Podcast Summary: Show Up For Your Miracle
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne
Episode: Jesus the Healer Broadcast – October 21, 2021
Main Theme:
How receiving a miracle is not just about God’s willingness but about our cooperation and obedience. Pastor Nancy Dufresne teaches the importance of “showing up” with faith, using scriptural examples and personal testimonies to illustrate that miracles respond to obedience and expectation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Receiving a Miracle: Our Role Matters
- It's not just "up to God":
- Many believe miracles depend solely on God's decision, but Nancy emphasizes God’s will is active and generous—He desires to meet every need if we cooperate.
- "God is not looking to withhold miracles from anyone." (00:30)
- Obedience unlocks miracles:
- Scriptural and practical miracles require an act of faith—God instructs us, and we respond with action.
- “Every time you see someone in the Word receiving a miracle, God gave that person something to obey.” (01:41)
- Our faith and actions are invitations:
- “Our faith obeying what he says is his invitation. Faith invites him in. Our obedience is our faith. And so that invites him in.” (03:10)
2. Scriptural Foundation: John 2 and the Principle of Obedience
- Topic passage: Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-5)
- Mary’s instruction: “Whatsoever he says to you, do it.” (02:18)
- Whether it makes sense or not, obedience brings God’s power into play.
- Notable Quote:
- “Whatsoever he says to you, do it. Whether it makes sense or not, whether it's convenient or not, Whether you like it or not, whether you prefer that or not.” (02:27)
3. Personal Testimony: The Man Who Missed His Miracle
- Story of a terminally ill man healed by prayer and obedience:
- Received instant improvement (healing power confirmed by medical changes) after prayer. (05:40)
- Was instructed to testify of his healing at church the following Friday.
- Family, afraid of pneumonia, dissuades him from obeying.
- “He did not show up Friday. Why? He did not obey. ... A week later, I performed his funeral. Didn't have to. I could have heard his testimony. But he didn't show up because well meaning loved ones ... didn't think right.” (09:28)
- Insight:
- Obedience—even when it seems small or inconvenient—keeps the door open for God’s continued work.
4. Biblical Illustrations of "Showing Up" for Miracles
- Naaman (2 Kings 5):
- Naaman nearly loses his miracle due to pride and offense—not liking the place, the way, or the ease of the instruction. (11:30)
- “Your miracle will not come because you instructed God. Your miracle will come because he instructed you.” (13:23)
- Only when Naaman humbles himself and acts does he receive healing.
- Abraham and Isaac:
- Specific obedience matters—not just generally doing “good things,” but following God's precise instruction, even regarding location (the right mountain). (15:08)
- The power and provision (angel, ram) were at the location God specified.
- “His son would have died if he would have gone to the wrong mountain. It matters. Our obedience is connected to other people's lives.” (17:08)
- Israelites and the Promised Land:
- 40 years of wandering due to failure to “show up” and take possession as God directed. (17:46)
- “They did not go up. And for 40 years they could have dwelt in their own land. But they didn't because of one reason. They didn't show up.” (18:25)
5. Other Bible Characters Who Showed Up
- Ten Lepers: (Luke 17)
- Jesus gives instruction: go show yourselves to the priest; healing happens “as they went.” (19:44)
- One, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks and is made “whole”—more than healing, he receives restoration.
- Memorable Moment:
- “The man who showed up the second time got more.” (22:31)
- Woman with the Issue of Blood:
- “You know why she was healed? She showed up. ... She had to press through the multitude. She showed up. Your miracle calls for you to show up.” (24:23)
- She overcomes her weakness and cultural barriers to reach Jesus, highlighting initiative and expectation.
- Jesus didn’t go house to house; those who sought Him received.
6. How We Show Up Matters
- Not just physically present, but coming with expectation, hunger, and readiness for change. (25:26)
- “You can show up in church service and be mad. ... You can show up watching this broadcast and not even bring your faith, and it won't do you any good. ... Show up expecting. Show up hungry.”
- Continual obedience and persistence are keys: “You got to keep showing up and keep showing up and keep showing up...” (23:49)
7. Miracles as a Daily Flow
- Faith and devotion are not one-time events but ongoing: “He loads us daily with benefits.” (23:59)
- “You can't get all God has for you showing up one time. ... Because all God has is so rich that one day can't contain it.” (24:14)
8. Activation & Prayer
- Closes with direct faith and agreement for listeners’ miracles—healing, restoration, breakthrough.
- “All you have to do is say I receive it, I receive it, I receive it Jesus. And I expect your power that's working in me to work my miracle in Jesus name. Amen. Hallelujah.” (27:27)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Our obedience ushers Him into our situation.” (02:47)
- “Just because someone loves you doesn't mean they're right.” (10:19)
- “God gives us something easy to obey. Jesus did the hard part.” (14:30)
- “Your miracle is connected with what He said and not with what you counsel God to do.” (14:03)
- “Our obedience is connected to other people's lives.” (17:20)
- “One day can’t contain all the benefits. So every day has new benefits.” (24:06)
- “You got your fingers back, you got your facial features back, you got your toes back. What happened to you? ... I showed up again.” (23:39)
- “How do you show up? You have to show up expecting. Show up expecting. Show up hungry. Hungry for God. Hungry for the Word, hungry for change.” (25:26)
- “You have to initiate your miracle.” (26:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:09 – Introduction: Your part in receiving miracles
- 01:41 – Principle of obedience through scriptural examples
- 02:18 – John 2: The Wedding at Cana — “Whatsoever He says to you, do it.”
- 05:40 – Testimony: The man healed but hindered by his family’s fears
- 11:30 – Example: Naaman’s pride and the lessons of obedience
- 15:08 – Example: Abraham’s specific obedience and its broader impact
- 19:44 – Example: Ten lepers, gratitude, and going “back for more”
- 23:39 – Showing up repeatedly brings increasing blessing
- 24:23 – The woman with the issue of blood: showing up against all odds
- 25:26 – Coming with expectation; “showing up” in faith, not just ritual
- 26:44 – Initiating your miracle—Take responsibility
- 27:27 – Closing faith declaration and prayer for listeners
Takeaways
- Miracles are not random; they come when we actively cooperate with God through faith and obedience.
- Obedience is often simple but essential; disregarding or minimizing “small acts” can hinder breakthrough.
- “Showing up” is both literal (attending, participating) and figurative (bringing faith, gratitude, ongoing connection).
- Persistent, expectant faith, and a willing, humble heart unlock more of God’s miracles and benefits—every day.
