Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: The Measure of Faith, Part Two | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: March 4, 2021
Host: Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

In this engaging and practical teaching, Nancy Dufresne continues her exploration of "the measure of faith," emphasizing how faith is foundational for Christian living. Speaking from her Colorado ranch, she unpacks scriptural principles about faith’s growth, the responsibility believers have in increasing their faith, and the importance of wisely discerning our own level of faith, especially when facing life's decisions and challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith as a Lifestyle (00:10)

• Living by Faith:
  Nancy stresses that faith should not just be for “moments,” but a continuous way of life.

  "We're not just to have moments of faith, but we're to have a lifestyle of faith." (00:24)

• Why Live by Faith?
  Faith pleases God and allows Him to work in our lives in ways otherwise impossible without it.

  "Faith allows Him and gives Him permission to do that." (01:10)

2. Understanding the ‘Measure of Faith’ (01:25)

• Romans 12:3 – The Starting Point:
  Every believer is given the same initial “measure of faith.” It’s up to each individual to grow their faith.

  "God has dealt to every man the measure of faith… but from then on, it's up to us to increase our faith." (01:45)

• Faith Doesn’t Come by Prayer:
  Growth of faith is our responsibility, not acquired by asking but by feeding and exercising it.

  "So many people are praying for God to give them a strong faith or to give them more faith. Faith doesn't come by prayer... it's us who's responsible for our own faith." (02:25)

3. Faith is Measurable (03:15)

• Scriptural Evidence:
  Scripture speaks of strong, weak, increasing, and dead faith—proving faith’s measure can differ.
• Kitchen & Money Analogies:
  • Like ingredients in a recipe, or money needed to buy something, each circumstance may require a different measure.
  • Saving faith over time is akin to saving money daily to be able to purchase what you need in the future.

  "Certain situations call for different measures of faith... when the full measure of faith... comes into place, then that's when the manifestation... will happen." (04:20, 07:30)

4. Our Role: Feeding Faith Daily (05:40)

• Consistent Growth:
  The Holy Spirit leads us according to our current measure of faith, which should be steadily growing.

  "The Holy Spirit will never lead you beyond your measure of faith. He will always lead you based on the measure of faith you possess." (05:55)

• Counseling Others:
  We should be careful not to advise others based on our measure of faith but rather help them locate their own.

  "You have to know their measure of faith to give them accurate counsel... the Holy Spirit always gives accurate counsel, but people don't." (07:40)

5. Dangers of Overstepping Your Faith (09:45)

• Recognizing Limits:
  Misjudging your faith capacity can lead to failure—not because faith fails, but because we acted beyond our actual faith.

  "There's no such thing as a faith failure. Faith doesn't fail. People fail to measure their faith." (10:40)

• Practical Example:
  If you want to buy something expensive, you need to accumulate the required funds. The same goes for faith regarding bigger needs (11:00-12:30).

6. Biblical Example - Jesus in Nazareth (14:25)

• Citing Mark 6, Nancy illustrates that unbelief limited what Jesus could do—even as the Son of God and God in the flesh.

  "Not only did it say that Jesus could there do no mighty work... the Word could there do no mighty work... God could there do no mighty work. Why? Their measure of faith limited them." (17:50)

7. How to Grow and Measure Your Faith (20:15)

• Keep Feeding:
  • Faith is spent and must be replenished.
  • Like a carpenter's motto: “Measure twice, cut once,” we must be accurate in evaluating our faith or risk costly errors.

  "Once you spend faith, the faith you spent is no longer in your heart. You've got to put some more back in." (21:50)

• Romans 12:3 Caution:
  Don’t overestimate your faith; thinking you have more than you do leads to stepping beyond safe limits.

  "Don't think you've got more faith than you do... be sober about your measure of faith because it's dangerous to get out beyond your measure of faith." (22:40)

8. Knowing Your Faith: The Role of Peace and Joy (24:10)

• Romans 15:13 Principle:
  Joy and peace accompany true believing; losing these signals stepping beyond your measure of faith.

  "When you're believing God, you'll have joy and you'll have peace. If you're out beyond your measure of faith, you will lose your joy and you'll lose your peace." (24:30)

• Personal Story:
  Nancy shares how her faith to live in an expensive neighborhood grew over 20 years, as indicated by her growing “peace and joy.” (25:25)
• Guidance in Decision Making:
  When considering major decisions, check: "Do I have peace and joy about this?" If not, you're beyond your current measure of faith.

9. Letting Peace Be Your Guide (26:10)

• Scriptures Referenced:
  • Isaiah 55:12: “You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”
  • Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”
• Practical Advice:
  Trust the peace (or lack thereof) in your heart, not just mental reasoning, and never pressure others—especially spouses—to make leaps beyond their peace and joy.

10. Conclusion: Living the Faith Life (27:00)

• Keep your faith growing daily.
• Follow the Holy Spirit, who leads in line with your current measure.
• Living by faith is the best life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Pleasure in Faith:

  "He is so pleased when we have faith because then he loves intervening and working with us and working for us." (01:00)

• On Counseling Others:

  "The Holy Spirit always gives accurate counsel, but people don't, because sometimes people are telling others what they should do based on their own measure of faith, not based on that person's measure of faith." (08:15)

• On Misleading Faith:

  "Faith doesn't fail. People fail to measure their faith... It wasn't their faith that failed. It was their measuring of faith that failed." (10:55)

• The Coffee Cup Analogy:

  "Right here, you see this coffee cup that I have here? You see nothing falling out of it because it's not full... It's the same thing with faith... when your heart gets full of faith, that's when the manifestation will come." (19:20)

• On Peace and Joy:

  "If you're considering making a decision, if you have peace and joy about it, then that means you're within your measure of faith... stay within your measure of faith." (25:36)

Important Timestamps

• [00:10] – Introduction to faith as a lifestyle
• [01:25] – Defining the “measure of faith” (Romans 12:3)
• [03:15] – Faith is measurable: analogies and illustrations
• [07:30] – The Holy Spirit leads you only as far as your faith level allows
• [10:40] – “Faith failures” explained and clarified
• [14:25] – Jesus’ limitation at Nazareth due to their unbelief (Mark 6)
• [20:15] – Importance of replenishing faith and measuring accurately
• [22:40] – Caution not to overestimate your faith (Romans 12:3)
• [24:10] – Knowing your faith by your peace and joy (Romans 15:13)
• [26:10] – Let peace rule your heart in decisions (Colossians 3:15)
• [27:00] – Final exhortation to live and grow by faith daily

This episode offered practical, scripture-based wisdom on how to assess, increase, and apply your faith every day, with memorable analogies and deeply pastoral encouragement from Nancy Dufresne.