Nikao (verb)/nik-ah'-o/ (Greek) To conquer, triumph, overcome, to be victorious
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1 NIV) Recently, a pastor mentioned that the scripture above should actually read: A fool says in his heart, “No, God.” With this new translation, I was baffled. I’ve always thought fool was reserved for nonbelievers, atheists and agnostics. But, lo and behold, I’ve…
“Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to…
From uncomfortable situations to joyous occasions, everything we encounter is intentional. As we continue to live out God’s will for our lives, situation after situation will prepare us for continued elevation. However, if we hide our purpose, or become lazy in fulfilling our purpose, God has nothing to elevate. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by…
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV) When life hits hard, I…
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…
I have an irrational fear that one day my car will flip over a bridge I seldom take home from work. I fear falling in the water below and leaning on superwoman tricks as my only way out. So, I avoid that highway – even though some days it gives me a quicker commute. The…
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 –…
“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…
Many times when life deals me a losing hand, I just want to lay in the bed under all my covers until it’s time for my hand to be dealt again. I would rather not deal with the tests, trials and temptations of the world. I would rather turn a blind eye to it and…
The Nikao Collection 