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.
Beth Evans. Prague,OK. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NIV)
Emily Menard {New Orleans, LA} “Do not be conformed to his world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Karen Smith, Denton, TX
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Morgan Myers from Chandler, OK
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV)
Kelly, Spanish Fort, AL “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, NIV
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. ‘
ESV
Teresa from Georgia
“And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust[a] forever.”
Isaiah 32:17 ESV
Tina, New Hope, MN
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Cara, Stillwater, OK: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
Tracey Fulton
Mocksville, NC
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)
Stacy Mc….Southaven, MS
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
and to know this love that supasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankgiving let yur requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phillippiand 4:6-7 KJV
Psalms 90:14 ESV
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Meagan, Woodstock, Ga.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. 2 Timothy 1:7
Teresa. Orange City. …to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 ESV
Tensie Los Angeles, CA
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Stephanie
Helotes,Tx
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22 NIV)
Gail Ouimette, Tumalo, Oregon
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
James 5:12 NIV
Savannah Beard
Cullman, AL
“Don’t put your trust in powerful people; there is no help for you there.”
Psalm 146:3 NLT
Buffalo, OH
My steps have held fast to your paths, my feet have not slipped.-Psalm 17:5 (ESV)
Isaiah 50:4a ESV
The Lord God has given me the younger of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.
Kathy Darnell, Princeton TX.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12 NIV
Mayetta Curtis, Springfield, MO
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11,12 (NIV)
Anna, from Indiana
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa, Ok.
*having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Ephesians 1:5 NKJV)
Erika Dotto, West Palm Beach, FL
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Carlie from Henderson, NV
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10 NIV
Tanja, Edmonton, Alberta
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”
Romans 12:1 (MSG)
Stacie K.
Springfield, VA
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” Matthew 9:13 a, NIV
Kiva, Irvine, CA
Zephaniah 3:17 AMP
“The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior who saves! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in silent satisfaction and in His love He will be silent and make no mention of past sins, or even recall them; He will exult over you with singing.”
Laura Graves
Charleston, SC
Romans 14:19 NIRV
“So let us do all we can do to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.”
Chelsea McNary, Lima, Ohio
Mark 11:24 (NRSV)
So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Tina Dill, Biloxi. MS
Eph 3:16-17(a) NIV
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in you inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Mount Juliet, TN ~~ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28 NIV)
Pat Keller Tx.
Even from birth the wicked go astray, for the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
Psalms 58:3
Karen Chancellor from Austin, Tx. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”. 1 Corinthians 1: 18.
Debby Conway, Clinton Mississippi
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Melissa, Williston, ND
Romans 8:12-14 NLT
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Karen Coppley Clemmons NC
Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Jackie C
Southaven, mS
The life appeared: we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
1 John 1:2
Heather, Valparaiso, IN:
Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Ps. 119:36 (NASB)
Sarah Rumfield
Tomball, TX
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives
Psalms 37:23 NLT
Marilyn Wright, Snellville, Georgia
Mark 1:17 (NIV)
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Kathy Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:2
NKJV
Danielle Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:2
NKJV
Lisa Cooper Fort Worth, Texas – “… Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine”. Isaiah 43:1(NKJV)
Linda Turner, San Diego, CA
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Caitlin, Windsor, Canada: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” Colossians 1:3, TNIV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV