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.
donna
Tampa, FL
Psalm 25:12 NIV
Who then are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
Mary Witte
Grand Rapids, MN
You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.
Psalm 63:5 NLT
Angel Buff – Chattanooga, TN
“I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1, NLT)
Teri Campobello, S.C.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Wendy Buttrey Acworth, Ga
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. Isaiah 40:28 MSG
Cheryl Swanson – Tulsa, OK
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 -NIV)
How many are we – counting both the Facebook place and this blog – what’s the total number of women who are memorizing verses this year?
Kristen, Paramount, CA
GOD rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun!
(1 Samuel 2:6-7 MSG)
Kimberley, Brisbane, Australia
Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” (NIV)
Ellen from Bad Axe Michigan: Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Lisa S., Cibolo, TX “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
Lynne, Virginia Beach, VA
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Val Parker DeQuincy,LA Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you. (Deuteronomy 3:22 KJV)
Toms Brook, VA
“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith”.
1 John 5:4 NLT
Beautiful article, Diane! Saving this verse to memorize later in the year. I particularly like the part where it says, “in his love he will no longer rebuke you.” I need to remember that so often!
Here’s my verse:
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
Ephesians 3:17 NIV
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Kayla Bollman Fargo, ND
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:7-8 NIV
Susan Clements, Seale,AL “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Norfolk. VA
Psalm 73:26 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Anna from Boise, ID
Philippians 3:15 (NKJV)(previous verses were 3:12-3:14)
“therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me.
Micah 7:7 NLT
Britt Felix, TUcson, AZ
Psalms 103:10-11 NASB
He has not dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear him.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness,gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5-22-23 NIV
Annette Green, Roach, MO
Philippians 2:5, and 7 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped , 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Patchogue, New York
“No eye has seen nor ear has heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man, anything as beautiful as what God has prepared for those who love him.
I Corinthians 2:9
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:13, NIV
Sheryl P. Bloomington, MN For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23: 7 NKJV
Sophia S. Harleysville P.A.
Lamentations 3:22
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
ESV
Sue Goldberg Rockford Il, Psalm 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carriers them close to His heart: He gently leads those who have young.
Brenda, Livermore, CA
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the lord, whose confidence is in Him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
Psalm 31:24 “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”
ESV
Rhonda Butler, Jackson, Tennessee, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Debbie B., Marietta GA
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2
Gabriella S. Harleysville, PA
“The Lord detests in lying lips, but delights in those who are trustworthy.”
-Proverbs 12:22 NIV
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15
Crystal Laiben, Cape Girardeau MO
When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers her suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.
John 16:21 HCSB
Claudia, Raeford, NC The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; (Psalms 9:9 NASB)
Karen McCormick – Waco, Texas. Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” – John 13:7 NIV
Deana Gordy
Cartersville, GA
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
Psalm 18:1
NRSV
Faith in Coeur d’Alene
Ephesians 1:5 NKJV
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Jacqueline Sarnia On Canada
Deuteronomy 33:12 ( NIV )
About Benjamin he said : ” Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
Linda may. Winnipeg canada
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1:6 NIV)
Priscilla, Brentwood, CA “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. “(Psalm 130:5 NIV)
Krista Fehr
Chickamauga, GA
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…
Patty Lincoln, Columbia, SC: “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.” Zeph. 3:17 NIV
Jan B, Amarillo TX
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV)
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of Gods marvellous love.
Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Alana, Beaver Falls, PA
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Cindy Wheeless – Perrysburg,OH
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance.
Carol Givens, McAlisterville, PA
Philippians 2:13 NIV
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.