A Step In The Right Direction
Sermon Blog 8/17/25: Pastor Jim McKinnies
In our spiritual journey, we often find ourselves yearning for sudden breakthroughs and miraculous transformations. We long for those "suddenly" moments when everything changes in an instant. While these moments of divine intervention are certainly worth celebrating, the truth is that most miracles don't happen suddenly. Instead, they are the result of a series of small, faithful steps in the right direction.
The Bible tells us in Psalms 37:23 that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." This profound statement reveals that God is interested not just in our destination, but in every step of our journey. He orders our steps, guiding us along the path He has set before us. Our miracle doesn't just happen when we see it; it begins the moment we take that first step in the right direction.
Consider the story of the lepers in Luke's Gospel. When they cried out to Jesus for mercy, He didn't immediately heal them. Instead, He told them to go show themselves to the priests. The Bible says that "as they went, they were cleansed." Their healing came not in an instant, but in the process of their obedience. Each step they took carried them closer to their miracle.
This pattern of step-by-step faith is woven throughout Scripture. We see it in the story of Naaman, who was told to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy. The healing didn't come after the first dip or even the sixth. It was only after the seventh dip that Naaman's skin was restored. But here's the crucial point: without that first step of obedience, there would never have been a seventh dip.
The same principle applies to the Israelites marching around Jericho. For six days, they circled the city once, and on the seventh day, they marched seven times. It wasn't until after that final lap that the walls came tumbling down. Their consistency in following God's instructions, even when it seemed futile, was the key to their breakthrough.
These biblical accounts teach us a vital lesson: consistency is prophetic. Every prayer, every act of faith, every step of obedience is a declaration that we believe God will do what He said He would do. It's not always about the grand gestures or the mountain-top experiences. More often, it's about the daily choice to keep walking, keep believing, keep obeying, even when we can't see the results yet.
This truth applies not only to our pursuit of miracles but also to our journey of purpose and calling. Abraham left his home without knowing the full plan. Joseph endured the pit and the prison before reaching the palace. David was anointed as king long before he actually sat on the throne. In each case, their purpose unfolded one step at a time.
The story of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the power of a single step in the right direction. His restoration didn't begin with the robe, the ring, or the feast. It started with that moment when he "came to himself" and decided to return to his father. The Bible says, "But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." That first step towards home set in motion a reunion that would change everything.
It's important to understand that God is not asking us to do the impossible. He's simply asking us to take the next step, the step we can take right now. It might be a step into prayer, into His Word, or into community with other believers. It might be a step away from sin and towards repentance. Whatever that step looks like for you, know that it matters deeply to God.
The enemy doesn't need to destroy us; he just needs to stop us from stepping. The battle is often fought over inches, not miles. That's why it's crucial to keep moving forward, even when progress seems slow or insignificant. Every step matters because every step is taking you closer to where God wants you to be.
For some, that step might be baptism in Jesus Name. For others, it might be seeking the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Still others might need to take a step towards their calling, embracing the purpose God has for their lives. Whatever it is, don't wait. Take that step now.
Remember, you can't fully appreciate the promise if you don't understand the process. It's in the journey, in the steps of faith, that we truly come to know God as our sustainer, our provider, our strength. We learn to trust Him not just in the moments of breakthrough, but in the daily walk of obedience.
As we close, let's reflect on James 4:8, which says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." This is the essence of what it means to take a step in the right direction. It's about moving towards God, knowing that as we do, He moves towards us. He's not far from any one of us. All we have to do is take a step.
So today, wherever you are in your journey, whatever challenges you're facing, whatever promises you're believing for, ask yourself: What's the next step God is calling me to take? It might seem small or insignificant, but in God's economy, no step of faith is ever wasted.
Don't get frustrated if you haven't seen the full manifestation of what you're believing for. Remember, on their way, the lepers were cleansed. As you walk, as you obey, as you keep stepping in faith, your miracle is unfolding. Your purpose is being revealed. Your relationship with God is deepening.
Take that step today. Draw near to God. And watch as He draws near to you, guiding you step by step into the fullness of all He has for you. Your journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Make it a step in the right direction.
