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.
Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Mary Ann Roach
Wichita Falls, Texas
You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5
NIV
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Luke 1:45 NLT
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have they that do His commandments: His praise endureth forever.
Psalm 111:10 (KJV)
Locust Grove, VA
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Shana Hodge – Dequincy, LA
Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
Tammy Decker
Mt Pleasant, SC
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
Robyn, Celina, Ohio
Psalm 143:8 NIV
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”
Michelle, Houston “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” Romans 12:9 NIV
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 NIV
– Mimi, GA
Sandy, Brookshire, Texas Col. 3:8 ” but now you also, put them all aside; anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech from your mouth.”
Nanette Smith Jacksonville, TX
But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:16
NAS
Kate K., Lafayette, IN
“The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV
Sherrie Lynn, Collierville, TN. “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:6 NIV)
Deonne Collins-And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
New Living Translation
Deanna, Harwood, MD. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Esther. Jonesborough TN. Romans 4:22 ESV. (Continuing passage).. “That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness’ “
Sandy E. ; Kansas City, Missouri; “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
If I give all I possess to the poor and gi
Emily Drake
Heath, Ohio
John 3:30
“He must become greater, I must become less.”
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
Psalm 62:7 NIV
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,” Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NLT)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. I Cor 8:3 (ESV)
Emily Lawyer
Arlington, VA
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown towards His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)
Beverly Reeder Columbus, Ms.
Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Malinda Guider, Chattanooga, TN-“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11-ESV
Hudson Valley, NY
ROM 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jesus looked at them & said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
NIV
Jennifer James~Katy,TX “And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Lori- Mountsin View, WY
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ~ Psalm19:14 (NIV)
Ellen K., Chester, VA
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16 ESV)
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (1 Peter 1:8 NIV)
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC
“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
Jude1:2 NIV
Rebecca Stewart Julian, NC “A gentle response diffuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” Proverbs 15:1 Message
Pam G., Centreville, VA Psalm 63:6-8 NIV
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Karen, Dripping Springs, TX:
Philippians 1:11 Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. NIV
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19 NKJV
Sherri Medford, Abilene, Tx
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13 NIV
Brooke, Montgomery, TX “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12 NIV
Fort Wayne, IN
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
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.
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,”
Ephesians 3:14, ESV
Deanna, Montgomery, TX ” I perceived that whatever God does endures forever, nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.” Eccl. 3:14 ESV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. –Mark 16:9 NASB
Diane, I didn’t know who this month’s guest blogger would be, but I’ve been praying for you. Thank you for sharing with us! Your verse hangs on a wall in my bedroom.
Rachel Patterson – Clover, SC
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,” ~ Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18 NIV)
Rachel Lancaster-Harrison AR
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)