Podcast Summary: The Profit Of Following The Spirit

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Event: Miracle Crusade 2023, Tulsa, OK – Wednesday PM
Date: April 25, 2023

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne delves into the vital importance and transformative “profit” that believers experience when they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from her own journey and scripture, she encourages listeners to trust the Spirit’s guidance, emphasizing that being led is not exclusive to the spiritually mature, but is a birthright of every child of God. Through practical examples, scriptural teaching, and heartfelt testimony, the episode explores how yielding to the Spirit produces increase, breakthrough, and divine help in every area of life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “Led Life” vs. The Struggling Life

• Scripture Foundation: Romans 8:14 (“The sons of God are led by the Spirit of God.”)
• Nancy emphasizes that Christians are meant to be led, not to live life by trial and error or in anxiety and striving.
  • “Why would we struggle in life when we can be led in life?” (01:59)
• She recounts personal hardship, such as the season after her husband's passing, noting that being Spirit-led was the only way through overwhelming circumstances.
  • “When you know that you can be led, there’s no room for fear. No room for fear. Because I’m led.” (05:05)
• God’s presence is accessed by “turning” towards Him, not by “earning” through works or rituals. (06:04)

2. The Inward Witness

• Believers are taught to listen to the “inward witness” — a sense of peace or unrest that confirms the Holy Spirit’s guidance (09:00).
  • “If you have peace about something, you go that way. If you don’t have peace about it, you don’t go that way. We follow the peace that leads.” (09:50)
• Everyone, no matter their stage of spiritual development, is capable of being led by the Spirit because God’s method is simple and accessible (10:38).

3. Manifestations of the Spirit Bring Profit

• Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7 – The manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit. (18:22)
• Nancy teaches that whenever the Spirit is involved, there will be spiritual and practical profit—in healing, provision, relationships, direction, etc.
  • “When the divine genius is leading you to do something, he’s not leading you into loss. He’s always leading you into profit.” (14:31)
  • "If a congregation will cooperate with him, I tell you what, they will profit. They'll make spiritual strides. They will advance with God..." (21:00)
• She warns against trying to manufacture or control spiritual gifts—instead, believers are to respond to what the Spirit initiates (13:30).

4. Corporate and Personal Atmosphere for the Spirit

• 1 Corinthians 3:16, Amplified: The Holy Spirit desires to “be at home” both corporately and individually. (24:30)
• When the Holy Spirit feels welcome, there is a greater flow, intimacy, and visible fruit.
  • “When He feels at home, there’s a divine flow of Him.” (26:00)

5. God’s Leading Always Brings Increase – Even in Adversity

• Nancy explores the broader definition of “profit” in scripture, meaning increase “in spite of all” (30:25).
  • “If we’ll follow the Holy Spirit, we’ll profit in spite of the economy... in spite of circumstances... the Holy Spirit knows how to take you further.” (30:55)
• She references Gideon’s story, explaining how God’s reductions positioned him for supernatural victory (33:18).

6. Personal Testimonies of Being Led

• Moving by the Spirit, Not Circumstance: Nancy shares when she and her husband were told by God to move to California, but delayed waiting for circumstances to align. They experienced stagnation until they obeyed the Spirit’s timing; once they moved, breakthrough and provision returned. (37:28)
  • "When the Spirit of God says something to you, don’t wait for something else to give you permission. When He says it, that’s enough to profit." (37:28)
• Correction Brings Breakthrough: She cites Kenneth Hagin's statement: “If you will get your spiritual life in order, your body will start responding.” (41:33)
• Importance of Addressing the Small Things: The Spirit’s nudging—no matter how minor—can be crucial for what’s coming next (43:42).

7. Practical Application: Practicing Peace and Listening

• In 2011, the Spirit directed Nancy to “practice peace.” She vigilantly rejected any thought that disrupted peace, which unknowingly prepared her for the turmoil following her husband’s passing (44:40).
• Practicing everyday attention to the Spirit’s dealings preserves blessing and closes the door to the enemy (46:01).

8. Obedience, Adjustment, and Restoration

• Realignment Brings Quick Restoration: If believers miss it, restoration comes quickly through humility, repentance, and realigning with the Spirit. She shares her late husband’s healing from cancer, which hinged on addressing what God had been dealing with him about (55:13).
  • “All he had to do was follow what the Spirit said and there’s profit. It didn’t take long to set it right when he heard.” (57:45)
• Warns against letting condemnation from the enemy replace the Spirit's conviction—ask the Holy Spirit directly what needs to be adjusted (60:22).

9. Closing Exhortations

• The Spirit is always leading—it’s up to us to listen, not to beg for His guidance. (65:00)
• “I never say to the Holy Spirit, ‘Lead me.’ I say, ‘I’m listening to how you’re leading me.’” (65:54)
• Grateful acknowledgment and worship mark the end of the message, with a call to make space for the Holy Spirit in all things.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God planned it, Jesus purchased it. And the Spirit leads us into it.” (03:36)
• “Living in my presence does not come by earning, it comes by turning.” (06:12)
• “If you move while God’s moving, you’ll receive your healing.” (13:00)
• “The truer we stay to his leading, the greater the degree of profit.” (15:59)
• “Anything and anytime the Spirit’s involved in something, there’s going to be profit.” (14:34)
• “If you follow his leading, you’ll profit in spite of the economy, in spite of what’s going on in the government, in spite of circumstances...” (30:34)
• “When He [the Holy Spirit] feels at home, there’s a divine flow of Him.” (26:01)
• “His involvement makes it important.” (44:49)
• “Pay attention… what’s the Holy Ghost dealing with us about, because once He’s involved, it’s no longer unimportant.” (45:00)
• “He’s always trying to lead us; it’s about us listening to the lead.” (65:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Romans 8:14 & “Led Life” Theme — 00:38–05:40
• Spirit’s Leading Through Inward Witness — 09:00–12:00
• 1 Corinthians 12:7 & Profit of Following Spirit — 13:30–23:30
• Spirit “At Home” in Believers — 24:30–27:00
• Profit in Spite of Adversity — 30:25–33:50
• Gideon Example & Obedient Moves — 33:18–41:00
• Practicing Peace — 44:40–46:00
• Testimony: Healing Through Obedience — 55:13–60:20
• Final Exhortations: Listening is Key — 65:00–67:00

Tone & Style

Pastor Nancy’s tone is warm, earnest, and practical. She blends teaching, personal testimony, gentle challenge, and encouragement—making theological truths accessible and actionable for listeners at all stages of their faith journey.

For Listeners…

If you’re seeking direction, breakthrough, or simply more of God’s tangible work in your life, this episode provides both scriptural foundation and lived wisdom:

• Recognize the Holy Spirit’s role as your personal guide into all the blessings God has for you.
• Pay attention to peace, cultivate openness, and promptly respond to his nudges—great or small—for that is the path to true spiritual and practical profit.

“The blessing is in agreeing with the Word, the blessing is in agreeing with what God’s saying to you… It doesn’t take long. Once you hear, once you’re led, once you agree with God…” (62:23)