Some of the biggest breakthroughs in Scripture didn’t start with a shout. They started with a step.
In his message “Increments of Faith,” John Little reminded our North Cities family that God often works through progression—a steady, Spirit-led sequence of obedience. Not chaotic. Not dramatic. Just faithful.
And that word matters for real life in Garland, TX, and for families across Rowlett, Wylie, Murphy, Plano, and Richardson—because most of our days in Dallas County, Collin County, and Rockwall County aren’t filled with “mountaintop moments.” They’re filled with everyday moments where we decide whether we’ll keep walking with God.
God Often Builds Breakthroughs Step by Step
John pointed us to a verse we know and love:
“They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
At first glance, that progression can feel backward. Eagles soaring? Running without getting tired? And then… walking?
But John flipped the lens: walking isn’t the downgrade—it’s the foundation. Soaring and running are often the fruit of a life that has learned how to walk with God when it feels ordinary.
Walking With God Isn’t Boring—It’s Covenant Consistency
Genesis says, “Enoch walked with God… and God took him” (Genesis 5:24). That’s not a one-time spiritual moment. That’s a life pattern.
John explained it like this: walking with God is ongoing fellowship, agreement with the Lord, and a lifestyle of consistency—a video, not just a snapshot.
That kind of walk includes:
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loyalty when it’s costly
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faith when answers feel slow
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commitment when emotions fluctuate
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consistency when nobody applauds
And then he pointed out something we can’t miss: Jesus Himself modeled this.
In Luke 13, Jesus said, “Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day following” (Luke 13:33). Ministry—and miracles—often happen because someone kept walking.
The Miracle Might Be Waiting at the End of Your Next Step
John got honest about why walking is hard: it’s slow, repetitive, and measured.
He shared a simple illustration from a health app: one step burned only a tiny fraction of a calorie—so small it felt almost pointless. But the truth is obvious: no one burns miles of calories with one step. You need a lot of steps, taken faithfully.
That’s how many of us feel spiritually:
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“What difference does one prayer make?”
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“What difference does one service make?”
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“What difference does one act of obedience make?”
John’s answer: one step can be decisive.
He used the Apollo 11 moment as an illustration: history didn’t change when the door opened. History changed when Neil Armstrong took the step.
And spiritually, that’s the point:
Walking with God is built on daily increments of faith that lead to miracles, answers, and God-ordained destinations.
Your Steps Reveal Your Direction—and Your Direction Determines Your Destination
John asked questions that hit deep:
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What step are you avoiding because it feels small—when God sees it as decisive?
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If your next step reveals the direction of your heart, where are you headed?
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What do your last few steps indicate you’re becoming?
Then he anchored us in Scripture:
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” (Psalm 37:23)
We don’t walk chaotically. We walk by faith, not by sight. Step by step, God orders direction, builds maturity, and strengthens trust.
The Bible Is Full of Breakthroughs That Started With a Step
John walked us through a powerful lineup of “step moments” in Scripture—because the pattern is undeniable:
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Noah stepped out and built an altar—and God established covenant.
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Abraham departed without the full map—and the promise line began.
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Priests stepped into the Jordan—and the waters parted.
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David stepped toward Goliath—and fear lost its voice.
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Esther approached the king—and a nation was spared.
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Elijah stepped forward—and fire fell.
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Four lepers moved—and a city was saved.
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Peter stepped out—and experienced the impossible.
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The woman with the issue of blood pressed through—and was healed.
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Blind Bartimaeus rose and came—and received sight.
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The early church went everywhere—and revival multiplied.
The message was clear: God often releases the miracle after movement.
Faith Is Commitment, Not Just Intention
John broke down what a step really involves:
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leaning forward (direction is chosen before the foot moves)
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putting your full weight into it (commitment)
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gaining momentum as you go (one step frees the next)
That’s why partial obedience wears you out—because you’re “holding your foot out” but not moving. But when you commit, momentum begins.
And then John said it plainly:
Don’t like your location? Correct your direction—and start taking steps.
Naaman’s Miracle Was on the Other Side of Simple Obedience
John reminded us of Naaman, who expected a dramatic prophetic moment—but instead received a simple instruction: dip seven times.
Naaman didn’t get his miracle by arguing. He got it by walking down to the water and obeying—step by step.
That’s the tension for many of us: we want God to do something big, but God may be asking us to do something basic.
An Altar Call for Incremental Faith
John ended with a challenge that fits every heart—whether you’re new to faith or have been walking with God for decades:
Salvation isn’t gained on an escalator. It’s gained by walking with Jesus in obedience.
Miracles don’t always come running to us. Answers aren’t always sitting in a mailbox. Sometimes the blessing is waiting—just a short walk away.
So he asked:
Do you have enough faith to take one step toward what you need?
For someone in Garland. For someone in Rowlett. For someone in Wylie, Murphy, Plano, or Richardson—your next step may be small… but it may also be the one that changes everything.
