Nikao (verb)/nik-ah'-o/ (Greek) To conquer, triumph, overcome, to be victorious
Here in Wisconsin, as the snow makes its arrival, I’m alarmed that it is already Fall. With each passing day, I find myself increasingly aware that one day I won’t experience these seasons any longer. My clock will stop ticking, and what I have done up until that point will be all I have to…
I’m one of those people who can’t drive in thunderstorms. When the clouds open, all my driving experience goes out the window. My hands become a sweaty mess, my speed decreases dramatically, and I wish there was a turbo level on the windshield wipers. My friend, on the other hand, excels in storm driving. He…
If you’re reading this, God loves you. Yes, even the parts you deem irrelevant, irreparable and/or irritating. God made you – all of you. Your strengths have purpose. Your flaws have purpose. Your experiences have purpose. So, don’t hide who you are from the world (Luke 8:16). Be authentic with God and with those around…
There is a misconception, to some, that being a Christ-follower equates with being overly nice. This line, between being kind and being used, becomes clear as we seek and listen to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. “‘At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to…
He’s not going to apologize. She’s not going to apologize. They aren’t going to apologize. But, forgive them anyway. Imperfect people do imperfect things – like not apologizing. Yes, it would be easier to not forgive. But, choose what’s difficult, and forgive them even though they don’t deserve it. Forgive them like God does –…
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV) Who is your favorite entertainer? Favorite athlete? Favorite author? Favorite pastor? Favorite Biblical character? Imagine a world without…
“Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils…
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 NIV You probably didn’t need to read the verse above to realize that life is shockingly, and sometimes agonizingly, short. But, even though we know our…
Did Joseph even want to adopt Jesus? The more I ponder Joseph’s feelings; the more I realize his opinion didn’t matter. What mattered was the spirit’s command – adopt Jesus. “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found…
Scripture Reading: Psalm 55 David cried out to the Lord asking Him to hear his prayer. Restlessness, moaning, oppression, fearfulness, trembling and terrors of death had fallen on him so much so, he wanted to fly to the wilderness and be at rest. It was not an enemy who pained his heart this severely –…
The Nikao Collection 