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.
Cara Koski; Fridley, MN
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12, NASB
Wendy, West Monroe
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:34 NAB
Trish – Clover, SC
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Lisa Cummings, Joaquin, TX
“Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:4 KJV
Devi, Singapore
Matthew 16:23
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Nancy Turner, Woodbridge, VA
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had
Romans 15:5 (NIV)
Diane Currie, Schertz Texas Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. 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, ESV.
Donna, indianapolis, In ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Kathy Walden, Knightstown, IN
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Texas, “And therefore the Lord earnestly waits expecting, looking, and longing to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who earnestly wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him, for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship! Isaiah 30:18 Amplified
Jennifer, Center Point, IA
NIV 1John 1:3
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Sandy Seitzinger, Silver City, NM
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
COLOSSIANS 2 3:12-13 NKJV
Kristin Mitchell from Dunmor, Ky
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
1 Corinthians 15: 55 ESV
Ann from Odessa Fl
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139:24. NASB
Westland, MI. 2 Corinthians 3:17 now, the Lord IS the Spirit, where the Lord is, is the Spirit and there is FREEDOM. NIV
Ravonne McCray, Little River, TX. “Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” John 14:8 (ESV)
Suzie, Pennock, MN
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB)
Romans 8:1-4. ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13-14 ESV) Ann from Colorado
Susan, Andover, KS. “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.” 1 Corinthians 2:3 (NIV)
Paula, Oklahoma City, OK
He humbled you…that he might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3. NASB
Mandi A, Edmond, OK… “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 NIV
Lisa, Sugar Land, TX
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Mary, Frisco, TX. Hebrews 12:1-2(NIV)
12 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Brittney Zimprich, Ellensburg, WA
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV I added the two words “and sisters”
Melissa Rausch, Blue Springs, MO
“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
Beth, Lititz, PA
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
Stacie, Lee’s Summit, MO
My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thy ear to wisdom and thine heart to understanding, yea, if thou criest after knowledge and lift up thy voice for understanding. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6 (KJV)
Brenna Rosetti Wiggins,MS
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Tasha J.
Edmond, OK
Psalm 86:11-13 NIV
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”
Amanda Carter
Ocean Springs, MS
But we urge you, brothers, to confront those who are lazy, your aim being to help them change, to encourage the timid, to assist the weak, and to be patiant with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
CJB
Rhonda, Kingston, OK
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.
Psalms 141:3-4 NLT
Naomi – Colorado Springs: Ephesians 3:17-19: So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Fargo,ND 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12 (MSG)
May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you.
Connie Dildine, Hiram, Missouri
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18 (KJV)
I thank my God every time I remember you -Philllipians 1:3
Salem, VA
Romans 8:6 ESV
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the things of the Spirit is life and peace.
Tammy Hudik, Delray Beach, Florida
Create in my a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:19(NIV)
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
Proverbs 7:3
Tie them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
HCSB
Sandy from Bowie, MD
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” Ps 8:6, KJV
Jennie, Denham Springs, LA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Psalm 51:12 Restore the joy of my salvation , and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. NKJV
Mikayla Marler, Glenallen, Missouri
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. Psalm 86:12 (KJV)
Neosho, MO
For this God is our God for ever and ever;
He will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm 48:14 NKJV
Sonia Kibe from Morrilton, Arkansas
“Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!”
1 Corinthians 13:9 NLT
meredith, Fayetteville, A
Acts 20:24 NIV “however, I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”