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.
Kelly from Reno, NV
Colossians 3:15 – NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace and always be thankful.
Francine Thacker, Burnet, TX
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 ESV
Hillary Dickey, D’iberville, MS. “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all”. Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Beth Lewis, Story City, Iowa
“giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
Colossians 1:12, NKJ
Martha, Cocoa, FL
2 Peter 2:9 ESV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Mary Murray Fayetteville AR
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins.
Cynthia Simmons, Mount Vernon, NY
“When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.” Psalm 27:2 (NKJV)
Sarah, Kingwood, TX
Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 1Samuel 12:24 (NKJV)
Melissa ~ Black Creek, Ga.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17 ESV)
Beverly, Dallas, NC
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Ps 37:5. KJV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
Isaiah 55:10
Chris
Canton, NC
“Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”
Psalm 56:9
NIV
Travis
Jackson, TN
OK…I didn’t post my last verse because we were in the middle of craziness. So I am posting 2 here.
April 1st verse:
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. James 1:9-10 (NIV)
Today’s verse:
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. James 1:11 (NIV)
“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. ” Isaiah 55:3 NLT
Glenda Self
Nederland,Tx
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.12.2.nlt
Krista – Winchester, Va
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Psalms 73:26 HCSB
Joy West Monroe, LA
“may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:18 NIV
Jenny England, South Bend IN
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25 ESV)
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”
– Romans 8:31 (NASB)
Becky – Springfield, MO
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB
Jodi Alley, Humble, Tx
No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (HCSB)
Carrie, St. Paul, MN
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth.” Isaiah 40:28a HCSB
Florence, Arcadia, CA
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)
Sharon from Van TX
I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
Psalm 119:8 NIV
Dana, San Angelo, Texas
“My soul is weary with sorrow;strengthen me according to your word”. Psalm 119:28 (NIV).
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)
Donna,Oklahoma City Ok
Ephesians1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Tara Milligan, Stigler, OK Daniel 2:20-21, NIV “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Cindy Webster, Imperial Beach, CA
A fool vents all his feelings But a wise man holds them back. Proverbs 29:11 NKJV
The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7 NLT)
Kathleen Smith, Georgetown TX
Luke 10:27 NIV
‘Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Julie/Deer Park,Tx In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6 NIV
Kaitlynn, Nixa, MO.
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB
Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health t your body and nourishment to your bones.
Karen –Valrico, FL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5 HCSB
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
NIV
Midlothian, /Texas
Nancy Rottschafer Holland, MI
John 14: 15-17 ” If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. The Spirit of Truth; the world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you.
Stephanie – Imperial Beach, CA
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 ESV
Stephanie, El Cajon, CA Romans 12:2 (NIV): “Do not conform to the patterns 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.”
Oh! May the God of hope fill you up with joy, fill
up with peace, so that your believing lives,
filled with the life giving energy of the Holy
Spirit, will brim over with hope.
Romans 15:13 MSG
Charlene Morgan–Lincoln City, Oregon
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11
Janis Slatter
Auckland, New Zealand
Proverbs 31 v 30 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
Psalm 121:1 NIV
Christina Cole, Irvine, CA
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of the evil one comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Makayla, Nixa, MO
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 HCSB
Bobbie, Litchfield, MN
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalms 91:3-4 (NIV)
Kelli McLean ~ Kalispell, MT
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord , And to inquire in His temple. ~ Psalms 27:4 NKJV
If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5 NIV
Debbie from Holbrook, New York
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard our hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Brenda from Lincoln, NE
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11