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.
carol mueller lincoln, Nebraska
Romans 11:33″ Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and his paths beyond tracing out.”
Ashley – Fishers, IN
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Jayna, Searcy, AR. “Since we live by the Spirit,let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 6:25 NIV
Tammy, Bluffton, Ohio
I John 3:18 HCSB
Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but
with truth and action.
1 Timothy 2:4 NKJ “God our Savior…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Guinevere, South Bend, IN
John 8:32 NIV
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Susan, Lawrenceville GA
Psalm 27:14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (AMP)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Ephesians 3:18 NIV 84
“May have the power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ,” Eph 3:18
Nina, Waukesha, WI
Romans 5:2 ESV
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Janice – Topeka, KS
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name there am I with them.
NIV – for Karen
Marg Crozier, Yeosu, South Korea
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Emily- Warsaw,IN
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
1Peter 5:7 NIV
Kathleen Partin Saint Joseph Michigan.
James 1:15
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
HCSB
Teri, Lakeway,Tx
Worry weighs us down
Proverbs 12:25a MSG
Nancy -Versailles, Ky
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
-Psalm 40:1 NIV
Ella May, Gillespie, IL
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 NIV
Jodell, Frankfort, IN
I Corinthians 10:31 NIV
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Kristin Blatz, Kettering, OH Deuteronomy 6:7 (NKJV)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids IA, “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other.” Colossians 3:16, MSG.
Sallee Bonham
Belle, Missouri, USA
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Jennifer K
Asheboro, NC
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or toil. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
Matthew 6:28-29 NIV
Elizabeth Miller, Cullman,Alabama
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14 NIV
Kaci W; Thomasville, Ga
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.”
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV
Claire Veronie,Tomball, TX
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (NASB)
Jennifer Kinsler
East TN
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 KJV
Dianna McFarland, Tracy, CA
Romans 12:2 CEV
Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
Amanda Frazier. Big Rapids, Michigan. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Tami, Louisiana
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
By standing firm, you will gain life. 21:19
Lindsay Newman, Prophetstown, IL. “Perseverance, character; and characer, hope.” Romans 5:4, NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 – NIV
Kristie Mallory Goshen, KY (continuation from verse #7)
“…not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy…”
Titus 3:5 (NLT)
Part of Titus 3:4-7
Lauren, Pittsburgh, PA. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23, NIV.
Tiffany Wooldridge, Bolivar, MO
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:4 NKJV
Jen Quincy, Mass. Psalm 139:7-8-“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” (NIV )
Rhonda McCollough
Oakdale, La
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
KJV
Kathleen Partin. Saint Joseph Michigan.
James 1:15
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
HCSB
Cynthia, Missouri
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
Eph 1:4-5 ESV
James 1:5 (NIV)
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.
Diana Plyley, Fountain, CO
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV ’84
Remember, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. Genesis 28:15a GWT
Lauren Kennedy, Denham Springs, LA
“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
Becky, cleveland, tn
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. NIV
Psalm 107:1
Fruita, CO
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Matthew 5:48 MSG
Karen Glisson, Kennesaw, GA for if you possess these qualities in increasing measures, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Peter 1:8 NIV
Renee – Rockford, MI
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
Cathy, Sierra Vista, AZ
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Santa Clarita, CA “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Rom 5:1, NIV
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.