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.
Nancy Sticht, St. Augustine, FL:
Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
II Corinthians 5:5 (NIV)
Cheryl Wright, Everett, Washington
Philippians 2:1 The Message (MSG)
if you have a heart
Kristie Lovely, Van Alstyne, TX
“My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.” Psalm 34:2 NKJV
Gerie Meier, Spring Grove, IL. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV
Greer, SC
Proverbs 18:21 NIV
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat is fruit.
Heather Hart. Seymour,TX.
“Walk in wisdom… Making the best use of the time.” ~ Colossians 4:5 ESV
1 Corithians 14:1. Pursue love, but desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but specifically that you may prophesy. NASB.
that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:4
He won’t let you stumble,
your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
Guardian will never doze or sleep. Psalm 121:3 MSG
Leigh Clemmons, Montgomery, Alabama: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
Jaime Weaver, Klamath Falls, OR
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:14-15. ESV Lorrie, Rutledge GA
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV
Kari White, Fulton, SD
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is your refuge.”
Psalm 62:8
Erin Beakley – Dallas, TX
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 NIV
Emily, Olympia, WA
“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may REST ON ME. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am WEAK, I am STRONG.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
Meagan Smith, Longview, TX- Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Patty from Redmond, WA
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Kathrine Springer, Chula Vista, CA. “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:18 NIV
Malorie Elrod- Sharpsburg GA The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (Proverbs 14:1 NIV)
Mechelle – Broken Arrow, OK
Taste and see that the Lord id Good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him. Fear the Lord you His godly people for those who fear Him will have all they need.
Psalm 34:8-9
“All the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them and you will have them.”
Mark 11:24 (HCSB)
Carol Hartley Montgomery Al
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight
Kristen
Apache junction Az
John 14:27 NASB
Peace I leave with you; My peace i give to you; not as the world gives do i give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Billie Jauss, Naples, FL “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.
Phil 4:4
“He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”- Psalm 91:4 (NAB)
Jami, Olathe, KS: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Susan McDaniel, Fayetteville, GA , Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes of Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and set down at the right hand of the Throne of God.”
Angela T., Albuquerque, NM
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossian 3:17
Lynette, Nashville, TN
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
Joann Thompson, Coos Bay, OR
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 ASV
Bettie Tolar
Pasadena, TX
Isaiah 49:17 NIV
Your sons hasten back and those who laid you waste depart from you.”
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Sandy, Deming NM
But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. Col. 3:8 Msg.
Molly Hale, Billings, MT
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Vicki, Surprise AZ
But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress
Psalm 59:16 ESV
Sheila Johnson, Beckley, WV A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10
Carol Kirby, Amarillo,
Ephesians :17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. NIV
its suppose to be Ephesians 1:17
Kara Vargo
Streetsboro, Ohio
“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
Rebecca Enriquez, Orlando, FL
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7, NIV
Terry McNew, Granbury, TX, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16, KJV
Janey Palmer from Naples, FL:
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“Unseal my lips, O Lord,that my mouth may praise you.”
Psalm 51:15 NLT
Christine Vaughan, Ozark, Mo
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19 HCSB
Tanya Atwood “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Cindy Wilbur from Clifton, VA
Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” NIV
Charlevoix Mi Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle adn humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
Liz Allen, Wooster, OH
“…addressing one another with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”
-Ephesians 5:19, ESV
Jill Miller, Akron, IN; “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV