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.
Heather – Fort Worth, TX
“May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Char Manley, Marengo, IL
For you created me in 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. Psalm 139:13,14 NIV
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone,says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
Ezekiel 18:32 (NRSV)
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
Ashley Ehrlick, Billings, MT – 1Timothy4:16 “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” (NLT)
Jordan LaRoche, Kingwood, TX
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12 (ESV)
Galatians 5:16
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Mary, Atlanta GA – But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 (NIV)
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 (NKJV)
Linda Ballard, Waxahachie, TX “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26 NKJV
Falisha Boland, Kirtland,NM
Ephesians 3:17 – NIV
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”
Karen, Minot ND
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6
Deb oakes Alliance, nebraska nkjv.
John 3:17&18 “For God did not send his son into the world to
Condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who
Does not believe is condemned already because he has
Not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God. “
Kim
Oklahoma
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Kim Davis, Bristol, Tennessee
“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6 Msg
Sandra Larranaga Bowe San Jon, NM
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright
In heart. Psalm 7:10
Jennifer Wilson, Brentwood, CA
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
But the man that looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it– he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25
NIV
Kara B., Longview, TX
For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has please the Lord to make you a people for Himself.
1 Samuel 12:22 ESV
Tammy Disch, Garland, TX
And He who searches the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27 (NASB)
Richmond, TX
Romans 11:34-36 NIV
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should pay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Jill Lynch, Mission Viejo, CA
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Diane – Lenexa, KS
Psalms 19:1 NIV
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Claudia from Edmond, OK
Ephesians 3:18 (NLT). “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.”
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin CA
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:25 Faith Girlz Bible NIV
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 5:1
Erica of Ontario, California
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. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Diana, Norman, OK
John 17:6-7 (KJV)
6. I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word.
7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee.
Jen–Tehachapi, CA
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” –Acts 20:24 NKJV
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. – Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Carol
Woodbridge, CA
April 1- ” I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty, And on your wondrous works.
April 15- “Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare your greatness. ” Psalm 145: 5-6 NKJV
Callie, Nashville, TN: “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (AMP)
Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].
Wendy Houston, Rocklin CA
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 NIV
Battle Ground, WA
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ” I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:19-21
“He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.”
-PROVERBS 2:7
Kathy Porter, Las Cruces, NM
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”
–2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)
Kristi – Clovis, CA
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit days the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Carla Kaney, Adel, IA “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NIV
Carol in Salem, Oregon
Romans 15:4 NASB
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Natalie Kirkland, WA
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Jessica, Bellingham, WA
Ephesians 1:19b-20 NIV
That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.
Reanna, Cypress, CA
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
Linda from Wake Forest, N.C. says:
“Anyone who claims to be in the light, but hates a brother or sister is still in the
darkness.”1 John 2:9 (NIV)
Kaitlin Christensen
Newberg, Oregon
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23. NIV
Kathi Houtcooper, Phoenix AZ,
But Jesus immediately said to them: Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Matthew 14:27 NIV
Kabrina Ethington, Chandler,AZ. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21 ESV)
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, Texas – 1 Samuel 2:8-9 NIV
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
I hope you will accept me…my husband just had surgery and I got to the computer at 1 AM, but I posted on verse 7. I showered, realized the error of my ways, posted on verse 8…
Paula, Houstonx, Tx
Paula from Houston, Tx—
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to You; your right hand upholds me.
(Psalm 63:7-8, NIV)