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.
Sandee Tseng, Santa Monica CA
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Julie, Madison, GA
Those who cling to false idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8 NIV
Rachel Penna, New York
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:5-6 NKJV
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6 NIV
Sarah, Queretaro, Mexico
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Romans 14:17 (NIV)
Jackie, Noblesville, IN
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
Melanie
Midland, MI
O LORD, you have made our nation great; yes, you have made us great. You have extended our borders, and we give you the glory! (Isaiah 26:15 NLT)
from Leverett, MA
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Colossians 3:8 ESV
Christine Caris, Newfield , NY
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
– Colossians 3:23 NIV
II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God maybe thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Kelly Elliott, Jackson, TN.
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Eva, Knoxville, TN – a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, Ecclesiastes 3:5 NIV
Becky Purchase – Euless, TX
Ephesians. 3:14 NIV
For this reason I kneel before the Father
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2, KJV
Noelle Carpenter, Houston, TX
Kimberly Kleimann, Chico, CA
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6 KJV
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42 HCSB)
Laura- Mckinney, Tx
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. “(Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
Kelly Morency, Sevierville, TN
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:14 NLT
Vicksburg, MS
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
NIV
Ashley Edwards, Chelsea, Alabama
“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.” Zephanaiah 3:17 (NIV)
Cindy-Richmond, Tx. Phillippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Christy; Jasper, AL The righteous person many have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19 NIV
Connie
Greene IA
Eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
John 17:3
GNT
Amy McAteer-Jones, Weddington, NC
I lift my eyes to the hills from whence my help comes.
Where does my help come from? It comes from The Lord , Maker of heaven and Earth
Psalm 121:1-2
Katie G., Crawford, Tx: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Sara Weick, Jonesboro, AR
Proverbs 16:9- “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (NIV)
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA: Ephesians 3:18 New Living Translation (NLT)
” 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.”
Mandy in Asheboro, NC James 1:19b NIV
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”
Mary Jo, Las Vegas, NV
Psalm 27:1 (NASB) A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt,
for it is great.
Psalm 25:11
NRSV
Matthew 5:44 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
KJV
Marian Garcia. Springfield, MO
I will sing to The Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him for I rejoice in The Lord.
Psalm 104:33-34 NLT
Melody S.
Forest City, IS
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; Philippians 4:5
Isaiah 12:2 NIV Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” ~Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)
Denise, Gambier, Ohio What is man that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him Job 7:17 ESV
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Calgary, Alberta
1 Timothy 6:6 ESV
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.
Philippians 4:11b,13 ESV
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
San Clemente, CA
Isaiah 58:10 (NIV):
“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”
Martha from Corpus Christi
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness
, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these there is no law.
Galatians
6:22-23 NIV
Laurie, Littleton, CO
Psalm 139:8 NIV If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths you are there.
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:27,18 NIV
Dale Dyer, Georgetown, OH
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV
MB, Cypress, TX
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Prov 31:25 NLT
Martha Stephenson. Olive Branch, MS
Sodo not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
NIV
Kelly A, Rogers AR. “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”” Acts 16:31 NIV
Kelly Davis, Danville VA. 2 Corinthians 7:2 NIV
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
Nancy Pipes, Houston Texas
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
James 1:2 NIV
Eph 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Wendy Davis, Oriental, NC
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2 NASB