In our spiritual journey, we often find ourselves yearning for sudden breakthroughs and miraculous transformations. We long for those "suddenly" moments when everything changes in an instant. While these moments of divine intervention are certainly worth celebrating, the truth is that most miracles don't happen suddenly. Instead, they are the result of a series of small, faithful steps in the right direction.
The Bible tells us in Psalms 37:23 that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." This profound statement reveals that God is interested not just in our destination, but in every step of our journey. He orders our steps, guiding us along the path He has set before us. Our miracle doesn't just happen when we see it; it begins the moment we take that first step in the right direction.
Consider the story of the lepers in Luke's Gospel. When they cried out to Jesus for mercy, He didn't immediately heal them. Instead, He told them to go show themselves to the priests. The Bible says that "as they went, they were cleansed." Their healing came not in an instant, but in the process of their obedience. Each step they took carried them closer to their miracle.
This pattern of step-by-step faith is woven throughout Scripture. We see it in the story of Naaman, who was told to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy. The healing didn't come after the first dip or even the sixth. It was only after the seventh dip that Naaman's skin was restored. But here's the crucial point: without that first step of obedience, there would never have been a seventh dip.
The same principle applies to the Israelites marching around Jericho. For six days, they circled the city once, and on the seventh day, they marched seven times. It wasn't until after that final lap that the walls came tumbling down. Their consistency in following God's instructions, even when it seemed futile, was the key to their breakthrough.
These biblical accounts teach us a vital lesson: consistency is prophetic. Every prayer, every act of faith, every step of obedience is a declaration that we believe God will do what He said He would do. It's not always about the grand gestures or the mountain-top experiences. More often, it's about the daily choice to keep walking, keep believing, keep obeying, even when we can't see the results yet.
This truth applies not only to our pursuit of miracles but also to our journey of purpose and calling. Abraham left his home without knowing the full plan. Joseph endured the pit and the prison before reaching the palace. David was anointed as king long before he actually sat on the throne. In each case, their purpose unfolded one step at a time.
The story of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the power of a single step in the right direction. His restoration didn't begin with the robe, the ring, or the feast. It started with that moment when he "came to himself" and decided to return to his father. The Bible says, "But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." That first step towards home set in motion a reunion that would change everything.
It's important to understand that God is not asking us to do the impossible. He's simply asking us to take the next step, the step we can take right now. It might be a step into prayer, into His Word, or into community with other believers. It might be a step away from sin and towards repentance. Whatever that step looks like for you, know that it matters deeply to God.
The enemy doesn't need to destroy us; he just needs to stop us from stepping. The battle is often fought over inches, not miles. That's why it's crucial to keep moving forward, even when progress seems slow or insignificant. Every step matters because every step is taking you closer to where God wants you to be.
For some, that step might be baptism in Jesus Name. For others, it might be seeking the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Still others might need to take a step towards their calling, embracing the purpose God has for their lives. Whatever it is, don't wait. Take that step now.
Remember, you can't fully appreciate the promise if you don't understand the process. It's in the journey, in the steps of faith, that we truly come to know God as our sustainer, our provider, our strength. We learn to trust Him not just in the moments of breakthrough, but in the daily walk of obedience.
As we close, let's reflect on James 4:8, which says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." This is the essence of what it means to take a step in the right direction. It's about moving towards God, knowing that as we do, He moves towards us. He's not far from any one of us. All we have to do is take a step.
So today, wherever you are in your journey, whatever challenges you're facing, whatever promises you're believing for, ask yourself: What's the next step God is calling me to take? It might seem small or insignificant, but in God's economy, no step of faith is ever wasted.
Don't get frustrated if you haven't seen the full manifestation of what you're believing for. Remember, on their way, the lepers were cleansed. As you walk, as you obey, as you keep stepping in faith, your miracle is unfolding. Your purpose is being revealed. Your relationship with God is deepening.
Take that step today. Draw near to God. And watch as He draws near to you, guiding you step by step into the fullness of all He has for you. Your journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Make it a step in the right direction.
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