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.
If God is with us ,who can be against us? Romans 8:31 niv
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NLT
Jeanine, Augusta, GA
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” (Haggai 1:5-6 NIV)
Terry in Louisa, VA
Colossians 3:13 – NIV
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you.
Grand Lake, LA But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). (James 1:14 AMP)
Sharon, Radford, VA
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Open my eyes that I may see
Wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18
Christine from Maryville Tn.
Lisa Crouse, Knightdale, NC ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 NJKV
Christy, Summit, MS; “You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 NIV
Keri from TN
“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God”
Matthew 5:8 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Stephanie, Alexandria, VA. “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
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Deanna Ellis, Lexington, SC, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18 NIV
Dorothy Williams
Montgomery, AL
James 1:6 NIV
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. (Proverbs 16:4 NIV)
Mela Williams Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Sharon St. Louis
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Pamela Green Waynesboro, GA
Psalm 119:11(NKJV)
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Jan, Cincinnati
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Jessie Y. Jackson MO. NIV Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Lauren Warner, Austin TX “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 loner rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Candice Kindrick
Rogers, AR
Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (ESV)
Melanie from Missouri says: 1 Peter 3:16-17 (NIV) keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Sara Blakely, Lavonia, GA. “The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6 HCSB
Beth
Broadview Hts, OH
Ephesians 3:17-21 (ESV)
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Roberta
Coldspring TX
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8. KJV
Laura ~ Plainfield,IN
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Kelly Canlas
Sumter, SC
James 2:14 ESV
What goods it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
patrice mcmurtrey, louisville ky
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 NIV
Sherry, Russellville, AR
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NASB
Sierra, Wyoming, MI.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Nicole Gelvin Blue Ridge Texas
“God create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.
Psalm 51:10 NIRV
Lynda from Ocala, FL: Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:20 NIV
CeCelia, Houston, Texas
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
ShaNada Williams
Birmingham, AL
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men
Mindy – McDonough, GA
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Jenny
Covington, KY
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18 (NIV)
Kathy Sanford, Lake Jackson, Texas
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Luke 13:19. HCSB
“It’s like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) John 4:8. (NIV)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I
will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 KJV
Dacia Edmonson
Bullard, Texas
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Sue-Elise, Burkesvillle, KY – 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. “
Margaret, Bellaire, Texas
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Dana, Cape Girardeau,No.
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24 TLB)
Angela, Cullman, AL “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT
Tracie Johnson
Taylorville, Il
My help it comes from The Lord who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 NIV
Dianne
Lafayette, LA
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength.
Isaiah 40: 28-29. ESV
ambria, Wiggins, Mississippi
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
No mind has conceived
What God has prepared for those who
Love him”
Kim Emmerich
Dickinson, ND
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matt. 5:9 ESV
Jackie Plano, TX
Matthew 21:22 AMP – And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.
Susan – Carthage MO
Eph 4:8 KJV Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.