Take a Step: A Powerful Story About Faith, Love, and Never Giving Up

Take a Step: A Powerful Story About Faith, Love, and Never Giving Up

Have You Ever Heard a Story That Changed the Way You Think About Faith?

What if one simple sentence had the power to change someone's life?

Three words.

"Take a step."

They seem ordinary—until you hear the story behind them.

I recently watched a testimony that reminded me that faith isn't always about giant leaps. Sometimes, it's about taking one small step when that's all you can manage.

Some stories stay with you long after you've heard them. They challenge your assumptions, deepen your faith, and change the way you see life. This was one of those stories.

The testimony was shared during a church service before Bishop T.D. Jakes was invited to preach.

Before he came to the pulpit, his wife, Serita Jakes, was invited to introduce him.

What she shared wasn't a typical introduction. It was a deeply personal testimony about faith, commitment, and the power of refusing to give up.

According to her testimony, only a few weeks after they got married, they were involved in a devastating accident that left her paralyzed.

Imagine that.

A young couple, just beginning their life together, suddenly facing a future filled with uncertainty.

She admitted that she expected her husband to leave.

After all, who could blame a young man for walking away from a marriage that had barely begun under such heartbreaking circumstances?

But he didn't.

Instead, every single day, he walked into her room, lifted her from the bed with his own hands, placed her gently into a wheelchair, held her hand, helped her stand, and softly said,

"Honey... take a step."

She tried.

Nothing happened.

She struggled.

Still nothing.

He would gently help her sit back down and simply say,

"We'll try again tomorrow."

What she didn't know was what happened after he left her room.

He would spend time alone in prayer, pouring out his heart before God.

He held firmly to what he believed God had spoken over their lives. He refused to believe that paralysis would have the final word over the woman he believed God had called him to marry.

The next day, he returned with the very same words.

"Honey... take a step."

Day after day.

Week after week.

She later shared that after he left each day, she would lie on her bed and cry, asking God to take her life. Watching the man she loved believe so strongly for her healing while she remained unable to move was almost more than she could bear.

Yet he never stopped believing.

Then one day, everything changed.

When he once again said,

"Honey... take a step,"

strength returned to her legs.

She took one step.

He didn't ask for another.

Instead, he smiled and said,

"That's enough for today."

The next day she took another step.

Then another.

Little by little, what once seemed impossible became reality.

According to her testimony, there came a day when the man who had faithfully whispered, "Take a step," looked at her and said,

"Now... run."

Standing before the congregation years later, she concluded her introduction by saying that the man they were about to hear preach was the same man who had believed for her when she couldn't believe for herself.

As Bishop T.D. Jakes walked to the platform, he was visibly overcome with emotion. For a moment, he couldn't even begin his message.

Editor's Note: This article reflects a testimony publicly shared by Serita Jakes during a church service and is presented for its inspiring message about faith, perseverance, and commitment.

The Lesson Beyond the Story

Whether you've heard this testimony before or not, its message reaches far beyond one couple's experience.

We often make life-changing decisions based on what is immediately visible—appearance, comfort, success, or convenience.

But the strongest relationships are built on something much deeper than attraction.

They are built on commitment.

On conviction.

On shared purpose.

There will always be seasons when emotions fade, circumstances become difficult, and the future seems uncertain.

In those moments, character matters more than chemistry, and faith matters more than fear.

The simple instruction,

"Take a step,"

isn't just about learning to walk.

It's about learning to trust.

Sometimes we're waiting for God to perform a miracle, while He's asking us to take one faithful step.

One step toward healing.

One step toward forgiveness.

One step toward obedience.

One step toward purpose.

We don't always need to see the entire journey.

Sometimes all God asks of us is the courage to take the next step.

Final Thoughts

Life has a remarkable way of revealing what truly matters.

Beauty fades.

Circumstances change.

Challenges come without warning.

But love anchored in commitment, faith rooted in God, and a life lived with purpose have the power to endure every storm.

Maybe that's the reminder someone reading this needs today.

No matter where you are.

No matter what you're facing.

No matter how impossible the situation seems.

Take a step.

What About You?

Has there ever been a season in your life when God asked you to take a step before you could see the outcome?

I'd love to hear your story.

