The Power’s Source One of the great features of modern innovation is how water is brought directly into a sink, shower, or tub in the house to cleanse and quench thirst. For the water in the pipes to be released to provide its benefit, however, a valve of some kind must be opened. The water has incredible capabilities that only require a hand to turn or lift a handle. Of the one activating the water flow, however, it is never said that opening the valve itself either cleanses or provides a drink. It is solely the water that does the good, but it is the hand opening the valve that makes that water available. There is only one source of power that can heal, deliver, and bring provisions otherwise unavailable. It’s the anointing, when the glory of God is applied to an area of need, that produces any good for our benefit and God’s glory. It’s not the method or act that does any good. It is only the power of God that does any good thing. While it may seem that volumes of understanding, hard work, or social status could influence the yielding of a miracle, anything we might do is never the work itself. The action necessary for faith’s existence can never become the explanation of how the miracle came. The glory and praise can only be placed on the One who is released through an act or word of faith. He will save, deliver, and greatly impact the life of those who simply recognize the source. The act necessary for the power’s release will be intuitive and straightforward for the heart convinced of the ability and availability of the Source. Notes Faith’s qualifications: Not perfection Not status Not importance Not skill Not higher education Only faith-activated heart belief in the Source Jesus was only apparently impressed and in awe of the faith demonstrated by those completely disqualified by religious tradition. Blind man’s evidence of sin didn’t withhold his belief in the Source evidenced with shouts. Mark 10:46-52 (NLT) 46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. The shouts didn’t heal Bartimaeus. They only activated what did. It wasn’t the friend’s actions that healed him, but the power of God accessed by them. Mark 2:5 (NLT) 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” It wasn’t the action of touching, although touching is what activated the power. Mark 5:34 (NLT) 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Religion said “no”, but faith’s request would not relent. Matthew 15:21-28 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” 26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. All the power for healing wasn’t in the order, but in the activation of the Source in faith. Matthew 8:5-12 (NLT) 5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What/how you do is not the critical factor, but how you believe. Matthew 17:20 (NLT) 20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” The “what” will naturally follow the heart of belief and will never be the “why.” John 6:28-29 (NLT) 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” Overview: Main Illustration: The Water Valve Modern plumbing brings water into homes, but a valve must be opened to access it. The valve (act of faith) doesn’t cleanse or quench—the water (God’s power) does. The valve makes the power accessible, but is not the source of the benefit. Spiritual Application Miracles, healing, and provision come only from the anointing—God’s active power. Faith is the valve—it accesses, but does not create, the miracle. It’s not the action, method, or worthiness of the person that causes God to move—it’s faith in who He is. Key Points Faith activates God’s power, but it does not generate it. Our qualifications (perfection, status, education, or religious tradition) are not what matters—only belief in the Source. The action of faith is simple, intuitive, and effective when the heart is fully persuaded of God’s ability and willingness. Scriptural Support & Examples Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52): His shout didn’t heal him—faith did. Paralyzed man (Mark 2:5): Jesus responded to the faith of friends, not just the effort. Woman with the issue (Mark 5:34): Her touch activated the power—not the touch itself. Gentile woman (Matt. 15:21–28): Her persistence in faith moved Jesus. Centurion (Matt. 8:5–12): Jesus marveled at his faith—not his background. Disciples (Matt. 17:20): Even mustard seed faith could move mountains. Crowd (John 6:28–29): The only “work” God asks is to believe in the One He sent. Big Idea The power is God's. Faith opens the flow. The glory is His alone. Faith doesn’t earn miracles—it simply believes in the Source, and that belief allows His power to work. Prayer: Father, I come before You recognizing that You alone are the source of every miracle, every provision, every healing, and every breakthrough. I confess that it is not my effort, status, or ability that makes anything happen—it is Your power and Your presence that changes everything. Thank You for inviting me to come boldly, not because I am worthy, but because You are willing. Today, I choose to believe. Like Bartimaeus, I will not be silenced. Like the woman who reached out, I will not hold back. Like the centurion, I will trust Your word. Let my faith be the hand that opens the valve of heaven’s supply. Let my heart stay convinced that even the smallest faith in a great God is enough. I will not boast in what I do, but I will give all glory to the One who works through me. Use me, Lord. Flow through me. Let Your power be released, and Your name be glorified. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Declarations 1. “I believe that God alone is the source of every good thing in my life.” “I do not rely on methods, effort, or qualifications. I place my faith in the One who heals, provides, and saves. The power is His, and I trust in Him.” 2. “My faith opens the flow of God’s power, but the glory belongs to Him alone.” “Just as a hand opens the valve, my faith unlocks the miracle—but it is God who performs it. I will not boast in action, only in His goodness.” 3. “Even a mustard seed of faith is enough when placed in the hands of a mighty God.” “I do not need perfection—only belief. I put my trust in the Source, knowing nothing shall be impossible when I believe.” 4. “I will not be disqualified by status, past, or what others say—I am qualified by faith.” “Like Bartimaeus, like the centurion, like the woman with the issue—I will reach for Jesus and believe. My need is not greater than His power.”