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.
Ruthie Farmer
Brentwood TN
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith_that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Candy from St Louis
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And i pray that you being rooted and established in love
Continuing Ephesians 3:17 NIV
Gay Beck
Plain City, OH
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Ehpesians 4:7 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.
Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)
Tracey, Margaree Valley, NS
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Ephesians 3:17b-18
Allison Brown, Hickory, NC
…for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:2b-3 (NIV)
Vicky Jones, Adelaide, South Australia
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Heb 10:35-36 ESV
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:6 ESV
“Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer, listen to my plea for grace.”
Danielle, Evansville IN
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor. 5:21 ESV
Susan Turner, Shelby,NC (learning to let go)
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24 ESV)
Melanie Franks, Royston, Ga
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6 AMP)
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA
“In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.”
Proverbs 28:23 NLT
Jen B., Gaithersburg MD
Hebrews 10:35-36, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.” (ESV)
Mitzi from Long Beach
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.
2 Peter 1: 3-4 NIV
NIV Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who are called according to his purpose.
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to understand.” Psalm 139:6
Cindy Beam
Rogers, AR
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors & teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Jennifer S., Harleysville, PA
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. ”
Psalm 36:5 NIV
John 1:8 (NIV)
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Barbara Dunton
Midland, Texas
Psalm 103:13 (ESV)
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors & teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
LeEllen Phillips, Nashville, TN
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 NIV)
Lori Kodak, TN For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1.21 KJV
Noel Carlton, Clarksburg, MD
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Deborah, Hartsville, SC. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Becca Williams – Irvine, CA
Ephesians 2:2 NIV
“…in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”
(Memorizing Ephesians 1-10)
Mary Fadel
Cordova, MD
1 Corinthians 13:6 (ESV)
“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Hurricane, WV
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Jenny O Tucson,AZ
Galatians 6:9, NIV
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Shelly Slagle- Mount Ulla NC
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
Ellen, Fort Worth, TX
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Lora Hart, Colorado
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Vanessa, Corrales NM
Do not bring your servant into judgement for no one living is righteous before you. Psalm 143:2 NIV
Judy Pauley, Norfolk, Va.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, make music to our God on the harp. Psalms 147:7
Jackie from Marietta, Ga. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 NIV
Albuqueruue, NM
Psalm 139:8
“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. KJV
Diane from Littleton, CO
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.
John 1:10-11 NIV
Kaylee Taylor; Stephenville TX
Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Matthew 18:3
“And said Truly I say to you, unless you repent and become like little children, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.” AMP
Tammy Martinez, Burleson,TX,
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Sheri Vreugdenhil, South Bend, IN
“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” Psalm 30:1 (NIV)
Emily, Lugoff, SC
Zephaniah 3:17English Standard Version (ESV)
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Karen, Warsaw,IN
Ephesians 3:15 ESV
from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Kris, Treasure Island, Fl
“For this reason I kneel before the Father”
Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)
Clayton, NC. And the peace of God which passers all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 AKJV
Denise – Gardners, PA
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)
Jill, Bridgeport,WV
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. ~Philippians 4:12-14 (NIV)
Adria A., Jackson TN
I want you to trust Me in your troubles, so I can rescue you and you can give Me glory. Psalm 50:14 (LB)
Philippians 4:18a (NLT)
At the moment I have all I need — and more!