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.
Carolyn Tragesser, Orofino, Idaho
“…I came so they an have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10b MSG
oops! Should read “they can have.”
Connie-Fulton,KY
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Lacy, Eugene, OR
“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
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO. Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV
Psalm 119:40 NLT
“I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.”
Heather R – Boulder, CO
Phil 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” NIV
He was in the beginning with God. John 1:2 RSVCE
Lori L. Seymour, Tn
1 Peter 4:8 NLT
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Leslie, Norwood Young America, MN
I John 4.18a (NASB)
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear,”
Mallory, Fort Smith, AR
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Jenni, Pittsburgh, PA
Matthew 7:7-12 ESV
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Coshocton, Ohio Isaiah 45:5,6 [NASB]I am the LORD,and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you,though you have not known Me;That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me.I am the LORD and there is no other.
Dani Turner, Greer, SC: But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4 HCSB
Rachel- Cumming, GA
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11 NIV)
Sheri Matsumoto, Riverside, CA
My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 62:5-6
Rosa, Nashville, TN
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Tammy Cosby; Siloam NC….1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
Abi Welch, Luverne, AL. “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV
Shauna K., River Falls, WI.
James 4:8 (NIV) – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleans your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5, NLT
That my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:12
Jill Jones, Westerville, OH
The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm. Proverbs 17:27 (the Message)
Heather, Tallahassee Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Phil 2:3 NASB
Maggie, Atlanta, GA 2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 NIV
Carol Marshall-Gilbert, AZ
II Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness. ESV
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NKJ)
Cynthia, Hackett, AR
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.”
Isaiah 58:11 NLT
Jessica, Vicksburg, MS, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Sara Rogers, Murray, KY
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:6-8 (ESV)
Rebecca, Murfreesboro, TN “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1Corinthians 14:4&5 NIV
Tracy Pratz, Las Cruces NM
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 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. (Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT)
He will cover you with His feathers
He will shelter you with His wings
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:4
NLT
Whitney from Russellville, TN
…who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:6. ESV
Vicki Graham, Corinth, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
Myra says:
The Lord your God is in your midst;
he is a warrior who can deliver.
He takes great delight in you;
he renews you by his love;
he shouts for joy over you.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Cyndi Patterson, Bloomdale, Ohio
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Leigh Fincastle VA
And God is able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Downtown Tonya from Watauga, Texas:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Sheryl Potts, Monroe, LA
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Rom. 12:12 NIV
Jenny, Central Asia, 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Julie Webb City,MO
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth; and their words to all the world. Ps 19:1-4 NLT
Casey, Cheney, WA
“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)
Jacquie from Mt.Vernon Wa. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 NLT
Laurie Watkins
Arlington Tx
Proverbs 31:26 kjv
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness
Sherry Bolander Burlington, Iowa
“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness-secret riches. I will do this so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. Isaiah 45:3 (NLT)
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan. GA
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on The Lord out of a pure heart.
Natalie Bullock — Pearl, MS – Matthew 5:16 ESV
“In the same way, let your light shine before others so, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Theresia Whitfield, Indianapolis, IN
“His Truths will determine our steps.” 2 Corinthians 5:7