Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: The Conviction of Faith | Debra Simons | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Date: September 12, 2019
Speaker: Debra Simons
Theme: The Conviction of Faith—Living a Life of Movement Based on God’s Authoring

Episode Overview

In this episode, guest minister Debra Simons explores what it means to live by faith, focusing on the concept of "the conviction of faith." Drawing on personal stories, testimonies from Christian leaders, and practical examples from her own ministry, Simons emphasizes how faith is not just belief, but a firm conviction rooted in what God has authored. The episode encourages listeners to remain steadfast, act boldly, and continue moving forward, even when circumstances appear impossible.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Staying a Lifetime Learner in Faith

• Debra opens with the importance of remaining teachable and hungry for God—how even routine and the cares of life can erode our spiritual hunger if we’re not attentive (02:10).
• Quote: "We should always remain a student in our heart so that we'll always extract the very best of what God has." (02:45)

2. Testimonies from Faith Generals

• Simons recalls reading about Kathyrn Kuhlman and Dr. Lester Sumrall, recounting miraculous stories that made her question how such faith operates (04:30).
• Discovered it was not simply the "gift of faith," but deep conviction that prompted their actions (08:20).
• Quote: "Kathryn Kuhlman...would make a deal as if she had all the funds to pay for it, and...she would be putting God on the spot." (04:55)
• The revelation: "They didn’t do it by the gift of faith. They did it by conviction." (08:13)

3. Defining Conviction Through Hebrews 11

• Simons reads and expands on Hebrews 11:1 with the Amplified translation, highlighting that faith is "the conviction of their reality" (09:00).
• Quote: "Faith is the conviction of their reality...that reality on the inside of you that this is of God." (09:30)
• Emphasizes that conviction leads to bold acts of faith—waiting, acting, and trusting God for supernatural outcomes.

4. Faith in Action: Personal and Church Building Testimonies

• Debra recounts the process of acquiring a church building, moving step by step despite limited resources and mounting obstacles (12:00).
• Describes price negotiations, divine favor, unlikely discounts, and miraculous provision for down payments and renovation needs (15:00-25:00).
• Quote: "When something’s the will of God...faith begins with you acting on what you believe is the will of God." (22:40)
• Lessons learned: Movement—no matter how small—initiates God’s power.

5. Movement Unlocks Provision

• Illustrates with a Dr. Sumrall story: money for a television station arrived only after he signed the contract in faith (51:30).
• Quote: "Once I signed the paper, money started coming in..." (52:05)
  God explained: "You didn't have the station before. So I released it when you need it, meaning when you took that step..." (52:18)
• Simons applies this to church renovations, recounting how provision followed each step—never ahead of time.

6. The Enemy’s Tactics: Doubt and Paralysis

• Simons candidly discusses the psychological challenges—the enemy manipulates circumstances to provoke hesitation or convince believers that progress is impossible (32:50, 54:10).
• The antidote is to recognize the devil’s tactics, maintain conviction, and keep moving in faith.

7. Crucial Moments: Not Drawing Back

• Powerful story: During a severe financial crisis in 2007, Simons nearly decided to skip a ministry meeting, feeling paralyzed by pressure. After a restless night and prayerful reconsideration, she reversed her decision, and a major financial breakthrough followed within 30 days (01:03:10).
• Quote: "If we don't keep moving forward under pressure, [the enemy] is going to start...pushing us back." (01:05:40)
• This underscored the necessity of movement, especially when tempted to retreat.

8. Faith Requires Action—Always

• Faith is not passive—whether practical steps, declarations, or even a dance or shout, faith requires movement (57:50, 01:10:00).
• Quote: "Faith is an act, and we're not going to get the power moving before we move first." (58:10)

9. Testimony and Example: Dr. Dufresne

• Recounting Dr. Dufresne’s perseverance in building projects—he kept moving door to door until the answer came, modeling steadfastness and conviction (01:14:35).
• Quote: "He never stopped moving. He just kept moving forward. And when you keep moving, the power will show up." (01:16:40)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Faith is the conviction of their reality.” (09:30)
• “When something’s the will of God…faith begins with you acting on what you believe is the will of God.” (22:40)
• “Once I signed the paper, money started coming in…You didn't have the station before. So I released it when you need it.” (52:05-52:18)
• “Faith is an act, and we're not going to get the power moving before we move first.” (58:10)
• “If we don't keep moving forward under pressure, [the enemy] is going to start...pushing us back.” (01:05:40)
• “He never stopped moving…And when you keep moving, the power will show up.” (01:16:40)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:10: The importance of teachability and hunger in faith
• 04:30–08:20: Testimonies from Kathryn Kuhlman & Dr. Lester Sumrall
• 09:00: Defining faith and conviction (Hebrews 11)
• 12:00–25:00: Personal stories—acquiring and renovating church building
• 32:50: Navigating times when circumstances oppose God’s plan
• 51:30–52:20: Dr. Sumrall testimony on provision following action
• 54:10–58:10: Faith acts and correlating action
• 01:03:10–01:09:00: 2007 crisis—breakthrough after decisive movement
• 01:14:35–01:16:40: Dr. Dufresne’s determination and example

Practical Takeaways

• Remain sensitive to God’s voice; conviction comes from Him, not just emotion or need.
• Faith always involves a corresponding action—movement, whether small or significant.
• When facing obstacles, recall past victories as fuel for present faith.
• Don’t wait for circumstances to change; step out and trust God is backing what He’s authored.
• The pressure to retreat is often greatest just before breakthrough; do not draw back.

Tone and Spirit

Simons’ message is honest, passionate, and filled with practical wisdom. Her tone is encouraging yet challenging—she is transparent about struggle, yet steadfast in confidence that God is faithful. The real-life stories convey humility and humor, but also a deep conviction that persistent, obedient faith will always see God’s power and provision manifest.

Summary:
Debra Simons delivers a powerful challenge to live with the conviction of faith, underlining again and again that faith is not mere mental assent, but action fueled by certainty that God backs what He has authored. Through scriptural insights and gripping testimonies, listeners are inspired to step forward—because, as Simons repeats, the power only flows when we move.