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.
Anita, Lawrenceville.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9-10. ESV
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, IN
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
I Cor 13:4 (NIV)
Susan, Wynne
Romans 12:9-10 (NASB)
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Then the way you live will always honor and please the LORD, your lives will produce every good kind of fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Colossians 1:10 NLT
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Jen Newsham. Longview, Tx. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice,” – Ephesians 4:31 [ESV]
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2 ESV
Lorri Sapp, Oak Grove, MO, “by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,” Hebrews 10:20 NIV
Amanda Gozur, Albuquerque, NM
In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. Galatians 5:1 (AMP)
[ WONDERFUL POST, DIANE ! Amen to everything you’ve written. Will reread this. ]
Ganise, Ottawa, CANADA
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)
”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
June Greenstreet
Bradford Ontario
““You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” (Isaiah 43:10 ESV)
Judy of Marietta GA says: And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord you God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, Ohio
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. Isaiah 40:28, NIV
Kristy Falcomeni
Boaz, Alabama
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation.” (NKJV)
Fairborn, OH
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)
Beth, Andover, MN: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Ginger S. Lowe
Wetumpka, AL
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
Catherine K. Sacramento, CA
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Woodburn, IN. Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleading and p erfecy.
Cheri Cochran, Frisco, TX
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of of God.”
Romans 8:14 ESV
New Braunfels, TX
Deut. 8:1-3 NASB
All the commands that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do that you might live and multiply and go in and possess the land which the Lotprd swore to give to your forefathers. You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you in the wilderness these 40 years, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would obey His commandments or not. He humbled you, and let you be hungry and fed you with manna which you did not know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Prattville, AL
We know that all things work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Kathy Welch, Tyler, TX
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Michele Gibbons, Waterloo, ON. Canada
Romans 13:10: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.”
Kristel Hines from Russellville Arkansas
And he asked them,”Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?” Mark 4:40 NLT
Linda Lorring, Reno, NV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Norma Jean, Medford, OR
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
James 1:19 NKJV
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but BELIEVES in Him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH is credited as righteousness,” Romansa 4:4-5 NASB
Kristin Kellett, West Monroe, LA. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Billie, Scottsdale
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;”
Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)
Geri, Deer Park, TX
Colossians 1:19,20 ESV
For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Sandy Ellis, Ofallon MO. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7 NIV
Becky Elkhart, KS
I have not refused his commandments but have enjoyed them more than my daily food
Job 23:12. Living Bible
kelly aylward, Glenwood, MD: “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 -NLT
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 17-18 NIV)
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22 NIV)
Vonore, TN
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
II Cor 4.1 KJV For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
I have so enjoyed learning this chapter. I especially enjoyed seeing the connection from verse 6 to 7 where it talks about the reflection of God’s glory in the face of Jesus and then goes on to say we have this treasure in earthen vessels does the excellency the power maybe of God and not us.
Evelyn Anne from Macon, GA
” For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 ESV
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:25 ESV)
Pam Mesa, AZ
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord Psalms 89:15 NIV
WAYNE,PA
“Praise the Lord: Praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.” Psalms 68:19 NLT
Janet, Sylacauga, AL
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His Inhrritance among the saints,”. (HCSB)
Thank you, Diane! Loved your personal sharing.
Tangila, Pearland TX
Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom.And the Lord himself will be king!” (Obadiah 1:21)
Susan L. (central IL) You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. Psalm 139:5 HCSB
Donna Stephens, Wylie, Texas, Teach me Your way O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27a HCSB
Susan, Houston, Romans 8:18, ESV, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.