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.
Jenni Neal, Dunn, NC “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17 (KJV)
Beth, Toronto: “Le my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” (Deuteronomy 32:3 NIV)
Anna from Tillsonburg, Canada
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
This verse speaks for itself and reminds me to stop isolating myself and be in fellowship with others because the day is drawing near when Jesus returns. Thank you Anna!
Julie, Noblesville, IN
Psalms 147:10-11
10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. 11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love. NLT
Gal. 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Carrie Donnell Tallmadge, OH
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
Children are a gift from the Lord . They are a reward from Him.Psalms 127:3
Ann, North Canton, OH. Psalm 73:23-24 (ESV) “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory”
Tammy Holley
Sugar Land, TX
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”
Ephesians 3:17
Kyndra, Houston TX, Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” NIV
Erica Maynard Quincy, Illinois
He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV)
Karen Erickson, Richardson, TX
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
Psalm 34:7 NKJV
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Kari H, Grand Rapids, MI
Zeph 3:17 NLT
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 ESV
Jennifer; Story City, IA: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)
Kelsey Long, Chickasha, OK
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Tammie Williams Utica MO James 4:17 ESV
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Ellen, Moneta VA
Direct my footsteps according to your Word; let no sin rule over me. -Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Kim in St.Charles, IL
And hereby we know we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1John 3:19 KJV
Kristen Schwark, Indianapolis, IN
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ~ Psalm 23:4 KJV
Ruth Moore. Winston Salem, NC
“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:6 NASB
Linda Patterson
Wolcottville IN
I am the Alpha and the Omega says The Lord God
“Who is and who was and who is to come, The Almighty”
Revelation 1:8. ESV
Linda Marty,Colorado Springs, CO
Romans: 8:37 ESV
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Kayla Davisson, Fort Wayne, IN.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9, NIV
Mallory Barker, Floyds Knobs, Indiana
“Create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Sharice, Shelby, NC
“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
Galations 6:9 HCSB
Angela Dedman, Murfreesboro, TN. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV
Joy Martin, LaGrange, GA
Philippians 3:20 NIV
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Deb Hartman, Newnan, GA
For this reason I kneel before the Father
Ephesians 3:14 NIV
The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)
Kenna, Overland Park, KS,
II Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV)
Deborah Meabon, Warren, PA
All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
Proverbs 15:15 (AMP)
Robin Spires Pendleton, IN “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Tammie Maier
Hillsboro, KS
If I go up to the heavens you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths you are there.
Psalm 139:8 (NIV)
Courtney Kelly, Starke, FL
“Your eyes saw my informed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. ” Psalm 139:16
Pam Sue
Spring, TX
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17 ESV)
Julie Medway Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
Hebrews 12.2 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Pam T. Augusta, GA
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)
Tempa Babington, Palm Bay, Fl
“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, to Him be glory in the Church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever & ever. Amen! ”
Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV
Joy Schilli
Anna, TX.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
-Jeremiah 29:13
Holman version
Sharon,Somerville, AL Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Karen from Humble, Texas
Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm121:2 NIV
WheatRidge, Colorado
Yet you are always with you;you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will take me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:23-26 NIV
Kari Hawkins Canton, Ga
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3 NIV
Kelly, Enid OK
Zephaniah 317 (NLT)
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all you fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Kidist, The Colony TX
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Tigi Montgomery Village MD
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Katie, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Encourage one another and build each other up. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Barbara Stone
Springfield, Mo.
Who comforts us in our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort
which we ourselves are comforted by God.
II Corinthians 1:4. NKJV