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.
JoAnne ~ Casper, WY ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23 (HCSB)
Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful.
Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up.
Jennifer O. Corpus Christi, TX
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69 NIV
cindy b Alton NH
Romans 12:19 beloved never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay says the Lord. NLT
Janna–New Braunfels, Tx
Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
Hebrews 2:14-15 NASB
Katie Nicholls, Tucson, AZ
Psalm 63:3-4 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Michelle Crane, American Canyon, CA “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Jessica Hawney, San Jose CA Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Julia Tillman Clovis, NM
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
christine of media, PA Micah 6:8(ESV) He has told you, O Man, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
Vonnie Baker -Marble Hill MO
And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 KJV
Kim Freeman Fort Worth Texas Ephesians 2:6 NLT
For he raised us up from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ESV
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 8:11 (ESV) – If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Heidi Worhey, Moreland, GA
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 3:16 NASB)
Karen – Las Vegas, NV “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Chris Wheeler Bend,OR For we live by faith not by sight II Cor. 5:7 NIV
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien Springs,MI, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:28-29ESV).
Julie Bock, Columbia City, IN
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30 NLT
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God which leads to righteous living.
Romans 6:16 NLT
Susie, Northville, MI
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:10 NIV
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside,Ca
“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.”
Romans 15:11 NIV
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty of 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
Sherri Hartman Maumee, Ohio
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB “Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Heather Huffhines, Austin, TX
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (ESV)
Darcy Arnold, Elizabethtown KY.
“Whatever you do, work heartily for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
Leslie, Durham, NC “He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalm 18:34 (ESV, as part of a larger scripture chunk).
from Pearland, TX
Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.
I Kings 8:61 NASB
Tami J. Fall City, Wa
“Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with the great patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 HCSB
Lynn Watson Hurst TX NKJV
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful; who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13 KJV
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
In all your ways ac knowledge him, and he will make your way straight.
The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths. (Psalms 135:6 NLT)
Julie Christensen, Palm Springs, CA
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NLT
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Crystal, Colorado Springs, CO
Lynn Fields, Erlanger, KY. For the joy of the Lord is my strength. Neh. 8:10b NIV
Cleveland, OH
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Tina Crouch
Waxahachie, Texas
Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Rene’ Adee, Canyon, Texas
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (NASV)
Leann Fairlcoth, Bethel, NC “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,” Eph 6:19 NASB
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, AL : “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand full. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” – Eph.3:18-19 (NLT)
Jan Cleburne, TX “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight,O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 (NKJV)
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
Margo, Burlington ON
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.
Romans 12:1 NIV
Tricia Webb, Greensboro, NC “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Cyndi Carriker, Blue Springs, Mo
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV
kathy king Woodstock, Ga
Psalm 37:5 NKJV
Commit your wat to the Lord; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16 NCV)
Peoria, Arizona
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” NIV
Titus3:8
“He himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. (NIV)