Podcast Summary: Steps Of Faith, Part Two

Host: Nancy Dufresne, Dufresne Ministries
Date: May 4, 2022
Episode: Jesus the Healer Broadcast

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne deep-dives into the practical “steps of faith,” emphasizing that authentic faith combines hearing God’s voice with obedient, practical action. Sharing memorable testimonies—including powerful stories about a single mom’s obedience and well-known faith leaders—Nancy challenges listeners to actively seek God for next steps, meditate on His directives, and put faith into action beyond mere confession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith Begins With Hearing—But Doesn’t End There

• Story of the Single Mom (00:20–05:45):
  • A single mom in church is prompted by God to give $1,000 during an offering but doesn’t have it.
  • She pledges the amount in faith, asking God, "What do I need to do?" rather than just thanking Him repetitively.
  • Insight: Faith starts when you hear God, but it requires asking, “What is my next step?”
  • Quote [02:15]:

    “Deciding is not hearing. But once you've heard, you better decide to agree. Because some have heard and still are not agreeing. How do I know we're not agreeing? We're not acting. Agreement is acting.” — Nancy Dufresne

2. Obedience Unlocks Provision

• Continued Story (05:40–10:40):

  • After seeking, God reminds the woman of her talent for making barrettes.
  • She sells them in a friend's boutique; a buyer orders 50,000 barrettes, launching her career.
  • Insight: God often directs incremental steps, supplying further instructions as you move forward.

• Quote [09:55]:

  "She not only had her thousand dollars, now she had a career...because she heard, she sought God. And this is where a lot of people miss it." — Nancy Dufresne

3. Personal Experience ≠ Universal Method

• Teaching Moment (10:45–14:45):
  • Don’t expect God to bless you exactly how He blesses preachers or others; He uses avenues connected to your calling.
  • Avoid passively waiting for God to make things happen—the red light/green light analogy illustrates active movement until God checks you.
  • Quote [13:22]:

    “People sitting back, doing nothing, waiting for God to tell them something. Just keep going...Peace. The lack of peace is your red light. Amen.” — Nancy Dufresne

4. Faith Includes Practical Doing

• Faith Is Action-Oriented (14:46–18:30):
  • Faithful people should be people of action, not mere confession or wishful thinking.
  • Action follows hearing: Mary’s instruction at Cana—“Whatever He says to you, do it.”—shows that God meets needs through our participation.
  • Quote [15:47]:

    "He’s the miracle worker, but He’s going to give you a role in it. And if all you think is your confession is your total role, you will not arrive. Confession is so you’ll know what to do." — Nancy Dufresne

5. Examples from Church History and Ministry

• Amy Semple McPherson (18:31–21:15):

  • Built Angelus Temple by acting on what she had ($5,000) and progressed as God directed.
  • Started building before all money was in hand, trusting God for each step.

• Believing for Buildings (21:16–23:30):

  • Recounting a pastor who taught his church not to pull from savings but believe for “over and above”.
  • Several in the congregation received businesses miraculously by being active rather than passive.

• Quote [22:50]:

  "God blesses what you set your hand to...Easy, just, ‘I want to do nothing.’ And it’s a form of laziness. Praise the Lord." — Nancy Dufresne

6. Faith Requires Continual Seeking

• Scriptural Foundation (23:31–31:44):

  • Acts 11:27–30: When the disciples heard of the famine, they did something—they didn’t just confess provision.
  • Matthew 7:7 & Hebrews: God rewards those who diligently seek Him, not just those who know what’s possible.

• Practical Application:

  • Don’t just confess God’s promises—seek Him for personalized wisdom and action steps.
  • If you hear nothing new from God, act on what you already know and follow your peace.
  • Continual seeking brings further clarity (keep asking, seeking, knocking).

• Quote [28:45]:

  "Once I have obeyed what He's already said, I have to go back to Him and receive further directive from Him." — Nancy Dufresne

7. Testimony—Healing and Correction

• Ed Dufresne’s Healing Testimony (31:45–34:35):
  • Diagnosed with a terminal illness, Ed Dufresne didn’t settle for confession alone; he sought God for where he missed it.
  • God revealed a correction; after acting on it, healing manifested within 28 days.
  • Lesson: Healing and other promises require both confession and open-hearted, obedient steps—particularly internal, spiritual adjustments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:15]: “Deciding is not hearing. But once you’ve heard, you better decide to agree. Agreement is acting.”
• [09:55]: “She not only had her thousand dollars, now she had a career...because she heard, she sought God.”
• [13:22]: “People sitting back, doing nothing, waiting for God to tell them something. Just keep going...Peace. The lack of peace is your red light.”
• [15:47]: “He’s the miracle worker, but He’s going to give you a role in it...Confession is so you’ll know what to do.”
• [22:50]: "God blesses what you set your hand to...And it’s a form of laziness."
• [28:45]: "Once I have obeyed what He’s already said, I have to go back to Him and receive further directive from Him."

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 – Story: Single mom's faith offering
• 05:40 – God’s step-by-step guidance to provision
• 10:45 – Warning: Don’t mimic testimonies, seek your own direction
• 13:00 – Red light/green light analogy for faith action
• 15:47 – Mary at Cana: Doing whatever Jesus says
• 18:31 – Amy Semple McPherson’s Angelus Temple
• 21:16 – Building fund: Over and above faith in action
• 23:31 – Acts 11:30: Faith must lead to doing
• 27:00 – Matthew 7:7: Keep on asking, seeking, knocking
• 31:45 – Ed Dufresne healing testimony

Conclusion: Faith in Action

Pastor Nancy Dufresne challenges listeners to combine faith’s confession with diligent seeking and bold, practical steps. The episode calls believers to regularly return to God for further instructions, move as far as they have peace, and remember that genuine faith will always lead to obedient doing.

Recommended Next Step:
Ask God: “What is my next step?” and move forward until you sense a “red light.” Faith isn’t passive; it bears fruit in action.