Hello, Siestas! My name is Diane Vaccaro, and I live in Fresno, CA. I’m a pastor’s wife and a mom of 3. I’m honored to share my verse today in a more formal way than usual. Often in our family we talk about how reflecting on scripture is paramount for transforming our hearts. God’s living Word can do more than we could ever imagine if we only give it time to seep into our thoughts and heart for a moment or two… or ten. It’s in those moments of reflection that I’m open and available to consider how the verse applies to my own life and heart. A quick read often leaves me with a short memory of what I’ve read, and a missed opportunity for revelation of who God is and how he loves. Memorization isn’t the goal, but a tool to continue to mediate on the Word, wherever I am, and ponder it, repeating it in my mind and mouth so that it becomes part of me.
Here’s my verse:
Diane – Fresno, CA
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
What I love about this verse is that it brings together God’s attributes as a mighty warrior and as one who delights, even to the point of singing over me. Strength and tenderness. He is a God that can take on my enemies without neglecting the tender and vulnerable places of my heart. And I’ve got an enemy…I don’t know about human ones, but I’m confident that The Enemy is always on the hunt. It is part of being a believer. It’s part of my life in ministry.
As I reflect on this verse I wonder where I’m trying to be the warrior instead of letting God do the fighting. I wonder if I fight fights that aren’t mine, neglecting the ones God has put before me for victory if I’d only fight.
And I wonder if I’ve become so distracted that I miss the singing. Has God been singing over me a melody so sweet while I’ve been straining to hear the world’s approval? I really want to hear the song of God. The world’s song pales in comparison.
One day I was alone in my car and not listening to music (both are seldom). I was praying and pleading and at one point simply asked God, “Do you delight in me?” This verse was pulled from somewhere in my memory as if to say, “Yes, I delight in you. You bring me great joy. I’m singing over you.”
Mighty God, my prayer is that you would set my feet in the direction of my battles, that I would fight with courage and bravery, knowing that you will supply all I need. Show me when I try to fight battles meant for you. I want to duck when your sword comes crashing through, bowing to your will and power. Quiet my heart and soul that I would hear you – hear your direction and your joyful singing over me. I want your song to be the soundtrack of my days.
My prayer is that you, Siesta, will experience the Mighty Warrior and the songs of delight that he sings over you today.
Leslie Young
Wisner, La.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
Danielle Dryburgh, Philadelphia PA “It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” Isaiah 35:2 ESV
Lori – Deer Park, WA
“The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation.” James 1:9 HCSB
Duvall, WA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Liz N Santee CA Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, freely you received, freely give. Matt 10:8 NASB
Paola Hernandez-Hoffmann, Pinellas Park, Fl
1TH 2:7 ESV
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
Kat Miller from Denton, Texas
Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8 NIV)
Becky Schuck Conway AR Psalm 42:8 By day the LORD directs His love, at night His song is with me. A prayer to the God of my life.
Kathy French, Austin, Texas
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NKJV
Whitney Caves
Clinton, MS
From whom every family in heaven and on earth derives it’s name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.
Ephesians 3:15&16 NASB
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these too you once worked, when you were living in them. Colossians 3:5-7. ESV.
Sherry Lee, Owensboro, KY
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Fayetteville, AR
1 Peter 2:25 NIV
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul.
Roswell, GA
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV
from Cornelius, NC. Ephesians 3:19 ( NIV). …. And to know this love which passes knowledge —– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:9 NIV 1984
Beth, Lansing, MI
Ephesians 3:15 (NASB)
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
Rebecca- eagle point, OR. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Denise, Jetmore, Kansas “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV
Sam hyle-katy, tx-john 15:13. Greater love has no one than this, That someone lay down his life for his friends.
Becky B., Medway, OH
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. (Psalm 119:114 NIV)
Jessica, Encinitas, CA, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Heather, Louisville, KY
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ”
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV84)
Bel Air, MD
Psalm 18:28 NASB
For you light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness.
Karen, Beech Island, SC
Ephesians 3:17 ESV “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, “
Anna Lange, Mobile, Alabama
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 KJV
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. (Psalm 102:12 NIV)
Bethany, Magnolia, TX
“The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”
Zephaniah 3:17, NET
Anne-Marie, Munich – Germany 1 Cor 1.30 NIV “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, AR
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (11 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (11 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
Bonnie – Cibolo,TX. Ephesians 3:16 NLT. I pray that from his glorious , unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit.
Sara Gillian, Round Rock, NIV Español
Salmo 120:1
En mi angustia invoqué al Señor, y él me respondió.
Joy Mast
Charlotte, NC
“Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” Isaiah 2:22
JILL PLANO, TX
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Arlene C. from Georgetown, Texas: Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 HCSB
Kari Steward, Meadowlakes, TX
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
Allison Ashton – Houston, Texas
“Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” Psalm 138:6, KJV
The Lord gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses his people with strength.
Psalm29:11
NIV
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not yo harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Stephanie Reynolds, Austin, For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. Psalm 69:33, ESV
Holly Transue, Cape May, NJ
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints “. Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Lisa S.
Kinston,NC
Psalms 27:4 NASB
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
To behold the beauty of The Lord,
And to meditate in His temple.
Jenny Vergara, Greenwood, IN
“Give me not to my foes desire, false witnesses arise against my, breathing violence and seeking my demise. Oh! What if I had not believed! I am, by faith, assured. That in the land of life I’ll see the goodness of the Lord. With patience wait upon the Lord, O let your strength be great; and so let courage fill your heart as on the Lord you wait.”
Psalm 27:12-14 (Psalm 27D The Book of Psalms for Worship)
Jackie, Cleveland OH
“Finally then , brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1 ESV
Denise, Hernando Beach, FL
He determines the number of the stars;
He gives to all of them their names. Psalm 147: 4. ESV