Podcast Summary: The Plan of God | LIVE w/Nancy Dufresne

Dufresne Ministries Podcast • October 20, 2021
Host: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Overview

This episode centers on understanding and pursuing "The Plan of God" for one’s life. Pastor Nancy Dufresne offers practical teaching based on scripture, personal experience, and a collection of memorable quotes from Christian leaders. The conversation emphasizes that God has predestined a good and fulfilled life for each believer, but it requires intentional pursuit, obedience, and a willingness to follow God’s direction above all else. Throughout, Nancy highlights how following God’s plan not only blesses individuals but also impacts their families and future generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God’s Predestined Plan for Every Life

(00:32 – 04:35)

• Scripture Focus: Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified)
  • "We are God's own handiwork... recreated in Christ Jesus... that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time."
• God’s plan predates time; we are to walk those paths, but God cannot walk them for us.
• The “good life” is found only in the plan of God—opposition may come, but it cannot overcome someone in God's purpose.

Notable Quote:
"It would be really nonsense for us to have our own plan, because we cannot be assured of the good life. The good life is connected with what he has planned." — Nancy Dufresne (03:55)

2. Jesus as the Example of Fulfilling God’s Plan

(04:36 – 06:00)

• Referenced John 4:34: “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”
• Jesus’ fulfillment of God’s plan transformed humanity—the impact of aligning with God’s purpose.

Notable Quote:
"The devil is afraid of the plan of God being carried out in your life. Because the plan of God in your life doesn't just affect you, it's going to affect many." — Nancy Dufresne (05:50)

3. The Importance of Being "Born Again" as Entry to the Plan

(06:01 – 07:00)

• The first essential step is salvation: Jesus is the door to both God's presence and His plan.
• Without being born again, one cannot fulfill what they were created for.

4. Biblical Example: Joshua and Caleb—Staying with the Plan

(07:01 – 11:47)

• Joshua and Caleb persisted in believing God’s promise, influencing a nation despite opposition.
• Caleb’s faith and tenacity kept him alive to see the promise fulfilled ("Behold, the Lord has kept me alive." — Joshua 14:8).
• Connection between obedience to God’s plan and experiencing long life.

Notable Quote:
"The power of his obedience was stronger in him than the power of death that took out a whole nation." — Nancy Dufresne (11:25)

5. Obedience vs. Other Voices

(11:48 – 13:46)

• Luke 14:26: Loving God and His will above all others, even family.
• Sometimes following God will require going against even those closest to you if their counsel diverts you from God’s path.

Notable Quote:
"Stay with the will of God, even if you have to go against those who are closest to you." — Nancy Dufresne (12:15, quoting her late husband)

6. Knowing and Pursuing God’s Perfect Will

(13:47 – 15:12)

• “The perfect will of God won’t just fall on you automatically.” — You must seek Him through the Word and prayer.
• The more you fellowship with God, the clearer His leading in your life becomes.

Notable Quote:
"The more you spend time in the Word, the more... you’re going to recognize what He’s saying to you and leading you to do." — Nancy Dufresne (14:50)

7. The Ripple Effect—How Obedience Affects Others

(15:13 – 17:10)

• Following God’s plan impacts others, especially family.
• Her husband’s legacy: when he accepted God’s plan, his whole family came into the faith.

Notable Quote:
"When we obey God, it affects others. When we disobey God, it still affects others.” — Nancy Dufresne (16:10)

8. Long Life and God’s Plan

(17:11 – 19:44)

• God specifically told her: “Make my people to know that long life is connected to my plan.”
• Natural health is important, but outside of God’s plan, something is always compromised.
• “No diet plan can keep people alive as long as God intends when they’re outside the will of God.” (18:30)

9. God’s Plan Is a “Wealthy Place”

(19:45 – 21:00)

• Quoting Kenneth Copeland: “The plan of God is your wealthy place.”
• Provision and supply are found on God’s path, not on self-made plans.

10. Redemption and Multiple Paths Back

(21:01 – 23:25)

• God graciously offers many ways to get back on His path, even after wrong turns.
• Uses the analogy of multiple freeway exits: you can always reroute to get back on the right path with God.

Notable Quote:
"Don’t think just because... you made wrong choices... you cannot fulfill God’s plan. You certainly can." — Nancy Dufresne (23:05)

11. The Plan of God and Future Generations

(23:26 – 25:00)

• Choices to obey God can bless future generations.
• Family stories: how the obedience of her mother and ancestors impacted her own life and calling.

12. Memorable Quotes from Christian Leaders

(25:01 – 29:04)

• Keith Moore: “One of the most tiring things you will ever do is something you’re not supposed to do.”
• Pat Harrison: “When you follow God’s will and God’s plan, the natural things will fall into place.”
• Pastor Edwin Anderson: “If you will agree with the will of God for your life, your life will be amazing.”
• Dad Hagin: “When you find someone struggling in their spiritual life, it’s because somewhere they’re not agreeing with God.”

Notable Moments:

• Nancy’s personal story of making mud pies as a child on a remote Oklahoma farm, testifying that God saw her even there and led her into a fulfilling life.

13. Encouragement to Those Who Feel They’ve Missed It

(29:05 – 31:20)

• Quoting Richard Roberts: “If you’re not dead, God’s not finished with you yet.”
• No matter past mistakes, it’s never too late to get on the path of God’s best.

14. Living in God’s Perfect Will Means Full Blessing

(31:21 – 33:00)

• Dad Hagin: “You have to live in God’s perfect will if you’re going to receive God’s full blessings.”
• Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in decision-making in order to live in God’s fullness.

Notable Quote:
"The blessings of God belong to us, but they can't be experienced in their fullness when we're outside the will and the plan of God." — Nancy Dufresne (32:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "God’s provision is not on the path of their making. God’s provision is on the path that He authored for them." (20:22)
• “Agree with the will of God. What He says about healing for your body... agree with God financially. Don’t disagree with what He says.” (29:45)
• “Not everything happens spectacular every day in the plan of God. But... everything is a joy and a refreshing in the will of God.” (27:24)
• “If there’s a struggle going on in your life... somewhere they’re not agreeing with the will of God.” (28:10)

Key Timestamps

• 00:32 — Introduction to Ephesians 2:10 and theme of God’s plan
• 04:36 — Jesus as model for fulfilling God’s plan
• 07:03 — Joshua & Caleb’s faith and obedience
• 11:48 — Prioritizing God’s will over others’ opinions
• 13:47 — How to seek and know God’s will
• 17:11 — Connection between long life and God’s plan
• 19:45 — God’s plan as provision (the “wealthy place”)
• 21:01 — Returning to God’s path after wrong choices
• 23:26 — Impact of obedience on future generations
• 25:01 — Notable quotes from church leaders
• 29:05 — Encouragement if you feel “it’s too late”
• 31:21 — Walking in God’s perfect will for full blessings

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne’s message is a passionate invitation to embrace God’s uniquely prepared plan for your life. She underscores that while the path may bring challenges, it alone brings the “good life,” joy, provision, longevity, and benefits that ripple through family and generations. Through scripture, living examples, and wisdom from other Christian leaders, listeners are encouraged to seek, trust, and align with God’s will—no matter their past missteps—knowing that “if you’re not dead, God’s not finished with you yet.”