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.
Robin, Columbia,SC
“From whom every family in heaven
And on earth derives its name,”
Ephesians 3:15 NAS
Tanya, from Lorton, VA,
Hebrews 12:15(NIV)
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Psalm 20:4, 5b Amplified
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Vickie-Wichita Falls,Tx
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning
I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3 NIV
Jamie Wagner, Billings, MT
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10, NIV)
Beverly
Midlothian, VA
Galatians 6:9,10 ESV
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Lydia, Gadsden, Alabama
“and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength,”–Ephesians 1:19 NIV (continuing work on memorizing a greater passage)
Becky, Scottsdale, AZ
“I will answer them before they even call to Me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”
Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)
Houston, TX. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV.
Kendal Rader
Tulsa, OK
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16
Laura – Morgantown, WV
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Corydon, IN.
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.
Michelle Rodriguez, Beavercreek, OH
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” Colossians 3:9 NIV
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
James 4:17 (ESV)
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Courtney from Clarksville, TN
Psalm 32:9 (NASB)
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Changing my verse! =)
Psalm 44:3 (NASB)
For by their own sword they did not possess the land,
And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence,For You favored them.
Fawnda Dooley
Denton, TX
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,”
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NIV
Connie Colston, Waxahachie, TX
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)
Paige Woodard Mitchell, Minden, La
“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result–the survival of many people.” Genesis 50:20 (HCSB)
Laura H., Albuquerque, NM
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141:2, ESV
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-10 NIV
Tammy Price, Myrtle Beach, SC “Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10 NET
Karen from Goodyear, AZ. “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.” Ps. 9:1 NASB
Tracey Boynton, Kingsburg CA
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Lisa Rogers Valley center, KS
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)
Natalie
Anchorage AK
1 Peter 2:21 NET
For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps.
Ricole Rice, Minot ND
The Lord says, ” I will condemn those who turn away from me and put their trust in human beings, in the strength of mortals.”
Jeremiah 17:5 (GNT)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Dianne wade, Maineville, Ohio
Ephesianes 3:16
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strength you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. NIV
Sara Terrill, St. Louis, MO. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Kelly P., Concord, NC
“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.”
Proverbs 4:4 ESV
Carol, Wheaton IL.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10:35 NLT
Suzy Zumbro. Anchorage, AK
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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 them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Lori, Pueblo West CO: “I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart.” ~ Ezekiel 36:26 GNT
Peggyann, Crestview, Florida
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays
down His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (1984) NIV
Always remember Jesus Loves You
Shannon Salazar, Jackson, WY
“I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit,…”
Ephesians 3:16
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
John 12:32 KJV “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Isaiah 41:31 Kjv. but they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run, and not be weary,and they shall walk and not faint.
Brenda Gerber from Grafton, OH
Eph.4:2 (NIV)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,bearing with one another in love.”
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 KJV
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my breathren, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does Psalm 33.4
Sherri, Albuquerque Romans 12:9-10 NLT “Don’t pretend to love other. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
Leslie, Cedar Grove, NC
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
Susan Sarver, ST. George, UT
“And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 HCSB
Julie Bottger, Alliance, NE “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NIV
Gina Demangos San Diego Ca
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalms 9:10 NIV
Cheryl Moses, Houston, TX
…And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 (NIV)
Stephanie Tucker Southside, AL “Then He said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves & take up their cross daily & follow me” Luke 9:23 NIV