Share your thoughts in the comments below, and if this article encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who may need this reminder today.

Sometimes, one step of faith is all it takes for God to begin writing a new chapter.

 

What Comes Before You Reveals What Is Within You

The Hidden Revelation Behind Why God Brought the Animals to Adam

By Dr Joel Dabbas 

When God created man, He did not merely create a living being; He created a carrier of His nature, a custodian of His wisdom, and an extension of His government upon the earth. The mind of man was designed to be the interface through which the invisible realities of God find visible expression in the earth realm.

The mind is far more than a thinking faculty. It is the executive center of destiny. It is the platform upon which the potentials deposited by God are interpreted, developed, and manifested. Every possibility in God that seeks expression through a man must first find alignment within his mind.

It is no wonder Scripture admonishes us, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). The transformation of a man's life is impossible without the transformation of his mind.

Scripture tells us:

"And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof" (Genesis 2:19).

This was not a casual exercise in vocabulary. It was a profound revelation of the dignity, authority, and capacity that God had entrusted to man. God did not bring the animals to Adam because He lacked names for them. He brought them before Adam as a platform for the expression of what He had already deposited within him.

This reveals a powerful Kingdom principle: God often brings things before a man in order to unveil what He has placed within that man.

Every day, situations, opportunities, responsibilities, challenges, and decisions are brought to our table. Many times, they do not come merely to test us; they come to reveal us. They become platforms through which the wisdom, intelligence, creativity, faith, discernment, leadership, and dominion that God has invested within us can find expression.

The challenge before you may be an invitation for wisdom to speak. The responsibility before you may be an opportunity for leadership to emerge. The problem before you may be demanding the manifestation of a solution that God has already hidden within you.

The Bible says:

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

And again:

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

What comes before a man is often God's opportunity to reveal what He has already placed within that man.

When the animals came before Adam, the possibilities hidden within him found expression. In that singular act, Adam demonstrated dimensions of the divine nature that had been invested in him.

Creativity

Adam was not given a manual containing names. He drew from the creative possibilities resident within him. Creativity is a reflection of the God who creates and calls things into being.

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3).

Man was created in the image and likeness of this Creator God (Genesis 1:26-27).

Innovation

Adam encountered realities that required original responses. Innovation is the capacity to engage existing realities and produce new expressions and solutions. God designed man to be fruitful, productive, and resourceful.

Sagacity and Discernment

The naming of the animals required depth of perception. Adam did not merely observe appearances; he perceived distinctions and essence.

"The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly" (Proverbs 20:27).

Wisdom

Adam's ability to appropriately name each creature revealed intelligence guided by divine understanding.

"The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens" (Proverbs 3:19).

Wisdom is the bridge between revelation and manifestation.

Intelligence and Understanding

Before the fall, man's intelligence operated without corruption. Adam possessed the ability to comprehend, process, and articulate reality according to divine design.

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much" (1 Kings 4:29).

Stewardship

God entrusted creation to Adam's care.

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..." (Genesis 1:28).

Dominion was never intended to be exploitation; it was responsible stewardship under God's authority.

Order and Administration

The naming of creation introduced structure and order. God is a God of order.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33).

One of the highest expressions of intelligence is the ability to bring order where there is chaos.

Identity Recognition

Adam possessed the ability to discern the uniqueness of every creature. He recognized distinctions and assigned identity accordingly.

This reflects heaven's pattern, for God Himself calls things by name.

"He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4).

Responsibility

Authority without responsibility produces abuse. By allowing Adam to name the animals, God was revealing that true dominion is inseparable from accountability.

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Dominion

The act of naming was an act of government. Throughout Scripture, naming is connected to authority, jurisdiction, and responsibility.

Adam was functioning in the reality of Genesis 1:28, exercising delegated authority as God's representative upon the earth.

Partnership with God

Perhaps the greatest revelation of all is that God invited Adam into a process He could have completed Himself. This demonstrates God's desire for partnership.

"For we are labourers together with God" (1 Corinthians 3:9).

God's method has always been to work in partnership with yielded vessels.

This is why the condition of the mind is so important. The mind is the canvas upon which destiny is painted. It is the gateway through which revelation becomes manifestation. It is the mirror that reflects the true state of a man.

