Dufresne Ministries Podcast

Episode: My Experience In Faith, Part Three | Morgan Dufresne | Tuesday's Online Service | 5.19.20
Date: May 23, 2020
Speaker: Morgan Dufresne

Episode Overview

This episode, led by Morgan Dufresne, is part three of the "My Experience in Faith" series. Morgan explores the nature of biblical faith, emphasizing that true faith is founded solely on God's Word, not on personal experiences, feelings, or external circumstances. Drawing from scriptural accounts and her own journey, Morgan addresses the challenges of maintaining faith, the importance of divine connections, the pitfalls of doubt, and the critical role of patience in seeing God’s promises fulfilled.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith Is Rooted in God’s Word, Not Experience

• Key Message: True faith is built on the foundation of God's Word alone, not on what we feel or see—even in spiritual moments.
• Morgan’s Insight:
  • “We will have experiences, experiences in faith... But that's not what we base our faith on. We base our faith solely on God's Word, not by what we see, not by what we feel.” (01:00)
  • It’s natural to feel God’s presence, but faith endures regardless of feelings.

2. The Example of Thomas—The Danger of Needing to See

• Biblical Focus: John 20:24-29 (Thomas demands to see Jesus to believe).
• Morgan revisits Thomas' doubts, noting he had faith but it faltered when circumstances became challenging.
• Practical Application:
  • “Thomas had faith for that season... but when it came time for them to go out and preach the gospel... he did not have faith to stay with those that he was divinely connected with.” (07:28)
  • Don’t “throw the baby out with the bathwater” when someone struggles; everyone will have moments when faith feels harder.
  • Being in right relationships and divine connections can help sustain faith—don't isolate yourself in critical seasons.

3. The Power of Divine Connections

• Key Message: Relationships matter for sustaining faith.
• Notable Quote:
  • “These divine connections are the voices that... bring light when the pressure is on, remind us of the faithfulness and the goodness of God, and bring us back to the word of God when we don't know what to do.” (12:10)
• Your faith is strengthened by the company you keep, especially those rooted in God’s Word; right fellowship is crucial.

4. Faith Requires Speaking and Acting—Not Passive Belief

• Scriptural Foundation: Mark 11:22-24 (“Have faith in God…”).
• Whosoevers vs. whos—a “whosoever” acts on faith; a “who” simply exists in the faith community.
• Memorable Moment/Quote:
  • “A whosoever is the one who stands up and does not let circumstances change him, but he changes his circumstances.” (33:40)
  • Faith isn’t about having titles or recognition, but about actively living God’s promises.

5. Addressing Doubt and False Faith

• Doubt is simply believing in the wrong direction—not a lack of belief, but misplaced belief.
• Illustration:
  • “Doubt is that you're still believing. You just believe what you see and the report that you hear and how you feel. So doubt is not a lack of believing; it’s just believing in the wrong direction.” (49:46)
• Self-Check: Regularly evaluate whether you are acting in fear or faith.
• Example: Sometimes budgeting is used as a mask for bondage rather than faith; true faith goes beyond control and trusts God for what only He can do.

6. Personal Testimony: Being a "Whosoever" During Difficulty

• Story: Facing a potentially catastrophic home purchase mistake, Morgan called Pastor Nancy, who reminded her:
  • “This is why we need a Savior. A savior is not just for the day of salvation. A savior is for every day of salvation.” (1:01:05)
• Morgan resolved:
  • “No matter what, I decide to be a whosoever. I will be a person of faith no matter what, till the day I die. That is all that they will be able to write on my gravestone—she was a person of faith.” (1:02:25)
• Insight:
  • Decide to respond in faith even when there's nothing to fall back on in the natural.

7. The Issue of Time—Patience in Faith

• Observation: Time passing can be the loudest voice against faith.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Time will derail a life of faith faster than even a changing circumstance. Because time is something that none of us can control.” (1:11:05)
• Biblical Examples: Moses, Abraham, Joshua, and Noah—all waited for long stretches before seeing God’s promises fulfilled.
• Object Lesson:
  • “Time means as much to God as me putting on perfume means to you tonight... Time means nothing to Him in your situation. All He's looking for is what you have to say.” (1:17:05)
• Don’t let the ticking clock pressure you into doubt; God works outside of time.
• Encouragement: Faith is satisfied by the promise, not the time it takes nor the manifestation.

8. Faith Is a Daily Choice

• Recurrent Theme: Faith doesn’t choose you—you must choose faith daily.
• Closing Call:
  • “Tonight I've decided. I choose faith. No matter what it is, no matter what we face, no matter what we see, we can choose faith. And the end means more to me than what's going on in the middle. Time means nothing... I choose to be a whosoever.” (1:26:10)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Morgan Dufresne:
  • “Faith is not moved by what we see, what we hear, and what we feel... We're not moved by what we feel, good or bad.” (01:33)
  • “He gently and kindly rebuked [Thomas]... His highest and his best is that we believe without seeing.” (23:06)
  • “Faith doesn't choose you. You choose faith.” (1:25:08)
  • “Doubt for the believer is like going hungry with a pantry full of food.” (1:07:51)
  • “Whosoevers, determine their future. Whosoevers don’t let circumstances determine their future.” (36:49)
  • “Don't give up to get relief on your flesh, on your mind, from other people. Want to see it through and see the manifestation more than you want relief.” (1:21:55)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00] - Importance of basing faith on God’s Word alone
• [07:28] - Lessons from Thomas and the danger of missing divine connections
• [12:10] - The power of the right spiritual relationships
• [23:06] - Jesus' rebuke of Thomas and the call to “believe without seeing”
• [33:40] - Defining “whosoevers”: faith in action, not passive belief
• [49:46] - Understanding and diagnosing doubt in the Christian walk
• [1:01:05] - Personal faith crisis; “This is why you need a savior”
• [1:07:51] - Doubt vs. living by faith: Thanksgiving potluck metaphor
• [1:11:05] - Time as the most persistent challenge to faith
• [1:17:05] - “Time means nothing to God”—object lesson on waiting
• [1:21:55] - Desire for relief vs. desire for fulfillment of promise
• [1:25:08] - Closing declaration: choosing faith every day

Summary & Takeaways

Morgan Dufresne delivers a passionate, scripture-rich message that urges believers to ground their faith in God’s Word, not in experiences, feelings, or changing circumstances. She emphasizes the need for divine connections, the importance of speaking faith-filled words, and the necessity of persevering through time’s pressures. Drawing on Thomas’ story, well-known faith scriptures, and her own life, Morgan encourages listeners to become “whosoevers”—those who change circumstances through active, enduring faith. The episode closes with a strong exhortation: faith is always a choice. Choose to believe, persist, and rest in God’s promises—regardless of time or sight.