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.
Colossians 1:23 NKJV
if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
John 17:4 NIV
“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
John 17:4 NIV
Sharon Hyde, Independence, MO
“He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” Psalm 23:2 (NLT)
Cathy Stephens
Lebanon, OH
“If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.” Psalm 139:8 (NLT)
San Juan Capistrano, CA
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
Homosassa, FL “Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills, I will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
Kathy Springer, Baton Rouge, LA
Ephesians 3:19 NCV
“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.”
Kristie, Monticello, IN
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”2 Timothy 1:7
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NASB
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…” Eph. 3:17 NIV
Donna Garvin, Eldorado,TX
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.Psalm 19:14 (NIV ’84)
Kim, Amherst, Ohio
Prov. 31:17 NIV
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
Kimberly from Montezuma, Indiana
Matthew 7:21New Living Translation (NLT)
“Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in Heaven will enter.”
Hailey Boone, Wilmington, NC. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. Psalm 34:8-9 NASB
Michelle Wynne. Spokane,WA
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 ESV
Rachael from Union, Maine – Diane, I loved everything about your post!!
Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:7-12
London Sommer
Denham Springs, LA
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. -Psalm 37:4 NIV
Psalm 121: 1-3 (NIV)
I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber
Ellen Dark – Sarnia, ON
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Jessica from Vicksburg, MS “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV
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
Bobbie Lutz
College Station, TX
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
College Station, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4: 4-5
Diane, Harker Heights, TX: “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Kerry Devlin, Winona Lake IN
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Psalm 84:10 NIV
Cindy Barger
Houston, Texas
Luke 17:24 “For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other” NIV
Heather Smith
Nashville,TN
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
– Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Jeanna Romans, Bel Air, MD
Micah 6:8 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Karen Whatley, Little Rock, AR
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Dawn Atwood, Colleyville, TX
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23 NIV
Steph, Ontario, Canada
“For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in You!”
Psalm 84:11-12 NLT
He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
Psalm 72:6, NIV
Shannon Peer, Churubusco, IN
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3, NIV
Lisa Atkinson
Chappell Hill TX
“The same power which raised Christ is in you.” Romans 8:11 (NIV)
Melody Smith, Jefferson Ga.
Ephesians 3:17-18 (MSG)
” – that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love….”
Judy Williams, Round Hill, VA
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Mary Beth, Hudsonville MI
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Ephesians 3:17 NIV
Dawn Moore Conway, AR
Proverbs 16:24 ESV
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Take 2
LPM–I didn’t put my whole verse last night. (I think I posted around 10-10:30).
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Eph 3: 16, NIV
Angie Gates, Wiggins, Ms
“so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” (Colossians 1:10 NIV)
Margie, Camdenton MO: So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” Luke 17:10 ESV
Delores O.
Lake Stevens, WA
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:17-18 NIV84
Claudia, Franklin, TN. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household” Acts 16:31 NIV
Barbara Fetter, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Meredith B.
Collierville Tn
Taste and and see that the Lord is good. Blessed are those that take refuge in Him.
Psalm 34:8 NIV
Barrett
Plano TX
But finally all that generation died; and the next generation did not worship Jehovah as their God, and did not care about the mighty mircacles he had done for Israel. They did many things which the Lord had expressly forbidden, including the worshiping of heathen gods.
Judges 3:10-11 NIV
Sharon Floyd, Spokane, WA
“Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
James 3:9-10 KJV
The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:17-18 NKJV