Scripture says:

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

A man's life will eventually become the visible expression of his dominant thoughts.

When Adam named the animals, he was not merely demonstrating intelligence. He was unveiling the possibilities of a man whose mind was fully aligned with God. He showed us what becomes possible when the wisdom, creativity, authority, discernment, and government of Heaven find expression through a yielded human vessel.

The tragedy of the fall was not merely the loss of a garden; it was the corruption of the mind. The victory of redemption is not merely the promise of Heaven; it is the restoration of man's capacity to think, perceive, and function according to the mind of God.

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:23).

For as the mind is renewed, the image of God is restored, and the potentials hidden within the spirit find expression in the earth.

"What comes before a man is often God's opportunity to reveal what He has already placed within that man." - Dr Joel Dabbas 

 

Knowing God Is Not Preparation for the Assignment—It Is the Assignment

Written by Dr Joel Dabbas 

Introduction

In a culture that often celebrates impact, productivity, influence, and visible success, many believers unconsciously begin to view intimacy with God as a means to a greater end. We pray for effectiveness. We study for revelation. We seek God for purpose. But what if communion with Christ is not preparation for the assignment? What if it is the assignment itself?

This realization has the power to reshape the entire Christian life.

Knowing Him Was the Assignment

There was a season in my life when I sincerely believed that my walk with God was preparation.

The prayers.

The vigils.

The fasting.

The study of Scripture.

The hidden seasons where God seemed silent.

The tears offered upon unseen altars.

I thought all of it was God's training ground—His way of preparing me for impact, influence, ministry, relevance, and kingdom assignment.

I believed intimacy was the process.

I believed usefulness was the goal.

But as I journeyed with God, the Holy Spirit began to correct my understanding.

He showed me a mystery that many believers spend years overlooking:

Knowing Him is not preparation for the assignment.

Knowing Him is the assignment.

The greatest tragedy in the Kingdom is not merely sin; it is reducing God to a means.

Many seek His hand while claiming to seek His face.

Many pursue an encounter because of what it can produce.

Many desire an anointing because of where it can take them.

Many want power because of what it can build.

Yet Heaven's highest reward has never been power.

It has always been Christ Himself.

The believer must eventually arrive at a place where God is no longer valuable because of what He gives, but because of who He is.

A place where prayer is no longer a strategy for obtaining results, but a response to love.

A place where worship is no longer a spiritual technology, but an expression of affection.

A place where Scripture is no longer merely a tool for revelation, but a doorway into the heart of a Person.

As Jesus declared:

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." — John 17:3

When We Turn God Into a Ladder

Many of us unknowingly turn God into a ladder.

We pray so doors will open.

We fast so power will increase.

We study so ministry will expand.

We obey so destiny can be fulfilled.

We seek impartation so influence can grow.

None of these desires are inherently wrong.

The Kingdom advances through obedience.

God delights in fruitfulness.

Faithfulness matters.

Stewardship matters.

Impact matters.

But the moment Christ becomes the road to something greater than Himself, we have lost the centrality of the Gospel.

For what reward can be greater than the One who sits upon the throne?

What inheritance can surpass the Giver Himself?

What promotion can compare with fellowship?

What achievement can rival union with Christ?

David understood this when he prayed:

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after..." — Psalm 27:4

Even among all the blessings available to him, David's greatest desire remained the presence of God.

The Rewards We Often Misunderstand

The reward of prayer is not first power.

It is proximity.

The reward of worship is not first impartation.

It is communion.

The reward of Scripture is not first revelation.

It is encounter.

The reward of consecration is not first usefulness.

It is possession by God.

This is the mystery the Apostle Paul discovered.

Not merely to work for Christ.

Not merely to speak about Christ.

Not merely to represent Christ.

But to know Him.

To know Him in life.

To know Him in suffering.

To know Him in victory.

To know Him in hiddenness.

To know Him in the secret place where no audience exists and no applause is heard.

Paul wrote:

"That I may know Him..." — Philippians 3:10

Notice that after all his revelations, achievements, and sacrifices, Paul's highest ambition was still the knowledge of Christ.

Healing for the Tired Believer

Many believers are exhausted because they have unconsciously built their identity around their assignment.

