Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Taking Possession of the Promises | Pastor Morgan Dufresne | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Date: August 7, 2019
Host/Speaker: Pastor Morgan Dufresne

Main Theme

This episode centers on the importance of actively taking possession of God's promises through faith, with a primary focus on the biblical account of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 13–14. Pastor Morgan Dufresne discusses the difference between simply believing in God and believing God, highlighting how faith, boldness, and the right mindset position believers to step into everything God has provided—prosperity, healing, deliverance, and abundance—despite challenges and opposition.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Stories of Overcoming Against the Odds

• Context: The week’s teachings focus on biblical figures (Joshua, Caleb, Gideon, David) who overcame enemies despite humble beginnings or apparent disqualification.
• Insight: God often uses those who seem least qualified to bring victory to His people. Their stories remind us that past disobedience can give room to trouble, but humble cries for help always bring God’s response—even under the old covenant.
• Quote: “It doesn’t matter how many times you miss it. If you’ll put down your pride, humble yourself and say, ‘Father, I need Your help…’ He always answered.” (00:55)

2. The Promised Land as a Symbol of Spiritual Fullness

• Parallel: The Israelites’ journey out of Egypt into the Promised Land represents our move from bondage (sin, sickness, lack) into Christ’s abundance.
• Teaching: Many Christians stop at salvation but miss out on the ongoing, abundant inheritance available now.
• Quote: “The Savior gave us so much more. The Promised Land represents for your life all that God has made yours…[including] prosperity, healing, the infilling of the Holy Ghost...” (03:10)

3. Facing Obstacles: The Example of the Twelve Spies

• Scripture: Numbers 13:25–33
• Contrast: Ten spies focus on the opposition—their limitations, the giants, and fortified cities—while only Joshua and Caleb declare faith in God’s ability.
• Application: Believers often map out problems in great detail, but rarely focus as intently on God’s promises.
• Quote: “Stop looking at your finances to tell you what you’re able to do.” (09:28)
• Quote: “God is not asking for what you are able... In Christ’s ability is where we should find ourselves.” (09:45)

4. Humility Redefined: Boldness, Not Timidity

• Misconception: Religion equates humility with timidity, but biblical humility is boldness rooted in recognizing Christ within.
• Example: Jesus’ bold action in healing and confronting wrong was humility in action.
• Quote: “True humility is bold because humility recognizes, ‘It’s not me, but let me tell you who it is.’” (10:23)

5. The Power of a Different Spirit

• Key Verse: Numbers 14:24 — “But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land…”
• Call: Believers are to possess a "different spirit"—one of faith, not fear.
• Application: Joshua and Caleb’s resolve in the face of mass unbelief is exemplary.
• Quote: “Are you of a different spirit? The same spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you.” (19:23)

6. Faith in God vs. Faith in the Problem

• Personal Testimony: Pastor Morgan recounts a time of financial pressure—needing to purchase a home—where continual ‘no’s were received from people and banks, but victory came through standing on God’s promise.
• Insight: The number of people agreeing with you is less important than finding even one other person to stand in faith.
• Quote: “You don’t need a whole prayer team… All you need is faith in God.” (27:00, 26:38)

7. Resting in the Promise, Not Waiting for Manifestation

• Key Distinction: Israelites struggled to believe the land was theirs because they didn’t possess it physically. Many believers wait for circumstances to change before claiming God’s promises.
• Principle: We must know we possess the promise based on God’s Word, not on outward manifestation.
• Quote: “You’re supposed to know what is your possessions through promises, not through manifestations.” (32:54)
• Memorable Line: “Stop looking for the yes, and rest in the amen.” (30:59)

8. God’s Process: Promise Performed, Provided, Perfected

• Teaching Point: Through Jesus, God has already performed, provided, and perfected His promises. Now, the believer’s part is to receive.
• The Giant Isn’t the Problem: The real obstacles are the giants in the mind:
  • Doubt
  • Fear
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Past failures
  • Pride
• Quote: “Your giant really is not the sickness. The giant was their doubt and unbelief...their thought life.” (38:22)

9. The Role of the Word and the Spirit

• Activation: Victory comes through consistently meditating on God’s Word and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Quoting Joshua 1:8: “Just meditate on the Word, Joshua…”
• Illustration: Drawing out the promise is like drawing out healing or provision from within by confession, praise, and worship.

10. Faith over Feelings

• Emphasis: Feelings should follow faith, not the other way around.
• Quote: “Feelings are not a leader, they’re a follower. My feelings follow the Word of God.” (54:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On humility and boldness:

  • “Humility is bold because humility recognizes, oh, it’s not me, but…who it is. I’m going to talk to those bills, I’m going to talk to that need.” (10:23)

• On activating the promise:

  • “I don’t believe in God. I believe God.” (23:33)

• On victory by faith:

  • “All you need, you have no trouble, you have no problems, you have no sickness, you have no lack. All you need is faith in God.” (41:00)

• On waiting for manifestation vs. resting in possession:

  • “You’re supposed to know what is your possessions through promises, not through manifestations.” (32:54)

• On spiritual giants:

  • “Your giant really is not the sickness…The giant was their doubt and unbelief…” (38:22)

• On church and home anointing:

  • “The outpouring of the Spirit should never be solely for the local church…it can be in the home.” (50:34)

• On feelings and faith:

  • “Faith changes your feelings. Don’t ever let your feelings change your faith.” (57:31)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Introduction to theme: Israel’s stories of conquest | | 03:10 | Promised Land as more than salvation | | 08:31 | The spies’ report: focus on obstacles | | 09:45 | God’s not asking for what you’re able | | 10:23 | Biblical humility as boldness | | 14:06 | Recognizing God’s leading through the Spirit | | 19:23 | “Different spirit” of faith (Caleb) | | 26:38 | Testimony of faith for a home purchase | | 30:59 | Transition from seeking “yes” to resting in “amen” | | 32:54 | Know your possessions by promise, not manifestation| | 38:22 | Giants are doubt, fear, past, pride | | 41:00 | “All you need is faith in God” | | 50:34 | Cultivating God’s presence/power at home | | 54:23 | Faith changes feelings, not the reverse |

Conclusions & Takeaways

• Believers must move beyond waiting on outside validation (manifestation or agreement) and boldly possess the fullness of God’s promises through meditating on the Word and resting in what Christ has finished.
• Victory comes not by focusing on obstacles but by having a “different spirit”—faith that rests in God’s ability, not our own.
• Regular confession, praise, and worship are practical ways to draw out the miracles already deposited within through the Spirit.
• Surround yourself with those who speak God’s promises, not your limitations, and know that a minority with faith can achieve what a crowd of doubters cannot.
• Faith should lead feelings; feelings are secondary and subject to the reality of God’s Word.

This episode is a call to bold, unwavering faith—urging listeners not just to “believe in God,” but to “believe God,” knowing that every promise in Christ is already a completed reality to be received, not earned.