hebrews 11–12: Fixing our gaze on Jesus – 26:42–34:50
• Right thinking vs. exhaustion and quitting – 35:00–38:36
• Practical illustration: Focus, like Elisha and her dogs – 51:56–62:45
• How God “trains you in the staying” – 62:42–63:13
• Setting the mind: Colossians 3:2 – 49:12–51:25
• Prophetic word for ministers and the revival – 90:49–94:05
• Blessing ministers, impartations, closing – 94:41–111:20

Takeaways for Listeners

• A deep consciousness of God is not optional—it’s vital for running your race and enjoying the fullness of what God has for you.
• Don’t settle for mere relief from pressure; press in for complete victory.
• Peace and joy are maintained by practiced, continual focus on Jesus, not circumstances.
• Real ministry flows from compassion and intimacy with God, not just skill or activity.
• Complaining, distraction, and wrong thinking short-circuit faith and spiritual progress.
• Every thought is a choice: choose fellowship with God above rehearsing worries.
• The next great move of God requires a church skillful in attention, worship, and yieldedness—not just calling or gifting.

This episode is a call for recalibration—reminding both leaders and laypeople that fruitfulness, fulfillment, and enduring peace are found by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. This central, practical discipline will empower believers for victory, revival, and supernatural usefulness in their generation.