They feel valuable only when producing.

They feel spiritual only when performing.

They feel close to God only when succeeding.

But hear this:

Your value did not begin with your usefulness.

Before you preached, He desired you.

Before you sang, He desired you.

Before you led, He desired you.

Before you built anything for Him, He wanted fellowship with you.

Before the assignment, there was relationship.

Before the ministry, there was sonship.

Before the calling, there was communion.

Jesus reminds us of this reality:

"Without Me you can do nothing." — John 15:5

The Christian life was never meant to be sustained by human effort. Every genuine work of God flows from abiding in Him.

What Will Remain When Everything Else Fades

And when history reaches its consummation—

When every sermon has been preached,

When every church assignment has ended,

When every title has disappeared,

When every earthly responsibility has fulfilled its purpose,

When crowns are laid at His feet,

The only thing that will remain as the eternal occupation of the redeemed is the very thing many believers treat as secondary today:

Him.

Not His gifts.

Not His power.

Not His blessings.

Not His opportunities.

Him.

The book of Revelation paints a picture of worshippers laying their crowns before the throne, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him alone (Revelation 4:10–11).

For eternity itself is the progressive revelation of the infinite Christ.

The Kingdom is ultimately about a Person.

The Gospel is ultimately about a Person.

Salvation is ultimately about a Person.

Everything begins with Him.

Everything is sustained by Him.

Everything returns to Him.

Christ Is the Prize

He is not merely the source of our strength.

He is the object of our affection.

He is not merely the giver of purpose.

He is the purpose.

He is not merely the means.

He is the end.

He is not merely the prize at the end of the race.

He is the race, the strength to run, and the reward awaiting the runner.

May we never become so occupied with serving Him that we forget to behold Him.

May we never become so committed to His work that we neglect His presence.

May we never become experts in ministry while remaining strangers to His heart.

For the highest attainment in the Kingdom is not influence.

It is intimacy.

Not prominence.

But presence.

Not recognition.

But union.

To know Him.

To love Him.

To behold Him.

To be conformed to Him.

To be found in Him.

This is not a lesser pursuit.

This is the summation of all pursuits.

Christ is the destination.

Christ is the inheritance.

Christ is the reward.

Christ is enough.

Reflection

Take a moment to honestly ask yourself:

Am I pursuing God primarily for what He can do through me, or because I desire Him?

If every platform disappeared, every title faded, every opportunity ended, and every assignment was taken away—would Christ still be enough?

The answer to that question may reveal what truly sits at the center of your heart.

The Power of Service and Remembrance (Genesis 35:8)

 

The Power of Service and Remembrance (Genesis 35:8)

Written by Dr Joel Dabbas 

Look closely at Genesis 35:8: “But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el under an oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth.”

Many people serve quietly. They dedicate their lives to nurturing others, yet in the natural, they are often overlooked, underappreciated, or even forgotten. But the Word of God stops here to honor Deborah—the nurse of Rebekah. She was faithful. She midwifed the birth of two generations, she nurtured, guided, and carried responsibilities most would never notice. And the Bible doesn’t let her service go unremembered.

Notice the timing: this was after God renewed His promise to Jacob at Bethel. Right in the middle of spiritual visitation, God reminds us that the mundane, the faithful, the seemingly small lives are not ignored in His economy. Deborah became a beacon of remembrance. The place of her burial was called Allon-bachuth—“oak of weeping.” Her life and death were publicly honored. Her devotion became a landmark.

Beloved, the lesson here is profound:

1. Faithful service has eternal weight
   What you pour into the lives of others—even in ways unseen—matters to God. Deborah’s service was not glamorous, but it shaped a family, preserved a generation, and became a testimony.

2. Remembrance is a form of honor
   Jacob’s family did not forget Deborah. In a world where service is often unappreciated, God shows that He remembers. He brings recognition, sometimes in ways we cannot measure with natural eyes.

3. Spiritual milestones and human moments coexist
   Even as God reaffirms His covenant with Jacob, He pauses to note grief and loyalty. Your service is noticed even amid your spiritual journey. The Lord honors the faithful in His time.

4. Ordinary lives are extraordinary in God’s narrative
   Deborah was not a prophet, nor a leader—but her life mattered. Every faithful act you perform, however hidden, has significance in God’s story.

