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.
Staunton, IL
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Eph 6:11 (NIV)
Carolyn Stutz Dover, Ohio
“…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
Kathy, Gilbert, AZ “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:7 NIV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Proverbs 17:28
Nell, Gallatin, TN
Romans 11:33 ESV
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How I searchable are his judgments (decisions) and inscrutable (mysterious) are his ways.
Missy B., Fuquay Varina, NC
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
Dickinson Tx
Philippians 3:13 NIV
Brother and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken a hold of it. but one thing I do forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
MK – Gig Harbor WA
“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
Brandy A, Cross Anchor SC
Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)
Amy from Everett, WA
… to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV)
Janice
Arcanum, Oh
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13 NASB)
Sherry Page
Elizabeth,CO
Psalms 77:13-14. NIV
Your ways, O God, are holy. What
god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs
miracles;You display Your power
among the peoples
Sarah Timmerman, Durham, NC
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Psalm 139:3-4
Elizabeth in Midland, Texas
Hebrews 3:13New International Version (NIV)
13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NLT)
Vicki Smith, Cleveland, Texas. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Rebecca, Akron OH
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12b, ESV
Nell, Gallatin, TN
Romans 11:33 ESV
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and inscrutable are his ways.
Karen S. Des Moines, IA “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10 ESV
“The Lord’s precepts are fair and make one joyful. The Lord’s commands are pure and give insight for life.”
Psalm 19:8 NET
Andrea S. Fort Worth, TX
“For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45 NIV
Jolene, Suwanee, GA
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Romans 6:8 esv
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe we shall also live with Him.
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Diane Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
—Psalm 46:1–2 NIV
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
Isaiah 54:5 ESV
Susan Wimmer, Bristol WI
“which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,”
Ephesians 1:20 NIV
Stephanie Siegel, New Jersey
“And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.” Samuel 7:28 ESV
Billie, Cincinnati, OH
Ephesians 3:14, 15, 16, 17, NIV
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Dianne, Magnolia TX
As for God, his way is perfect;the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Marilyn Brown, The Plains,OH says:
I am still confident of this: that I will see the goodness of the Lord in he land of the living.Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Ps.27:13-14 NIV
Cassia, Spring, TX
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:6-7 NKJV
Connie Walker, Houston, TX, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NLT
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)
Pickerington, Ohio
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ”
John 13:35 (NIV)
Pickerington, Ohio
Colette, Mesa, AZ
“Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;
do not let their plans succeed.”
Psalm 140:8 NIV
Bette, Danville,PA
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you being rooted and grounded in love,
Robbyn Hanstad, Frisco, Texas
Daniel 10:19 (HCSB)
“He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!”
Lori Haller, Easton MD; Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. Proverbs 16:21 (HCSB)
Judy C. New Braunfels, TX- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
Bobbi. Lake City, FL
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace,which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 (NLT)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13. NIV
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake I am still with you.
Psalm 139:17-18
Makoto H. Carlsbad, CA “O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple. (Psalms 48:9 NLT)”
Stephanie, Tucson, AZ “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
Amy – Rapid City SD
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Jeannine Anderson, Pelican Rapids, MN
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:18 ESV
Alexis, San Angelo, TX
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10