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.
Hillary, Plano, TX. “…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
Kim L., Colonial Heights, VA
God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
Ephesians 3:20, The Message
Sistas, I’m getting married tomorrow! Who would have ever though!?! Only God!!!
Woop Woop!! Congratulations 🙂
Thanks Jennifer!!
Rich blessings on your marriage, Sista!! The best is yet to come – keep imagining, dear girl.
Thank you Deborah!!
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be content in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 – ESV
oops, mistype – “…be constant in prayer.”
Although I’m sure contentment in prayer is equally important. 🙂
Cynthia-Lynchburg, VA
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.”
ISAIAH 40:28
Jerrie – Longview, Texas
2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV) – That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Jana Hill, Bend, Or
Proverb 4:26 ESV
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
Deby A. New Carlisle, Ohio
the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 ESV
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV
Ellen, Sevierville, TN
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 NIV
brittny, OKC, OK
Do not love the world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we are and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from the world. And the world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17 nlt
Courtney, Houma, LA
I will put this third through the fire;
I will refine them as silver is refined
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
and I will answer them.
I will say: They are My people,
and they will say: Yahweh is our God.”
Zechariah 13:9 (HCSB)
Barbara
Pearland, TX
“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and waves and it was completely calm”
Matthew 8:26 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 NIV Dawn Lucy Alabama
Carolyn, Maryville, Tn., Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. NKJV
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3 ESV)
Beth Bellow, Houston–NIV Isaiah 40:28-29
28. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Romans 8:10 ESV But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Nancy Terwilliger – Lebanon, Tn
My goal is to know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:10-12 HCSB
Laura Adams, Ada, OK
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17 ESV
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life,righteousness and honor.
Proverbs 21:21, NAS
Shawna from Chandler Oklahoma “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
Katelyn, Mitchell, IN: “I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.” Isaiah 46:4, HCSB.
Marsha Middleton – Lee’s Summit, MO
But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, Ephesians 2:4 NKJ
Susan G. from Overland Park, KS
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Pr. 31:26 ESV
Camille Benson, Knoxville, TN
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)
Marylee Hamblin, Nicholasville, Ky “if I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:8, NIV
Holly Tabor, Nixa, Missouri
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6. NASB
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
John 10:10 ESV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jacque Johnson, Thornton, CO
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14-15 ESV
Gwen Wray, Miami, OK
from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
Ephesians 3:15 (NKJV)
“For this reason I bow my knees befor the Father” Eph 3:14 NASB
Meagan Dowler Fairbanks, AK There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3 ESV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
2 Cor 4:10-12 (NIV)
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
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
Anna Cate Brown, Murray, KY
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. (James 1:19-21 NLT)
Allison, Pittsburg, Tx
Col 3:2 ESV
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
Psalm145:7 NIV
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV)
Shelley from San Angelo
Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Jill Greer, Medina, TN
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5 KJV
Lynn Hildenbrand , Easton, MD
James 1:22 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Polly from Pa
Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you brothers,in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Stacy from Hawkinsville, GA:
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV)
1 John 4:11-12 (MIV)
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tracy, Tangent, OR
Diane’s verse is just what I need!
17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. ESV
Debbie Alix, Valley Falls, NY
“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.”
Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
Tracey, Niskayuna, NY
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” NKJ
Cecelia – Tustin, CA
and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of The Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV