Podcast Summary
Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne Audio Podcast
Episode 797 | In Christ I Can, Part 37
Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Nancy Dufresne (B)
Produced by: Dufresne Ministries
Main Theme
This episode continues Nancy Dufresne’s teaching series on "In Christ I Can," exploring the practical responsibilities and privileges of being "in Christ." Nancy emphasizes the importance of intentionally inviting Jesus, through faith, to operate in every area of a believer's life, rather than simply assuming His indwelling presence will automatically meet every need. The central message is about cultivating the skill of acknowledging and following Christ actively to release God’s power and guidance.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Christ in Us: Responsibility and Permission
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Nancy reminds listeners that Christ’s presence within does not guarantee He will automatically act on their behalf. Instead, believers must exercise their faith to give Him permission to move, likening faith to a "door greeter" or "servant."
“It’s not faith that heals us. It’s faith that opens the door to the healer to heal us.” — Nancy Dufresne [02:54]
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God’s knowledge of our needs does not equal automatic intervention.
"Knowledge does not equal permission." — Nancy Dufresne [04:43]
2. Inviting Jesus into Every Life Arena
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The analogy of a guest in a house: just as a host invites a guest into each room, believers must invite God into each “room” or area—spiritual, physical, financial, relational—of their life individually.
"He abides, but he has to be invited into each room or each arena of your life to move there. And it’s faith that gives him permission to come into those arenas." — Nancy Dufresne [08:12]
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Past victories do not guarantee present involvement; continual, daily invitation is needed.
3. The Power of Acknowledgement and Faith
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Only the part of God’s Word we actively recognize and acknowledge will work for us; unacknowledged blessings remain untapped.
“All the blessings of the Lord belong to us. But it’s only the part we acknowledge that we’ll partake of.” — Nancy Dufresne [10:01]
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The process is active, not passive: "You’re going to have to say something. You can’t just think it." [10:50]
4. Anecdotes and Illustrations
a) Mother’s Instructions
Nancy shares her childhood experience, emphasizing that the extent of the mother’s instruction defined the children's responsibilities—mirroring how God needs believers' specific invitation to act.
“Don’t assume that God is moving just because he’s in the house. He has to be invited, or faith has to give him permission.” — [12:53]
b) Financial Faith Story
A mentor’s advice when Nancy faced a significant ministry expenditure:
“Nancy, give God a job. Fill those accounts back up… Every day, give God a job.” — Advice recalled by Nancy [17:40] This underscores the principle of continually communicating to God the specific areas where faith is being released.
c) Race Car Analogy
Nancy shares a story of a pastor who successfully followed a professional race car driver’s lead, clocking a professional time by "staying on the bumper" and mimicking the expert’s moves.
- This is compared to following the Holy Spirit’s lead: success depends not on our skill, but on our willingness to follow closely and imitate the leader.
“If I can take it at that speed, you can take it at that speed.” — Professional Driver (as retold) [21:00]
“If you follow well, you finish well. If you follow poorly, you finish poorly.” — Nancy Dufresne [24:10]
d) Moses’ Mother and Sister Miriam
Nancy recounts the story of Moses in the bulrushes, highlighting that Miriam’s assigned job—following the basket—was crucial to Israel’s deliverance. The point: God's miraculous work is completed through our faithful following.
5. The Importance of Following the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit knows the course and the pace for our lives but won’t force us to follow. How well we “finish” is determined by how well we follow:
"The Holy Ghost doesn’t determine how we follow. We do. He will not force us to follow him." — Nancy Dufresne [25:30]
- Every day and in every decision, we must acknowledge our need and intentionally invite God's direction.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Faith and Permission
“It’s not our faith that does the work, but our faith opens the door to the one who does the work.” [03:45]
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On Daily Acknowledgement
“Just because he moved last week and met my need does not mean I have involved him in today’s need.” [09:38]
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On Following the Holy Spirit
“If you follow well, you finish well. If you follow poorly, you finish poorly.” [24:10]
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On God’s Etiquette
“The honor of God is so great, he will never bypass etiquette. And there is an etiquette to God.” [08:45]
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Race Car Analogy Summary
“This pastor looked like a professional. …It wasn’t the skill of the pastor. It was the skill to follow.” [23:40]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:10] Power of God present for healing—active receiving
- [02:00] Faith as a "door greeter": letting in the power of God
- [04:43] “Knowledge does not equal permission” illustration
- [08:00] The “house” analogy: Inviting God into each room
- [11:13] Personal anecdote about mother’s instructions
- [17:40] Financial faith—“Give God a job” story
- [21:00] Race car analogy—learning to follow expertise
- [24:10] “If you follow well, you finish well.”
- [25:30] We decide how closely we follow the Holy Spirit
- [26:50] Moses, Miriam, and following God’s plan
Conclusion
Nancy Dufresne urges listeners to go beyond mere awareness of Christ’s indwelling; they must develop the daily skill of actively inviting and following Him in every domain of life. This approach opens doors for God’s power and wisdom to operate. Mastery comes not simply from believing, but diligently acknowledging, inviting, and following Christ—moment by moment, decision by decision.
Key Takeaway:
Your faith is not a passive possession but an active invitation for God to move in specific areas of your life. Follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance closely, inviting Him daily, and He will lead you to success and blessing in every arena.