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.
Weatherford, TX
Psalms 1:3 NLT
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Emma Mierta, Davison, Michigan Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. NIV
Mary-Katherine Rogers, New Albany, OH
Psalm 51:8-9, NRSV
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Pamela Guins, Taylorsville, NC
Acts 4:12 NIV
Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven
given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Ronda, Murfreesboro, TN-
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Linda H., Buckeye, AZ
“You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do” Psalm 139:3 NLT
Debra Hamson – Dahlgren, IL
Above all, fear the LORD and worship Him faithfully
with all your heart; consider the great things He
has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24 HCSB
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
Colossians 3:23 NIV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Amy Harrison, Lubbock, TX
You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:5. HCSB
I love this Psalm. Just a few hours ago, I found a chord chart for this Psalm (from my College and Career days). The melody has been playing in my mind since. ♪
Cincinnati Matthew 12:18 NKJV
“Behold! My servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved I whom My soul is well pleases! I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles.”
La Chiel, Portland,Tn
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NRSV
Fran Harris, Stedman,NC
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV
Kelly in Lees Summit, MO
Col 1:9 NIV
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives
Nancy, Chattanooga, TN
“Do you not know? Have you not head? 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
Pam in Pasadena, TX
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Psalms 91:5-6 RSV
I love this Psalm. Just a few hours ago, I found a chord chart for this Psalm (from my College and Career days). The melody has been playing in my mind since. ♪
Cindy, Lancaster OH
Isaiah 43:25 (ESV)
“I, I AM HE WHO BLOTS OUT YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS FOR MY OWN SAKE, AND I WILL NOT REMEMBER YOUR SINS.”
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Ps 63:5-6 KJV
Cullman,Al
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)
Lora Faircloth, Fayetteville, NC
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Lynn Nickoley, Dyersburg, TN “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” Matthew 6: 14-15 NASB
Jennie Strope, Enid, OK
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 ESV
I think this has become my life verse. It has become the truth I stand upon (after traveling a journey of a few surgeries).
Abigail Dubbe, Red Lion PA, Provers 31:11 (NIV), “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
Ada, MI
Psalm 33:4-5
For the Word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of HIS unfailing Love.
christina moore, Plano, Texas~
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3, ESV).
Ruth – Sherwood, OR – “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Prov. 3:5 – 6 (CEV)
2 Cor 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Adrianna Anderson
PINSON, Al
Fran Scott, Stafford, TX Psalm 27:14 KJV
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Indianapolis, Indiana
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 NIV)
Alice’ H. Pineville, LA: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
Courtney from Jackson, TN
Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)
“And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Molly
Paris, KY
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.
Esther, Lancaster, PA “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 2Corinthians 4:8 NLT.
Teri Moss- Browns Summit, NC- Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
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.”
Jacqui Maudslay, Chester, UK
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Ephesians 3:18, TNIV
Marcy in Garland, TX -“Renewing of your mind…” How to: (cont’d)
In diligence not slothful;
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Romans 12:11
Sara – Little Rock, AR
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. NIV
Cindy -Gulfport,MS
“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
d’Ann from Moultrie, GA
Matthew 6:32b-34 NKJV
For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Tracy
Lake St. Louis
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12 NIV
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Audrey, Monongahela, Pa.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Phil. 4:13 KJV
April 15, 2015 at 4:20 p.m.
Steph, Irvine, CA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “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
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV’84)
Sacramento,CA
It is God who arms me with strength
and keep my way secure. Psalm 18:32 NIV
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington, CT
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV)
Deena Wahl, Lumberton, Tx
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!”
Psalms 119:2 NKJV
Margie Bray – Pretty Prairie, KS
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
Phyllis Winn
Gilmer, Tx
2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Kristine from Welland Ontario
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. ” Romans 8:11 (ESV)