Louisa was thirteen when she gave her life to Christ. Things were so bad at home that she said if she hadn’t accepted salvation at the very moment she did, she would not have made it. Her dad was very strict on her and her younger siblings, and when he drank, he would be mean to her mom. Louisa often prayed that she would be the one who would stand up to her father and give her mother and siblings some peace. She studied the Bible relentlessly and by the time she was eighteen, she was walking by the Spirit and speaking in tongues fluently. With a scholarship secured, Louisa was not as happy as she could have been to receive it. She would have to go away for college, and the thought of leaving her siblings and mother behind worried her to no end.

Tired of being of afraid and anxious, Louisa prayed for the boldness that the disciples had once they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, as they were sitting in the upper room, tarrying as they had been instructed to do by Jesus. Acts 2:2-3 (NLT) tells us: “2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.” There is no doubt that the disciples were afraid as they gathered in the house. They had watched as our Lord and Savior ascended into the clouds. Walking and talking with him, learning as he taught about the Kingdom of heaven, and witnessing the miracles and wonders he performed; they must have thought it had all come to an end.

Jesus had serious enemies, and they wanted to imprison and murder him, but he said in John 10:18 (NLT), “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” The disciples may have been afraid, but Jesus had no fear. He understood his mission and the authority our Heavenly Father had given him. Jesus was explaining that with him, threats against his life were not the typical situations of life and death his followers might have been used to.

We’re accustomed to hearing about someone’s life being taken against their will, but there was no situation in which our Lord and Master wasn’t in full control of the situation, and we must understand this. He makes it clear in John 10:18 that he is choosing to lay down his life for a purpose that is far beyond what anyone could impose on him.

Jesus tells us that he has the authority to lay his life down and also to take it up again. This reveals his incomparable power, and it points to the resurrection. It shows us his victory over death, and it assures us that his death on the cross, as agonizing and humiliating as it was, was not the end. It was the beginning of new life for all who believe in him and accept the salvation he offers.

Our blessed Lord had the power and authority to speak and call those things which were not as though they were. He did this all throughout his ministry, and he wasn’t limited by things visible to the world or what everyone could see with physical eyes. He spoke with authority over nature, sickness, and even death. Turning impossible situations around and bringing life where there was none, the words of our Redeemer carried the weight of God’s power. Because of this, we can know resolutely that nothing is impossible for those who believe in him.

When he ascended into heaven to God’s throne, he sat at the right hand of our Heavenly Father, the place of highest privilege. He accomplished God’s mission and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all who accept him as Lord. John 16:7 (NKJV) tells us that he said to the disciples: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” Because we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit through salvation, we are empowered by Christ to do even greater things than he did when he walked upon the earth. He tells us this in John 14:12-14 (NLT): “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

Jesus Christ has given every believer the same authority that he has. In Luke 10:19 (NLT), he told the disciples: “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” He’s given us power and authority over darkness, and we can stand boldly against spiritual attacks. This is the authority Louisa wanted, and she had already been given this power when she accepted Christ, she just needed to take it by faith and walk in what she had received.

She prayed and asked for the Spirit to guide her tongue as she spoke to her dad. In Luke 12:12 (NLT), Jesus said, “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what to say.” In this verse, he’s letting us know that the Spirit will give us the words to speak; not just any words, but words of God’s authority—words that break down barriers and resonate deeply in a person’s heart. This promise is tremendous. We don’t have to worry about having all the answers in advance because the Holy Spirit will provide the right words. When we trust God to handle every situation and walkout in faith, He will never disappoint. He’ll reveal His power through us and give us the victory we’ve been praying to receive. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Learning to Speak with Authority”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.