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.
Vicki M., Greeley, CO
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith,–and this is not from yourselves–it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Prescott, Az
Philippians 2:9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him,and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
NASB
Melissa Stevens- Kingwood TX
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Shannon Davidson, San Juan Capistrano, CA “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV
Joni, Port Neches, Texas. “In hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Ro. 8:21-22, NIV84
Austin, TX
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Melissa, Augusta, GA
And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.
Deuteronomy 6:23, KJV
Claudia Teixeira from Sugar Land, Texas
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10 NIV
Paula Rutherford, Decatur, Tx–Philippians 3:17-19 KJV (continuing to memorize Philippians)
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping , that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Sherry Fisher, Murray, KY
“But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.”
1John 3:8 (NLT)
Rebecca Scott, New Orleans LA
Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.
Colossians 4:17
Janine – Ojai, CA
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are GOD’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
Pam Pruett, Clarksville, Arkansas
I am the Lord; that is my name
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8. (NIV)
Robin Ivey Meridian, MS
“When a believing person prays, great things happen.”
James 5:16b
New Century Version
Brandi Hunter, Memphis, TN.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NASB
Waco, TX
Romans 12:12 (TLB)
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.
Peggy Crews
Starke,Fl
If one does justice to the poor and destitute ,then it is good; is this not ‘knowing Me’ -the word if HASHEM.
Jeremiah 22:16
Tanach, Artscroll
Shirley Hilbert, Spring Hill, TN
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
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. Psalms 143:8 NIV
Psalm 50:14-15 NLT
[14] Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. [15] Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” …
“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matt. 9:29 (NIV)
Kimberly Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL
Exodus 15:26 (EXB)
“I am the Lord who heals you [your physician].”
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. NKJV Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.
Rachel, Plano, TX “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV
Judy, Simi Valley, CA
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Tyra Sias – Atlanta, GA
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.
Psalm 84:11-12 NIV
Rahab,Nairobi,Kenya. Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you,he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,he will rejoice over you with singing.” NIV
Joyce Grimes – Pace, FL
He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” (Luke 24:6-7 NKJV)
Theresa A, Glendale AZ
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved, In quietness & confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Suzy from Cedar Falls, IA
Galatians 5:25 NIV
“Since we live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit.”
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16
Emily C, Bothell WA
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Connie, London, England
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Lisa Peck, Las Vegas, NV
Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
…in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm56:11 NIV
Kody, Tennessee
“I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 ESV
“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he life: and whosoever liveth and believeth in my shall never die. John 11:25 KJV
Sarah, Bracknell,UK
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 NRSV
Justine Crawford
Las Vegas, NV
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us. (NIV)
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James 3:16 ESV
Corrie Crouch, Silsbee, Texas
Proverbs 16:24 ESV
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Philippians 4:19 NLT
Gina, Upper Hutt, NZ.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Cristy – Monroe, Ohio
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gate. Deuteronomy 6:8-9ESV
Leah Adams
Blairsville, Georgia
1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV)
The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
Dawn, Silver Spring, MD
Psalm 19:10 ESV
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Brenda from Waldorf, MD
so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Sue, houston, zeph.3:17. KJV He rejoices over me with singing.
Beckie Potterfield – Florence, SC
“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
Marsha from Carmel In
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)