5. A kingdom posture: faithful to the end

This passage also reveals a kingdom posture of service—faithfulness that endures to the end.

No stories of disloyalty whatsoever. Deborah did not “move on” from her place of service. She remained within her assignment and within the family she served faithfully until her life ended. There is a sense of constancy in her story—a quiet endurance that speaks volumes.

It reminds us of a deeper truth in kingdom service: it is not only about starting well, but about remaining faithful until the end.

This echoes the heart of commitment captured in the hymn:

“I will be a true soldier, I will die at my post.”

There is a kind of spiritual maturity where a person understands that assignment is not seasonal convenience but covenant responsibility. Deborah’s life becomes a picture of that kind of faithfulness—steady, loyal, and enduring.

So today, if you are faithfully serving, nurturing, and building in the lives of others without recognition, know this: God sees. Your life is a “Beth-el” of influence. And one day, your dedication will become a landmark of blessing and remembrance—just as Deborah’s did.

SELAH – Pause and Ponder

• How faithful am I in the small, unseen tasks I do for others?
• Am I serving with a mindset of eternity, not just immediate recognition?
• Like Deborah, am I staying steady in my post, trusting God to honor my faithfulness in His timing?
• Do I see the value in the lives of those who serve quietly around me?

Conclusion

Deborah’s life reminds us that God honors faithful service, even when it goes unnoticed by the world. Her steadfastness and loyalty became a landmark of blessing and remembrance. Likewise, your dedication—though quiet and unseen—carries eternal significance. Serve faithfully, remain steadfast, and trust that God sees, remembers, and will one day make your faithfulness shine.

THE JEALOUSY OF GOD: A CALL TO TOTAL DEVOTION

 

 

THE JEALOUSY OF GOD: A CALL TO TOTAL DEVOTION

Have you ever wondered what it truly means that God is a jealous God? The jealousy of God is one of the most misunderstood yet powerful revelations in Scripture. Far from human jealousy, it reveals God’s deep passion, covenant commitment, and desire for exclusive devotion from His people. As seen in Exodus 20:5, where God declares Himself a jealous God, this truth invites every believer into a life of alignment, holiness, and undivided worship.

Our God is not only loving; He is deeply committed to those who are His. When He draws you into intimacy, He does not share your heart with other gods, systems, or influences that compete with Him.

Have you ever discerned the jealousy of God at work in your life?

Scripture declares in Exodus 20:5 (KJV):

“...for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God...”

This jealousy is not rooted in insecurity like that of men. It is the holy, protective passion of a covenant-keeping God. It is His way of ensuring that your heart remains aligned with Him alone.

The jealousy of God will constrain you. There will be moments when you attempt to step out of alignment, yet something within your spirit resists. That restraint is not accidental—it is God preserving your destiny.

In Exodus 34:14–15 (KJV), the Bible says:

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God...”

This reveals that jealousy is not just what God feels—it is part of His nature. It is how He guards relationship and secures covenant.

The jealousy of God preserves you from dangerous spiritual alliances—covenants, associations, and systems that can corrupt your walk with Him. Many times, what appears as delay or denial is actually divine protection—God saying, “You are Mine, and I will not share you.”

There is also a dimension of this jealousy that manifests as fire.

Deuteronomy 4:24 (KJV) declares:

“For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

When stirred, the jealousy of God can activate His consuming fire—not only to purify, but also to defend.

In Numbers 16, when Korah rose against Moses, it was more than rebellion—it was a challenge against one whom God had taken as His own. The response was swift because divine jealousy was invoked.

Likewise, when Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, the reaction that followed revealed God’s fierce defense over His servant.

When God is jealous over a person, He becomes deeply committed to their preservation and honor.

The Psalmist cried in Psalm 79:5 (KJV):

“...shall thy jealousy burn like fire?”

Indeed, the jealousy of God burns like fire.

Our Response

Walk in reverence. Walk in alignment. Guard your heart against every competing affection.

When you understand that God is jealous over you, you will not treat your relationship with Him casually. Instead, you will honor it with devotion, obedience, and awe.

May you come into the experiential knowledge of the jealousy of God—and may it preserve, refine, and establish you in Him.