Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne Audio Podcast Episode: 045 | Follow Peace
Release Date: September 2, 2022
Host: Nancy Dufresne
Hosted by: Dufresne Ministries
Description: Nancy Dufresne’s teaching ministry emphasizes faith, healing, renewing the mind, following the Holy Spirit, and understanding what belongs to all in Christ.

Introduction

In Episode 045, titled "Follow Peace," Nancy Dufresne delves into the profound relationship between faith, peace, and maintaining a sound mind. The episode emphasizes guarding one's peace to prevent the devil from gaining a foothold in a believer's life. The discussion is rooted in biblical teachings, personal testimonies, and practical applications for everyday living.

Series Continuation: Renewing the Mind

Nancy continues a series focused on the mind, referencing 2 Timothy 1:7 as the golden text:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ([00:40])

She underscores that believers possess a spirit of power, authority, love, and a sound mind, encouraging listeners to harness and protect these gifts through understanding and proper management of their thoughts.

Three Primary Ways Believers Open Doors to the Devil

Nancy shares an insightful revelation received through the Holy Spirit about three primary ways Christians can inadvertently give the devil a place in their lives:

1. Loss of Peace ([03:00])

   • Explanation: Stepping outside of peace allows negative emotions like worry, fear, and doubt to take root, which the enemy can exploit.
   • Quote:

     "Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. It belongs to us. But we can make steps to yield to something other than peace." ([04:03])

2. Veering from God's Plan ([04:30])

   • Explanation: Deviating from God's intended path leads to a loss of long-term blessings such as prosperity, a sound mind, and overall well-being.
   • Quote:

     "The will of God is our wealthy place. That means that it's abundant with all the resources and provision of God in the flow of walking in His will." ([05:03])

3. Lack of Gratitude ([04:55])

   • Explanation: Failing to maintain gratitude diminishes awareness of God's blessings, making them susceptible to being taken away by the enemy.
   • Quote:

     "When we cease to be grateful, we're not being watchful over what God has blessed us with, and the enemy will steal it from us." ([05:00])

Nancy emphasizes that while these are the primary ways, they are not exhaustive, and believers should remain vigilant in protecting their peace.

Deep Dive: Loss of Peace

Understanding Peace as a Spiritual Asset

Nancy elaborates on peace as not just an emotional state but a spiritual guard against the enemy's tactics. She references Romans 15:13 to highlight the connection between faith, joy, and peace:

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." ([07:53])

Faith, Joy, and Peace as Companions ([08:51])

Nancy explains that:

• Faith inherently brings joy and peace.
• These three elements work in tandem, ensuring that believers remain steadfast.
• Quote:

  "Joy, peace, and faith are companions together. We can know our degree or the strength of our faith by knowing whether or not we're in peace and joy." ([08:51])

Staying Within the Strength of One’s Faith ([09:36])

• Concept: Believers should operate within the confines of their current faith strength to maintain peace and joy.
• Practical Application: Nancy uses the analogy of weightlifting to illustrate that faith, like muscles, grows stronger with consistent use and should not be overextended.
• Quote:

  "You want to stay within your faith. And our faith should be growing... as our spiritual life matures, our faith should grow in strength and be able to accomplish more." ([10:12])

Personal Testimonies and Illustrations

Nancy shares a poignant personal story to illustrate the importance of following peace:

• Story of Moving Homes ([17:30])
  • After eight years of believing for a new home, Nancy and her husband experienced unexpected guidance to sell their long-term home.
  • Despite initial confusion and mental unrest, Nancy trusted the peace in her spirit over her troubled mind.
  • Outcome: The move proved to be a blessing, especially after her husband’s sudden passing, reinforcing the significance of spiritual peace over intellectual understanding.
  • Quote:

    "The peace is the clarity. When you have peace about something, then you know that that's a direction to go." ([17:30])

The Role of Peace in Decision-Making

Nancy emphasizes that peace should be the guiding factor in making decisions, not merely personal desires or intellectual debates.

• Example: Choosing whether to undergo a medical procedure should be based on the peace within one's spirit rather than fear or doubt.
• Quote:

  "Don't just decide what you want and then call that God's love. You have to know what your spirit is telling you." ([18:23])

Biblical Foundations and Final Insights

Biblical References

• Colossians 3:15:

  "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." ([26:07])

  • Amplified Version:

    "And let the peace from Christ rule – act as umpire – continually in your hearts, deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds."

Applying Biblical Teachings

• Peace as the Umpire: Peace serves as the final arbiter in decision-making, ensuring that choices align with God's will.
• Guarding Peace: Believers are called to protect the peace within their hearts to maintain a sound mind.
• Quote:

  "Peace is the umpire. Guard the peace that's in your spirit and do not let things unsettle your mind so that you lose your peace of mind." ([26:05])

Conclusion

Nancy wraps up by reiterating the importance of following peace to safeguard a sound mind against the enemy's attempts to sow doubt and fear. She encourages listeners to:

• Rely on Spiritual Peace: Trust the peace within their spirit even when the mind is troubled.
• Stay Within Their Faith Strength: Avoid overextending faith to maintain joy and peace.
• Use Peace as a Guide: Let peace lead decisions, ensuring alignment with God's plan.

Key Takeaways

• Guard Your Peace: Maintaining peace is essential to prevent negative influences.
• Faith Strengthens with Use: Like muscles, faith grows stronger with consistent practice and should be nurtured within its capacity.
• Peace Guides Decision-Making: Trusting the peace from the Holy Spirit ensures decisions are in line with divine will.

Notable Quotes

• "The peace is the clarity. When you have peace about something, then you know that that's a direction to go." ([17:30])
• "Peace is the umpire. Guard the peace that's in your spirit and do not let things unsettle your mind so that you lose your peace of mind." ([26:05])
• "Joy, peace, and faith are companions together. We can know our degree or the strength of our faith by knowing whether or not we're in peace and joy." ([08:51])

For more insights and teachings from Nancy Dufresne, visit dufresneministries.org. Join the Dufresne Ministries Miracle Crusade in Georgetown, Texas, from September 4th through the 8th, and experience transformative teachings aimed at fostering a sound mind and a healed spirit.