When I was a kid, I listened to Superman on the radio, and later watched him on television. Now, here is a real hero, I used to think.
After all, Superman was faster than a speeding bullet. He was more powerful than a locomotive. Why, he was even “able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”
Man, to be like Superman! I’m sure it was the desire of most young boys like me who grew up watching the “Man of Steel.”
I thought about that recently as I was reading 1 John 5:4: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
As I looked over the part that said, “this is the victory that overcometh the world,” I noticed the word “overcometh.” I looked it up, and found that overcomer, which is what God says we are, comes from the Greek root word “nike.”
Now, I’ve seen all the T-shirts and hats and shoes and all the gear with the trademark “Nike” on them. But I never paid it much attention until I saw that the Greek word we spell nike means “conquest, success, victory.”
All of a sudden, something went off in me.
God’s Word says we are overcomers. That means we are conquerors, we are successful, and we are victorious. I guess that means we can declare ourselves to be nike-men!
When Joshua led the people around the walls of Jericho, God instructed them to remain silent on the first six trips around the wall. Then, on the seventh trip, they were to shout the victory.
When Jesus defeated the devil, He actually demonstrated Satan’s defeat and bragged about it. He shouted, “It is finished!”
That’s what God wants you and me to do. He wants us to first see ourselves as world overcomers – victorious and successful. Then, He wants us to shout about it. Brag about it, even.
Become a nike-man to the glory of God!
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Happy Caldwell is the founder and Pastor of Agape Church, a strong, Spirit-filled body of believers in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is Founder and President of the Victory Television Network, which operates two full-power Christian television stations in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is also President of the International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM) located in Little Rock Arkansas.
Happy has an anointed way of presenting the Word of God in profound simplicity, making the character of God a revelation to those who hear. In 1979, God spoke to him to build a spiritual production center which would deliver the gospel throughout Little Rock, Arkansas, the United States, and the world. The Spirit of God has instructed him in the principles of taking a city for Jesus Christ. Through this revelation and a daily television program, "Arkansas Alive" (via the Victory Television Network), the city of Little Rock is being changed into a "city of light."
Happy has recorded several record albums and is known for his heartfelt worship to God. He has also authored several books.