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.
Amy 7634
“But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”
1 Peter 2:20b (NASB)
Cindy, Deming, NM
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that afflictions produce endurance,
Romans 5:3 HCSB
Izora Browning Midland,Texas
Ist Peter 5-7. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.NIV.
Nancy English, Laramie, Wyoming
I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b NLT
Amy from North Wales, PA:
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39 NIV
Jane, Waukee, Iowa
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Phil 4:8. NASB
Anna, Hickory Flat, MS, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 (ESV)
Susannah Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
Matt. 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Lorie Herinckx from Portland, Oregon
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you in any way.
NIV
Alicia Stewart (Loveland, CO)
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (MSG)
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Col. 3:16 NIV
Anne Roline Morristown, TN
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV
Diane – Mesa, Arizona
This one will say “I am the Lord’s;”
And that one will call on the name of Jacob;
And another will write on his hand, “Belonging to the Lord,”
And will name Israel’s name with honor.
Isaiah 44:5 NASB
Misty Sanders, North Charleston, SC
But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Dione H., Moore, OK. “1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NKJV
Veronica, Temple, TX
Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)
For consider Him [Jesus] who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Misty Dildine, Glenallen, Missouri
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
Erin Boling- Denison, TX
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Denise, Walters, Ok
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14-15 ESV)
Kelly Rodes, Anderson SC
“I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Isaiah 49:11 (NIV)
Stephanie Sanchez from Richardson, TX
Romans 8:1-2 NASB
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Sandra Kelly – Laramie, Wy
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” – Titus 3:4-6 NIV
Heather Johnson, Minneapolis, MN. Deuteronomy 31:8. NIV. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
Charlotte Nix, Jacksonville, Florida. Psalm 73:25-26 NASB
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 NIV)
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Chicago: “Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.” (Psalms 51:8 NKJV)
Heaven and earth shall pass away;but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 21:22 KJV
Gail Peacock, Longview, Texas
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
~ Galatians 6:16 NIV
Abi Copeland Springfield, MO
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
Amanda, Sherman, TX
Proverbs 3:7 KJV
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Vonda Schwarz, Bertrand, NE “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.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Lynann, Artesia N.M.
Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to nations.
Deb Marcus, Iowa
The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
James 3:5 (NIV)
Austin Texas
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!
Cheryl Autry, Dunn, NC
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise ensure that forever. Psalms 111:10 KJV
Kasyn Peacock, Longview, Texas
“Come to Me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.”
~ Matthew 11:28 (NIRV)
Liz Yarbrough, Atlanta, Ga ESV
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” matthew 9:13
Suzanne Carlson – Ridgefield, WA
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NKJV
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Aava Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
God is my fortress; He has made my way safe. 2nd Samuel 22:33 NLT
Kathryn Sherwood Park, Alberta
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits..Psalm 103:1,2 (NIV)
Deb Bryan, Topeka, KS
Proverbs 2: 1-5 NIV
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Mary Thomas – Lexington, KY
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:11
Sara Wheeler, Alexandria, AL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Jenna, Fort Worth, TX
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
I had a different one for this week, but the post really spoke to me:
Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” NASB
Alicia Coffey, Hutchinson, Kansas – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1
Delores Perley, El Cajon, CA
Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.